REASA mandatory virtual meeting with EDD - what happens if I miss it?

Yes, I had one of these last month. It's a required meeting where they basically check that you're actively looking for work and following all the requirements for continuing to receive benefits. They'll review your work search activities, so make sure you've been logging those in your CalJOBS account. They'll also offer resources to help with your job search. DON'T MISS IT! If you miss this appointment without rescheduling in advance, EDD can disqualify you for benefits. They take these meetings very seriously.

These REASA meetings are standard procedure for many UI claimants. The main things they'll cover: 1. Verify your continued eligibility 2. Review your work search efforts 3. Help identify potential barriers to employment 4. Provide resources and referrals to help your job search Have documentation ready showing jobs you've applied for, interviews you've had, and any networking you've done. Be prepared to discuss your occupation, desired wage, and what kind of work you're looking for. If you can't make the scheduled time, contact them IMMEDIATELY to reschedule. Missing without notice can result in benefit disqualification.

had mine last week. just have ur job search info ready. no big deal.

I missed mine last month because the email went to my spam folder and they stopped my payments immediately! Took me 2 weeks calling EDD non-stop to get it fixed and reschedule. Make sure you attend!!!

Honestly, the whole REASA program is just another way for EDD to try to disqualify people. They WANT you to miss these meetings so they can cut your benefits. The system is designed to be confusing and intimidating. I've been through three of these during different claim periods, and each time the requirements were slightly different. My advice: Be OVER-prepared. Have a list of at least 10 jobs you've applied to with dates, company names, position titles, and contact info if possible. Have your resume updated and ready to show. Be prepared to discuss why you haven't found work yet. And log in 15 minutes early because sometimes THEIR technology fails and they'll still blame you!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I've been stressing about this meeting but now I feel more prepared. I'll definitely make sure to have my job search records organized and ready to discuss. And I'll set multiple reminders so I don't miss it!

Also make sure u check that ur CalJOBS profile is completely filled out!!! They check that too and will give u a hard time if its not updated

I went through a REASA meeting about 6 months ago and it was honestly much less scary than I thought it would be! The interviewer was actually pretty friendly and helpful. They walked me through my job search activities, asked about what types of positions I was looking for, and even gave me some tips on improving my resume. The whole thing took about 30-45 minutes. Just make sure you have your work search log ready (they can see it in CalJOBS anyway) and be honest about your efforts. They're not trying to trick you - they genuinely want to help connect you with resources. One thing that helped me was writing down a few talking points beforehand about my job search strategy and any challenges I was facing. It made the conversation flow more naturally. You've got this!

Just wanted to add that if you're feeling anxious about the meeting, remember that the REASA staff are usually pretty understanding about job search challenges, especially in tough economic times. I had mine a few months ago and was worried they'd judge me for not having enough interviews, but they were actually sympathetic and gave me some good resources for networking in my field. One thing I wish I'd known beforehand - they might ask about your availability and any limitations you have (like transportation, childcare, etc.). They're not trying to disqualify you, they're trying to understand what support services might help you. So don't be afraid to be honest about any barriers you're facing - they have programs that can help with things like job training, transportation assistance, and more. You'll do great! The fact that you're asking questions and preparing shows you're taking it seriously, which is exactly what they want to see.

I had my REASA meeting about 3 weeks ago and wanted to share what helped me get through it smoothly. The key things that made a difference: 1. I printed out screenshots of all my job applications from the past few weeks (even though it's all in CalJOBS, having it on paper helped me stay organized during the call) 2. I made a simple list of the companies I'd contacted, dates, and what happened (applied online, got rejection email, etc.) 3. I logged in 10 minutes early and had my resume pulled up on my computer in case they wanted to discuss it The interviewer was actually really professional and spent time explaining resources I didn't even know existed, like free career counseling services and job training programs. The whole thing took about 40 minutes and honestly felt more like a career counseling session than an interrogation. One last tip: if you're job searching in a specialized field where there aren't tons of openings, be ready to explain your strategy. They understand that some industries have fewer opportunities, but they want to see that you're being realistic and proactive about your search. You're going to do fine! The preparation you're doing by asking questions here shows you're taking it seriously.

I just had my REASA meeting yesterday and wanted to share my experience while it's still fresh! I was honestly terrified after reading all the horror stories online, but it turned out to be much more manageable than I expected. The interviewer started by explaining the purpose of the meeting and what we'd be covering, which immediately put me at ease. We went through my CalJOBS work search log together, and she asked about specific applications - not in a gotcha way, but more like "tell me about this position you applied for at XYZ Company." What surprised me most was how much time we spent on resources. She walked me through several job training programs I qualified for and even helped me identify some local networking events in my field. The whole thing felt collaborative rather than punitive. My biggest takeaway: they really do want to help you find work, not just check boxes. I came away with a list of action items and resources that I'm actually excited to follow up on. The meeting took about 45 minutes total. For anyone else preparing: definitely have your work search activities ready to discuss, but don't stress too much about having perfect documentation. Being genuine about your efforts and challenges goes a long way.

I'm scheduled for my REASA meeting next week and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Reading everyone's experiences has really calmed my nerves. I was especially worried about the work search documentation since I've been applying to jobs in a pretty competitive field where there aren't tons of openings every week. A few questions for those who've been through it: Do they care more about the quantity of applications or the quality of your search strategy? And did anyone have issues with their internet connection during the virtual meeting? I'm wondering if I should have a backup plan in case my wifi acts up. Also, should I prepare any questions to ask them about resources or training programs? It sounds like they have a lot more support available than I realized. Thanks again everyone - this community is amazing!

I went through my REASA meeting about 2 months ago and wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me succeed: **Before the meeting:** - Download the Zoom app ahead of time if you're not familiar with it - don't rely on the browser version - Have a glass of water nearby (you'll be talking a lot!) - Close other programs on your computer to avoid distractions or technical slowdowns **During the meeting:** - They asked me to share my screen to look at my CalJOBS profile together, so be prepared for that - Don't panic if you can't remember exact dates - they have access to your records and are more interested in your overall approach - When they ask about challenges, be honest but also mention what you're doing to overcome them **The unexpected positive:** - My interviewer actually helped me realize I was undervaluing my skills and suggested I apply for higher-level positions - They connected me with a career counselor who specializes in my industry The whole experience was way more supportive than I anticipated. You've clearly done your homework by reading this thread - that preparation mindset is exactly what they want to see. You're going to do great!

I had my REASA meeting about a month ago and can definitely relate to the anxiety you're feeling! I was so nervous beforehand, but it ended up being much more helpful than intimidating. A few things that really helped me prepare: - I created a simple spreadsheet with all my job applications (company, position, date applied, status) - even though it's all in CalJOBS, having it organized made me feel more confident - I practiced talking about my job search strategy out loud beforehand so I wouldn't stumble over my words - I made sure my workspace was quiet and professional-looking since it's on video The interviewer was genuinely interested in helping me improve my search approach. We spent time discussing whether I was targeting the right types of positions and she even suggested some keywords to use in my applications that I hadn't thought of. One thing that surprised me - they asked if I had any questions for them at the end, so definitely think of a few things to ask about resources or programs. It shows you're engaged and serious about finding work. You're going to do fine! The fact that you're preparing and asking good questions shows you're taking this seriously, which is exactly the attitude they want to see. Good luck!

I just wanted to add my experience from a few weeks ago to help ease your nerves! I was absolutely terrified about my REASA meeting after hearing all the horror stories, but it turned out to be surprisingly positive. The interviewer was professional and genuinely seemed to want to help. We spent most of the time going over my CalJOBS work search log, but she also asked about my background, what kind of work I was looking for, and any challenges I was facing. One thing I wasn't prepared for - she asked me about my long-term career goals and whether I'd considered any retraining or certification programs. Turns out there are a lot of free resources available through the workforce development system that I had no idea about! My advice: Be honest about your job search efforts, have your work search activities ready to discuss, and don't be afraid to mention any barriers you're facing (like transportation or childcare). They actually have programs to help with those things. The whole meeting took about 35 minutes and I walked away with a list of resources and a much clearer job search strategy. You've got this - the preparation you're doing by asking questions here shows you're serious about your search, which is exactly what they want to see!

I had my REASA meeting about 6 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience since I see you're getting great advice here! I was in a similar boat - totally panicked when I first got the notification and had no idea what to expect. The meeting was actually much more conversational than I anticipated. My interviewer started by explaining that the purpose was to make sure I was getting the support I needed for my job search, not to catch me doing something wrong. We went through my work search activities, but she was more interested in understanding my strategy than just checking off boxes. A couple of things that really helped me: - I had my CalJOBS profile completely updated beforehand (resume, work preferences, etc.) - I wrote down a brief summary of my job search approach and any challenges I was facing - I tested my video/audio setup the night before The most valuable part was learning about resources I didn't even know existed. She connected me with a local American Job Center that offers free workshops on interview skills and networking. I've actually attended two of their sessions since then and they've been incredibly helpful. One last thing - don't stress if your job search numbers aren't perfect. They understand that quality applications take time, especially in competitive fields. They're much more interested in seeing that you have a realistic plan and are making consistent efforts. You're going to do great! The fact that you're preparing and asking questions shows exactly the kind of proactive attitude they want to see.

I had my REASA meeting about 3 months ago and I completely understand your anxiety! I was a nervous wreck beforehand, but it ended up being one of the most helpful conversations I've had during my unemployment period. My interviewer was actually really friendly and started by walking me through what we'd be covering, which immediately put me at ease. We reviewed my CalJOBS work search log together, and she asked thoughtful questions about my approach rather than trying to trip me up. What really surprised me was how much she knew about my industry - she even suggested some companies I hadn't thought to apply to! The best part was learning about services I had no idea existed. She enrolled me in a free career coaching program and told me about virtual job fairs specifically for my field. I actually got two interviews from leads she gave me during that meeting. My preparation tips: - Make sure your CalJOBS profile is 100% complete and current - Have a mental summary ready of your job search strategy (not just a list of where you applied, but WHY you chose those companies) - Think about any obstacles you're facing - they genuinely want to help solve problems, not penalize you for having them You're clearly taking this seriously by preparing ahead of time, which is exactly the attitude they want to see. This meeting could actually be a game-changer for your job search! Good luck!

I had my REASA meeting just two weeks ago and wanted to add my experience to this amazing thread! Reading all these positive stories beforehand really helped calm my nerves. My meeting lasted about 40 minutes and the interviewer was genuinely supportive. She reviewed my CalJOBS work search activities with me, but spent most of our time discussing my career goals and potential training opportunities. What really stood out was when she noticed I had skills that could transfer to a related field with better job prospects - something I'd never considered! The most valuable outcome was getting connected to a local workforce development center that offers free certification programs. I'm actually starting a digital marketing course next month that they're fully funding, which could really open up new opportunities. A few things that helped me prepare: - I organized all my job search activities by date and industry focus - I prepared a brief elevator pitch about my background and what I'm looking for - I made a list of questions about local resources and training programs The biggest surprise was how collaborative it felt. Instead of feeling interrogated, it was more like having a career counseling session with someone who actually understood the current job market challenges. For anyone still feeling anxious - the fact that you're asking questions and preparing shows you're taking your job search seriously, which is exactly what they want to see. You've got this!