My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: California
Since the site was such a huge help to me, while I was navigating through the appeals process- Just thought I'd document something that I learned from the experience.
Hopefully if someone reads this who's in a similar situation, it might help them.
I was disqualified and I filed for an appeal. Then I was actually disqualified a 2nd time because I reported the few hours I had worked for a new employer that didn't work out. So I had to also appeal that decision. What a mess. I won my first appeal hearing which took forever. I had filed in June and not given a hearing date until October. My employer had really gone all out to fight my claim. If I had not gone to view the file a week before the hearing, I would have not been aware of the stack of documents that was 2 in thick they had provided against me. I was stunned as these documents were fraudulent, forged, altered, or things I had never even seen or read before. I know its hard to believe an employer would do this, and I couldn't believe it myself. My first reaction was to feel humiliated that I would be facing a judge who had seen everything they had alleged. It was embarrassing to have even been accused of the things they said I did. I didn't give up, and spent the next week digging through all my electronic records, company policies, written notes, shipping records, and misc. receipts I could use to make my case. I can't tell you how good it felt to show them as the frauds they were! By the end of hearing, you could tell they just wanted it over. However, I still waited anxiously for almost a month to receive the decision. Finally- I was officially vindicated.
One down, and one to go.
The second appeal was scheduled much quicker than the first. It may have been because I sent a note requesting they expedite the process but I'm not sure. It also may have been faster because they had not scheduled the employer that I had reported working for as attending the appeal hearing.
What I wish I had considered or realized before I went to the 2nd appeal hearing is that: It's much more difficult if you're the only one there and not being represented by someone, to present the information you feel is important. Having an attorney with you at this type of hearing seems more necessary than if there is an opposing side. Without someone to pose the questions to you, that you want to give your answers to so the judge hears them and become part of the transcript, the judge is going to be the one asking the questions and I found it much different than being questioned by an opponent or your own representative. I was got so nervous that I completely forgot to bring up any of the things I had planned to.
I was really lucky that the judge reversed this disqualification as well. If I had needed to go to a second stage appeal, I wouldn't have been able to submit anything additional to the case that wasn't presented already. After winning the first hearing that lasted literally a couple hours, and was so complicated, consisting of so much documentation on both sides I hadn't thought I could possibly need an attorney for the second hearing. I think I made the mistake of underestimating the value of representation. If I ever face a situation like this again (I hope not!) I would definitely do it differently: I'd want someone to attend that could represent me in the 2nd hearing.
I could not believe it when I got the decision in the mail only 2 days later! I had resigned myself to thinking it would be a month wait again.
And I can't explain the relief I had after reading I was successful on this decision as well! It was like I could breath again.
EDD has just paid all the benefits I am owed going back to June.
Persistence finally pays off. If you feel you were wronged- Don't give up!
P.S.- I don't know who came up with it, but does anyone else laugh every time you see the smiley face that's labeled "cocksure"![]()
![]()


