EDD phone hearing scheduled - what to expect? Anyone been through this?
I just got a notice that my EDD appeal hearing will be conducted over the phone in two weeks. I was expecting an in-person hearing at the appeals office, so this caught me off guard. The notice says I need to submit any documents 5 days before the call and be ready with all my evidence. Has anyone gone through a telephone hearing with EDD before? I'm worried about how to effectively present my case about misreported wages without being able to show paystubs in person. Any tips on how to prepare or what to expect? Is this phone hearing format normal now or should I request in-person instead?
34 comments


Malik Thomas
Phone hearings are totally normal for EDD appeals now - I had mine last month. It's actually better than going in person! Make sure to email ALL your documents to the judge before the deadline they gave you. The most important tip: be in a quiet place with good reception and have all your documents organized in front of you. The judge will ask you to state your name for the record, then they'll explain the process. Usually the EDD representative goes first, then you get to present your case about the misreported wages. Have your paystubs numbered and refer to them by number when speaking. The whole thing took about 45 minutes for me.
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Emma Wilson
•Thanks so much! That makes me feel better. Did you have a lawyer or did you represent yourself? I'm worried about saying the wrong thing since this is about a discrepancy between what my employer reported and what I was actually paid.
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Isabella Oliveira
theyve been doin phone hearings since covid and never went back to in person most of the time. i had 1 in december for a issue with my former boss claiming i quit when i was fired. make sure u speak clearly and dont talk over the judge!!!!
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Emma Wilson
•Did you win your case? I'm so nervous about this whole thing.
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Ravi Kapoor
I represent clients in EDD appeals and can confirm telephone hearings are standard procedure now. Here's my advice: 1. Send ALL documentation via fax or email at least 5 business days before (earlier is better) 2. Write a brief outline of what you want to say - you'll be nervous and might forget key points 3. Address the judge as "Your Honor" or "Judge [Last Name]" 4. Have your employer's wage reports and your paystubs clearly labeled 5. Be honest and direct - don't exaggerate or minimize facts 6. If you don't understand something, ask for clarification Remember, the Administrative Law Judge wants to get to the truth of the matter. They'll ask questions to clarify the wage discrepancy. Be prepared to explain exactly why you believe your employer's wage report is incorrect.
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Freya Larsen
•This is so helpful!! My cousin has a hearing next month for something completely different (she was denied benefits even though she was laid off) and I'm sending her this advice right now!
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GalacticGladiator
The phone hearings are TYPICAL now but TERRIBLE in my experience!!!! I had one in January and the judge could barely hear me, kept cutting out, and the EDD rep was totally unprepared. The whole thing was a disorganized mess and I ended up having to request another hearing because of the "technical difficulties." They said my evidence wasn't received even though I emailed it a WEEK before the deadline. Be prepared for a complete bureaucratic nightmare!!!
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Malik Thomas
•That sounds really frustrating, but I think your experience is the exception rather than the rule. Most phone hearings run pretty smoothly now. Did you try using a landline? Cell reception can sometimes cause issues during these calls.
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Freya Larsen
had my hearing by phone last week!! so nervous but it went ok. judge was nice. make sure u have ur phone charged lol i was at 15% when they called 😬 took about an hour
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Emma Wilson
•Oh good point about the phone charge! I'll definitely make sure mine is at 100% and maybe even keep it plugged in. Was your case similar to mine about wage reporting issues?
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Omar Zaki
If you're struggling to reach EDD to ask questions before your hearing, try using Claimyr.com - it got me through to a real person at EDD within 15 minutes when I was preparing for my appeal hearing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. I was able to clarify what additional documentation I needed before my hearing, which definitely helped my case. Just talking to an actual EDD rep made me feel way more prepared.
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Isabella Oliveira
•i tried calling edd like 50 times before my hearing!!!! wish i knew about this earlier would have saved me so much stress
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Chloe Taylor
Phone hearing is definitely normal these days. One important tip that helped me win my case: whenever the judge or EDD representative says something that isn't accurate, politely correct them immediately. Don't let incorrect information go unchallenged. Say something like "I respectfully disagree with that statement because..." and then briefly explain with evidence. I had wage reporting issues too, and pointing out the specific discrepancies between my paystubs and what my employer reported made all the difference. Good luck!
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Emma Wilson
•Thanks for this advice! I'll definitely make sure to speak up if something doesn't sound right. Did you have to wait long for the decision after your hearing?
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Diego Flores
Just wondering but whats ur situation exactly? Like why r u having a hearing? I might have one soon too cuz EDD says I didn't report some income but I totally did report everything!!
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Emma Wilson
•My employer reported lower wages than I actually earned during my base period, which affected my weekly benefit amount. I have all my paystubs showing the correct amounts, but EDD went with what my employer reported. So I'm appealing to get the correct benefit amount based on my actual earnings.
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Ravi Kapoor
One more important tip: during the hearing, the judge will ask if you have any questions for the EDD representative. ALWAYS say yes and ask at least one or two questions that highlight the discrepancy in your case. For wage reporting issues, ask them to explain exactly how they calculated your benefit amount and why they chose to use the employer's reporting instead of your provided paystubs. This creates a record of their reasoning that the judge can then evaluate against your evidence.
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GalacticGladiator
•This is so true!!! In my hearing I didn't ask ANY questions and I regretted it. The EDD rep made some statements that weren't right but I didn't challenge them directly. BIG MISTAKE!
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Malik Thomas
I received my decision about 10 days after my phone hearing. They say it can take up to 30 days, but in my experience and friends' experiences, it's usually much faster. The decision will come in the mail, so watch for it. My hearing was pretty straightforward - the judge was professional and gave everyone time to speak. Just remember to be patient and answer only what's asked - don't ramble or go off on tangents (I definitely started doing this when I got nervous).
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Emma Wilson
•Thank you all so much for the helpful advice! I feel much more prepared now. I'm going to start organizing all my documents tonight and make sure everything is clearly labeled. I'll definitely send everything in early and prepare an outline of what I want to say. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!
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Aidan Percy
I went through a phone hearing about 6 months ago for a similar wage discrepancy issue and won my case! A few additional tips that really helped me: 1) Practice explaining your situation out loud beforehand - it helps you stay calm and organized during the actual hearing, 2) Have a calculator ready in case you need to do quick math to show the wage differences, and 3) Write down the hearing confirmation number they give you at the start - you'll need it if there are any technical issues. The judge in my case was very thorough and asked good questions to understand the discrepancy. Since you have all your paystubs, you're in a strong position. Just stay focused on the facts and you should do well!
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Dylan Mitchell
•This is really helpful! I hadn't thought about practicing out loud beforehand - that's a great idea since I tend to get tongue-tied when I'm nervous. The calculator tip is smart too, especially since my case involves showing the exact dollar differences between what my employer reported versus my actual paystub amounts. Did the judge ask you to do calculations during your hearing, or was it more for your own reference?
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Dmitry Volkov
I had my EDD phone hearing about 8 months ago for a wage reporting issue very similar to yours and it went really well! The phone format is actually great because you can have all your documents spread out in front of you and refer to them easily. A couple things that really helped me: make sure you speak slowly and clearly (I was rushing at first because I was nervous), and don't be afraid to pause and look at your documents before answering - the judge expects this. Also, when they ask if you have any closing statements, definitely take that opportunity to summarize your key points about the wage discrepancy. I won my case and got the correct benefit amount retroactively. You've got this - having your paystubs as evidence puts you in a really strong position!
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Emily Sanjay
•This is so encouraging to hear! I'm definitely going to practice speaking slowly - I know I'll be nervous and tend to talk fast when I'm anxious. The tip about taking time to look at documents before answering is really valuable too. I was worried that pausing would make me seem unprepared, but you're right that the judge probably expects it. Did you end up getting your retroactive benefits pretty quickly after winning, or did that take a while to process through the system?
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Aaron Boston
I had my EDD phone hearing about 3 months ago for a wage discrepancy case and wanted to share what worked for me! First, definitely test your phone connection beforehand - I called my mom the day before to make sure the audio was clear. Second, create a simple timeline document with dates, wage amounts, and what your employer reported vs. what you actually earned. The judge asked me to walk through this chronologically and having it written out made it so much easier. Third, when you email your documents, put them in a specific order (like chronological) and mention that order in your email - it helps the judge follow along during the hearing. One thing that surprised me was how conversational the judge was - they really do want to understand what happened. My hearing took about 50 minutes and I got my favorable decision 8 days later. The retroactive payments showed up in my account about 2 weeks after the decision. Having solid documentation like you do is huge - you're going to do great!
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Lola Perez
•This is such great advice, especially about testing the phone connection beforehand! I never would have thought to do a test call. The timeline document idea is brilliant too - I'm going to create one tonight with all the dates and wage amounts clearly laid out. It's really reassuring to hear that the judge was conversational and actually wanted to understand your situation. I've been so worried about this being intimidating, but everyone's experiences here are making me feel much more confident. Thanks for sharing the timeline on when you received your decision and retroactive payments - that helps me know what to expect after the hearing!
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Vera Visnjic
I had my EDD phone hearing for a wage discrepancy case about 4 months ago and wanted to add a few tips that really helped me succeed! First, I highly recommend having a backup phone ready - my cell phone battery started dying halfway through even though I thought it was fully charged, so I quickly switched to my landline. Second, create a simple document with bullet points of the key facts you want to cover - I kept mine to one page and it prevented me from forgetting important details when I got nervous. Third, when you're explaining the wage discrepancy, be very specific about dollar amounts and dates - the judge will appreciate the precision. I also found it helpful to acknowledge what my employer reported first, then explain why my paystubs show the correct amounts. The whole process was much less intimidating than I expected, and the judge asked really fair questions to understand both sides. I won my case and the corrected benefit amount was processed within 3 weeks of the decision. You're well-prepared with your documentation - that's honestly the most important part. Good luck!
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Ethan Wilson
•Thank you so much for the backup phone tip! I definitely wouldn't have thought of that and it could have been a disaster if my phone died during the hearing. I'm going to charge both my cell phone and set up my landline as backup. The one-page bullet points document is a great idea too - I tend to over-prepare and then get overwhelmed by too much information when I'm nervous. Being specific about dollar amounts and dates makes total sense, especially since that's exactly what the discrepancy is about. I really appreciate you sharing your timeline for getting the corrected benefits processed - 3 weeks isn't too bad! All of these responses are making me feel so much more confident about this whole process.
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Rudy Cenizo
I went through an EDD phone hearing about 2 months ago for wage discrepancy issues and wanted to share what really made the difference for me! The key thing that helped me win was creating a simple comparison chart showing my employer's reported wages vs. my actual paystub amounts for each quarter in my base period. I made it super easy for the judge to see the differences at a glance. Also, make sure you have your Social Security earnings statement handy - sometimes the judge will reference that during the hearing. One thing I wish someone had told me: speak directly into the phone and avoid using speakerphone even if it seems more convenient, because the audio quality can be poor. The judge was very patient with me and gave me plenty of time to reference my documents. My hearing lasted about 40 minutes and I received a favorable decision exactly 12 days later. The retroactive benefits were deposited within 10 business days of the written decision. Having your paystubs organized and ready to reference by date will be your biggest advantage. You've got solid evidence on your side - that's what matters most!
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Maya Patel
•The comparison chart idea is genius! I'm definitely going to create one tonight showing the quarterly differences between what my employer reported versus my actual paystub totals. That visual format will make it so much clearer for the judge to understand the discrepancy. Good point about the Social Security earnings statement too - I hadn't thought to have that ready but it makes sense they might reference it. Thanks for the tip about speaking directly into the phone rather than using speakerphone - I was actually planning to use speakerphone so I could have my hands free for documents, but clear audio is obviously more important. It's really encouraging to hear your timeline for getting the decision and retroactive payments. Having all these real experiences from people who've been through this exact situation is making me feel so much more prepared and confident!
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Carmen Sanchez
I had my EDD phone hearing for a wage discrepancy case about 6 weeks ago and wanted to share a few additional tips that really helped me! First, when you submit your documents 5 days early, send them via both email AND fax if possible - I had a friend whose emailed documents somehow didn't make it to the judge, but thankfully they had also faxed them. Second, create a simple cover sheet listing all the documents you're submitting with page numbers - it makes it much easier for everyone to stay on the same page during the hearing when the judge says "please refer to document 3, page 2." Third, practice explaining your wage discrepancy in 2-3 clear sentences - you'll likely need to summarize it multiple times during the hearing for different people (judge, EDD rep, etc.). The judge in my case was very thorough and asked both me and the EDD representative detailed questions to make sure they understood the situation completely. My hearing took about 35 minutes and I received my favorable decision 9 days later. One last tip: stay calm if the EDD rep says something that contradicts your evidence - you'll get your chance to respond and present your paystubs. Having solid documentation like you do puts you in an excellent position to win this case!
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Jamal Carter
•This is such comprehensive advice! The dual submission method (email AND fax) is something I definitely wouldn't have thought of, but makes total sense given how important these documents are. I'm going to create that cover sheet with page numbers tonight - that's a really smart way to keep everything organized during the hearing. The practice tip about explaining the discrepancy in 2-3 clear sentences is so valuable too, because I know I tend to over-explain when I'm nervous. It's really reassuring to hear that the judge was thorough and asked detailed questions - it sounds like they really do want to get to the truth of the matter. Everyone's advice here has been incredible and I'm feeling so much more prepared now. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and timeline!
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Eva St. Cyr
I had my EDD phone hearing about 5 months ago for a very similar wage discrepancy issue and won my case! Here's what really helped me prepare: First, I organized all my paystubs chronologically and calculated the total difference between what my employer reported vs. what I actually earned - having that exact dollar amount ready was crucial. Second, I practiced my opening statement beforehand where I briefly explained the discrepancy in simple terms. During the hearing, the judge was very professional and asked clear questions to understand the situation. The EDD representative presented their case first, then I got to explain my side with my paystub evidence. The whole process took about 45 minutes and honestly wasn't as scary as I expected. I received my favorable decision 11 days later and the retroactive benefits were processed within 2 weeks. Your paystub documentation is exactly what you need to win this case - you're in a strong position! Just stay calm, speak clearly, and stick to the facts. The judge really does want to get to the correct information. Good luck with your hearing!
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Ravi Malhotra
•This is so helpful! I'm really glad to hear from someone with almost the exact same situation. Calculating the total dollar difference is a great idea - I hadn't thought to have that summary number ready, but it would definitely help paint the big picture for the judge. I'm going to work on my opening statement tonight too, since you're right that having it practiced beforehand will help me stay calm and focused. It's really encouraging to hear that the judge was professional and that the whole process wasn't as intimidating as expected. Your timeline for getting the decision and retroactive benefits gives me a good idea of what to expect. Thanks so much for sharing your experience - knowing that someone in almost identical circumstances won their case is giving me a lot of confidence!
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