EDD appeal hearing timelines - how long for judge's decision?

I received my decision exactly 2 weeks after my hearing. The judge said they typically try to issue decisions within 7-14 days, but it can take up to 30 days if they're backlogged. Mine was pretty straightforward though (similar to yours - employer misclassified my layoff as a voluntary quit), so maybe that's why it didn't take the full 30 days. Hope you hear back soon!

Mine took 8 WEEKS!!! The system is COMPLETELY broken. I called the EDD every single day for weeks and got nowhere. They kept saying "the judge is still reviewing your case" over and over. By the time I finally got my decision (which was in my favor BTW), I had already maxed out 3 credit cards and borrowed money from my parents just to pay rent. Don't count on them being quick!!

I just went through this in March. My decision took exactly 10 calendar days to arrive in the mail after my hearing. The online account doesn't always update right away with the decision - I got the letter 3 days before anything changed in UI Online. One thing to note: if your decision is favorable, they still have to process the payments which can take another 3-5 business days after the decision letter. If you're really desperate to reach someone about the status, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD rep when I couldn't wait any longer. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. It's the only way I've been able to get through to a real person at EDD without waiting for hours.

doesnt the law say they have to give u a decision in 30 days?? my friend said theres some rule about that but idk for sure

In my experience, it really depends on how complex your case is and how many witnesses testified. I had a relatively simple case last year where my former employer didn't even show up to the hearing, and I got my decision in just 5 days! But my husband's case was more complicated with multiple witnesses and documentation, and his took about 4 weeks. The judge told him at the end of the hearing that it would likely take "a bit longer than usual" because of the complexity. Did your employer attend the hearing? If they didn't show up, that usually speeds things up. Also, sometimes you can call the Appeals office (not the regular EDD number) and ask for a status update. They won't give you the decision over the phone, but they might tell you if it's been issued yet.

mine took 3 weeks exactly and i was checking mailbox everyday too lol. so stressful waiting!!!

Quick update - I just remembered that when you receive the decision, be sure to read the ENTIRE document carefully. There are sometimes specific instructions about what happens next depending on the outcome. In my case, I had to certify for all the back weeks before payments would process, which wasn't immediately clear. Also, the decision letter should include information about further appeal rights (to the CUIAB board level) if the decision doesn't go in your favor.

Has anyone else noticed that when you win your appeal, they STILL make it difficult to actually get your money??? I had to call multiple times after winning my appeal because they didn't automatically process my backpay. The whole system is designed to wear you down so you'll give up!!

One thing I wanted to add - the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) who handle these cases typically have a large caseload. Under normal circumstances, they aim to issue decisions within 14 days, but there are several factors that can affect the timeline: 1. Complexity of the case 2. Whether additional evidence was submitted that needs review 3. If the judge requested post-hearing briefs 4. Current case backlog at your specific Appeals Office 5. If there were technical issues during the hearing If you're approaching the 30-day mark, that's when I'd start making calls to the Appeals Office to check on status. The main EDD line won't have information about appeal decisions - you need to contact the specific Appeals Office that handled your case (this information should be on your hearing notice).

I'm currently waiting for my appeal decision too - had my hearing 2 weeks ago and the anxiety is brutal! Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and terrifying at the same time. It sounds like anywhere from 5 days to 8 weeks is possible depending on the circumstances. For what it's worth, the fact that the judge seemed understanding during your hearing is a really good sign. I've heard that when judges are skeptical of the employer's case, they sometimes take a bit more time to thoroughly review the evidence to make sure their decision is bulletproof. Hang in there - we're all in this together! 🤞

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! My hearing was on a Tuesday and I got my decision letter in the mail the following Friday - so exactly 10 days including weekends. The judge at my hearing also seemed sympathetic to my case (employer claimed I was fired for cause when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts). What really helped my stress levels was setting up Informed Delivery with USPS so I could see what mail was coming each day. That way I wasn't obsessively checking the mailbox multiple times a day - I could just check the email preview in the morning. The decision letter comes in a standard white EDD envelope, nothing fancy. One tip: if you do win your appeal, make sure to certify for benefits immediately for all the weeks you've been disqualified. Don't wait! I made that mistake and it delayed my backpay by another week. The whole process from decision letter to first payment hitting my account took about 12 days total. Stay strong - the waiting is absolutely brutal but most people do get favorable decisions when the employer misclassifies a layoff as a quit. You've got this! 💪