EDD denied my claim after job change - appeal stuck since March with no updates

Yes, you definitely have a legitimate case! This is a common issue with EDD's automated claim processing system. When you have multiple employers in your base period, it sometimes flags the earlier separation incorrectly. I went through something similar last year. The key is that you left your first job for 'better work' which is considered 'good cause' under EDD regulations. The fact that you had continuous employment is critical evidence in your favor. The appeals backlog is pretty bad right now - my hearing took about 10 weeks to schedule. Keep checking your UI Online account daily and your postal mail. They should eventually send a Notice of Hearing with your telephone hearing date. Make sure to prepare your evidence: employment offer letter from the startup, termination notice, and any documentation showing you left your first job for better work (higher salary, better position, etc). One important note: you should still be able to certify, even during appeal. Call and ask why your certification ability was stopped - that's not normal during appeals.

SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME and i waited almost FOUR MONTHS for my appeal hearing!!!! the whole EDD system is designed to make u give up. my advice? DON'T. I eventually won my appeal case bc leaving one job for a better position IS considered good cause. but no1 at EDD tells u this!!! the certification thing is weird tho. i could still certify during my appeal (even tho i wasnt getting paid). try going to contact us section and send a message about the certification problem. they sometimes respond faster to messages than calls.

My sister had an appeal that took 3 months last year and she said the worst part was not being able to talk to a real person at EDD. Have you tried calling right when they open? I hear that's the best time.

I had luck getting through to EDD using Claimyr.com - it's a service that essentially holds your place in line and calls you when an EDD rep is available. Saved me hours of redial hell. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Was worth it to finally talk to a real person who could see what was happening with my claim. Regarding your situation specifically - yes, quitting for better employment is considered good cause, but you need to present evidence at your hearing. Print out all your documentation now and have it organized. The judge will want to see: 1) proof you left for better work, 2) proof you were let go from the second job through no fault of your own.

ok so im confused, are u saying u quit or were laid off? because those are totally different things for EDD. if u quit then ur probably not gonna get benefits unless u had a REALLY good reason like harassment or something. but if u were laid off from the startup u should qualify.

I'm in almost exactly the same situation!!! Left my teaching job for a higher paying position at a private school, then got laid off after 3 months when enrollment dropped. Been waiting on appeal since February and STILL no hearing date. This is honestly making me depressed. I've had to borrow money from family just to pay rent. The whole system seems designed to make people give up. 😞

wait you quit your first job? then yeah your not eligable, sorry. EDD dosnt care that you got a new job after quitting. thats on you

About your certification problem - try logging out completely, clearing your browser cache/cookies, and logging back in. Sometimes the UI Online system glitches and won't show certification weeks until you do this. Happened to me twice!

One more important tip: call the EDD Appeals Office directly instead of the main EDD number. Their number is different (look for CA Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board) and often has shorter wait times. They can at least tell you if your appeal has been scheduled yet even if you haven't received the notice. Also, you mentioned doing freelance work - make sure you're reporting that income correctly. Even during appeal, you need to report any earnings. When/if your appeal is approved, they'll adjust your payments based on reported earnings during those weeks. Missing income reporting can create overpayment problems later.