EDD appeal letter timeline - how long before someone contacts you?
So I got disqualified from receiving benefits back in February (apparently I didn't provide enough work search details, which is ridiculous since I submitted everything they asked for). I filed an appeal through the UI Online system on March 12th and got a confirmation number. It's now been almost 4 weeks and I haven't heard a single thing from EDD about my appeal - no mail, no calls, no emails, nothing in my UI Online inbox. Has anyone gone through the appeal process recently? How long did it take before someone actually contacted you? I'm starting to stress out because I really need these benefits. My rent is due next week and I'm completely broke at this point. Should I try calling them or just keep waiting?
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Darcy Moore
I went through this last summer and it took literally 7 weeks before I heard ANYTHING. The system is completely backed up right now. When they finally contacted me, I got a letter with my hearing date scheduled for 2 weeks later. They actually called me the day before to confirm I'd be attending (virtual hearing). If you need to speak with someone at EDD immediately, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me get through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes when I was dealing with my appeal issue. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Basically they call EDD for you and then connect you when they get through. It saved me days of redial hell.
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Edward McBride
•7 WEEKS?!?! Omg I can't wait that long. My landlord is already threatening eviction. Did calling EDD actually help speed up your appeal process at all or is it just a waiting game no matter what?
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Dana Doyle
my appeal took 5 weeks and 3 days before i got a letter in the mail with hearing date... they dont email u they only send it by mail so make sure ur address is correct
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Edward McBride
•Thanks for letting me know! Did they send it to the address on file with EDD? I moved recently but updated my address in UI Online, so hopefully that's where they'll send it.
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Liam Duke
Appeals are being scheduled based on when they were filed and current backlog, which varies by office location. The statutory requirement is that appeals should be scheduled within 30 days of filing, but EDD hasn't been meeting this timeline since the pandemic. Currently, most appeals are taking 6-8 weeks before you receive the hearing notice, then another 2-4 weeks for the actual hearing date. A few things you should know: 1. The Appeals Board is separate from regular EDD - calling EDD reps won't speed up your appeal 2. Make sure to gather all evidence showing your work search activities during the disqualification period 3. Prepare a written statement explaining why you believe the disqualification was incorrect 4. Most hearings are still being conducted by phone, so ensure your contact information is current Unfortunately, there's no way to expedite the process, even for financial hardship cases.
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Manny Lark
•my sister got her appeal heard in just 3 weeks last month, so i think it depends on where u live
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Liam Duke
•It absolutely does vary by office location. The Sacramento office currently has a much shorter wait time than Los Angeles or San Diego offices. The Appeals Board publishes their backlog statistics quarterly, but they're often outdated by the time they're released.
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Rita Jacobs
The entire EDD system is COMPLETELY BROKEN!!! I filed my appeal in January and didn't get a hearing until MARCH!!! And then when I finally got my hearing, the judge was RUDE and didn't even let me finish explaining my work search activities!!! He just kept interrupting me and then I got a denial letter a week later. Now I have to appeal AGAIN to the second level. It's all a scam to avoid paying benefits we DESERVE!!! The whole thing is designed to make us give up!!!!
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Khalid Howes
•wow that sux, did u have any documents to back up your work search? i think thats the key
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Rita Jacobs
•YES I HAD EVERYTHING!!! Screenshots of job applications, emails from employers, EVERYTHING!!! But the judge said I didn't provide the information "in the required format" whatever that means. They just make up reasons to deny you!!
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Ben Cooper
While waiting for your appeal hearing, it's important to continue certifying for benefits each week even though they'll show as disqualified. If you win your appeal, EDD will retroactively pay all certified weeks that were previously disqualified. Regarding timeline, Appeals Board statistics from January 2025 show the current average wait time is 5.5 weeks from appeal filing to hearing notice, but this varies significantly by region. Northern California offices are running about 4-5 weeks, while Southern California offices are taking 7-8 weeks due to higher case volumes. For your work search documentation, make sure you have: - Screenshots of online job applications - Copies of emails sent/received to potential employers - Names, titles, and contact information of people you spoke with - Dates and times of interviews (phone, virtual, or in-person) - Notes from any networking events you attended The Administrative Law Judge will be looking for specific details rather than general statements about your work search activities.
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Edward McBride
•Thank you so much for this detailed response! I've been certifying every two weeks even though it feels pointless right now. I have most of the documentation you mentioned - I've been taking screenshots of every application I submit and saving confirmation emails. Do you know if it helps to bring up financial hardship during the hearing? I'm seriously about to lose my apartment.
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Ben Cooper
•While sharing your financial hardship might seem relevant, Administrative Law Judges are primarily concerned with whether you met the legal requirements for benefits, not your current financial situation. Focus your testimony entirely on proving you conducted adequate work search activities according to EDD guidelines. If you mention financial hardship, do so only briefly and return quickly to the evidence supporting your eligibility.
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Naila Gordon
Hate to say it but i waited over two months last time with no contact nothing. Finally got my landlord to write a letter saying i was facing eviction & sent it to my assembly member's office. They contacted EDD on my behalf & I got my hearing scheduled within a week after that. Sometimes you need to escalate things beyond just waiting.
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Edward McBride
•That's a good idea about contacting an assembly member, I hadn't thought of that. Which office did you contact and how did you find their information?
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Naila Gordon
•Just google "california state assembly member [your city]" & it'll show who represents your district. Most have EDD caseworkers specifically for helping constituents with unemployment issues. They can't change the decision but they can definitely light a fire to get things moving.
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Khalid Howes
got my appeal letter about 6 wks after filing. hearing was another 3 wks after that. but that was back in december so might be different now
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Edward McBride
•Did you win your appeal? I'm trying to gauge my chances here.
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Khalid Howes
•yea i won but my issue was different, they said i didnt report some income but i had proof i did. for work search stuff make sure u have exact details of where u applied
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Manny Lark
my cousin said if u call the appeals office directly instead of regular EDD u can check status. try 1-800-300-5616 then press 1-2-4 i think
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Ben Cooper
•That's actually the regular EDD customer service line. The Appeals Board has a separate number: (800) 300-5616 for general inquiries, but you'll need your case number from your acknowledgment letter to get any specific information about your appeal status.
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Darcy Moore
Just checking in - has there been any update on your situation? Did you end up trying Claimyr to reach someone at EDD?
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Edward McBride
•I actually did try Claimyr yesterday after seeing your suggestion! Got through to someone in about 25 minutes. The rep confirmed they received my appeal but said they couldn't expedite it or give me an exact timeframe. At least I know it's in the system. I'm also going to try contacting my assembly member like someone else suggested. I'll update here when I hear anything!
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