EDD denied my claim over caregiver absence, appeal sent 6 weeks ago with no confirmation - what now?

This is completely normal unfortunately. The EDD appeals process is severely backlogged right now. While they're supposed to send a confirmation letter within 10 days of receiving your appeal, many people aren't getting these until 8-10 weeks after submission. You can try calling the Appeals Board directly at (800) 300-5616 to check the status, but be prepared to wait. Your case sounds strong - you had documentation of both the medical emergency and communication with your employer. Make sure you keep certifying for benefits every two weeks even while waiting for the appeal. If you win the appeal, they'll backpay all eligible weeks.

did u mail the appeal or fax it? when i appealed last yr i faxed it and never got confirmation letter either but then randomly got a hearing date like 3 months later. the whole system is broke af

Sounds like a textbook case of employer misconduct. They can't deny unemployment for legitimate caregiver absence, especially when you communicated properly. The employer is just trying to avoid their UI tax rate going up. Since it's been over 6 weeks with no acknowledgment, you need to be proactive. Calling the regular EDD number is almost impossible - they'll disconnect you after 2 hours of waiting. I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that gets you through to an EDD representative without the wait. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km When you get through, ask specifically about your appeal status and request they expedite sending a confirmation. Also ask them to note in your file that you've been waiting 6+ weeks without acknowledgment. Be polite but persistent.

THE APPEAL PROCESS IS A JOKE!!!! I waited FOUR MONTHS for my appeal hearing after my employer falsely claimed I was fired for misconduct (I wasn't). EDD doesn't care that people are losing their homes and cars while waiting. The system is DESIGNED to make people give up. Call the Appeals Board every single week and document every call. And yes keep certifying or you'll lose those weeks even if you win. If you get desperate call your state representative's office - that's what finally got mine moving.

I had simlar situation last year and got no confirmation for like 2 months but then one day just got a hearing date in the mail. Make sure your address is updated in the system. The judge was actually super nice and ruled in my favor even tho my boss showed up trying to fight it. Just make sure you have all your evidence organized when you finally get the hearing

I know exactly what you're going through! My daughter got pneumonia last year and I had to take time off to care for her too. My employer didn't say anything at the time but then tried to claim I abandoned my job! It took 11 weeks to get my appeal hearing scheduled, and I nearly lost my apartment waiting. One thing that helped: I went to my local EDD office in person with copies of my appeal paperwork and asked them to check the status in their system. They couldn't speed it up, but they could confirm it was received and give me a rough timeframe. At least then I knew it wasn't lost in the mail. I won my appeal eventually because I had text messages proving I communicated properly, just like you do. Hang in there!

Quick update about appeals: EDD is currently running about 12-14 weeks for appeal hearings according to what an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) told me last week. They're prioritizing cases based on file date and financial hardship. When you do finally reach someone, make sure to mention any severe financial hardship (eviction risk, utility shutoffs, etc.) as that can sometimes get your case flagged for expedited processing. Also, check if you qualify for temporary state disability while waiting. If your absence was related to caring for your sick child, you might qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL) which is administered through the same EDD system but is a different program than UI.

whatever u do DONT stop certifying!!! my friend stopped certifying while waiting for appeal and then when she won they wouldnt pay her for those weeks even tho she was eligible

Just to clarify some misinformation I'm seeing: appeals in California are handled by the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB), not EDD directly. They are separate entities. When you call EDD, they often can't give you detailed information about your appeal status. The correct appeals board number is 1-800-400-9061. They should be able to tell you if your appeal was received and what stage it's in. Also, while waiting times are long, the good news is that caregiver absences for ill family members are protected under California law when properly communicated to employers. With your text message evidence, you have a strong case. Just be prepared to clearly explain the timeline of events at your hearing.