RESEA appointment letter from EDD - mandatory or optional?

This is called RESEA (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment), and no, not everyone on unemployment gets selected for it. EDD randomly selects claimants for these appointments as part of their eligibility verification process. It's been around for years but they've ramped it up significantly since 2023. The appointment is MANDATORY - if you miss it without rescheduling, your benefits can be suspended. The good news is you CAN reschedule! Call the phone number on your notice ASAP and explain about your job interview. They're usually accommodating since you're actively seeking work, which is exactly what they want to see. During the RESEA, they'll review your eligibility, job search activities, and help create a reemployment plan. It's actually quite helpful for many people.

OMG I got one of these last year and MISSED IT because I thought it was optional!!! My benefits got cut off for like 3 WEEKS while I had to appeal and prove I wasn't purposely avoiding it. DEFINITELY reschedule if you can't make it!!!! Don't make my mistake lol

I went through a RESEA appointment back in January. It's actually pretty straightforward - they review your work search activities, so bring documentation of any jobs you've applied to, interviews you've had, etc. They'll also help update your resume and suggest job search strategies. One thing I'd recommend - if you're having trouble reaching EDD to reschedule (which is common), try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an EDD rep in under 5 minutes when I needed to reschedule my RESEA appointment. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km My appointment ended up being virtual due to the reschedule, which was actually more convenient.

I had one of these last month. The whole thing took like 45 mins and was actually kinda helpful. They told me about some job fairs I didnt know about 👍

The RESEA program has been around for years but EDD has definitely increased the number of claimants they select since the post-pandemic unemployment surge. I was selected twice in my life - once in 2018 and again in 2025. The purpose is twofold: 1) verify you're actively seeking work and 2) provide resources to help you find employment faster. They're especially targeting industries with high rehire rates or claimants with specialized skills. Just make sure to reschedule properly instead of missing it. They keep detailed records of attendance and communication attempts. Have you tried calling the specific RESEA number rather than the general EDD line? It's usually less crowded.

i got one of these and missed it cause it went to my spam folder... total nightmare getting my benefits back. def reschedule if u cant make it

My cousin got 1 of these last year but I didnt get one when I was on unemployment in March. I think its totally random who they pick for these???

THE WORST PART about these appointments is trying to reach someone to reschedule!!! I spent DAYS calling over and over again!!! The system is BROKEN and they don't care that they make it IMPOSSIBLE to comply with their OWN RULES!!!

i received one of these letters in april so i went to the appointment and it was actually pretty helpful. they reviewed my resume and suggested some improvements. also told me about some job training programs i qualified for. it's definitely mandatory though!!!

Update: I was able to reschedule my RESEA appointment for next Friday afternoon! The rep was actually really nice about it when I explained I had a job interview. She said they encourage that and were happy to accommodate. Thanks everyone for your help and advice! I'll make sure to bring my job search records and resume to the appointment.

That's awesome that you were able to reschedule! I'm glad the EDD rep was understanding about your job interview conflict. Just wanted to add - when you go to your RESEA appointment, they might also ask about your CalJOBS account and if you've been using their job search tools. If you haven't set up a CalJOBS profile yet, it might be worth doing before your appointment since they often reference it during the assessment. Also, don't stress too much about it - most people find the RESEA staff genuinely helpful and supportive. Hope your job interview goes well too!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this process recently! I got selected for a RESEA appointment in February and was initially worried about it too. The whole experience was actually quite positive - they helped me refine my job search strategy and connected me with some local resources I didn't know existed. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: they may ask about any unemployment benefits you've received in other states if you've moved recently. Also, if you're in a union or have any professional certifications, bring documentation of those as they can sometimes provide additional job placement resources specific to your field. The fact that you already have a job interview lined up will definitely work in your favor during the assessment - it shows you're actively engaged in the job search process, which is exactly what they want to see. Best of luck with both the interview and the RESEA appointment!

I went through a RESEA appointment about 6 months ago and wanted to share my experience since you've already gotten such great advice here! The appointment was actually much more collaborative than I expected - they really do seem focused on helping you succeed rather than catching you doing something wrong. One thing that helped me prepare was making a simple timeline of my job search activities for the past few weeks, including applications submitted, networking events attended, and any skills training I was doing. They seemed impressed that I was organized about tracking my efforts. Also, if you're doing any volunteer work or freelance projects while unemployed, mention those too - they view any professional activity positively. And don't worry if you haven't found work yet; they understand the job market can be tough and seemed more interested in seeing that I had a solid plan and was taking concrete steps. Sounds like you're already on the right track with having that job interview scheduled. That's exactly the kind of proactive approach they want to see!

I'm scheduled for my first RESEA appointment next week and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was also initially confused about whether it was mandatory - the letter language is a bit unclear. One thing I wanted to add for anyone else reading this: I called to confirm my appointment details yesterday and the rep mentioned they're now offering both in-person and virtual options for RESEA appointments. If you have transportation issues or scheduling conflicts, it might be worth asking about the virtual option when you call to reschedule. Also, for those struggling to get through on the phone - I had success calling the number on the RESEA letter itself rather than the main EDD line. The wait was only about 15 minutes compared to the hours I've spent trying to reach general EDD customer service in the past. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really helped ease my anxiety about the whole process!

I just wanted to jump in and say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm also dealing with unemployment for the first time in years and had no idea what RESEA was when I got my letter last week. Reading everyone's experiences has really put my mind at ease. One thing I learned from calling is that if you need to reschedule multiple times due to legitimate conflicts (like job interviews), they're generally understanding as long as you communicate proactively. The rep I spoke with said they'd rather have you attend when you can be fully present and engaged rather than rushing through it. Also, for anyone wondering about what to wear - I asked during my call and they said business casual is fine, nothing too formal needed. They want you to feel comfortable since it's meant to be a collaborative discussion about your job search. Hunter, hope your job interview went well and that your rescheduled RESEA appointment is helpful! This community is awesome for sharing real experiences and practical advice.