Hey CyberNinja! Great questions - I'm also planning to apply Monday morning so this is perfect timing. From what I've gathered reading through everyone's experiences: 1. **Documentation**: Most people said they didn't need to upload docs initially when applying online, but you should definitely have your W-2s, pay stubs, and employment dates ready. EDD requests documentation later if needed for verification. 2. **Timeline**: From the experiences shared here, initial determinations seem to take anywhere from 1-3 weeks, though some mixed employment cases get flagged for manual review which can add time. The key is applying ASAP since there's that one-week waiting period. 3. **Work search activities**: Several people mentioned that legitimate networking, portfolio updates, and client outreach all count as valid activities. The key word everyone emphasized is "genuine" - it has to be actual work-seeking behavior, not just busy work. What's been really encouraging is seeing how many people with similar backgrounds (recent W-2 work + current freelancing) have successfully qualified. Your timeline of 13 months for the W-2 job sounds even better than some of the success stories shared here. I'm feeling so much more optimistic after reading all these real experiences. Let's both apply Monday and hopefully we'll have some good news to share back with this community soon! The collective wisdom here has been invaluable.

This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you to everyone who shared their experiences! As someone who's been freelancing for a few years now, I had no idea that having W-2 history could still make you eligible for unemployment benefits. I'm actually in a very similar boat to many of you - I'm a freelance social media manager who just lost two major clients this month (about 55% of my income), and I had a W-2 marketing coordinator job about 11 months ago before going fully freelance. Reading Miguel's breakdown as a former EDD claims examiner was particularly enlightening - the base period calculation makes so much more sense now. What really stands out to me from all these responses is how important it is to: 1. Apply immediately rather than second-guessing eligibility 2. Be completely transparent about your mixed employment history 3. Start documenting job search activities right away 4. Understand that you CAN continue freelance work while collecting benefits if you report honestly I'm definitely going to apply this week armed with all this great advice. It's such a relief to know that losing clients as a freelancer doesn't automatically disqualify you if you have recent W-2 wages to fall back on. This community has provided clearer guidance than hours of trying to navigate the EDD website! For anyone else reading this who's on the fence about applying - based on all the success stories shared here, it seems like the worst they can say is no, but many people in mixed employment situations are actually qualifying. Thanks again everyone!

I'm also facing benefit exhaustion soon and this thread has been really eye-opening! Just wanted to add that I called my local workforce development office yesterday and they mentioned something called "Trade Adjustment Assistance" (TAA) for workers who lost jobs due to foreign trade or offshoring. It's a long shot but might be worth checking if your job loss was related to company moving operations overseas or increased imports. They said it can provide extended benefits and training funding. Has anyone here looked into TAA or know if it's still active in 2025? I'm trying to explore every possible option before my benefits run out next month.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! After my regular UI benefits exhausted, I was really panicked about what to do next. Here's what I learned from my experience: First, definitely check if you qualify for a new claim - even small amounts of work during your benefit year can sometimes qualify you. I had worked just 6 weeks part-time and was able to get a new claim approved for a reduced weekly amount. Second, don't sleep on the training programs! I ended up enrolling in a coding bootcamp through the local workforce center that comes with a $300/week stipend. It's not as much as my original UI, but it's helping me transition to a better career field while still having some income. Also, apply for CalFresh ASAP if you haven't already - the approval process can take a few weeks but it really helps with grocery costs. And definitely use Claimyr if you need to talk to EDD - I tried calling for literally weeks before someone here recommended it, and I got through in under an hour. The situation is stressful but there are options out there. Don't give up! Keep applying for jobs while exploring these other programs. The training route especially might open up better opportunities than what you had before.

I just went through this exact situation last month and want to add a few practical tips that really helped me stay organized during the process: 1. Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for all appeal-related documents - you'll be surprised how much paperwork accumulates 2. Set phone reminders for your certification dates - the stress can make you forget routine things 3. If you have any coworkers you're still in touch with, reach out sooner rather than later for witness statements - people's memories fade quickly The waiting period is honestly the hardest part because your mind just spirals with "what if" scenarios. But based on everything you've shared, you have a really solid case. Position elimination due to restructuring is about as clear-cut as it gets for continuing benefits. One thing that gave me peace of mind was calling EDD to confirm they had received the appeal paperwork and that my case was in the queue. Sometimes just having that confirmation helps with the anxiety. Also, don't feel like you need to over-prepare or hire expensive legal help. The Administrative Law Judge is used to dealing with regular people, not lawyers, and they'll guide you through the process. Your termination letter is going to do most of the heavy lifting for your case. Hang in there - this community is rooting for you and you're going to get through this just fine!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago and I completely understand the panic you're experiencing right now! The uncertainty is absolutely the worst part, but I want to reassure you that in the vast majority of cases, your benefits will continue during the appeal process. Here's what helped me get through it: **Immediate relief**: Your benefits should NOT stop while the appeal is pending. I continued receiving my regular payments throughout the entire process, and most people in this situation do too. **Timeline**: My hearing was scheduled about 6 weeks after my employer filed the appeal. The EDD Office of Appeals will mail you a Notice of Hearing at least 10 days before your scheduled date. **Preparation that actually matters**: - Your termination letter stating "position elimination due to departmental restructuring" is GOLD - that's exactly what wins these cases - Write down a chronological timeline of events while everything is still fresh in your memory - Gather any emails, company announcements, or communications about layoffs/restructuring - Don't stress too much about witness statements unless your employer is making very specific misconduct claims **The hearing itself**: Mine was a 15-minute phone call with an Administrative Law Judge who asked straightforward questions. It was way less intimidating than I imagined. The judge just wanted to understand the facts of my separation. **Key point**: The burden of proof is on your EMPLOYER to prove misconduct. Based on your description, they're going to have a very difficult time doing that when you have documentation showing position elimination. You've got this! Keep certifying every two weeks, focus on organizing your paperwork, and try not to let the anxiety consume you. This community is here to support you through the process.

I just switched to direct deposit last week after reading through all these comments and I'm so glad I did! The setup was exactly like everyone described - super straightforward online process, got the test deposits in 2 days, verified them, and boom - my latest payment hit my new checking account yesterday morning instead of that awful Money Network card. I followed the advice about opening a separate account specifically for EDD payments and went with a local credit union. They were really helpful when I explained what the account was for and even waived the minimum balance requirement. The peace of mind is incredible - no more worrying about card fees, lost cards, or sketchy ATM machines. For anyone still on the fence: the fraud concerns from 2020-2021 were mainly about people's EDD accounts getting compromised, not the payment methods themselves. Your bank's fraud protection is going to be way better than anything Money Network offers. Just use strong passwords, enable 2FA if available, and consider the separate account approach. It's honestly been life-changing not having to deal with that prepaid card anymore!

I was in the exact same situation as you a few weeks ago - excited about finally having direct deposit but terrified about security after all the EDD horror stories. After reading tons of posts like this one and talking to people who made the switch, I decided to go for it and I'm so glad I did! Here's what convinced me: the separate bank account strategy is genius. I opened a no-fee checking account at a local credit union specifically for EDD payments. That way, even if something did go wrong (which it hasn't), the hackers would only have access to an account that I immediately empty after each deposit. It's like having the convenience of direct deposit with the security isolation of the Money Network card. The setup process was surprisingly smooth - took maybe 10 minutes online, got the verification deposits in 2 days, and my first payment hit the account exactly when expected. No more dealing with ATM fees, lost cards, or that terrible Money Network customer service! My advice: if you're on the fence, the separate account approach really eliminates most of the risk while giving you all the benefits. The fraud stories from 2020-2021 were scary, but they were mostly about compromised EDD logins, not the payment methods themselves. Your bank's security is going to be way better than any prepaid card system.

I'm in the exact same boat as you! Just certified my first two weeks three days ago and have been anxiously checking the mail every day wondering where my payment is. Reading through all these responses has been such a relief - I had no idea about the Money Network card system or that it takes up to 10 business days. I was starting to panic thinking I did something wrong during certification. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines. Going to set up that USPS informed delivery today and try creating the Money Network account early like Zara mentioned. It's wild that EDD doesn't send some kind of "here's what happens next" email after your first certification gets approved. At least now I know to look for that plain white envelope from Indianapolis!

I'm a complete newbie to unemployment benefits and just certified for my first two weeks yesterday too! This thread is absolutely amazing - I was literally panicking thinking I missed some crucial step in the application process. Had no clue about the Money Network card system at all. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and all the practical tips! I'm definitely going to sign up for USPS informed delivery right now and try creating that Money Network account early. It's honestly frustrating that EDD doesn't provide any clear guidance about what happens after certification - like a simple "Your payment has been processed, here's how you'll receive it" message would save so much anxiety. Really grateful to have found this community where people actually help each other navigate this confusing system!