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I've been following this thread and wanted to share another strategy that worked for me after weeks of frustration. I used the EDD's "Contact EDD" online form (not the general inquiry one, but the specific form for claim issues) and marked it as "urgent - financial hardship." While it says they respond within 5-7 business days, I actually got a callback within 3 days from a tier 2 specialist. The key is being very specific about your issue and including your claim number, the exact error messages you're seeing, and dates of when you've tried to call. I also mentioned that I was facing eviction (which was true) and needed immediate assistance. Sometimes the online route can be faster than the phone marathon, especially for complex issues like ID verification that might need a specialist anyway. Worth trying if you're still stuck!
This is really smart advice! I had no idea there was a specific form for claim issues versus general inquiries. I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's great that you mentioned the financial hardship aspect too - I think a lot of people don't realize that can help prioritize their case. Thanks for sharing this alternative approach!
I've been dealing with EDD phone hell for the past month myself, so I really feel for everyone sharing their struggles here. What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies from this thread: 1. I used the tech support number (1-855-327-7057) that @Liam mentioned - got through in about 35 minutes 2. Called on a Wednesday at 1:15pm following @Sofia's insider timing advice 3. Had all my documents ready and specifically mentioned "ID.me verification issue requiring escalation" The rep was actually really helpful and explained that there's been a huge backlog in their ID verification department due to new security measures. She was able to see that my case had been sitting in a queue for 3 weeks without anyone looking at it! For anyone still struggling - don't give up. The system is broken but there are real people trying to help once you can reach them. Also keeping a call log with times/dates helped me when I finally got through - the agent appreciated having specific details about how long I'd been trying. Sending good vibes to everyone still fighting this battle! 💪
Thank you so much for sharing this detailed breakdown! I'm new here and have been lurking while dealing with my own EDD nightmare for the past 3 weeks. Your combination approach gives me hope - I've been calling randomly without any strategy. I'm definitely going to try the tech support number on Wednesday afternoon with all my docs ready. Did the rep mention how long the ID verification backlog typically takes once they actually start reviewing it? I'm terrified mine is just sitting in that same queue you mentioned.
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This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm a newcomer here and had no idea that EDD doesn't automatically use the Alternative Base Period - what a sneaky way for them to minimize payouts. Reading everyone's experiences, it seems like the key takeaways are: 1. File the DE 1000M appeal form ASAP 2. Include detailed documentation (Q4 2023 paystubs, cover letter, calculations) 3. Be crystal clear that you're requesting ABP recalculation 4. Use certified mail AND upload online if possible 5. Keep certifying while waiting for the appeal For those who successfully appealed - did any of you face pushback from EDD initially, or were most appeals approved pretty straightforwardly once you provided the proper documentation? I'm trying to get a sense of how often they actually deny legitimate ABP requests. Also, has anyone dealt with this situation where you had multiple jobs during Q4 2023? I'm wondering if that complicates the calculation at all or if EDD just adds up all the earnings from that quarter regardless of how many employers. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't find on EDD's website!
Welcome to the community, Freya! Great summary of the key takeaways. To answer your questions - in my experience and from what I've seen others share here, legitimate ABP appeals are usually approved as long as you provide proper documentation and clearly show that your highest quarter in the Alternative Base Period would result in higher benefits. EDD might take their sweet time processing it, but they generally don't deny valid requests when the math clearly supports you. Regarding multiple jobs in Q4 2023 - that actually works in your favor! EDD combines ALL your earnings from that quarter regardless of how many employers you had. So if you worked two part-time jobs that together added up to full-time equivalent earnings, they'll use the total combined amount for the calculation. Just make sure to include paystubs from ALL employers during that period in your appeal documentation. One tip I'd add to your excellent summary - take screenshots of your current UI Online account showing your low benefit amount before filing the appeal, just in case you need to reference the original calculation later. Good luck with your appeal!
Wow, this thread is a goldmine of information! I'm in almost the exact same boat - just got my award letter showing $189/week when I was expecting much more based on my recent full-time earnings. I had no clue that EDD doesn't automatically use the Alternative Base Period calculation! I'm going to follow everyone's advice here and file the DE 1000M appeal form immediately. Quick question though - when you all mention Q4 2023 earnings, is that specifically October-December 2023? I want to make sure I'm gathering the right paystubs since I switched from part-time to full-time in November 2023. Also, for those who successfully got their appeals approved - approximately how much of an increase did you see? I'm trying to set realistic expectations. Based on the rough formula mentioned (highest quarter ÷ 25), I'm calculating I should be getting around $480/week instead of the $189 they awarded me. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences and creating this incredibly helpful resource! Time to start gathering documentation and fighting for what we deserve.
Hey Dmitry! Yes, Q4 2023 would be October-December 2023, so you'll want to gather all your paystubs from those three months. Since you switched to full-time in November, that's perfect timing - your Q4 earnings should be significantly higher than what EDD used in their standard calculation. Your calculated amount of $480/week sounds very reasonable based on what others have shared here. I've seen people in this thread report increases from around $180-200/week up to $500+ after successful ABP appeals, so your situation seems right in line with those success stories. Make sure to include paystubs from both your part-time October earnings AND your full-time November-December earnings from 2023 - they'll add it all together for that quarter. And definitely follow everyone's advice about being super clear in your appeal that you're specifically requesting Alternative Base Period recalculation. The difference between $189 and $480 per week is huge - that's over $7,500 more over a full 26-week claim period! Definitely worth the effort to appeal. Good luck!
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i rember in 2024 edd changed the rules for reopening claims and you have to do a phone interview if you worked more than 4 weeks so don't be surprise if they schedule you for one
This isn't entirely accurate. EDD may require a phone interview in some cases, but it's typically related to the reason for separation, not just the duration of employment. Standard temporary layoffs rarely trigger interviews unless there's something unusual about the circumstances. The system evaluates each case individually based on the information provided during the reopening process.
Great to hear it worked out smoothly for you! For anyone else reading this thread, I just want to emphasize that reopening is almost always the right choice when you're still within your benefit year and have remaining balance. Filing a new claim when you should reopen can create a huge mess - I've seen people wait months to get it sorted out. The key things to remember: 1) Your benefit year is 12 months from original filing date, 2) You can reopen multiple times within that year, and 3) Always report all wages honestly when certifying. The system is designed to handle these temporary work interruptions!
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I just went through this exact same nightmare last month! Got the disqualification notice on a Tuesday for "false statement" and the overpayment notice arrived exactly 16 days later. Like everyone else here, I was totally confused about what I supposedly did wrong since I answered everything honestly. Turns out EDD's system flagged me because I reported working 2 days one week but they thought I should have been "unavailable for work" those days. Complete misunderstanding that got cleared up once I reached an actual human being. My advice: start calling EDD NOW while you're waiting for the overpayment notice - don't wait. I used the technique someone mentioned about calling right at 8:01 AM and got through on my 3rd try. The rep was able to explain exactly what triggered the disqualification and even put notes in my file for the appeal. Also, gather EVERYTHING - I printed out all my certifications, work schedules, even text messages with my boss about my hours. When the overpayment notice comes, you'll have 30 days to appeal, but having everything ready beforehand makes the process so much smoother. Don't panic - most of these really are system errors that can be fixed!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you for sharing your experience and timeline - 16 days is right in that 2-3 week window everyone's been mentioning. Your situation with the work availability misunderstanding sounds so similar to what I'm probably dealing with. I definitely reported some part-time work correctly, but maybe their system interpreted it wrong too. I'm going to take your advice and start calling tomorrow morning at 8:01 AM - it's brilliant that you can sometimes get the issue resolved even before the overpayment notice arrives. I've been so focused on waiting for that notice that I didn't think about being proactive with phone calls now. Really appreciate the tip about getting notes put in your file for the appeal too - that sounds like it could make a huge difference. This whole thread has given me so much hope that this is fixable!
I'm going through this exact situation right now too! Got my disqualification notice 6 days ago for "false statement" and I've been a wreck ever since. Reading everyone's experiences here has been both terrifying and comforting at the same time. It sounds like I should expect the overpayment notice in the next week or two based on the timelines people are sharing. I've already started gathering all my documentation - screenshots of every certification, confirmation emails, pay stubs, even my work calendar to show my availability. The hardest part is not knowing what I supposedly lied about since I was so careful to answer everything truthfully. I'm going to try calling EDD first thing Monday morning at 8:01 AM like several people suggested. Has anyone had luck getting a specific explanation of what triggered their disqualification when they called? I just want to understand what went wrong so I can properly defend myself in the appeal. This whole process is making me lose sleep, but seeing how many people successfully fought these decisions gives me hope!
Dylan Cooper
I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! I've been on UI for about 2 months and just finished a short freelance project that paid $450 as a 1099. I was honestly considering not reporting it since it was such a small amount, but after reading everyone's experiences here I'm definitely going to include it when I certify this week. The stories about EDD's cross-matching system catching unreported income months later are genuinely scary - I had no idea they were that thorough! It sounds like even trying to hide a few hundred dollars can result in thousands in penalties and overpayments. That's just not worth the risk, especially when I'll likely still get partial benefits even after reporting the income. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, both the success stories and the warnings. This community is incredibly helpful for navigating these confusing situations. I'm going to start keeping detailed records of any freelance work I do going forward, including dates worked and amounts earned. Better to be over-prepared than caught off guard later!
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Madeline Blaze
•You're absolutely making the right choice reporting that $450! I was in almost the exact same boat a few months ago - small freelance amount that I almost didn't report because it seemed insignificant. But after seeing what happened to other people who tried to hide income, there's just no way it's worth the risk. The partial benefits are way better than potentially owing thousands later. Plus keeping those detailed records you mentioned is super smart - I started doing the same thing after my first mixed income situation and it makes certification so much less stressful when you have everything documented properly!
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Miguel Diaz
I'm currently on UI and considering taking a small 1099 project, so this thread has been incredibly valuable! Reading through everyone's experiences has made it crystal clear that reporting ALL income is non-negotiable. The stories about EDD's cross-matching system catching unreported income months or even a year later are honestly terrifying - I had no idea they were that thorough with their record-keeping. What really strikes me is how consistent everyone's advice is: report the gross amount for the week you actually worked, keep detailed records, and accept that you'll get reduced benefits rather than risk those massive fraud penalties. The math people shared about EDD's benefit reduction formula is also really helpful - it sounds like you don't necessarily lose your entire weekly benefit, just a portion based on what you earned. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread as a reference. The tip about over-reporting rather than under-reporting if you're unsure is something I hadn't heard before but makes total sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - both the success stories and the cautionary tales. This kind of practical advice from people who've actually been through it is way more valuable than trying to decipher EDD's confusing website!
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