My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: CA

At the time I filled out my EDD application I took my check stub because I wanted to make sure that I had all the appropriate numbers to enter for the application and that was all I took with me.

When I was laid off, I was given and signed a Pay in Lieu letter from the employer but unfortunately when I filled out my EDD application I only had my check stub with me so I failed to mark down that I had received Pay in Lieu because to be perfectly honest, I literally just signed the paper and left work. Therefore when it was time to fill out all the appropriate wages in the application I filled out my holiday and severance but I noticed that there was no place for me to mark my earnings for the rest of the month, as my employer had given me, my "pay in lieu". I knew that I was going to be getting a "special telephone interview" because I knew it would look odd on my application that I was receiving severance in Jan. when I marked that my last actual day of work was on Dec. 3rd. Therefore I knew I would be getting the interview and it was at this time where I would tell them I received X amount of dollars for the rest of the month.

Well I got my phone call and during this call was when I told the representative that I had been laid off in Dec. but was technically not officially unemployed until Jan. She then informed me that the amount of money I had received was considered Pay in Lieu. Therefore I told her how much I received and I thought she had changed my application and everything was completely set. I started getting my checks and then I received a letter about an appeal for EDD eligibility because I failed to mention that I did not add in my Pay in Lieu which was a complete shock to me because this entire time I thought the whole matter had be taken care of.

I am being completely honest when I say that at the time I filled out my EDD application I had no idea what Pay in Lieu meant and EDD does not have a Help link which explains it and as I mentioned before I didn't know what it meant until the telephone rep. explained it to me.

My hearing is on Wednesday and I am terrified because I may lose my benefits due to not knowing the definition of a word.

What's worse is that my old employer has a copy of the Pay in Lieu notice that I signed, therefore I fear the Judge will not bother to consider my mistake because I signed the paper. I never denied that I received that money but unfortunately for me I have no proof that I told the representative about it.

My question really is, what is the likelihood that it will end in my favor, because I really need this money and I could just kick myself for not having that paper with me when I applied for the application and I know it does not help that CA is in trouble financially and would probably be quite please take me for a liar.

Thank you for your time.