This entire thread has been a lifesaver! I'm currently stuck in SDI limbo myself - been waiting 6 weeks for my claim to process after a work injury. I've tried everything: calling dozens of times, uploading documents that keep timing out, even drove to what I thought was an EDD office only to find out it was just a UI center that couldn't help with SDI. I'm definitely going to try several suggestions from here: the early morning login times, converting my documents to PDF instead of using photos, and especially reaching out to my Assembly Member's office. Had no idea they had EDD caseworkers who could help! The SDI Connect pilot program sounds amazing - I just checked and unfortunately there are no appointment slots available in Chula Vista for the next 3 weeks, but I set up email alerts for when new slots open up. Even having that option gives me hope. One thing I'll add from my experience: if you're dealing with a work-related injury like I am, make sure your doctor specifically mentions whether it's work-related on the disability forms. I had to get mine resubmitted because the first time my doctor just wrote the diagnosis without clarifying it was from a workplace incident, and apparently that can affect processing. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this broken system!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now with my SDI claim! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both frustrating (knowing how widespread this problem is) and incredibly helpful. I've been trying to upload my medical certification for 2 weeks and the system crashes every single time at around 90% completion. I'm definitely going to try the suggestions about using Firefox instead of Chrome, logging in during off-peak hours, and converting my documents to PDF format. The mobile app idea is genius - I never even thought to look for one! The SDI Connect pilot program sounds like exactly what we all need. I just tried to schedule an appointment but there's nothing available for weeks. Still, it's encouraging to know they're finally acknowledging that the online-only approach isn't working for everyone. I think the most important takeaway from this thread is that we need to try multiple approaches simultaneously - calling early morning, mailing documents with certified mail, contacting Assembly Members, AND trying to get those in-person appointments. It's exhausting that we have to become experts at navigating bureaucracy when we're already dealing with health issues, but at least we're not alone in this struggle. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences and actual solutions. This is the most useful information I've found anywhere online about dealing with SDI problems!

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I can't stress enough how important it is that your daughter applies TODAY! I was 25 when I got terminated for similar attendance issues (chronic lateness due to unreliable public transit + a few absences when I was sick), and I was absolutely terrified because the termination letter said "misconduct." But here's the thing - my former manager pulled me aside during my exit and said almost the exact same words: "Make sure you file for unemployment right away, don't wait." I thought she was just being nice, but after reading through employment law resources, I realized that phrasing is actually very strategic. I applied the same day I was terminated and was approved after about 3 weeks and one eligibility phone interview. The EDD representative was incredibly understanding about the transportation challenges and asked really fair questions like "Did you have other reliable transportation options?" and "Were you trying to get to work on time?" The key is framing it correctly - I didn't say I was fired for "misconduct," I said I was "terminated due to attendance issues caused by unreliable public transportation and illness." EDD makes their own determination about what constitutes disqualifying misconduct, and transportation barriers for young workers usually don't meet that threshold. Your daughter has every reason to be optimistic - apply today and be completely honest about the circumstances!

I'm so glad you found this community and asked for advice! As someone who works in workforce development and has helped many young people navigate unemployment claims, I can tell you that your daughter's situation is actually quite promising. The fact that HR specifically told her to "make sure you file for unemployment right away" is absolutely significant. Companies are very strategic about unemployment claims because contested claims affect their insurance rates. When HR uses that kind of encouraging language, it typically means they've already decided internally that this isn't a case they'll fight aggressively. Your daughter's circumstances - being 23, relying on public transportation, and having legitimate reasons for the attendance issues - align perfectly with what EDD considers when determining if something constitutes "misconduct." Transportation challenges and illness are exactly the types of barriers that EDD recognizes as being beyond an employee's reasonable control, especially for younger workers without extensive resources. The 6-month employment period actually works in her favor too - it shows she was committed to the job and wanted to make it work, rather than someone who was just carelessly disregarding workplace policies. She should absolutely apply today through UI Online and frame it as being "terminated due to attendance issues caused by unreliable public transportation and illness" rather than accepting the employer's "misconduct" label. Be completely honest about the circumstances and keep documentation of her job search activities. Based on everything you've shared, I'm genuinely optimistic about her chances. Even if there's an initial review or eligibility interview, she has strong grounds for approval. Don't let the stress discourage you - apply today and stay positive!

I'm also in a similar boat - just exhausted my benefits and looking at EDD positions! One thing I haven't seen mentioned here yet is that they also have seasonal hiring surges. A friend who works in their Sacramento office told me they typically do big hiring pushes right before tax season (January-March) and again before the holidays when claim volumes spike. So timing your application might matter. Also, for those worried about the long wait times - I've heard that some offices are more desperate for staff than others. Rural offices sometimes move faster through the hiring process than the big city ones because they get fewer applicants. Might be worth looking at positions outside your immediate area if you're willing to commute or relocate. The state does offer relocation assistance for some positions too.

I just wanted to add something that might help with the immediate financial pressure while you're waiting for the EDD hiring process - have you looked into gig work or freelance accounting services? Since you have an accounting background, you could potentially pick up some bookkeeping clients through platforms like Upwork or even local small businesses. I know it's not ideal when you want stable employment, but it could help bridge the gap during those 3-6 months of waiting for state employment. Also, don't forget to check if your local One-Stop Career Centers have any rapid employment programs or connections with employers who need immediate hires. Sometimes they have relationships with companies that aren't widely advertised. The combination of applying for EDD positions AND having some income coming in from temporary work might take some of the financial pressure off while you wait for the state bureaucracy to move. Hang in there - it sounds like you have a solid plan forming!

Hey Justin! I totally understand that panic you felt seeing "excessive earnings" - I had the EXACT same reaction when it first showed up on my account about 5 months ago! I literally thought I had somehow violated the terms of my UI claim by working part-time. Everyone here has given you spot-on advice - your claim is completely fine! "Excessive earnings" is just EDD's unnecessarily scary way of saying you earned more than your Weekly Benefit Amount for that specific week. Since you earned $487 and it sounds like your WBA is around $450, that explains the status perfectly. I've been working part-time at a local grocery store while on UI, and my hours vary between 14-24 per week depending on scheduling needs. I've seen "excessive earnings" probably 8-9 times now, and every single time my claim stayed completely active. The weeks I worked fewer hours, I received partial benefits again like normal. What really helped me stop stressing was realizing this is actually a positive thing - it means you had a financially successful week and didn't need UI assistance! Now when I see that status, I actually feel good about it because it shows I'm making progress toward financial stability. Your warehouse job is perfect for bridging the gap while you search for full-time work. Keep certifying every two weeks regardless of what status appears, keep doing your work search activities, and definitely don't let EDD's confusing terminology discourage you. You're handling everything exactly right - that "excessive earnings" status is actually proof you're being proactive and responsible!

Hey Justin! I totally get that panic you felt when you first saw "excessive earnings" - I had the exact same heart-stopping moment about 2 months ago when it appeared on my account! I literally thought I had somehow broken the rules by taking a part-time job while on UI. Everyone here has given you absolutely perfect advice - your claim is 100% safe and active! "Excessive earnings" is just EDD's really unfortunate way of saying you earned more than your Weekly Benefit Amount for that specific week. Since you earned $487 and it sounds like your WBA is probably around $450, that's exactly why you got that status. I've been working part-time at a local gym while collecting UI for about 3 months now, and my hours fluctuate between 12-22 per week depending on class schedules. I've seen "excessive earnings" maybe 5-6 times, and every single time I initially stressed out, but my claim has remained completely intact. The weeks I work fewer hours, I get partial benefits again without any issues. What really helped me was starting to see "excessive earnings" as actually a GOOD thing - it means you had a solid earning week and didn't need UI support! Now when I see that status, I try to celebrate it because it shows I'm making progress toward getting back on my feet financially. Keep doing exactly what you're doing - that warehouse job is smart for staying stable while job hunting. Keep certifying every two weeks no matter what status shows up, keep up your work search activities, and definitely don't let EDD's terrible terminology stress you out. You're handling this perfectly!

I just went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago and completely understand your stress! Here's my timeline that might help ease your anxiety: Payment approved on a Wednesday, Money Network card arrived exactly 9 business days later (the following Friday). So based on your timeline with approval yesterday, you should have your card by next Wednesday or Thursday. A few things that really helped me during the wait: **Money Network System**: They'll have you in their system within 48 hours of EDD processing your payment. Try calling them again on Monday - by then they should be able to confirm your card was issued and might even provide tracking information. **The Envelope**: Everyone's absolutely right about it looking like junk mail - completely plain white envelope with just your name and address. The only identifying mark is tiny "IMPORTANT" text in the bottom corner. I literally almost threw mine away thinking it was spam mail! **Bank Transfers**: Once I got the card activated (takes about 2-3 minutes online), transfers to my personal bank account took exactly 2 business days every single time. Much more reliable than paper checks. **Immediate Access**: If you need cash right away once the card arrives, you can withdraw money at any ATM immediately after activation. There are fees, but it gives you instant access to your funds while waiting for the bank transfer to process. Definitely sign up for USPS Informed Delivery if you haven't already - you'll get daily email previews of your mail so you'll know exactly when that envelope is coming. And the moment you activate the card, set up direct deposit for future payments so you never have to go through this nail-biting wait again! You should definitely have access to your funds well before your bills are due next week. The anxiety is totally understandable, but the system does work - it's just painfully slow that first time around!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed my claim on March 11th and just got my first payment approved yesterday too. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief - I was starting to panic about when I'd actually be able to access the money since I have rent due next Friday. The consistent 7-10 business day timeline everyone is sharing gives me so much hope that we should both have our cards by Wednesday or Thursday next week. I just signed up for that USPS Informed Delivery service that literally everyone has recommended in this thread - seems like it'll be a total game changer for knowing exactly when to expect that plain white envelope. One thing I'm definitely doing is calling Money Network again on Monday since by then we should both be in their system and hopefully get some actual tracking info instead of that frustrating "you're not in our system yet" response. It's crazy how stressful this waiting period is when you're counting on the money for bills, but hearing from so many people who went through the identical situation and consistently got their cards within that 7-10 day window is really helping my anxiety. Also planning to activate the card immediately when it arrives and set up that direct deposit feature so I never have to go through this nail-biting wait again for future payments. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this thread has been way more helpful than anything on the official EDD website!