I just had my EDD phone interview this morning and wanted to share my experience while it's still fresh in my mind! I was also laid off due to company restructuring after 8 years with my employer, so I completely understand your anxiety. The interview was so much more straightforward than I expected. Here's what happened: **The actual experience:** - They called exactly at the scheduled time (showed up as "Unknown Caller") - The representative was professional and actually quite reassuring - Started by explaining this was standard verification for involuntary separations - Total duration was about 25 minutes **Questions they asked:** - Basic information verification - Exact last day worked and final pay received - Detailed explanation of the restructuring and my role elimination - Current job search efforts and availability for work - Whether I had any restrictions on the type of work I could accept **What really helped:** - Having my laptop open with job application records - Writing down key dates and details beforehand - Taking deep breaths and speaking slowly - Remembering that they process these types of cases daily The interviewer actually said "Layoffs due to organizational changes are very common, and since you have clear documentation and a long work history, this should be processed smoothly." That was such a relief to hear! I was approved by end of business day. Since you have 6 years at the same company and legitimate restructuring documentation, you should have no issues whatsoever. The hardest part is definitely the anticipation - you've got this!

I just had my EDD phone interview yesterday and wanted to add to all the great advice here! Like everyone else, I was super nervous beforehand, but it really was much more routine than I expected. One thing that helped me specifically was practicing out loud beforehand - I actually rehearsed explaining my layoff situation to my mirror a few times, which sounds silly but made me feel more confident when the real call happened. The interviewer was professional and patient. Since you were laid off due to organizational restructuring after 6 years, you're in the best possible position for approval. That's textbook involuntary separation with a solid work history. My interview took about 20 minutes and covered the same ground everyone mentioned - basic verification, reason for separation, job search efforts, and availability. Having your termination paperwork nearby is smart even if you don't need to read from it directly. One small tip: when they ask about job search, mention not just the companies you applied to but also any job boards or resources you're using (Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, etc.). It shows you're taking a comprehensive approach. You've got this! The fact that you're preparing and asking questions shows you're taking it seriously. This is exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for - hardworking people who lost jobs through no fault of their own. Take a deep breath and trust that you know your own story better than anyone.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My claim balance is at about $5,300 and I've had two layoffs since July 2022 - first from a content marketing agency, then from a fintech startup that downsized in February 2023. The stress about running out of benefits has been keeping me up at night. After reading everyone's experiences, I finally logged into UI Online today to check my benefit year dates (thanks for the push from this community!). My current benefit year ends in January 2025, so at least now I have a concrete timeline instead of just panicking about the unknown. What really stands out to me is how many of us have nearly identical stories - marketing/tech backgrounds, similar layoff timeframes, claim balances in that $4K-$6K range. It's both reassuring and sobering that this pattern is so widespread. Definitely confirms this is about broader economic conditions hitting our industries hard, not individual career failures. I'm going to implement several suggestions from this thread: creating a detailed job search tracking spreadsheet, gathering all my paystubs from that chaotic startup (their payroll system was a disaster), and looking into those One-Stop Career Centers I never knew existed. The informational interview approach also sounds much more sustainable than constantly sending applications into the void. One tip I'd add - I started using a simple calendar blocking system where I dedicate specific hours to job searching, EDD tasks, and skills development separately. It's helped reduce the overwhelming feeling of trying to juggle everything simultaneously while unemployed. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and practical advice. This community has provided more clarity and support than months of trying to decode EDD's confusing website alone. It's such a relief to know we're not navigating this broken system in isolation!

I'm in almost the exact same situation and this thread has been such a relief to find! My claim balance is down to about $4,600 and I've been through the same frustrating cycle - laid off from my digital marketing role in October 2022, landed a position at a small e-commerce startup in February 2023, then got hit with "budget restructuring" layoffs in June 2023. Still searching despite applying to 15-20 positions weekly. Reading through everyone's experiences finally gave me the push to stop procrastinating and check my UI Online account today. Found out my benefit year ends in February 2025, which at least gives me a concrete deadline to plan around instead of just stressing about the unknown. What's been most eye-opening is seeing how many of us have nearly identical timelines, industries, and claim balance ranges. It really drives home that this isn't about individual career choices or performance - it's clearly a widespread issue affecting marketing and tech professionals during this economic period. The startup funding problems especially seem to be hitting everyone in our field. I'm definitely going to implement the job search tracking spreadsheet that everyone's mentioned, and I'm really intrigued by those workforce development programs and One-Stop Career Centers. I had no idea those resources existed beyond the standard online job boards and EDD system. The advice about quality over quantity for applications really resonates too. I've been in that exhausting spray-and-pray cycle, but focusing on fewer, more targeted applications sounds so much more sustainable for both effectiveness and mental health. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and practical tips. This community has provided more clarity and support in one thread than months of trying to navigate this confusing system alone. It's such a comfort to know we're not dealing with this in isolation!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Got denied last week with zero explanation. From what I've read here and other forums, it seems like the most common issues are missing medical certification or not meeting the work requirements. I'd definitely recommend calling that 8am number someone mentioned - I tried yesterday but couldn't get through. Also planning to contact my assembly member's office today since that seems to help move things along. Keep us posted on what you find out - we're all in this together! 🤞

I've been through this nightmare before! First, definitely appeal immediately - you usually have 20 days from the denial date, not 30. Don't wait for the explanation letter since it can take forever. When I appealed, I wrote a detailed letter explaining why I believed I qualified and resubmitted all my documents (even though I thought they already had them). Turns out they "lost" my doctor's certification form 🙄. The appeal process took about 6 weeks but I eventually got approved retroactively. Also try calling right at 8am or use that claimyr service someone mentioned - I was skeptical but desperate times call for desperate measures! Keep fighting, these denials are often administrative errors.

I'm in almost the exact same situation right now - just got terminated yesterday after 6 weeks on a PIP at my data analytics company. They had me trying to hit impossible KPIs while our team was down 3 people and our main reporting system kept crashing. I documented everything just like you did, including all my requests for additional resources and timeline extensions. Reading through this thread has been such a relief! I was terrified that being fired for "performance issues" would automatically disqualify me, but hearing from so many people who got approved is giving me hope. The distinction between misconduct and genuine performance struggles despite good faith efforts makes total sense. I'm applying for benefits today based on everyone's advice here. It's reassuring to know that EDD looks at the full context and whether you were genuinely trying, not just the final outcome. The fact that we both communicated about unrealistic expectations should definitely work in our favor. Thanks for posting this question - this entire discussion has been incredibly helpful during such a stressful time. Definitely applying TODAY since benefits aren't retroactive. We've got this!

I went through almost exactly this situation about 6 months ago at my previous job. Got put on a PIP for missing sales targets that were frankly impossible given our territory changes and budget cuts. Like you, I tried explaining the issues but management wouldn't listen. I was terrified to apply for unemployment because HR made it sound like I'd automatically be denied since it was "performance related." But I applied anyway and got approved! The EDD interviewer specifically asked if I had made genuine efforts to meet expectations and if I had communicated concerns to management - which I had, just like you. The key is that EDD doesn't consider inability to meet unrealistic goals as "misconduct." Misconduct requires willful behavior like stealing, not showing up, or refusing to follow reasonable instructions. Struggling with impossible targets while genuinely trying is completely different. Apply immediately - don't wait another day since benefits aren't retroactive. Keep all those emails where you raised concerns about the unrealistic expectations. That documentation will be gold if your employer contests the claim. You're in a much stronger position than you think!

This is such great advice about keeping job search records! I just started my claim last week and didn't realize they could ask for documentation later. Do you know what specific details they typically want to see? Like is it enough to just write down company names and dates, or do they want more detailed info like job titles, how you applied, contact info, etc.? I want to make sure I'm tracking everything properly from the beginning rather than trying to recreate it later like you had to do.

Adding to what everyone said about documentation - I'd also suggest keeping track of any networking events you attend, informational interviews, or even conversations with recruiters. EDD considers these valid job search activities too! I went to a few industry meetups and career fairs during my unemployment and those counted toward my search requirements. Also, if you're taking any online courses or certifications related to your field while unemployed, document those as well since they show you're actively working to improve your employability. The more thorough your records, the better protected you'll be if questions ever come up about your claim.