@profile6 I only had to upload documents. No video call needed. Everything went through the automated system.

Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're a renter and don't have utilities in your name, you can also use a renters insurance policy or even a medical bill as proof of address. I had to use my Kaiser medical statement when I first applied because my roommate had all the utilities under their name. Also, if you have a PO Box, make sure you're using your physical address, not the PO Box address - ID.me requires your residential address specifically.

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!

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! 💪

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress! This exact situation happened to my sister last year when her company did layoffs but then claimed she quit to avoid paying into the unemployment fund. A few things that helped her case: - She gathered ALL documentation from her final day (emails, meeting invites, even text messages to family about being laid off) - She wrote down a detailed timeline of events while it was still fresh in her memory - She contacted former coworkers who were also laid off to see if they'd be willing to provide statements The good news is that EDD investigators are pretty experienced with employers trying to pull this stuff. Your RIF paperwork is solid evidence, especially if it has official letterhead and signatures. Companies usually don't fabricate entire layoff documents just to contest one person's unemployment claim. Stay strong and keep documenting everything. The truth usually comes out in these situations, and it sounds like you have the paperwork to back up your side of the story.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare! Your employer is definitely trying to game the system to avoid their unemployment insurance costs going up. This is unfortunately really common, but the good news is you have strong documentation on your side. A few additional tips that might help: - If you have any emails or text messages you sent to friends/family right after the layoff mentioning you were let go, those can serve as contemporaneous evidence - Check if your company issued any press releases or internal communications about the RIF that you could reference - If you received COBRA paperwork, that's also evidence of involuntary termination since people who quit usually aren't eligible The fact that you have official RIF documentation puts you in a much stronger position than many people dealing with contested claims. EDD sees this employer tactic all the time and they know what to look for. Keep pushing forward with all your evidence and don't let them intimidate you into giving up. You were legitimately laid off and deserve those benefits!

I've been on EDD for about 8 months now and have experienced both payment methods extensively. Here's what I've learned that might help newcomers: **Money Network Card advantages:** - Consistently faster (usually Monday afternoon/evening vs Tuesday morning for direct deposit) - Text alerts when funds are loaded (huge stress reliever!) - Can check balance online immediately after EDD processes payment change - Free cash back at stores, reasonable ATM fees ($1.50 most places, free at MoneyPass network) **Key timing factors I've noticed:** - Certifying earlier on Sunday doesn't actually speed things up - it all processes overnight in batches - Any "yes" answers on certification can add 12-24 hours to processing - Holiday weeks always throw off the normal schedule - If your payment shows "Paid" with a future date, expect delays **Budgeting tip:** I started certifying every other Sunday instead of weekly (if eligible) which gives me larger, less frequent payments and reduces the weekly timing stress. Not everyone qualifies for biweekly certification, but worth checking if you do. The unpredictability is definitely frustrating, but having your own tracking data and using the card method makes it much more manageable. This community's shared experiences have been way more valuable than anything EDD officially publishes!

I've been dealing with EDD for about 6 months and wanted to add a few more insights based on my experience. The timing patterns everyone's described are pretty accurate, but I've also noticed that your individual claim history can affect processing speed. If you've had any issues in the past (overpayments, identity verification, etc.), even if they're resolved, your account might be flagged for slightly slower processing. Also, something I discovered recently - if you need to make changes to your claim or profile information, try to do it right AFTER you certify and get paid, not before your next certification. I learned this the hard way when updating my address delayed my payment by 3 days because it triggered a review. For those considering the Money Network card switch, one thing to keep in mind is that some landlords and utility companies don't accept prepaid cards for automatic payments. You can still pay manually or transfer to your bank first, but it's worth checking if you have any autopay setups that might be affected. The stress around payment timing is so real - I started keeping a simple calendar note of when I certify vs when I actually get paid, and now I can pretty accurately predict within 12 hours when my money will hit. Game changer for budgeting and peace of mind!

Just want to add my experience - I was in a similar situation where I delayed filing for about 6 weeks after my layoff due to family circumstances. When I finally filed, the EDD rep asked about the gap during my phone interview but it was no big deal once I explained the situation. One thing that really helped was having my severance paperwork ready that showed my exact last day of work. They cross-referenced that with when I filed and just made a note in my file about the reason for the delay. Also, make sure you understand that once you do file and start your claim, you'll need to certify every two weeks consistently. Missing certifications can cause your claim to go inactive, which creates more paperwork headaches later. Since you're planning to be available and looking for work starting in May, the timing sounds perfect for your situation.

I went through something very similar when my mom got sick overseas and I had to delay filing. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you do file in May, make sure you have your employment history from the past 18 months ready to go. EDD will ask for employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation for each job during your base period. Since you've been at the same company for 23 years, this should be straightforward for you, but it's good to have your final paystub, any severance documentation, and your employer's contact info organized beforehand. The online application can time out if you're searching for information, and having to start over is frustrating. Also, don't stress about the gap - family medical emergencies are completely understandable reasons for delaying. Just be honest when they ask. Hope everything goes well with your parents! 🙏