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So glad you got through @Fatima Al-Qasimi! This gives me hope. I've been stuck in the same loop with SDI for my disability claim - called probably 80+ times this week alone. The new phone system is absolutely brutal. Going to try the 8:02am timing with the silent wait trick tomorrow. It's insane that we have to develop these elaborate strategies just to talk to someone about our benefits. The stress of not being able to reach them when you're already dealing with a disability is just cruel. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works - this thread is more helpful than anything on EDD's actual website!
@Effie Alexander You re'absolutely right about the stress - it s'like they designed the system to make us give up! I just went through this exact same nightmare and wanted to share one more tip that helped me: if you re'still having trouble with the timing tricks, try calling during their less "popular hours" like right after lunch 1:15-1:30pm (or) late afternoon 3:30-4:00pm (.)Also, make sure you have a backup plan ready - I had to submit that online contact request through SDI Online as someone mentioned, and it actually got a response in 2 days when the phones failed me completely. Don t'give up, the persistence really does pay off eventually!
I've been lurking here for weeks dealing with the exact same SDI phone nightmare! Reading through all these tips has been a lifesaver - I had no idea about the silent waiting trick or the 8:02am timing. Just wanted to add that I finally got through yesterday using a combination of calling at 8:03am (slightly later than the rush) and when I got the busy signal, I immediately hung up and called back within 10 seconds. It took about 8 redials but suddenly I was in a queue with only a 20-minute wait! The key seems to be persistence and not giving up after the first few busy signals. Also, having your claim number and all documents ready saved so much time once I got connected. Hang in there everyone - this thread proves it IS possible to get through with the right strategy!
Just wanted to add my experience - I had an EDD overpayment of about $3,200 and they did intercept my tax refund last year, but like others have said, they never touched my bank account directly. The key thing is that tax refund interception happens automatically through government systems, but bank account access requires your explicit permission. One thing I learned is that if you're proactive about setting up a payment plan, EDD will often stop future tax refund interceptions as long as you're making your monthly payments on time. I set up a $50/month plan and they released the hold on my tax refunds. It's definitely worth calling them or using one of those callback services people mentioned to get it sorted out before they move to wage garnishment. Also, definitely verify that refund is actually from this year's taxes like someone else suggested - the IRS has been processing things really weirdly lately and delayed refunds have been showing up at random times!
This is really reassuring to hear from someone who's been through the same situation! I'm definitely going to prioritize setting up that payment plan - it sounds like being proactive is key. The fact that they stopped intercepting your refunds once you had a payment plan gives me hope. And yes, I'm definitely going to verify which year this refund is actually from before we touch any of it. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I went through this exact situation about 18 months ago! EDD cannot directly access your bank account unless you've specifically authorized them to do so. The tax refund interception works through a completely different system (Treasury Offset Program) that doesn't require any banking information from you. However, I'd really recommend being proactive about setting up a payment plan. I made the mistake of ignoring my overpayment for almost a year thinking it would just go away, and EDD eventually started wage garnishment proceedings which was way more stressful to deal with. When I finally called and set up a payment plan (took me 3 tries to get through), they were actually pretty reasonable - I got a $60/month plan on a $2,800 balance. The other thing to watch out for is that they'll keep intercepting future tax refunds until the debt is paid off, so that money you got this year might be your last refund for a while unless you get on a payment plan. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing. I'm definitely convinced now that I need to be proactive about setting up a payment plan rather than just hoping this goes away. The wage garnishment threat is scary enough motivation! Did you find the $60/month payment manageable, or did it put a strain on your budget? I'm trying to figure out what amount to propose when I call them.
I just went through this same situation a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: The electronic transfer from Money Network to Chase took exactly 2 business days when I started it on a Tuesday morning - had the funds by Thursday afternoon. Since you have 5 days, you should be totally fine if you start today! But definitely do the ATM backup plan others mentioned. I withdrew $500 over two days ($400 one day, then the limit reset at midnight so I got another $100 the next day) and deposited it at Chase. The $6 in ATM fees was annoying but worth every penny for the peace of mind. One tip that saved me - call Money Network customer service to temporarily increase your daily withdrawal limit. They bumped mine from $400 to $700 for a week, which let me get more cash in fewer transactions. Just needed to verify some account info over the phone. Also make sure you're doing the transfer through the Money Network website/app, not trying to initiate it from Chase's side. I made that mistake initially and wasted time before figuring out it has to come from Money Network. You've got this! The system actually works pretty reliably once you know the process. Electronic transfer + ATM backup = stress-free rent payment! 💪
This is super helpful, thank you! I love the tip about calling to increase the withdrawal limit temporarily - I had no idea that was even an option. Being able to get $700 in one day instead of having to spread it across multiple days would definitely make things easier. I'm going to call them this afternoon before I head to the ATM. And you're so right about the fees being worth it for peace of mind - when rent is on the line, a few dollars in ATM fees is nothing compared to the stress of wondering if your transfer will clear in time. Really appreciate you sharing your exact timeline and strategy!
I've been dealing with EDD Money Network payments for about a year now and can add a few more tips that might help you and others in similar situations: First, regarding the 2-3 business day timeline - I've found it's usually closer to 2 days if you initiate the transfer before noon on a weekday, and closer to 3 days if you do it later in the day or right before a weekend. Money Network seems to process transfers in batches. Second, if you're doing the ATM withdrawal backup (which is smart!), I'd recommend spreading it across multiple ATMs if you need a large amount. I've had better luck with the transactions going through smoothly when I do $300-400 per ATM rather than trying to max out the daily limit at one location. Also, keep all your ATM receipts until the money hits your Chase account - I had one withdrawal get "eaten" by an ATM that was having technical issues, and having the receipt made it easy for Money Network customer service to reverse the charge and credit my account back. One last thing - if you're planning to make this a regular thing, consider opening a Chase checking account with direct deposit if you don't already have one. They sometimes offer signup bonuses for new accounts with unemployment direct deposit, which could help offset some of those ATM fees over time. You sound like you have a solid plan though! Electronic transfer + ATM backup is exactly what I'd do in your situation.
This is all such fantastic advice! The timing tip about initiating before noon for faster processing is really valuable - I wish I had known that earlier today when I started my transfer. I did get it in around 10 AM though, so hopefully I'll be on the faster side of that 2-3 day range. The advice about spreading ATM withdrawals across multiple locations is really smart too. I was planning to just hit one ATM near my house, but now I'm thinking I'll do a couple different ones to be safe. And definitely keeping all the receipts - that story about the ATM eating your withdrawal is exactly the kind of thing I'd worry about! I actually do have a Chase account already (that's where I'm transferring to), but the tip about signup bonuses for new accounts with unemployment direct deposit is great for others reading this. Every little bit helps when you're dealing with unemployment finances. Thanks for sharing all these practical tips from someone with a full year of experience with this system! It's so helpful to hear from people who've been through all the potential scenarios. This whole thread has been like a masterclass in Money Network transfers 😊
This is absolutely incredible and honestly the first genuinely hopeful BOA fraud story I've seen in this community! I've been lurking here for a few weeks after discovering $1,320 in fraudulent charges on my EDD card, and honestly every post I read was making me more convinced I'd never see that money again. The fact that they not only reimbursed you but actually sent COMPENSATION for the delay is mind-blowing - I had no idea that was even possible! The 50% rate is really interesting and makes me wonder if this might be some new internal policy they've developed due to legal pressure. Reading through all the advice in these comments about CFPB complaints and Regulation E has been incredibly educational. I had no idea these consumer protections existed! I was planning to just call BOA and hope for the best, but now I know I need to be much more strategic about this. Your success story is giving me the confidence to fight this properly from the start instead of being passive. I'm definitely filing all the proper documentation and won't let them drag this out with vague "under investigation" responses. Thank you so much for sharing this victory - this community desperately needs more positive outcomes like yours to give people hope that justice is actually possible! 🙏
Welcome to the community! I'm so sorry you're dealing with fraud too, but you're absolutely in the right place to get support and learn the best strategies. $1,320 is a significant amount and you definitely shouldn't give up on getting it back. What gives me so much hope from reading @71b5faa93809's story is that it proves BOA can actually do the right thing eventually, even if it takes way too long. The fact that you're learning about CFPB complaints and Regulation E protections right from the start puts you in such a better position than those of us who were too passive initially. I'm also pretty new here and this thread has been incredibly educational - the community knowledge sharing is amazing! Make sure to document absolutely everything from day one and don't accept vague responses about timelines. Your proactive approach from the beginning might actually help you avoid the long delays that others have experienced. Please keep us posted on how your case progresses - we need more success stories like @71b5faa93809's to keep everyone motivated! 💪
This is absolutely incredible and gives me so much hope! I've been dealing with EDD debit card fraud for 15 months now - had $1,780 stolen from my card in January 2024. BOA has been giving me the same "still under investigation" response for over a year, and honestly I was starting to think I'd never see a penny of it back. The fact that you received 50% compensation on top of the full reimbursement is absolutely mind-blowing - I genuinely had no idea BOA was even capable of acknowledging their failures like that! Reading through all these comments about CFPB complaints and Regulation E has been such an eye-opener. I had no idea these consumer protections existed and I've clearly been way too passive in my approach. Your success story is giving me the motivation to stop accepting their vague responses and start being more aggressive. After investing 15 months into this, I refuse to give up now. I'm filing a CFPB complaint this week and demanding specific timelines instead of just "checking status" every month. Thank you so much for sharing this victory - after reading nothing but horror stories in this community for months, it's amazing to finally see that persistence actually can pay off! This gives all of us hope that justice is possible even when it seems completely hopeless. 🙏
Anna Xian
@Dylan Cooper - I went through the exact same thing a few months ago! The key is persistence and having multiple backup plans. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Try the ID.me verification if you haven't already - sometimes it works better than EDD's own system 2. If that fails, gather EVERYTHING: driver's license, passport, utility bills, bank statements, tax returns - the more official docs the better 3. Call the technical support line (not the general number) - they're more equipped to handle verification issues specifically 4. Document everything - screenshot error messages, keep notes of who you talk to and when The whole process took me about 3 weeks, but I did get it resolved. Don't panic - this is unfortunately super common right now. You've got this! 💪
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Sienna Gomez
•This is super helpful advice! I'm dealing with the same issue right now and was feeling pretty overwhelmed. Quick question - when you say "technical support line," do you have that number handy? I've been calling the main EDD line and getting nowhere. Also, did ID.me work right away for you or did that take time too? Thanks for sharing your experience! 🙏
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KaiEsmeralda
•Hey @Anna Xian, thanks for the detailed advice! I'm actually going through this nightmare right now too. When you mention the technical support line, is that different from the regular 1-833-978-2511 number everyone talks about? I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through on the main line. Also curious about ID.me - did you have to wait for them to review your docs or was it instant? Really appreciate you taking the time to break this down for us!
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CyberNinja
I'm going through this same nightmare right now! My verification failed twice and I'm so stressed about my benefits getting cut off. @Anna Xian your breakdown is super helpful - I had no idea there was a separate technical support line. One thing I'll add that might help others: I read somewhere that if you have a passport, that tends to work better than just a driver's license for the ID verification. Something about the security features being easier for their system to read? Not sure if that's true but might be worth trying if you have one. @Dylan Cooper hang in there! It seems like most people eventually get it sorted out, it's just a matter of finding the right combination of steps. This whole system is so broken but at least we're all helping each other figure it out 💪
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Lily Young
•@CyberNinja That's actually a really good point about the passport! I hadn't thought about the security features being different. I've been trying with just my driver's license and getting nowhere. Definitely going to dig out my passport and give that a shot. Thanks for the tip! And yeah, this whole situation is so stressful - especially when you're already dealing with being unemployed. At least this community is helping each other out though. Makes it feel a little less hopeless when you see other people have gotten through it eventually. Really hoping @Dylan Cooper and everyone else dealing with this gets it resolved soon! 🤞
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