Another angle to consider - if you're a homeowner, look into property tax postponement programs. California has a property tax postponement program for people facing financial hardship that can defer your property taxes until you're back on your feet. Also check with your mortgage lender about forbearance options - many still have COVID-era programs available or general hardship forbearance that can pause payments for 3-6 months. If you're a renter, some cities and counties have tenant protection programs that can help negotiate with landlords or provide mediation services if you're behind on rent. I was able to work out a payment plan with my landlord through my city's tenant services office when I was unemployed. The key is being proactive and reaching out before you're too far behind on payments. Most creditors and service providers are more willing to work with you if you contact them early rather than waiting until accounts are already delinquent.

I'm reading through this entire thread as someone who went through a very similar situation about a year ago, and I want to add one more perspective that might be helpful. After exploring many of the excellent resources everyone has mentioned here, I ended up using a combination approach that worked really well. I took a small 401k loan (about $2,000) which didn't affect my EDD benefits at all, then supplemented that with CalFresh, utility assistance through LIHEAP, and a one-time emergency grant from a local nonprofit. The 401k loan gave me immediate cash flow relief while I waited for the assistance programs to process (some took 2-3 weeks), and then I was able to pay the loan back faster once the other aid kicked in and reduced my monthly expenses. What really surprised me was how much help was actually available once I started looking - I ended up getting about $1,800 in various assistance over 3 months, which combined with the loan meant I never had to do a taxable withdrawal from my retirement accounts. The paperwork was a bit overwhelming at first, but I just tackled one application per day and kept a simple spreadsheet tracking what I'd applied for and the status. Emma, if you decide to go this route, I'd be happy to share the specific organizations and programs that helped me in California. Sometimes having a real example of how someone pieced it all together can make the process feel less daunting. Hang in there!

That's a common issue! If you have an existing Money Network card that hasn't expired, EDD automatically loads funds onto that card instead of sending a new one. However, there can be delays or issues with the funds actually appearing on your existing card. Here are a few things to check: 1. Call Bank of America EDD at 1-866-692-9374 to verify the funds were actually sent to your card 2. Check if your card has any holds or restrictions that might be blocking the deposit 3. Sometimes there's a 24-48 hour delay between when EDD says "paid" and when the money actually hits the card 4. Make sure your card hasn't been deactivated for inactivity (even if it hasn't expired) If the funds were sent but aren't showing up after a couple days, Bank of America can usually trace the payment and resolve any issues. They're generally more helpful than trying to reach EDD directly!

I'm in week 2 of waiting for my card and this thread has been a lifesaver! Got approved 8 business days ago and starting to get really anxious, but seeing everyone's consistent timelines helps me realize I'm still in the normal range. Called Bank of America this morning using that number everyone's been sharing (1-866-692-9374) and they confirmed my card was mailed 6 days ago to the correct address. The rep was actually super helpful and said with recent mail delays in my area, it could take up to 12 business days total. For anyone else waiting - definitely call to confirm your address is right! Turns out they had my apartment number slightly wrong (missing a letter) but the rep was able to update it in their system. She said if my card doesn't arrive by day 10, they can send an expedited replacement. The stress is real when bills are piling up, but this community support has kept me sane. Will definitely be setting up direct deposit the second I get this card! 🤞

As someone who just started the EDD process last month, I can confirm it's bi-weekly in California! One thing that really helped me during that nerve-wracking first payment wait was setting up notifications on my bank account so I'd know immediately when the direct deposit hit (once I got my card and set that up). Also, I found it helpful to create a simple spreadsheet tracking my certification dates and payment amounts - it made budgeting so much easier once I could see the pattern. The waiting period for that first payment is definitely stressful, but everyone here is right that it becomes very routine after a few cycles. Pro tip: if you're using a credit union, ask them about small emergency loans for people waiting on unemployment benefits - some offer short-term assistance specifically for this situation. The bi-weekly schedule actually works out well for budgeting once you adjust to it!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been navigating EDD for about 8 months now - the bi-weekly schedule really is the standard in California, and while that first payment wait is absolutely nerve-wracking, it does get so much easier! One thing I wish someone had told me early on is to take advantage of the "Contact EDD" feature in UI Online if you have specific questions about your claim - sometimes you can get answers through their messaging system faster than calling. Also, for budgeting purposes, I found it helpful to treat each bi-weekly payment as covering exactly 14 days of expenses, which made it easier to stretch the money between payments. The consistency of the bi-weekly schedule actually becomes a blessing once you're used to it - you always know exactly when your next payment is coming. Hang in there during that initial waiting period, it really does get more predictable!

I went through this exact same confusion last year! Everyone here is right - EDD uses your highest quarter's TOTAL earnings (all 3 months combined). I had a quarter where I made $8,200, $3,400, and $4,100, so they used the full $15,700 total, not just the $8,200 high month. One thing that really helped me was calling the EDD customer service line early in the morning (like 8:02 AM right when they open) - I actually got through on my second try. The rep walked me through exactly how they calculate it and confirmed my benefit amount over the phone. Your $12,800 quarter should put you around $495-530 per week based on my experience with similar earnings. Just make sure you have all your pay stubs organized by quarter when you file - it makes the whole process much smoother!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to this helpful thread! I filed my claim in January and had the exact same confusion about whether EDD uses the highest quarter total or just the highest month. After going through the process, I can confirm what everyone else has said - they definitely use the TOTAL earnings from your highest quarter (all 3 months combined). In my case, I had one really strong month followed by two weaker ones in my highest quarter, but they still used the full quarterly total. One thing that surprised me was how quickly they processed my claim once I had all the documentation ready. The benefit amount came out pretty close to the estimates people have shared here - roughly 50% of my average weekly earnings during that highest quarter. For anyone still preparing to file: definitely organize your wage info by quarter first like others have suggested. It makes everything so much clearer when you can see exactly which quarter was your highest and what the total was. Good luck to everyone navigating this process!

I'm new to this community but have been lurking and reading everyone's experiences with EDD appeals. Dallas, your situation sounds incredibly promising! I went through something similar about 6 months ago where my employer claimed "poor performance" but I was actually laid off due to company restructuring. What really stands out about your case is that you have documentation showing "position elimination" while they're claiming misconduct - that's a huge contradiction that works heavily in your favor. Combined with them not showing up to defend their claims, you're in an excellent position. The judge asking detailed questions is totally normal - they have to establish the facts for their written decision. The fact that you were so prepared with documentation while your employer couldn't even be bothered to appear really says everything about the strength of your respective cases. I got my decision in 11 days and won, then it took about 2 weeks for payments to start flowing. Keep certifying every two weeks like you've been doing - you'll get backpay for all those weeks once you win. The waiting is brutal when you're on credit cards (been there!), but based on everything you've shared, you should be celebrating soon! This thread has become such a great resource for people going through appeals - everyone's experiences are so helpful. Keeping my fingers crossed for you! 🤞

I just went through this exact scenario about 3 weeks ago! My employer also no-showed after claiming "willful misconduct" when I was actually terminated due to "reduction in workforce." The waiting for the decision is absolutely nerve-wracking, but based on your description, you're in a really strong position. What really helped me feel confident was that I had clear documentation (like your "position elimination" evidence) while my employer made serious allegations but couldn't even bother to defend them. The judge was very professional in my case too - asked lots of detailed questions but didn't give any hints about which way they were leaning. I got my decision letter in exactly 10 days and won! The key thing the judge noted in the written decision was that without the employer's testimony or evidence to support their misconduct claims, my documented version of events was accepted as credible. Pro tip: I called the Appeals Office number (it was on my decision letter) on day 12 when my UI Online still hadn't updated, and they were actually helpful! The rep confirmed my favorable decision was being processed and said it usually takes 10-15 business days for the system to update after appeals decisions. Keep certifying every two weeks and checking your mail daily starting around day 8. With your documented "position elimination" vs their undefended misconduct claims, I'd be very optimistic. You've clearly got this! 🤞