I'm currently dealing with this exact same issue - paid back my $2,400 overpayment in full back in December and I'm now at week 12 with no refund check. Reading through all these experiences is both reassuring (I'm not alone) and frustrating (this is clearly a systemic problem). I've been calling the regular EDD line weekly and getting the same scripted responses about "processing times" and "system updates." Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like I need to stop wasting time with regular EDD reps and go straight to my assembly member's office. @Dmitry Smirnov and @Connor Murphy - thank you for sharing your success stories with that approach. It's ridiculous that we have to escalate to elected officials just to get our own money back that we overpaid, but if that's what works, that's what I'll do. One question for anyone who's been through this - when you finally got your refund check, was it for the exact amount you overpaid or did they deduct any "processing fees" or anything like that? Just want to know what to expect when (hopefully) my check finally arrives.

I'm dealing with a similar refund delay right now - paid back my $3,100 overpayment in November 2024 and I'm at week 16 with no check! Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful, especially learning about the assembly member route. I had no idea that was even an option. What's really frustrating is that I've been calling EDD weekly and getting completely different information each time. One rep told me my case was "under review," another said it was "processing normally," and the most recent one claimed there was no record of my refund request at all (even though I have confirmation numbers for my payments). I'm definitely going to contact my assembly member's office tomorrow based on all the success stories shared here. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to involve elected officials just to get our own money back, but the regular EDD system is clearly broken. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it's given me hope that there's actually a way to resolve this mess!

This is such a stressful situation but it sounds like you're handling it really well! I went through a similar reopened appeal last year and the key thing that helped me was organizing all my documentation chronologically. Make sure you have printed copies of everything - the restructuring announcement, the job offer with the distant location and pay cut, any emails about your position being eliminated, etc. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple timeline document showing: 1) when the restructuring was announced, 2) when your specific position was eliminated, 3) when they made the unreasonable job offer, and 4) when your employment ended. Having it all laid out clearly made it much easier to explain to the judge. You're going to do great - sounds like you have all the evidence you need!

Just wanted to add - if your employer does show up this time, don't let them intimidate you! I had a similar reopened case where they brought their HR manager and she tried to twist the facts about my "resignation." Stay calm, stick to your documented facts, and remember that the burden is on THEM to prove you quit voluntarily. The judge will ask you direct questions, so just answer honestly about the restructuring and why that 90-mile commute job wasn't reasonable. You've got solid documentation and the EDD rep already said your case looks strong - that's a really good sign!

This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea Money Network fraud was such a massive problem until reading everyone's experiences. I'm currently on EDD and have been using my Money Network card without thinking twice about security, but after seeing how common these fraud cases are, I'm definitely switching to direct deposit immediately. The collective knowledge shared here is invaluable - from the specific fraud hotline number to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act rights, to practical tips about ATM safety and documentation. It's unfortunate that we have to become experts in fraud prevention just to protect our unemployment benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to share these hard-learned lessons. For anyone dealing with this nightmare, it sounds like persistence is key. Don't let them brush you off, know your rights, and keep detailed records of everything. Really glad you got your temporary credit, Fiona - hope the final resolution goes smoothly too!

I'm really glad to see this community sharing so much valuable information about Money Network fraud! As a newcomer here, I had no idea how common these issues were until reading through everyone's experiences. I just started receiving EDD benefits last week and got my Money Network card, but after seeing all these fraud stories I'm definitely going to be much more cautious. The tips shared here are incredibly helpful - especially the fraud-specific phone number (1-866-320-8699) and the information about Electronic Fund Transfer Act rights. It's concerning that so many people have dealt with this, but I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their experiences and solutions. I'm planning to switch to direct deposit as soon as possible, but in the meantime I'll definitely follow the safety advice about using ATMs inside bank branches, covering my PIN, and transferring funds out immediately. Thanks to everyone for looking out for fellow community members - this kind of knowledge sharing could really save someone from financial disaster!

This is incredibly frustrating but you're definitely not alone! The exact same thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago - they called right at 10 AM and the line went dead after maybe 2 seconds. I was so stressed thinking I'd blown my only chance. Here's what saved me: I called back immediately using the regular EDD number and after about an hour on hold, I got through to a rep who was actually super understanding. She said "Oh, that's our system glitch - it's been dropping interview calls all week." She rescheduled me for the next Friday without any issues and even put a note in my file about the technical problem. The rescheduled interview went perfectly! My advice: call back TODAY if you can, explain it was a dropped call during your scheduled window, and ask them to note the technical issue. They see this constantly and should be sympathetic. Also make sure to get a confirmation number for your new appointment. Don't panic - this is 100% on their broken phone system, not you! You've got this! 💪

Oh wow, this brings back memories of my own EDD nightmare! The exact same thing happened to me back in June - they called during my interview window and hung up after I barely got "hello" out. I was devastated! But here's the good news: I called back that same day using the main number and after about 50 minutes on hold, I got through to someone who immediately said "Oh, you had a dropped interview call - that's been happening all month due to our system overload." She rescheduled me for the following week and it went smoothly the second time. My tip: call back ASAP and specifically say it was a "dropped interview call during your scheduled window" - they have a protocol for this since it happens so frequently. Also, stay on the line even if the hold time seems crazy long, because once you explain the situation they're usually very accommodating. The whole system is a mess but the individual reps know it's not your fault. You've got this! 🍀

I've been lurking in this community for a while but had to create an account just to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed thread! I'm about to start doing Instacart after being laid off from my marketing job last week, and I was completely clueless about how to handle the unemployment reporting side of things. Reading through all these experiences has given me such a clear roadmap of what to do (and what mistakes to avoid). The gross vs net reporting distinction alone probably saved me from a major overpayment situation down the road. I'm definitely going to set up that spreadsheet tracking system this weekend and make one of those cheat sheets before I even start delivering. It's amazing how complex something that should be straightforward can be, but having a community like this share real-world experience makes all the difference. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to share their hard-learned lessons!

I've been doing Postmates (now Uber Eats) while on UI for about 8 months and want to echo what everyone's saying about keeping meticulous records. One thing that really helped me that I haven't seen mentioned yet is setting up a dedicated email folder just for gig work earnings notifications. Most platforms send you email receipts after each delivery with the exact gross amount, and having these all in one folder makes it super easy to cross-reference your app data if there are ever discrepancies. Also, regarding the work search requirements - I found that attending virtual job fairs and networking events counts toward your work search activities and is way more efficient than just sending out application after application. Many are free and you can attend multiple ones per week while still doing deliveries during peak hours. One last thing - if you're planning to do this long-term, consider getting a business license and treating it as a legitimate business venture. It shows EDD you're serious about self-employment (which can help with work search requirements) and gives you more tax deductions. Plus if gig work becomes more profitable than finding traditional employment, you'll already have the foundation set up.