EDD appeal hearing - are both parties on phone call simultaneously like a court hearing?

Yes, both parties are typically on the phone at the same time during an EDD appeal hearing. It's very similar to a court proceeding, just over the phone. The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will lead the call, swear everyone in, and each side gets to present their case and evidence. You'll also be able to question your employer (and they can question you) after testimonies. Make sure you have all your documentation ready and organized before the call - separation papers, emails, texts, performance reviews, anything that supports your side of the story.

YEP my hearing was like 3 months ago and it was EXACTLY like court!!! I was so stressed I could barely speak when it was my turn. The judge was nice tho. My supervisor was there with their HR person and they kept interrupting me (which the judge shut down pretty quick lol). Make sure you write down EVERYTHING u want to say cuz I forgot half my points when I was on the spot. Good luck!!!!

had mine in january. make sure u mute when not talking, my dog barking almost got me in trouble lol

I went through this process last year. Yes, both parties are on the call simultaneously, and it operates very much like a court hearing. Here's my advice: 1. Prepare a timeline of events related to your separation 2. Have 3-5 clear, concise points about why you should qualify for benefits 3. Practice explaining your situation aloud beforehand 4. Stay calm and professional even if your employer says things you disagree with 5. Only speak when the judge asks you to 6. Avoid interrupting anyone The hearing typically lasts 30-45 minutes. The judge will mail their decision within 1-2 weeks after the hearing.

my auntie had a hearing but it wasnt by phone they made her go in person is that different? she lost btw the system is rigged

I've been through this nightmare twice. Yes, everyone is on the same call at once. My advice - GET A CALLBACK SERVICE! I wasted TWO DAYS trying to reach someone at EDD to ask questions before my hearing. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an EDD specialist in about 25 minutes who explained exactly what to expect and how to prepare. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It was honestly the best decision because the EDD rep gave me specific advice for my situation that helped me win my appeal. Trying to navigate this alone is incredibly stressful.

just make sure u dont say anything about quiting even if u kinda did lol

i had my appeal hearing about 6 weeks ago, and yes it's exactly like court but over the phone. one thing nobody told me - the judge actually called me 15 mins EARLY! so be ready well before your scheduled time just in case. i was half-dressed when they called and it threw my whole presentation off lol. my former boss was there with their attorney which felt so unfair since i couldn't afford a lawyer. still waiting for the decision...

One important thing to know: you have the right to request any evidence your employer might present during the hearing. Contact the Office of Appeals ASAP and ask if your employer has submitted any documents. You should be able to review these before your hearing. Also, if you have evidence you want considered, you need to submit it to the Appeals office AND your former employer before the hearing date. The notice you received should include instructions for this process.

I went through this exact same process about 8 months ago and I totally understand your nerves! Yes, both you and your employer will be on the same call simultaneously - it's basically like a three-way conference call with you, them, and the judge. The judge will control the flow and usually starts by explaining the process, then swears everyone in under oath. A few things that helped me prepare: 1) Write down 3-4 key points about why your separation qualifies you for benefits and practice saying them clearly, 2) Have a quiet space with good phone reception - I actually drove to a parking lot because my apartment had poor cell service, 3) Bring water and tissues (I got emotional during mine), and 4) Remember that the judge has heard thousands of these cases and just wants the facts. The whole thing lasted about 40 minutes for me. Your employer will likely have HR or a manager present, but don't let that intimidate you - you have just as much right to be there as they do. You got this!

I had my EDD appeal hearing about 4 months ago and can confirm everything others have said - yes, it's basically a conference call with you, your employer, and the judge all on at the same time. It definitely feels intimidating at first, but the judge will walk you through the process step by step. A few practical tips that really helped me: Make sure your phone is fully charged and maybe have a backup phone nearby just in case. I also wrote down my main points on index cards so I could easily reference them without shuffling through papers (which makes noise on the call). The judge will ask both sides to present their case, then usually asks follow-up questions. One thing that surprised me was how professional and neutral the judge was - they're not trying to "get you" or favor your employer, they just want to understand what really happened. My hearing lasted about 35 minutes and I got the decision letter about 10 days later. The waiting is honestly the worst part! Just stick to the facts and be honest about what happened. Good luck with your hearing on May 3rd!

I had my EDD appeal hearing last month and yes, everyone is on the same call together - you, your employer, and the Administrative Law Judge. It's exactly like a mini court hearing over the phone. The judge will start by explaining the process, swear everyone in, then usually ask your employer to present their case first, followed by you. Here's what I wish someone had told me: bring a notepad to jot down anything your employer says that you disagree with, so you can address it when it's your turn. The judge will give you a chance to respond to their statements and ask them questions too. Also, speak slowly and clearly - phone audio can be tricky and you want to make sure the judge hears every word. Don't be surprised if your employer has multiple people on the call (HR, your former manager, etc.) - that's totally normal for larger companies. The whole thing took about 45 minutes for me and honestly wasn't as scary as I thought it would be once it got started. The judge was very professional and made sure both sides had equal time to present their case. You'll get through this!

I'm going through the same thing right now - got my appeal hearing scheduled for next month and I've been losing sleep over it! Reading everyone's experiences here is so helpful. One question I haven't seen answered yet: what happens if there are technical difficulties during the call? Like if someone's phone cuts out or the connection is bad? I have pretty spotty cell service at my apartment and I'm worried about getting disconnected in the middle of presenting my case. Should I plan to use a landline instead, or is there a backup procedure if technical issues happen during the hearing?

I had my EDD appeal hearing about 2 months ago and can absolutely confirm it's a conference call with all parties present simultaneously - you, your employer (usually HR or a manager), and the Administrative Law Judge. It really does feel like being in court, just over the phone. Here's something that really helped me that I don't see mentioned yet: about a week before your hearing, call the Appeals office and ask if you can do a "test call" to make sure your phone connection is clear. They actually let me do this and it helped calm my nerves knowing the audio quality was good. Also, if you have any witnesses who can support your case (former coworkers, etc.), you can request to have them join the call too - just make sure to arrange this with the Appeals office beforehand. The judge will typically start by asking your employer to present their case first, then you'll get your turn. Don't interrupt them even if they say something completely wrong - just take notes and address it when the judge asks for your response. The whole process was actually more fair and structured than I expected. I was terrified beforehand but the judge made sure both sides were heard equally. Hang in there, Diego - you're more prepared than you think!