Need help with EDD appeal process - what should I expect?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with my EDD appeal. I filed it recently but I'm not sure what to expect or how to handle the process. Has anyone gone through this before? Any advice on what I should do next or what to watch out for? I'm feeling pretty lost and could use some guidance.
30 comments


Mei Chen
I went through an EDD appeal last year. It can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry! First things first, make sure you have all your documentation in order. This includes any correspondence from EDD, your original claim info, and any evidence that supports your case.
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Jamal Thompson
•Thanks for the advice! What kind of evidence should I be gathering? I'm not sure what would be helpful.
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Mei Chen
•Anything that proves your eligibility for benefits! Pay stubs, termination letters, doctor's notes if it's health-related, etc. Basically, anything that backs up your side of the story.
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CosmicCadet
•Don't forget to keep a record of all your job search efforts too! EDD loves to see that youre actively looking for work.
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Liam O'Connor
ugh, the EDD appeal process is such a nightmare. I've been stuck in limbo for months now. Good luck, OP. You're gonna need it 🙄
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Amara Adeyemi
Hey, I found a way to actually get someone on the phone at EDD! I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Check out this video for more info: https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
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Giovanni Gallo
•Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit? Has anyone else tried it?
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Amara Adeyemi
•I was skeptical at first too, but it really did work for me. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get through on my own.
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Fatima Al-Mazrouei
•$20 just to talk to someone? That's ridiculous. The system is so broken 😤
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Amara Adeyemi
•I get it, but for me, it was worth it to finally get some answers. Time is money, ya know?
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Dylan Wright
Pro tip: If you can, try to get a hearing over the phone rather than in person. It's usually faster and less stressful. Just make sure you have a quiet place to take the call!
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Jamal Thompson
•I didn't even know that was an option! How do I request a phone hearing?
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Dylan Wright
•When you get your hearing notice, there should be instructions on how to request a phone hearing. If not, call the Appeals office ASAP and ask.
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NebulaKnight
lol welcome to the club, OP. We're all in the same sinking boat here 🚢💦 But for real, don't let the process get you down. Stay persistent and you'll get through it!
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Sofia Ramirez
Here's my comprehensive guide to navigating the EDD appeal process: 1. Gather all relevant documents: claim paperwork, correspondence from EDD, pay stubs, termination letters, etc. 2. Write a clear, concise statement explaining why you believe the EDD's decision was incorrect. 3. Submit your appeal on time! Late appeals are often dismissed. 4. Prepare for your hearing: organize your evidence, write down key points you want to make. 5. During the hearing, stay calm and stick to the facts. Be respectful to the judge. 6. Follow up after the hearing if you don't hear back within a few weeks. 7. If you lose the appeal, you can consider filing for a Board Appeal, but consult with a legal aid organization first. Remember, the process can take several months, so be patient. Good luck!
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Jamal Thompson
•Wow, this is incredibly helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out. I feel much more prepared now.
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Dmitry Popov
•This should be pinned to the top of the subreddit tbh. So many people could benefit from this info!
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Ava Rodriguez
Has anyone had luck with getting retroactive payments after winning an appeal? I'm in a similar situation and wondering if it's even worth the hassle.
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Miguel Ortiz
•I did! It took forever, but I eventually got backpay for all the weeks I was eligible. Hang in there!
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Ava Rodriguez
•That's encouraging to hear. How long did the whole process take for you?
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Miguel Ortiz
•From start to finish, about 4 months. But I've heard it can vary a lot depending on your case and how backed up the system is.
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Zainab Khalil
Anyone else feel like they need a law degree just to understand all this EDD jargon? 🤯 I swear they make it complicated on purpose!
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QuantumQuest
Hey OP, don't forget to check if you're eligible for any other assistance programs while you're waiting on your appeal. Food banks, rental assistance, etc. Every little bit helps!
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Jamal Thompson
•That's a great idea, I hadn't even thought of that. Do you know where I can find info on these programs?
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QuantumQuest
•Try calling 211 or visiting 211.org. They can connect you with local resources. Also check out your county's social services website!
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Amina Bah
I'm going through an EDD appeal right now too, and one thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. I mean everything - phone calls, emails, dates you submitted documents, even the time you spent on hold. It's been super helpful when I've had to reference specific interactions with EDD. Also, if you haven't already, consider reaching out to your local Assembly member's office. They often have caseworkers who can help navigate EDD issues. Mine was able to get some movement on my case when I was stuck. Stay strong, the process is frustrating but you've got this! 💪
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Natasha Orlova
•This is such solid advice! I never thought about contacting my Assembly member's office - that's genius. I've been struggling to get any movement on my case for weeks. Do you just call their main office and ask to speak with someone about EDD issues, or is there a specific department I should ask for? Also, totally agree on keeping detailed records. I started doing that after my first frustrating call with EDD and it's already saved me so much hassle. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Daniel Rivera
•@Natasha Orlova Yes, just call their main office and tell them you need help with an EDD case! Most Assembly offices have staff specifically trained to handle constituent services like this. They ll'usually ask for some basic info about your situation and then assign a caseworker to follow up. It s'a free service too, which is awesome. The key is to be persistent but polite - they deal with a lot of EDD cases so they know the system pretty well. Hope this helps and good luck with your appeal!
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Olivia Kay
Just went through this whole process myself and finally got my appeal approved last month! One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline of events leading up to my claim denial. I wrote down dates, what happened, who I spoke with, etc. It made it SO much easier to present my case clearly during the hearing. Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for help - there are legal aid organizations that offer free assistance with EDD appeals. I used one and they helped me organize my evidence and even did a practice run of the hearing with me. The whole thing took about 3 months from start to finish, but it was worth it to get those back payments. Hang in there, you've got this! 🙏
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Kristin Frank
•Congratulations on winning your appeal! That's so encouraging to hear. I'm definitely going to look into those legal aid organizations - I had no idea that was even an option. Creating a timeline is brilliant too, I've been struggling to organize all the details in my head but writing it down chronologically makes so much sense. Three months sounds long but honestly not as bad as I was expecting. Did you have to do anything special to get your back payments processed, or did they just automatically start coming through after the decision?
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