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Jamal Washington

EDD eligibility questionnaire arrived in mail - what should I prepare for?

Just got a call from EDD saying they're mailing me an 'eligibility questionnaire' and I have to fill it out within 10 days of receiving it. This is my first time on unemployment (laid off from construction job after 3 years) and I'm freaking out a bit. What kind of questions will be on it? Is this a normal thing or does it mean there's a problem with my claim? My benefits have been approved and I've been certifying for 4 weeks already, so I'm confused why they're sending this now. Anyone gone through this process recently?

I had to fill one out back in January. It's basically EDD's way of verifying information about why you're no longer working. They'll ask about the circumstances of your job ending, if you were fired/laid off/quit, and other details about your last employment. Be honest and thorough - they'll cross-check with your employer. I was nervous too but it wasn't that bad. Just make sure you return it by the deadline or your payments could be delayed.

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Thanks! Do you remember how many pages it was? Did you have to provide any additional documentation with it?

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It was about 4-5 pages if I remember right. I didn't need to include any documents with mine, but that might depend on your situation. The questions were pretty straightforward - dates of employment, contact info for supervisor, reason for separation, etc. Just keep a copy of everything you submit in case there's any follow-up.

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got 1 of those 2 weeks after i started gettin paid. filled it out, sent it back, then they stopped my payments for a month with no explanation. typical edd bs

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Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about! Did you ever get your payments restarted? Did they tell you why they stopped them?

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ya eventually, had to call like 50 times. they said something about "needing to verify employment details" even tho everything was already in my claim. just make sure u keep copies of EVERYTHING

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These questionnaires are standard procedure for certain types of claims or when there's a discrepancy between your information and your employer's. The most important things to remember are: 1. Answer truthfully and consistently with what you've already told EDD 2. Return it by the deadline (this is critical) 3. Be specific about dates and reasons for separation 4. If you were laid off due to "lack of work" make sure that's clearly stated 5. Keep a photocopy or take pictures of your completed form before sending If your answers differ significantly from what your employer reported, you may receive a Notice of Determination and possibly be scheduled for a phone interview to resolve discrepancies. Just stick to the facts and you should be fine.

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This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I was definitely laid off due to lack of work - the project ended and they didn't have another one lined up. Should I just write exactly that on the form?

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Yes, that's exactly what you should write. "Laid off due to lack of work - project completion" is perfect. That's a standard qualifying reason for unemployment benefits. Since you've been approved and certifying already, this is likely just a verification step. As long as your explanation matches what your employer reports, you shouldn't experience any interruption in benefits.

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My sister got one of those and ended up having to do a phone interview too because her old boss tried to claim she quit (she didn't). The whole process took FOREVER and she was so stressed. Good luck!

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That sounds awful! Did your sister eventually get it resolved and keep her benefits?

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Yeah she did but it took like 6 weeks and she almost got evicted waiting for her money. Her landlord was cool about it at least. The EDD system is such a mess!

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If you need help after submitting the questionnaire, remember that trying to call EDD directly can be incredibly frustrating. I spent weeks trying to get through about my eligibility questionnaire follow-up before I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me connect with an EDD representative within 30 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It was honestly such a relief to finally talk to someone at EDD who could explain what was going on with my claim and answer my specific questions about the questionnaire.

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Does that service actually work? I've been trying to call EDD for TWO WEEKS straight about a similar issue and can't get through. Always get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message no matter what time I call.

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Yes, it worked for me and several others I know who needed to reach EDD. Basically it automates the calling process so you don't have to keep redialing. I was skeptical too but got connected to a rep the same day.

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i had to fill out one of these after my 3rd certification. turned out my employer claimed I voluntarily quit when I was actually laid off!!! make sure you clearly explain your situation and keep proof of everything. i almost lost my benefits because of their mistake.

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That's scary! How did you prove you were laid off and not quitting? I have my termination letter but it just says "end of project" - should I include a copy of that with my questionnaire?

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Yes definitely include that letter!!! That's perfect proof. I had texts from my supervisor telling me not to come in anymore because work was slow. EDD accepted that as evidence. Anything in writing helps your case.

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One additional note - after you send back the questionnaire, log into your UI Online account every few days to check your claim status. If there's an issue, it will often show up there before you receive anything in the mail. If you see your payments switch to "pending" after submitting the questionnaire, that's an indication they may need additional information.

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Great tip, thank you! I've been checking UI Online daily since I'm paranoid about missing something important. Really appreciate all the advice - feeling much less anxious about this whole process now.

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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I was laid off from my warehouse job. The questionnaire can seem intimidating, but it's really just EDD doing their due diligence to make sure everything checks out. A few things that helped me: - Fill it out as soon as you get it, don't wait until the last minute - Use the exact same language you used in your original application (if you said "laid off due to lack of work" before, say it again) - If you have any documentation like your final paycheck stub, layoff notice, or emails about the project ending, make copies and include them - Write clearly and legibly if it's a paper form The fact that you've already been approved and certifying for 4 weeks is actually a good sign - this is likely just routine verification rather than them questioning your eligibility. Stay calm and just be thorough and honest. You've got this!

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Don't panic - this is actually pretty routine! I got one of these questionnaires about 3 months into my claim when I was laid off from my retail job. The timing seemed weird to me too since I'd already been getting payments, but my case worker later explained they send these out periodically to verify information, especially for newer claims. A few things that made the process smoother for me: - I answered every question completely, even if it seemed repetitive - I made sure my responses matched exactly what I told them during my initial phone interview - I included a brief note explaining the layoff was due to store closure/downsizing - I sent it back via certified mail so I had proof they received it The whole thing took maybe 30 minutes to fill out, and I didn't have any issues afterward. Since you were legitimately laid off from construction due to project completion, you should be fine as long as you're consistent and thorough. Just treat it like any other important paperwork and you'll get through it no problem!

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This is really reassuring, thank you! I like the idea of sending it certified mail - I hadn't thought of that but it makes total sense to have proof of delivery. Did you have to write a separate note or was there space on the form itself to explain the layoff circumstances? I want to make sure I'm being as clear as possible about the project ending.

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Just wanted to add my experience to help calm your nerves - I received one of these questionnaires about 6 weeks after starting my unemployment claim when I was laid off from my manufacturing job. Like you, I was already approved and certifying, so I was confused about the timing. The questionnaire itself was pretty straightforward - mostly asking about your last day of work, reason for separation, supervisor contact info, and whether you received any severance or vacation pay. Since you mentioned you were laid off due to project completion, that's actually one of the clearest qualifying reasons for unemployment. A couple of tips that helped me: - Answer in the same order they ask the questions, don't skip around - Be specific with dates (your last day worked, when you were notified, etc.) - If there's a section asking about "availability for work," make sure to indicate you're ready and able to work - Double-check that your employer's name and address match exactly what's in your original claim I submitted mine within 3 days of receiving it and never had any follow-up issues. My payments continued normally. The key is just being consistent with what you've already told them. Since construction layoffs due to project completion are super common, EDD sees these situations all the time. You're going to be fine!

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This is so helpful - thank you for sharing your experience! I really appreciate the tip about being specific with dates. I'm going to gather all my paperwork from my last day and the project wrap-up meeting so I have exact dates ready. The part about making sure employer info matches exactly is something I wouldn't have thought of but makes total sense. It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing with no issues afterward. Really helps ease my anxiety about this whole process!

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Hey Jamal, I totally understand your anxiety - I went through the exact same thing about 8 months ago when I was laid off from my job at a tech startup. Got the questionnaire call on a Friday afternoon and spent the whole weekend worrying about it! The good news is that since you've already been approved and certifying for 4 weeks, this really is just routine verification. Construction layoffs due to project completion are one of the most straightforward unemployment scenarios - EDD sees these constantly. Here's what worked for me when I filled mine out: - I set aside about an hour in a quiet space with all my employment documents - Made sure to use the exact same wording I used in my original application - Included my final paycheck stub that showed "end of project" as the reason - Answered every single question, even the ones that seemed obvious - Mailed it back the very next day with tracking The whole experience was way less scary than I built it up to be in my head. Since you have your termination letter that says "end of project," you're in great shape. That's exactly the kind of documentation that makes this process smooth. Try not to stress too much - you were legitimately laid off, you've been following all the rules, and you have proof. This is just EDD dotting their i's and crossing their t's. You've got this!

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Thank you so much, Jamal! It's really comforting to hear from someone who had the exact same worries I'm having. I love your systematic approach - setting aside dedicated time with all documents ready is exactly what I need to do instead of just panicking about it. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about mailing it back immediately with tracking. Having that "end of project" documentation seems to be the key thing everyone is mentioning. I feel so much better knowing this is routine and that construction layoffs are common scenarios for EDD. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience!

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I'm going through something similar right now - got my eligibility questionnaire last week after being on unemployment for about 6 weeks (laid off from my warehouse job). Just wanted to share what I learned from calling EDD directly about it. The representative told me these questionnaires are triggered by their system when there are certain flags - could be random quality control, a discrepancy between what you reported and what your employer reported, or just routine verification for newer claims. Since you're in construction and layoffs due to project completion are super common, this is likely just standard procedure. A few things that helped me when I filled mine out: - I gathered ALL my paperwork first (final paycheck, any layoff notices, contact info for my supervisor) - Filled it out in one sitting so my answers would be consistent - Made photocopies of everything before mailing it back - Sent it via priority mail with tracking (cost a few extra dollars but worth the peace of mind) The form itself took about 45 minutes to complete thoroughly. Most questions were pretty basic - employment dates, reason for separation, supervisor details, etc. Since you have that termination letter mentioning "end of project," you're in really good shape. Try not to worry too much - the fact that you've been approved and certifying successfully for a month is a positive sign. This is likely just bureaucratic procedure rather than them questioning your eligibility. You've got legitimate documentation and a clear-cut layoff situation. Just be thorough, honest, and get it back to them quickly!

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This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you for calling EDD directly and getting that clarification about what triggers these questionnaires. It's so helpful to know that construction layoffs are flagged as routine rather than suspicious. I'm definitely going to follow your approach of gathering all paperwork first and filling it out in one sitting - that makes so much sense for consistency. The priority mail with tracking tip is great too. I was just planning to use regular mail but you're right that the peace of mind is worth a few extra dollars. Really appreciate you sharing what the EDD rep told you about this being standard procedure for newer claims!

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I just went through this exact situation about 2 months ago when I was laid off from my job in food service. Got the call about the eligibility questionnaire on a Tuesday and had it in my mailbox by Thursday - EDD is actually pretty quick with mailing these out. Like everyone else has said, try not to panic! The timing after you've already been approved and certifying is totally normal. My case worker explained that they often send these out around the 4-6 week mark for newer claims, especially when the separation reason needs verification. Here's what helped me get through it smoothly: - Read through the entire form before starting to fill it out - Keep your original unemployment application handy for reference so your answers match - If you're unsure about exact dates, check your final paycheck stub or any termination paperwork - Don't overthink the questions - they're more straightforward than they seem - Leave extra space when writing if it's a paper form, sometimes they're hard to read The whole thing took me maybe 40 minutes, and I had zero issues afterward. Since you were clearly laid off due to project completion (which is super common in construction), you have nothing to worry about. Just be thorough, consistent, and get it back to them well before the deadline. You've already done the hard part by getting approved - this is just paperwork!

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This is really helpful advice, especially the tip about reading through the entire form first before filling it out! I hadn't thought about that but it makes total sense to get the full picture before starting. I'm definitely going to keep my original application handy for reference - that's such a smart way to make sure everything matches up. The timeline you mentioned (getting it Thursday after a Tuesday call) is good to know too, so I can plan accordingly. It's reassuring that your case worker explained this is normal for the 4-6 week timeframe. Thanks for sharing your experience - it really helps knowing that others have gone through this smoothly!

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Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in the construction industry and has seen this situation many times. Project-based layoffs are incredibly common in our field, and EDD is very familiar with how construction employment works - seasonal projects, temporary assignments, layoffs between jobs, etc. The timing of getting this questionnaire 4 weeks after approval is actually pretty standard. I've had three different unemployment periods over the years (construction can be unpredictable!) and received these questionnaires during two of them. Both times it was just routine verification, nothing more serious. Since you mentioned you have a termination letter that states "end of project," you're in an ideal situation. That's exactly the kind of clear documentation EDD wants to see. When you fill out the questionnaire, be sure to mention: - The specific project name if you have it - That it was a temporary position tied to that project - Your supervisor's contact info (they may verify directly) - Any advance notice you received about the project ending The construction industry has a well-established pattern of project-based employment that EDD recognizes. You shouldn't have any issues as long as you're thorough and consistent. Try to relax - this is just standard procedure for our industry!

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This is incredibly reassuring coming from someone in the industry! I really appreciate you sharing your experience with multiple unemployment periods - it helps knowing that even experienced construction workers go through this process. Your point about EDD being familiar with how construction employment works is exactly what I needed to hear. I do have the project name and my supervisor's contact info, so I'll definitely include those details like you suggested. It's a relief to know that project-based layoffs have a well-established pattern that EDD recognizes. Thank you for taking the time to explain this from an industry perspective - it really helps calm my nerves about what felt like a scary process!

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I just wanted to add one more reassuring perspective - I'm a former EDD employee who processed these eligibility questionnaires for about 3 years. What you're experiencing is completely routine! These questionnaires are automatically generated by the system for quality assurance purposes, especially for claims in their first 2-3 months. Construction industry separations due to project completion are among the most straightforward cases we handled. Since you already have approval and have been certifying successfully, this questionnaire is just crossing the t's and dotting the i's. The system likely flagged your claim simply because it's new, not because there's any issue. A few insider tips: - Answer questions in the order they're asked, don't skip around - Use simple, clear language (avoid jargon or overly detailed explanations) - If a question doesn't apply to your situation, write "N/A" rather than leaving it blank - Your termination letter saying "end of project" is perfect documentation - include a copy The processors who review these see dozens of construction layoffs every day. As long as your story is consistent and you have that documentation, you'll sail through this process. The 10-day deadline might seem tight, but most people complete the form in under an hour. You've got this - try not to stress about what's really just routine paperwork!

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This is absolutely invaluable insight from someone who actually processed these forms! Thank you so much for explaining that it's just automatic quality assurance rather than a red flag. Your insider tips are gold - especially about writing "N/A" instead of leaving blanks and using simple language. It's such a relief to hear from someone who handled construction layoffs daily and knows they're straightforward cases. I was definitely overthinking this whole process, but knowing that processors see dozens of these situations every day really puts things in perspective. I feel so much more confident now about filling this out and getting it back to them quickly. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your professional experience!

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Reading through all these responses has been so helpful! As someone who just went through this process last month after being laid off from my electrician job, I can confirm everything everyone is saying. The questionnaire really is routine - I got mine about 5 weeks after my claim was approved, and like you, I was already certifying and receiving payments. The form itself was pretty basic - employment dates, supervisor info, reason for separation, last day worked, etc. Since you have that termination letter stating "end of project," you're in perfect shape. That's exactly what they want to see for construction layoffs. One thing I'd add that helped me: I wrote a brief timeline on a separate piece of paper first (project start date, when I was told it was ending, last day worked, etc.) before filling out the official form. This helped me stay consistent with dates and details throughout the questionnaire. Also, don't be surprised if it takes a week or two for them to process it after you send it back. My UI Online account showed "pending" for about 10 days while they reviewed it, but then everything went back to normal and my payments continued without interruption. You've got legitimate documentation and a clear-cut layoff situation - this is just EDD doing their due diligence. Fill it out thoroughly, send it back quickly, and try not to stress. The construction industry sees these project-based layoffs constantly, and EDD knows exactly how to handle them!

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Thank you so much for sharing your recent experience! The timeline tip about writing out dates on a separate paper first is brilliant - I definitely want to make sure I'm consistent throughout the form. It's really helpful to know that your UI Online account showed "pending" for about 10 days but then everything went back to normal. I was worried that any processing delay might mean there was a problem, but now I know that's just part of their review process. I'm feeling so much more confident about this whole situation after reading everyone's experiences. Going to gather all my paperwork this weekend and get this filled out and sent back right away!

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I'm in a similar situation - got laid off from my plumbing job 3 weeks ago when the apartment complex project finished, and I'm expecting one of these questionnaires any day now since I've heard they're pretty routine. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! A few things I'm planning to do based on all the great advice shared: - Keep copies of everything (my layoff notice, final paycheck, project completion documentation) - Fill it out immediately when it arrives rather than procrastinating - Send it back with tracking for peace of mind - Make sure my answers match exactly what I told them during my initial application It sounds like construction/trades layoffs due to project completion are super common and EDD handles them routinely. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made me feel much less anxious about what I thought would be a stressful process. Special thanks to the former EDD employee who explained that these are just automatic quality assurance checks rather than red flags!

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You're so smart to prepare ahead of time! I wish I had read through all these experiences before I got mine - would have saved me a lot of unnecessary stress. Your plan sounds perfect, especially the part about sending it back with tracking. That extra peace of mind is definitely worth it. It's amazing how much better this whole process seems when you hear from people who've actually been through it successfully. Good luck with your questionnaire when it arrives - sounds like you'll handle it like a pro!

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I went through this exact same thing about 3 months ago after being laid off from my HVAC installation job when our commercial building project wrapped up. Got the same call from EDD and was freaking out just like you are now! Here's what I learned: these questionnaires are basically EDD's way of double-checking that everything adds up between what you told them and what your employer reported. Since you've already been approved and certifying for 4 weeks, this is almost certainly just routine verification rather than them questioning your eligibility. A few things that made the process smooth for me: - I filled it out the day it arrived (don't wait - the 10-day deadline is firm) - Made sure to use the exact same language I used in my original application - Included a copy of my project completion notice with it - Kept detailed notes about what I wrote in case they had follow-up questions The form was about 4 pages and took me maybe 45 minutes to complete thoroughly. Questions were pretty straightforward - employment dates, reason for separation, supervisor contact info, whether I received severance, etc. Since you have that termination letter stating "end of project," you're in great shape - that's exactly the documentation they want to see. My payments continued normally after I submitted it, though it did show "pending" in UI Online for about a week while they processed it. Construction project layoffs are super common, so EDD sees these situations constantly. Try not to stress - you've got legitimate documentation and a clear-cut case. Just be thorough and consistent, and you'll be fine!

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