Sudden RESEA virtual appointment with EDD - help needed to prepare

I had one of these RESEA appointments last month. It's not as scary as it sounds! The appointment usually takes about 45 minutes. They'll basically review your eligibility, make sure you're meeting the work search requirements, and offer some reemployment resources. Be prepared to discuss: - Your work search activities (have your work search record ready) - Any job interviews you've had - Any barriers to employment you're experiencing - Your resume (have a current copy available) They'll also probably create an action plan with you that includes things like attending workshops, using CalJOBS resources, etc. Just be honest and show that you're actively looking for work and you'll be fine!

had mine 2 weeks ago it was nbd just have ur work search ready they just wanna see ur actually looking 4 work

These RESEA appointments are standard for randomly selected UI claimants. It's part of EDD's process to ensure program integrity and provide employment assistance. Here's what typically happens: 1. They'll verify your identity, so have your ID ready 2. They'll review your work search activities (minimum 3 per week) - be ready to discuss specific employers, dates, positions, and application methods 3. They'll assess any barriers to employment you're facing 4. They'll provide resources that might help with your job search 5. They'll develop a reemployment plan with you The appointment typically lasts 40-60 minutes. As long as you've been actively searching for work and can document those efforts, you shouldn't have any issues. Just be honest - they're mostly there to help, not to try to disqualify you.

I missed my RESEA appointment back in January because I never saw the notification in my UI Online inbox! They immediately put a hold on my payments and it was a NIGHTMARE getting it resolved. Make sure you attend no matter what! They ended up scheduling me for a phone appointment instead of virtual after I called and explained. The appointment itself wasn't bad - about 30 minutes going over my work search and career goals. But the stress of getting my benefits back on track wasn't worth it.

If you're having trouble connecting with EDD about your RESEA appointment or have questions they're not answering, try Claimyr. I was panicking before my appointment because I had questions about what documents were required, but couldn't get through to anyone at EDD. Claimyr got me connected to an actual EDD rep in about 15 minutes instead of spending days calling. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. It was seriously worth it to get my questions answered before the appointment. For the RESEA itself, definitely have your work search records organized - they do check them! Also be ready to discuss your skills and what kind of jobs you're targeting.

mine was last year it was like 30 min just talking about jobs i applied to and stuff. lady was actually pretty nice. but make sure ur video camera works they get mad if u cant do video!!! i had to reschedule cuz my laptop camera broke

One more thing to add - RESEA is a federally-required program, so these appointments aren't optional. If you miss it, your benefits will be suspended until you reschedule and complete the assessment. For work search records, ideally you should have: - Name of company - Date of application/contact - Position applied for - Method of contact (online, in-person, etc.) - Result/status of application - Contact information (website/person you spoke with) But don't worry if your records aren't perfect. The main thing they want to see is that you're making genuine efforts to find suitable work. They understand that not everyone keeps immaculate records.

To answer your follow-up question: Yes, they do have the authority to contact employers to verify applications, but in practice, they rarely do this during the initial RESEA unless something seems suspicious. They typically only conduct random verification checks or investigate if there's a specific reason to doubt the information provided. For your records, focus on being as accurate as possible with the information you do have. If you're missing certain details, be upfront about it. It's better to say "I applied through Indeed on approximately June 10th for a customer service position, but I don't have the contact name recorded" than to make up information. The primary purpose of RESEA is to help you return to work, not to find ways to disqualify you. Come prepared to discuss not just your past work search, but also your ongoing strategy for finding suitable employment.

Thank you all SO MUCH for this advice! I'm feeling a lot better about the appointment now. I'm going to spend the weekend organizing my work search records as best I can and making sure my resume is updated. I'll make sure my camera is working too! It sounds like as long as I'm honest and can show I've been legitimately looking for work (which I have been!), it should go smoothly. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your experiences!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through a few of these over the years - they really aren't trying to trick you or catch you in lies. The staff conducting RESEA appointments are usually pretty understanding that people's record-keeping isn't always perfect, especially when you're dealing with the stress of unemployment. One tip I'd add: if you've been using job search websites like Indeed or LinkedIn, you can often go back into your account and see your application history. This can help fill in gaps in your records if you're missing dates or company names. Also, don't forget to count networking activities - reaching out to contacts on LinkedIn, attending virtual job fairs, or even calling companies directly all count as valid work search activities. The appointment really is more about making sure you have the resources you need to get back to work. They might suggest job training programs or other services that could actually be helpful. Just be genuine about your efforts and you'll do great!

Hey everyone! I'm new to this community but have been lurking and reading all these helpful posts about EDD stuff. I actually just had my RESEA appointment last week and wanted to share my experience since I was in the exact same boat as you @Heather - totally panicked when I got that notification! My appointment was with a really nice counselor who walked me through everything step by step. She explained that RESEA is actually meant to be a supportive service, not a "gotcha" moment. I had my work search records somewhat organized (definitely not perfect) and she was totally fine with it. We spent most of the time talking about what types of jobs I was targeting and she actually gave me some great suggestions for resources I hadn't heard of before. The whole thing took about 45 minutes and honestly felt more like career counseling than an interrogation. She did ask to see my ID on camera and we went through my work search activities, but it was all very straightforward. The action plan we created together actually included some useful workshops and job search tools that I'm planning to use. You've got this! Just be yourself and show that you're genuinely trying to find work. Good luck with your appointment on Wednesday!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just got my RESEA notification yesterday and was having the same panic reaction as you @Heather. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and calming. I've been on UI for about 2 months and have been diligent about my work search, but like many of you, my record-keeping hasn't been super detailed. I've been using a simple spreadsheet to track company names, positions, and dates, but I'm missing some of the finer details like specific contact information or exact methods of application for some entries. Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like I should focus on being honest about my efforts rather than trying to fabricate perfect records. I'm going to spend some time this weekend going through my email confirmations and job site histories to fill in what I can, but I won't stress about making it look flawless. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating the EDD system! I'll definitely come back and share how my appointment goes when I get scheduled.

I went through my RESEA appointment about 6 weeks ago and wanted to add my perspective since I see a lot of anxiety in this thread. I was selected randomly after being on UI for about 4 months, and honestly, the anticipation was way worse than the actual experience. A few practical tips that helped me: - I printed out my work search log even though it was virtual - having it on paper made me feel more organized - I prepared a brief summary of my background and what types of roles I was targeting - I tested my video/audio setup the night before (learned this the hard way from other EDD calls!) The counselor I worked with was genuinely interested in helping me succeed. We talked about industry trends in my field, she suggested some networking events I hadn't heard of, and she connected me with additional resources through the local workforce development board. The "action plan" we created together actually felt useful rather than just bureaucratic busy work. For work search records, they really do understand that not everyone keeps perfect documentation. I had a few entries where I could only remember "applied through company website" without specific contact details, and she was totally fine with that level of detail. The whole appointment took about 50 minutes, and I actually felt more motivated about my job search afterward. Don't let the horror stories psych you out - most of these appointments go smoothly when you're making genuine efforts to find work.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who had their RESEA appointment about a month ago. I was absolutely terrified when I got the notification, but it turned out to be much more supportive than I expected. One thing I wish I had known beforehand is that they'll ask about any barriers you're facing in your job search - things like transportation, childcare, skills gaps, etc. They're not trying to catch you making excuses, but rather genuinely want to know if there are resources they can connect you with to help overcome these challenges. I mentioned that I was struggling with updating my resume for a career change, and the counselor actually scheduled a follow-up workshop for me and connected me with a resume review service. It felt like they really wanted to set me up for success rather than find reasons to cut my benefits. Also, don't stress too much about having perfect work search records. I had some weeks where I was less organized than others, and when I was honest about it, the counselor just reminded me about the importance of keeping better records going forward. No penalties or threats - just practical advice. The technical setup is important though! Make sure you have good lighting and a stable internet connection. My appointment ran smoothly at about 40 minutes, and I actually felt more confident about my job search afterward. You've got this, @Heather!

I had my RESEA appointment about 3 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience since I see so many people stressing about it (myself included before I went through it!). The thing that surprised me most was how collaborative it felt. My counselor started by explaining that RESEA stands for "Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment" - emphasis on the SERVICES part. She said their goal is to help people get back to work faster, not to make the process harder. For preparation, I'd recommend: - Have your work search activities ready (even if not perfectly detailed) - Think about what kind of work you're looking for and any challenges you're facing - Make sure your video/audio works well - Have your ID ready to show on camera The counselor asked about my job search strategy, what types of positions I was targeting, and whether there were any obstacles preventing me from finding work. We spent time discussing resources I might not know about - she told me about job fairs I hadn't heard of and workshops that could help with interview skills. The "action plan" we created together actually felt useful. It included specific steps like attending a virtual networking event and using some CalJOBS tools I didn't know existed. Total time was about 45 minutes, and honestly, I felt more optimistic about my job search when it was over. The anticipation was definitely worse than the reality. You're going to do just fine!

Hey @Heather! I just had my RESEA appointment two weeks ago and wanted to jump in here to reassure you - everyone's advice is spot on and you're going to be totally fine! I was in the exact same boat as you, got the notification and immediately started spiraling thinking they were going to find some reason to cut off my benefits. But honestly, the whole experience was way more pleasant than I expected. A couple things that really helped me: - I went through my email and pulled up confirmation emails from job applications to help fill in gaps in my records - I wrote down a brief summary of what happened each week with my job search so I wouldn't blank out during the appointment - I prepared a short explanation of what types of jobs I'm targeting and why My counselor was genuinely nice and seemed like she wanted to help. We talked about my background, she gave me some suggestions for job boards I hadn't tried, and even recommended a free course that could help boost my skills. The work search review wasn't scary at all - she just wanted to see that I was making consistent efforts. The whole thing took about 40 minutes and I actually walked away feeling more motivated about my job search. You've clearly been putting in the work, so just be honest about your efforts and you'll do great. Let us know how it goes on Wednesday - we're all rooting for you!

I just want to echo what everyone else has been saying - you're going to do absolutely fine! I had my RESEA appointment about 6 weeks ago and was in the exact same panic mode when I first got that notification. One thing that really helped me was realizing that the counselors doing these appointments genuinely want to see you succeed. My counselor actually spent extra time with me because she could see I was nervous, and she walked me through some job search strategies I hadn't considered before. Don't worry too much about having perfect records - I had some gaps in my documentation and just explained honestly what I remembered. They understand that when you're dealing with unemployment stress, record-keeping isn't always your top priority. What matters most is that you can show you've been making consistent, genuine efforts to find work. Also, definitely take advantage of any resources they offer! I initially thought the "action plan" would just be busy work, but the workshops and tools they recommended actually turned out to be really helpful. One of the networking events they suggested led to a promising job lead. You've clearly been putting in the work with your job search, so just go in there with confidence and be yourself. The appointment will be over before you know it, and you'll probably wonder why you were so worried about it. Good luck on Wednesday - you've got this! 🙌

Hey there! I'm new to this community but have been following this thread because I'm in a similar situation - just got my RESEA notification yesterday and was completely freaking out until I read through everyone's experiences here. What really strikes me is how consistent everyone's feedback has been about the appointments being more supportive than scary. I've been unemployed for about 2.5 months and have been doing my work search activities, but like many of you, my documentation isn't perfect. Reading that the counselors are generally understanding about record-keeping gaps is such a relief. I'm planning to follow the advice here about going through my email confirmations and job site histories to fill in what I can remember. The tip about printing out records even for virtual appointments is genius - I never would have thought of that! Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences. This thread has completely changed my mindset from dreading the appointment to actually seeing it as an opportunity to get additional resources and support. It's amazing how much better I feel after reading all these positive outcomes. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating the EDD system!