Reapplying after EDD disqualification weeks - before benefit year ends?

Yes, you can appeal those disqualification determinations! There's an important distinction between being disqualified for specific weeks versus having your entire claim disqualified. For week-specific disqualifications, you need to file what's called a DE 1000M (Appeal Form). The key is you need to do this within 30 days of receiving each disqualification notice. If you're outside that 30-day window, you can still file with "good cause" for the late appeal, explaining why you couldn't appeal sooner. Include any documentation showing you were actually eligible during those weeks. The appeal form is available on the EDD website under Forms and Publications, or you can call and request they mail you one.

same thing happend to me last yr!! the EDD is completly ridiculous with there disqualifications. i got disqualifed for 3 weeks for "not available" when i was literally sitting at home waiting for work. you should just file the appel asap dont wait

The previous advice about filing a DE 1000M appeal is correct. I want to add some important information though: 1. For "good cause" for late appeals, medical situations (yours or a family member's) often qualify, but you'll need documentation. 2. Keep certifying for all weeks while your appeal is pending. 3. You'll eventually have a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge - be prepared with all documentation showing you were available for work despite caring for your mother. 4. If you win, you'll receive backpay for those disqualified weeks. One critical point - disqualified weeks are different from "penalty weeks" which truly can't be recovered. Based on what you described (availability issues), these sound like standard disqualifications that can potentially be reversed through appeal.

The EDD system is broken!!! They LOVE to disqualify people for any tiny reason then make it nearly impossible to get a human on the phone who can actually help. I spent 2 entire weeks calling everyday just to speak to someone about my claim. Complete waste of time and the stress made me physically ill.

I successfully appealed 3 disqualified weeks last year, but timing is really important. Here's what worked for me: 1. File the DE 1000M appeal form immediately (even if past 30 days) 2. Include a detailed letter explaining exactly why you were eligible during those weeks 3. Attach ANY documentation that supports your case (job search records, medical documentation, etc.) 4. For good cause for late filing, be very specific about why you couldn't file earlier 5. Send everything certified mail so you have proof they received it The hearing took about 2.5 months to schedule, but I won and received all back payments. Don't let them discourage you - disqualifications CAN be overturned!

wait am i the only one confused about something - if ur already getting paid again why risk them looking at ur claim again?? sometimes its better to just move forward rather than have them start investigating everything again js

u should talk to legal aid! they have free unemployment lawyers who can help with appeals. when i got disqualified they helped me win my case. search "legal aid unemployment [your county]" to find one near u

To address your follow-up questions: 1. Appeals hearings are currently still being conducted by phone in most cases (though this could change by 2025). They're formal in process but not intimidating. 2. Medical caregiver responsibilities *can* qualify as good cause for both the late appeal and potentially for the original disqualification if you can show you were still able and available for work within reasonable limitations. 3. The key to winning is documentation - get a letter from your mother's doctor confirming the dates of care needed, any flexibility in your caregiving schedule that would have allowed you to work, and your continued job search records from that period. One last tip: when filing the appeal, include a cover letter specifically requesting backpay for those disqualified weeks. Be very specific about which weeks you're appealing.

I just want to add - I've seen numerous appeals succeed in situations similar to yours. With proper documentation showing you were available for work (even with reasonable limitations), you have a good chance at overturning those disqualifications. To maximize your chances: 1. Yes, absolutely include those text message screenshots with employers 2. Definitely emphasize your willingness to accept remote work during that period 3. Be extremely specific about your daily schedule and how you could have accommodated work 4. Include calendar entries, text messages, or any evidence showing the specific hours you were available The administrative law judge will be looking for evidence that despite your caregiving responsibilities, you maintained reasonable availability for work. Good luck with your appeal!

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through a similar situation last year. I was disqualified for 4 weeks due to "work refusal" when I actually declined an unsafe job during COVID. Like you, I was told those weeks were just "gone" by the first EDD rep I spoke with. I ended up filing the DE 1000M appeal about 2 months late, but I won! The key was having detailed documentation and being very clear about why I couldn't file sooner. My hearing was by phone and lasted about 45 minutes. The judge was actually pretty fair and asked good questions. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - you can also file a complaint with your state assemblyperson's office if you're having trouble getting proper information from EDD. They have caseworkers who can sometimes get better responses than going through regular channels. Don't give up on those weeks! If you were truly eligible, the appeal process exists for exactly this reason. The fact that you're getting benefits again now actually shows your claim is valid, which should help your case.

I wanted to add some practical advice about gathering your documentation for the appeal. Since you mentioned your mom's surgery and medical situation, make sure to get: 1. **Hospital discharge papers** showing the dates of surgery and recovery period 2. **Doctor's orders** or care instructions that required your presence/assistance 3. **Any correspondence with your mom's medical team** from that time period Also, create a detailed **daily schedule** showing how you balanced caregiving with job search activities. Even if you could only search for jobs certain hours of the day, that can still demonstrate availability for work. I've helped several people prepare these appeals through my work with a local workforce center, and the judges really appreciate seeing organized, chronological documentation. The fact that you resumed receiving benefits shows your underlying eligibility was never in question - you just hit a temporary availability issue during a medical crisis. One last suggestion: when you write your appeal letter, frame it as "I maintained reasonable availability for work despite temporary caregiving responsibilities" rather than focusing on being unavailable. The distinction matters in how they evaluate your case.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I was disqualified for 5 weeks earlier this year due to "insufficient work search" when I was actually searching but didn't document it properly while dealing with my dad's hospitalization. Like you, I'm back to receiving benefits but those weeks just disappeared. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the DE 1000M form or that you could appeal specific weeks without affecting your current claim status. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about gathering medical documentation and creating a timeline of events. One question for the group - has anyone had success appealing when the issue was work search documentation rather than availability? I was definitely looking for work during those weeks, I just wasn't keeping detailed records because I was so focused on my dad's medical crisis. I have some email confirmations from job applications, but not the comprehensive logs EDD apparently wanted. Thank you so much for posting this @Yara - sometimes it really helps to know you're not alone in dealing with EDD's confusing processes!