Hi Margaret! I'm new to this community and just went through my EDD appeal process a couple months ago. After reading all these responses, I want to emphasize what several others have correctly pointed out - you absolutely must use the specific address printed on YOUR determination notice (the DE 1080CZ form). I initially got confused by all the different addresses people share online and almost made a costly mistake. Each EDD regional office handles appeals for their specific area, so generic addresses won't work and could delay your appeal significantly. Here's what worked for me: 1. Look carefully at your determination notice - the correct mailing address should be clearly printed there 2. Send it certified mail with return receipt requested (costs a few extra dollars but worth the peace of mind) 3. Keep copies of everything and take a photo of your completed envelope before mailing 4. Mail it ASAP since the 30-day deadline is strict If for some reason you can't find the address on your paperwork, call EDD directly to confirm before sending. I know it can be tough to get through, but it's better than risking the wrong address. Hope this helps and that you were able to get your appeal submitted successfully! The process can feel overwhelming at first but you've got this! 💪

Hi Margaret! I'm new to this community and just dealt with my first EDD appeal last month. After reading through all these helpful responses, I wanted to add my voice to those emphasizing the importance of using the EXACT address printed on your determination notice. I almost made the same mistake of using a generic address I found online, but thankfully double-checked my paperwork first. The address on my DE 1080CZ form was completely different from the ones mentioned earlier in this thread, which really shows how each case is unique. A few tips that helped me through the process: - Send via certified mail with tracking (totally worth the extra cost for peace of mind) - Make copies of everything before sending - Take a photo of your sealed envelope with the address visible - Submit as early as possible - don't wait until the last day of your 30-day window The whole process felt intimidating at first, but following the official instructions on your paperwork is really the key. If you're ever unsure about anything, calling EDD directly to confirm is better than guessing. Hope you were able to get your appeal submitted successfully! This community has been so helpful for navigating these EDD challenges. Good luck! 🙂

I'm going through something very similar right now - got laid off in February but didn't file until April because I was so confident about landing interviews that were "in final rounds." Spoiler alert: they all ghosted me eventually. Reading through this thread has been eye-opening but also frustrating. The fact that being hopeful about finding work quickly isn't considered "good cause" seems completely backwards to me. Like, isn't actively job searching exactly what they want us to do? @Charlotte White - that partial attempt you made in March could genuinely be huge for your case. I wish I had tried to file earlier and gotten confused by something, because now I'm looking at the same uphill battle you were facing. Has anyone here tried arguing that the whole "file immediately" messaging isn't clear enough on EDD's website? When I was laid off, nowhere did it explicitly say "file even if you think you'll find work soon." All the guidance I found online basically said "file when you need benefits" which I interpreted as "when you actually need the money." Anyway, rooting for you at your hearing in August! Please update us on how it goes.

I'm really sorry you're going through this stress - the whole backdating process is incredibly frustrating. From what I've seen in similar cases, that partial attempt you made in March could actually be your strongest argument. The fact that you encountered confusion about the severance question and stopped the application shows you were trying to file correctly but got stuck on unclear guidance. For your appeal hearing, I'd recommend focusing on: 1) That partial filing attempt and the specific confusion you had, 2) Any documentation of your job search efforts during those 8 weeks (even if it doesn't guarantee a win, it shows good faith), and 3) The lack of clear messaging on EDD's site about filing immediately regardless of job prospects. Even if you don't get the full 8 weeks backdated, partial backdating is definitely possible - I've heard of judges awarding 3-4 weeks when they feel there's some merit to the case. Don't give up hope, and definitely attend that hearing. Having you explain your situation in person can make a real difference with some judges.

I went through this nightmare last year and finally got it sorted! Here's what nobody tells you - you need to be super specific about which type of name change you're doing. If it's due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, they each have slightly different requirements. Also, don't just call the main SDI line - I found better luck calling the disability insurance office directly at 1-877-238-4373. They seem to have more knowledgeable staff for name changes. One more tip: if you're getting the runaround, ask to escalate to a supervisor immediately. I wasted months being polite when I should have been more assertive. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease with EDD!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Been trying to change my name after getting married and it's been such a frustrating process. Reading through all these comments is actually giving me hope though - sounds like there are some real strategies that work. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01 AM call strategy and ask specifically for a "name change specialist." Has anyone had luck with the online portal at all, or is calling really the only way to get this done? Also wondering if there's a difference in processing time between faxing documents vs mailing them in. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is already more helpful than the EDD website! 😅

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - getting that disqualification letter out of nowhere must have been absolutely terrifying, especially as a single parent. Your situation with quitting to protect your newborn during the early pandemic actually sounds like you have very strong grounds for appeal. A few important things to keep in mind: 1. Don't make any payments until you've exhausted all your appeal options. You're not required to pay while an appeal is pending. 2. Your timing is actually really important here - you quit in early 2020 when we knew virtually nothing about COVID transmission, there were no vaccines, and childcare facilities were closed by government mandate. Having a 6-week-old infant made you especially vulnerable. 3. The fact that you didn't apply immediately shows you weren't trying to abuse the system - you genuinely thought the situation would resolve quickly and only applied when it became clear you couldn't work. Start gathering any documentation you can find from that time period - birth certificate showing your baby's birth date, any records of childcare facility closures in your area, even photos or social media posts that might show the timeline. Your testimony about the circumstances will also carry weight. File your appeal as soon as you get that overpayment notice (should arrive within 1-2 weeks), and definitely look into those legal aid organizations others mentioned. Many people are successfully appealing these delayed COVID-era disqualifications. You're not alone in this fight, and you absolutely should not give up without appealing first!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress and fear you're feeling is completely understandable! Getting a disqualification letter 5 years later with no dollar amount specified would send anyone into panic mode. Your situation actually sounds like you have really strong grounds for appeal. Quitting your job to protect a 6-week-old newborn during the early days of the pandemic when we knew virtually nothing about COVID transmission is exactly the kind of "good cause" the expanded provisions were meant to cover. The fact that childcare facilities were closed by government order and you had no safe options for working while caring for an infant makes your case even stronger. A few key points for your appeal: - Emphasize that your baby was only 6 weeks old when lockdowns started - Highlight that this was March 2020 when COVID risks to infants were unknown - Note that childcare facilities were closed by government mandate - Stress that you applied in good faith when it became clear you couldn't return to work The overpayment notice with the dollar amount should arrive within 1-2 weeks. Don't panic when you see the number - it's not set in stone if you win your appeal. Make sure to file your appeal within 30 days and check the box requesting that collection activities be suspended during the appeal process. You mentioned you're a single parent now and can't afford repayment - this is also important for the overpayment waiver application (DE 1446W) if needed as a backup plan. Don't let them intimidate you into not fighting this. Many people are successfully appealing these delayed COVID-era disqualifications. You made the best decision you could with the information available at the time, and you deserve to have your case heard fairly!

One thing that really helped me when I was in a similar tight spot with bills was setting up account alerts through Money Network. You can get text notifications when funds are deposited, which saves you from constantly checking your balance and stressing out. Also, if you're ever in this situation again and need to know exactly when your payment will hit, the EDD phone line (1-800-300-5616) sometimes has automated information about payment processing delays - though getting through to an actual person is nearly impossible. The automated system can at least tell you if there are any known system issues causing delays. Hope this helps future folks who find themselves in the same boat!

I just went through this exact same stress last week! The waiting period between seeing "paid" status and actually getting the funds is the worst part. For what it's worth, I've been tracking my payment patterns for the past 6 months and here's what I've noticed: if you certify before 6am on Sunday, payments typically hit Tuesday morning. If you certify after 6am Sunday, it's usually Wednesday morning. The Money Network card seems to process their overnight batch around 3-4am, so that's when most people see their deposits appear. One tip that saved me during a tight spot - some ATMs will show pending deposits before they're available for spending, so you can at least confirm the money is coming even if you can't access it yet. Hang in there, the system is frustrating but it does work eventually!