In a one-two punch, a South SF woman lost her EDD appeal -- then the EDD mailed a copy of her documents, full of private information, to a stranger.

The EDD believed he was in prison and ineligible for unemployment, his benefits were frozen, and EDD threatened to levy his tax refund.

Does the Notice of Determination indicate what the EDD relied on to deny benefits? Bottom line, your appeal will likely focus on details to show you were an employee.

A separate report last August by the Legislative Analyst’s Office found that, during the pandemic, state appeals judges overturned EDD unemployment denials up to 80% of the time.

With regard to the denial of unemployment benefits: You typically have 30 days to file an appeal from the date of the Notice of Determination. There is an EDD appeal form you can use — DE 1000M.

Q: I was let go from work, and expected to have unemployment pay at least until I find another job. Except I just got a letter from the Employment Development Department saying the benefits are denied ...