EDD phone interview for IHSS caregiver dispute - will I be approved?

You should definitely continue certifying every two weeks while waiting for your interview! Not certifying could mess up your claim and delay payments. As for your situation, it sounds like you didn't quit - your client essentially terminated your services for refusing an unreasonable demand. The IHSS program has specific guidelines and what she asked was inappropriate. Make sure to explain during your interview that you were willing and able to work your scheduled hours, but the client prevented you from doing so. Also mention that the social worker confirmed you weren't responsible for paying another caregiver. Bring up any texts or emails documenting this if you have them.

i had almost the same thing happen with a client last yr... they will probably aprove you but the interview takes FOREVER to get thru... took me 5 weeks of calling everyday before i got someone to do my interview

During the eligibility interview, they're going to determine if you lost your job through no fault of your own. Based on what you described, you should be fine since you were available and willing to work - your client basically created an impossible situation. Make sure to emphasize that you were ready to perform your job duties but were prevented from doing so, and that the demand to pay another caregiver was unreasonable and not part of your job agreement. To answer your other questions: 1. ALWAYS certify on time, even while waiting for interviews or decisions 2. The interviewer might tell you their decision on the phone, but officially you'll receive the determination through your UI Online account and by mail 3. If approved, payment typically processes within 24-48 hours after the interview (assuming you've been certifying) Keep all documentation of the dispute with your client. Good luck!

I went through something similar when my IHSS client passed away. Just be honest in your interview. They'll probably ask if you tried to resolve the issue before leaving - so mention how you talked to the social worker! Good luck!!

My sister works for IHSS and she says this happens ALL THE TIME! Some clients don't understand how the program works and think caregivers can just swap hours or pay each other. You should be fine as long as you explain everything clearly. But my interview took forever to happen. I kept calling and calling and couldn't get through.

Just wanted to share something that helped me when I was waiting FOREVER for my interview. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an EDD agent right away instead of waiting on hold for hours or getting that annoying "too many callers" message. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km I was able to explain my situation and they moved up my interview date since I was having financial hardship. Worth a try if you're in a hurry!

To update on your question about the decision timeline - typically they don't tell you the decision during the phone interview itself. The interviewer usually says they need to review all the information and that you'll receive the determination in a few days. You'll get the official determination through your UI Online account and by mail. If approved, and you've been certifying regularly, you should see payment within 1-3 days after the determination is made.

My interview took 3 weeks to happen but they backdated my payments to when I first applied so I got a big lump sum after approval! Just keep certifying every week!

What everyone is missing here is that IHSS is complicated because technically the client is your employer, but the county pays you. I had a similar issue and had to get my county IHSS office involved to confirm that what happened was essentially a termination. Make sure to tell the interviewer to contact the county IHSS program for confirmation if they have any questions. And do NOT say you quit - you didn't! The client prevented you from working your scheduled hours and then made an inappropriate demand.