I went through something very similar about two years ago with a chronic pain condition that made my warehouse job impossible during bad days. The whole process was honestly pretty stressful, but I did eventually get approved for UI benefits. A few things that really helped my case: First, I made sure to exhaust ALL accommodation options with my employer before making any moves. Even though some of their suggestions were unrealistic, having documentation that I tried everything they offered was crucial for EDD. Second, when I finally did have to leave, I was super careful about the language I used. Instead of saying I "quit," I framed it as the job becoming medically incompatible and my employer being unable to provide necessary accommodations. The EDD rep I spoke with said this distinction actually matters a lot in how they evaluate claims. The phone interview was nerve-wracking but having all my medical documentation and accommodation request emails organized beforehand made it go much smoother. They asked really specific questions about what accommodations I'd requested and why my employer's responses weren't sufficient. One last tip - when you're looking for new work while on UI (which you have to do), focus your search on positions that would work with your condition. EDD wants to see you're genuinely available for work, just not work that would harm your health. Good luck with everything! The system definitely isn't perfect but there are protections there if you document everything properly.

I'm actually dealing with a somewhat similar situation with a chronic autoimmune condition that causes unpredictable fatigue and joint pain. My employer has been "exploring options" for months but nothing concrete has materialized. One thing I learned from speaking with an employment attorney (many offer free consultations) is that you should document not just your accommodation requests, but also any instances where your condition has already impacted your work performance. This helps establish that the job truly is incompatible with your medical needs. Also, regarding your doctor situation - I had the same issue initially. What helped was explaining to my new doctor that I needed documentation specifically for potential unemployment benefits, not just general medical records. I brought a list of my job duties and explained exactly which tasks became impossible during flare-ups. This seemed to help them understand what kind of specific language would be most helpful. Another suggestion - consider reaching out to your local Independent Living Center or disability rights organization. They often have advocates who understand both the medical and employment sides of these situations and can help you strategize the best approach. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part. Hang in there, and definitely keep us posted on how your appointment with the new doctor goes!

awesome! glad u got it fixed. wish theyd update their system to not ask for info from like 5 years ago lol

Glad to hear you got it resolved! Your experience is really helpful for others dealing with the same issue. It's frustrating that EDD's system still prompts for outdated verification info from the old BofA system, but at least their phone reps have the ability to work around it. 45 minutes is actually pretty reasonable for EDD wait times - you got lucky calling right at 8 AM! Thanks for updating us on how it went.

This is such a helpful thread! As someone who's been navigating EDD for the past few months, I had no idea there was a dedicated Tele-Cert line at 1-866-333-4606. I've been so dependent on the online system that I never thought to look for phone alternatives. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD doesn't make these backup options more visible - especially when their website goes down during peak times or when people get locked out like you did. I'm saving that number in my contacts right now just in case. Also really interested in hearing more about people's experiences with Claimyr. I've been hesitant about using third-party services, but if it can actually get you through to a real person in 15 minutes instead of hours of busy signals, that seems worth trying. Thanks for sharing your journey and the successful resolution - gives me hope that these EDD issues can actually be fixed when you know the right steps to take!

This is exactly the kind of detailed, helpful thread that makes this community so valuable! I'm bookmarking this entire conversation because it covers everything from the immediate solution (Tele-Cert at 1-866-333-4606) to the long-term fix (using Claimyr to reach EDD reps). What really stands out to me is how EDD doesn't publicize these backup options at all. Like, why isn't the Tele-Cert number prominently displayed on their website? Why don't they mention it when their online system goes down? It's almost like they want people to get stuck in the system. @Javier Morales - thanks for coming back to update us with your success! That's so rare in these forums but it's incredibly helpful for future people dealing with the same issue. Going from locked out and panicked to fully resolved in one day is pretty amazing. For anyone else reading this thread in the future: save that Tele-Cert number (1-866-333-4606) in your contacts RIGHT NOW, before you need it. And remember that Claimyr seems to be a legitimate way to actually reach EDD without the endless busy signals. Sometimes paying a small fee to connect with a real person is worth avoiding weeks of stress and missed payments.

I'm currently dealing with this exact same situation! Just switched to direct deposit two weeks ago and my payment has been showing "paid" since yesterday afternoon. Reading through all these experiences is incredibly reassuring - I was starting to worry that something went wrong with my bank information. It's really helpful to see that 2-4 business days seems to be the norm for first-time direct deposits, and that the timing becomes much more predictable after that initial payment. I'm with Wells Fargo so based on what others have mentioned, I should probably expect it to take the full 2-3 days. The tip about checking the "Payment Activity" section instead of just the main claim status is gold - I had no idea that showed more detailed information! Going to check that right now. Also definitely going to set up those mobile banking alerts that someone mentioned to save myself from constantly refreshing my account balance. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines. This thread is going to be so valuable for anyone else going through this nerve-wracking first direct deposit switch!

This is such a comprehensive thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. One thing I'd add from my own experience is that if you're really anxious about the timing, you can also check with your bank to see if they have a specific cutoff time for processing ACH deposits. My credit union processes them twice a day (morning and afternoon) so knowing those times helped me set realistic expectations. Also, some banks will give you a reference number for pending government deposits if you call and ask specifically about EDD payments. The customer service reps are usually pretty familiar with unemployment deposit questions since they get asked about it so frequently. Really appreciate how supportive this community is - going through unemployment is stressful enough without having to worry about payment timing on top of everything else!

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and completely understand your anxiety! When I got that "something that can make you ineligible" message after reporting my $4,800 severance, I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my claim. But it really is just standard procedure when any severance is reported - their system automatically triggers the interview requirement. During my phone interview, the EDD representative was actually pretty straightforward and professional. They asked: 1) Why I was separated from work (layoff vs. firing vs. quitting), 2) Whether my severance was paid as a lump sum or ongoing payments, 3) If there were any work restrictions in my severance agreement, and 4) Whether I was available for full-time work and actively job searching. The whole interview took about 20 minutes, and I had my benefits approved within 2 business days afterward. My biggest advice is to have your termination letter and severance agreement documents ready to reference, and keep your answers clear and direct. Since you were laid off due to position elimination and received a lump sum payment, you should be in good shape. The fact that you reported everything honestly from the start definitely works in your favor!

I'm a former EDD claims specialist and can confirm that reporting severance automatically triggers an eligibility interview - it's completely normal and doesn't mean you did anything wrong. The interview is mainly to distinguish between severance that counts as "wages" (which could delay benefits) versus a lump sum payment for past service (which typically doesn't affect eligibility). Since you mentioned your position was eliminated and you received a one-time payment, you should be fine. The key things they'll verify: your separation was involuntary, the severance structure, and that you're available for work. Have your layoff documentation ready and answer their questions directly without over-explaining. Most people in your situation get approved within a few days after the interview. You did the right thing by reporting everything honestly!