EDD appeal options - can I file online or must I mail back the appeal form?
Just received a disqualification notice from EDD and need to file an appeal ASAP. My previous employer is falsely claiming I worked until May 2025, but I actually stopped working in April 2025. This mistake is affecting my benefit eligibility! The notice came with an appeal form, but I'm wondering if there's a faster way to submit an appeal? Can I do it online through UI Online or by phone? Or am I stuck with having to mail back the paper form they sent? Time is ticking and I'm worried about missing the appeal deadline while waiting for mail delivery. Anyone gone through the appeal process recently?
26 comments


Gabriel Graham
I went through this exact headache last month! You HAVE to use that DE 1000M appeal form they sent you - either mail it back or fax it to the number listed on the form. There's unfortunately no online option through UI Online for appeals (which is ridiculous in 2025, right?). Make sure you include any documentation that proves your last day of work - final paystub, termination letter, etc. The paper form feels ancient but it's the only official way they accept appeals.
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Alicia Stern
•Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Thanks for confirming. Did you send yours by regular mail or certified? I'm worried about it getting lost.
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Drake
appeals gotta be mailed or faxed. stupid system hasn't changed in like 20 years lol
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Sarah Jones
•Actually you can also drop it off in person at an AJCC office. I did that for my appeal and got a receipt so I had proof they received it. Better than mail imo!
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Sebastian Scott
Make sure you file your appeal within 30 days of the date on your disqualification notice! This is extremely important. While you must use the paper form, here's what you should include: 1. The completed DE 1000M form (fill out ALL sections) 2. A clear explanation of why your employer's information is incorrect 3. Documentation proving your last day of work (final pay stub, company emails, etc.) 4. Keep a copy of EVERYTHING you send 5. Send it via certified mail so you have proof of when you submitted it I'd also recommend continuing to certify for benefits while your appeal is pending. If you win your appeal, they'll pay you for those weeks retroactively.
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Alicia Stern
•Thank you for the detailed info! I'll definitely send it certified mail and keep certifying. Do you know approximately how long the appeal process takes? I'm getting really worried about bills.
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Emily Sanjay
i had a similar issue last year and i just kept calling EDD everyday until i got someone who could actually help me fix the problem without having to go through the whole appeal process! some agents are more helpful than others
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Jordan Walker
•This can sometimes work for simple issues, but for employer disputes about dates of employment, an appeal is usually necessary since it requires a formal review process. That said, calling might help clarify the situation.
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Natalie Adams
I tried to file an appeal online too! THE WHOLE EDD SYSTEM IS STUCK IN THE STONE AGE!!! My employer lied about why I was fired and I had to go through this whole ridiculous paper appeal process. Took FOREVER to get a hearing date (like 7 weeks) and then another 3 weeks after the hearing to get a decision. Meanwhile I couldn't pay my rent and almost got evicted!!! The system is DESIGNED to make you give up!!!
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Alicia Stern
•7 weeks just for a hearing date?? That's terrifying... I don't know how I'll manage that long without benefits.
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Sebastian Scott
•Appeal timeframes are currently averaging 5-8 weeks for a hearing date in California, though it can vary by office workload. The good news is that if you win, you'll receive all back payments.
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Jordan Walker
The most efficient way to handle this is: 1. Mail or fax the DE 1000M form immediately (use certified mail so you have tracking) 2. Continue certifying every two weeks while appeal is pending 3. Call EDD to notify them your appeal has been submitted I'd also recommend trying to reach an EDD representative by phone to explain the situation. Sometimes they can help resolve date of employment discrepancies without waiting for the full appeal process. Getting through to EDD can be nearly impossible though - if you're struggling to reach someone, I've had good results using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that gets you connected to an EDD agent typically within 15-20 minutes instead of calling for days. There's a demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Worth it to potentially avoid weeks of waiting for an appeal hearing.
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Alicia Stern
•Thank you for the detailed advice! I'll definitely try calling first before going through the whole appeal process. Getting this resolved quickly would be such a relief. I'll check out that Claimyr service - spending hours on hold with EDD sounds like torture.
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Sarah Jones
I went through an appeal last year. BIG TIP: when filling out the appeal form, be SUPER specific about dates and facts. My first appeal got denied because I was too vague. Second time I included exact dates, conversations, manager names, etc. and won! Also, don't just say your employer is wrong - explain WHY they're wrong with proof.
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Alicia Stern
•That's really helpful - thank you! I have my final pay stub showing the April date, so I'll definitely include a copy of that with my appeal.
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Drake
wait whats the difference between appeal and reconsideration?? i thought they were the same thing
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Sebastian Scott
•They're different processes. A reconsideration is an informal review requested by calling EDD when there might be a simple misunderstanding or error. An appeal is a formal legal process that goes through the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and may include a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. In the case of employer disputes about work dates, an appeal is typically required.
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Gabriel Graham
Quick update for you - I just went through my appeal process last month and they're scheduling hearings by phone now instead of making you come in person like they used to. Makes it WAY easier! But yeah, still have to submit that initial appeal form by mail or fax. The phone hearing was actually pretty straightforward - just had to explain my side and provide documentation.
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Alicia Stern
•That's good to know! Phone hearings sound much more convenient. Did you have to have a lawyer or anything for the hearing?
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Gabriel Graham
•Nope, no lawyer needed! I just prepared by writing down my key points and having all my docs ready. The judge was pretty chill and just wanted the facts. Much less intimidating than I expected.
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Sean Flanagan
Just wanted to add one more option that might help - if you have access to a fax machine, that's often faster than mail for the DE 1000M form. The fax number should be listed on your appeal notice. I've heard from others that faxed appeals sometimes get processed a bit quicker than mailed ones, though you still want to keep proof that it went through (fax confirmation page). Also, if you're really pressed for time and worried about the 30-day deadline, you could both fax AND mail it - just note on both copies that you're submitting via multiple methods to ensure timely receipt. Better safe than sorry when it comes to appeal deadlines!
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Ana Rusula
•That's a great tip about faxing! I actually hadn't thought about doing both fax AND mail as backup. Given how stressed I am about missing the deadline, that double submission approach sounds like a smart move. Do you know if there's any issue with EDD receiving duplicate appeals, or do they just process whichever one they get first?
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Fiona Sand
I actually just went through this same situation a few months ago! EDD won't have any issues with duplicate appeals - they'll just process whichever one arrives first and note in their system that it was received via multiple methods. The important thing is that you get it submitted within that 30-day window. I ended up faxing mine and then mailing a copy the next day just to be extra sure, and the EDD rep I spoke with later said that was totally fine. One thing I'd also suggest - when you fax it, call EDD a day or two later to confirm they received it. Sometimes fax machines can be finicky and you want to make sure it actually went through properly. The peace of mind is worth the extra effort when you're dealing with something this important!
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Zara Rashid
•That's really reassuring to hear! I've been so anxious about this whole process and worried about making a mistake that could cost me my benefits. The double submission approach definitely seems like the safest bet. I'll plan to fax it first thing Monday morning and then send the mail copy as backup. Good point about calling to confirm the fax went through - I would have never thought to do that follow-up call. Thanks for sharing your experience, it really helps to know others have navigated this successfully!
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Paolo Ricci
I'm dealing with a similar employer date dispute right now! One thing that really helped me was gathering ALL possible documentation before submitting my appeal. Beyond just the final paystub, I also included my timesheet from that last week, any text messages or emails about my last day, and even printed out my work schedule showing I wasn't scheduled after April. The more evidence you can provide upfront, the stronger your case will be. Also, when you write your explanation on the DE 1000M form, be really specific about what your employer got wrong - don't just say "they're lying about my end date" but explain exactly what they claimed vs. what actually happened. I know the paper process is frustrating, but hang in there! The key is being thorough with your documentation.
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Kaiya Rivera
•This is such great advice about gathering comprehensive documentation! I never thought about including text messages or work schedules - I was just planning to send my final paystub. Do you think screenshots of text messages are acceptable as evidence, or do they need to be printed out? Also, did you end up winning your appeal with all that documentation? I'm trying to stay optimistic but this whole process feels so overwhelming!
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