I'm new to this community but unfortunately dealing with this exact same nightmare! I have an EDD card from 2021 that I completely forgot about until I tried to use it last week for some car repairs. Bank of America hit me with the usual "security hold" story and won't give me any real explanation beyond "fraud prevention measures." This thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences and strategies! I'm amazed at how many people are dealing with identical situations. The multi-pronged approach everyone's discussing really makes sense: filing the CFPB complaint against BofA while simultaneously using the UI Online callback feature and trying the early morning phone strategy. I'm particularly grateful for those specific phone numbers and the transfer trick through the Disability Insurance line - that's brilliant problem-solving! The tip about documenting everything and getting email confirmations from EDD is something I never would have thought of but could save hours of confusion later. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in bureaucratic warfare just to access our own money, but this community has created an amazing blueprint for success. Starting my own battle tomorrow using all the wisdom shared here. Will definitely update everyone on my progress!

As someone new to this community dealing with the exact same frustrating situation, I can't express how helpful this entire thread has been! I have an EDD card from 2020 that I completely forgot about until I desperately needed it for some medical bills last week. Bank of America gave me the same runaround about a "security hold" with zero useful details. Reading through everyone's experiences has been like finding a survival guide for this bureaucratic nightmare. The multi-pronged strategy that's emerged from all your shared wisdom - CFPB complaint + UI Online callback + early morning phone calls + documentation - seems like the only way to actually get results from this broken system. I'm particularly grateful for the specific phone numbers, the 8am calling strategy, and that brilliant Disability Insurance transfer trick. The tip about getting email confirmations from EDD with reference numbers is genius - I never would have thought of that but it makes perfect sense for avoiding the typical blame game between EDD and BofA. It's both infuriating and reassuring to see so many people dealing with identical situations. Infuriating because the system is clearly broken, but reassuring because you've all proven that persistence pays off and the money IS recoverable. Starting my own battle Monday morning using everything I've learned here. Will definitely report back with my results to help the next person stuck in EDD limbo. Thank you all for not giving up and for sharing the strategies that actually work!

I went through this exact same identity verification hell with EDD about 8 months ago and it was absolutely maddening. They flagged my account for "suspicious activity" even though I'd been filing claims with them for years without any issues. Like your husband, I had to do the whole song and dance - uploaded my driver's license, birth certificate, Social Security card, bank statements, you name it. Still got stuck in the appeals black hole. What finally worked for me was a combination of two things: I contacted my state assembly member (which I see you're already doing - smart move!) AND I also reached out to my local One-Stop Career Center. A lot of people don't know this, but the career centers have EDD liaisons who can sometimes help escalate cases or at least provide guidance on navigating the system. The assembly member's office took about 3 weeks to get results, but they were able to get my appeal hearing scheduled much faster than the normal process. The hearing itself was quick - maybe 10 minutes on the phone with a judge who basically said "yeah, all your documents are obviously legitimate, case closed." One tip: when you do get your appeal hearing scheduled, make sure your husband has ALL the documents ready in digital format on his computer. They'll ask him to email copies during the call sometimes. Good luck with the job interview today - hopefully this EDD nightmare will be behind you soon!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD identity verification process is absolutely broken and you're definitely not alone. I went through something similar last year where they questioned my identity despite having filed with them multiple times before. A few things that might help while you're waiting on the assembly member response: 1) Keep calling that appeals number (800-300-5616) that Brady mentioned - sometimes you can catch them during less busy hours (try early morning around 8 AM) 2) Document every single interaction like Miguel suggested - dates, names, reference numbers, what was said. This becomes crucial evidence if you need to escalate further 3) If your husband does land that job today (fingers crossed!), definitely don't abandon the appeal. You're entitled to those back benefits for the weeks he was unemployed and eligible The fact that they're questioning citizenship for someone born in Michigan is just mind-boggling. The whole system seems designed to exhaust people into giving up. Stay strong and keep fighting - from what I've seen in this community, persistence eventually pays off, especially with the assembly member's help. Rooting for you both!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for so many people! I'm currently in a very similar situation - was working at a clothing store (24 hrs/week) and a coffee shop (20 hrs/week) when the clothing store had to close due to their parent company going bankrupt. I still have my coffee shop hours but it's definitely not enough to cover my expenses. Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me the confidence to apply for partial unemployment benefits. It's amazing how many of us didn't know this was even an option! I'm going to gather all my documentation from both jobs tonight and submit my application tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - knowing that so many people in similar situations have successfully navigated this process makes it feel much less overwhelming. Fingers crossed it works out!

I just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I was in almost the exact same boat about 8 months ago - working at a restaurant (30 hrs/week) and doing part-time retail (12 hrs/week) when the restaurant suddenly shut down due to health code violations. Like so many others here, I had no idea partial unemployment was even a thing and almost didn't apply because I thought any remaining income would disqualify me completely. What really helped me was calling the EDD phone line (yes, it took forever to get through) and speaking with a representative who walked me through exactly how partial benefits work. They explained that since I lost the majority of my weekly income through no fault of my own, I absolutely qualified for help while searching for replacement hours. The application process was much more straightforward than I expected, and I've been receiving partial benefits for the past several months while building up my hours at a new job. For anyone still hesitating - this program exists specifically for situations like ours where you lose significant income but aren't completely unemployed. Don't let uncertainty stop you from getting the financial assistance you're entitled to during this transition period!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help since I just went through this exact situation a few months ago. When my UI benefits were ending, I discovered that some counties have "Economic Development" departments that maintain databases of employers specifically looking to hire people transitioning off unemployment. These aren't the same as workforce development boards - they're focused on business development but often have insider knowledge about which companies are actively hiring and expanding. What really helped me was that the economic development officer I spoke with knew which local businesses had recently received tax incentives or grants for hiring, making them more likely to bring on new employees quickly. She was able to connect me directly with hiring managers at three different companies, bypassing the typical online application process entirely. I also found out that some utility companies offer "job seeker assistance" programs where they provide temporary bill payment deferrals specifically for people whose unemployment benefits are ending. My electric company gave me a 90-day payment plan that really helped during the transition period. One more tip - if you have LinkedIn, make sure your profile clearly states that you're "open to work" and specify your availability date. I got two interview requests within a week of updating my profile with this information. Event management skills are definitely in demand for corporate roles - project coordination, vendor management, and client relations translate really well. Don't give up hope!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share a resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. Many people don't know that California has a "Rapid Response" program through the Employment Development Department that's specifically designed to help workers facing layoffs or business closures transition to new employment quickly. While this program is typically offered to groups of workers when a company announces layoffs, individuals can sometimes access these services too. The program includes intensive job search workshops, skills assessments, and connections to employers who are actively hiring. What made it particularly valuable for me was that they had partnerships with companies specifically looking for event management and project coordination skills. They also provided information about apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training opportunities that could lead to permanent employment. To access these services, you need to contact your local Workforce Development Board and specifically ask about Rapid Response services for individual participants. Not every office will offer this, but it's worth asking since the services are much more intensive than standard job search assistance. I also wanted to mention that if you've been receiving UI benefits, you're automatically eligible for career counseling services through the state's workforce system - many people don't realize this benefit is available throughout your entire claim period, not just at the beginning. These counselors can help you develop a transition plan before your benefits end and connect you with resources you might not find on your own. Good luck with your search - the event industry is tough right now but your organizational and project management skills are definitely valued in many other sectors!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now and it's such a relief to read everyone's experiences! Filed my appeal about 4 weeks ago after being disqualified - my employer claimed I was terminated for performance issues but I have documentation showing it was actually part of a company-wide restructuring. Like everyone else, no certification weeks since filing the appeal. It's been really tough financially, especially since I was counting on at least some income while job searching. The lack of communication from EDD during this process is probably the most frustrating part - you're just left in limbo wondering if everything is processing correctly. I've been documenting everything religiously and keeping track of my job search activities like others suggested. Also applied for CalFresh which has helped bridge some of the financial gap. Reading that most people here eventually won their appeals and got back pay is encouraging, even though the 6-12 week wait times sound pretty daunting. One question for those who went through the appeals process - did any of you try to gather additional evidence or witness statements after filing the initial appeal, or is it better to just submit everything you have by their deadline and not overcomplicate things?

I'm currently going through this exact situation too and it's so frustrating! Filed my appeal 6 weeks ago after being disqualified when my employer claimed I was fired for attendance issues, but I have medical documentation showing I had FMLA-protected absences. Haven't had any certification weeks since filing, which has been really tough financially. What's helped me so far: - Applied for CalFresh immediately (great suggestion from others here!) - Started a detailed spreadsheet tracking job search activities for when I eventually get to certify those back weeks - Called the appeals board directly (not regular EDD) and they confirmed my case is in queue - currently scheduling hearings 10-12 weeks out - Gathered every piece of documentation I could find related to my FMLA situation The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially with bills piling up, but reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that this is just how their broken system works. It sounds like most people with legitimate cases do win eventually and get all their back pay. Hang in there everyone - we'll get through this mess!