California Unemployment

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If I could give 10 stars I would

If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!


Really made a difference

Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.


Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.

Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.


An incredibly helpful service

An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!


Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.

Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.


IT WORKS!! Not a scam!

I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!

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Ask the community...

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As someone who works in IT, I can explain why this happens from a technical perspective. EDD likely uses multiple databases that sync on different schedules - one for payment processing and another for the UI display system. When you certify and get paid quickly, the payment database updates first (hence money in your account), but the UI display database might only sync every few hours or overnight. This is actually pretty standard for large government systems that prioritize getting payments out over real-time status updates. The "outstanding" status is probably just a default state while the systems reconcile. I've seen similar setups in other agencies - they'd rather ensure you get paid on time than have perfect status synchronization. So yeah, totally normal and nothing to stress about! The fact that your money arrived so quickly is actually a good sign that everything is working properly on the payment side.

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That technical explanation makes so much sense! I work in customer service and we deal with similar database sync issues all the time, but I never thought about how that would apply to government systems. It's actually pretty smart that they prioritize getting the money out first rather than having everything perfectly synchronized - I'd much rather get paid on time and see a delayed status update than the other way around. Thanks for explaining the behind-the-scenes stuff, it really helps put this whole situation into perspective!

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This is actually a great learning thread for anyone dealing with EDD status confusion! I went through something similar about 6 months ago and it was my first time seeing "outstanding" too. What helped me was screenshotting the status page when I got paid, just to have documentation in case there were ever any questions later. One thing I'd add is that if this happens again in the future, you can also check your payment history section in UI Online - sometimes that updates faster than the main certification status. It'll show the payment amount and date even when the main page still says "outstanding." Also, for anyone reading this who's new to the system: this kind of delay is way more common than EDD admits, so don't panic if it happens to you. The money being in your account is what actually matters!

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That's really smart advice about screenshotting the status page and checking the payment history section! I never would have thought to document it like that, but you're absolutely right that having that kind of record could be important if questions come up later. I'm definitely going to remember the tip about the payment history updating faster too - that could save a lot of anxiety in the future. Thanks for sharing what you learned from your experience, it's really helpful for those of us who are still figuring out all the quirks of the EDD system!

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I'm really sorry you're going through this - the EDD system during the pandemic was an absolute disaster and your situation is unfortunately all too common. What really stands out about your case is that you were initially APPROVED but then never received payments, which is different from being denied outright. That suggests there was a serious administrative error somewhere in the process. A few thoughts based on what others have shared: definitely pursue the assembly member route as your main strategy, but also consider filing a Public Records Act request for your complete claim file - this will show you every internal decision and note EDD made about your case. Sometimes these files reveal calculation errors or procedural mistakes that weren't obvious at the time. Also, since your restaurant closure was COVID-related, make sure you emphasize that when contacting your assembly member's office. Many people who were initially denied regular UI were later found eligible for PUA when the COVID connection was properly documented. The fact that you never got ANY payments despite initial approval makes this look like a clear administrative failure rather than just an eligibility dispute. Don't give up - $4,750 is serious money and you deserve answers about what happened. The assembly member route has worked for people even years later when there's clear evidence of EDD screwing up the process.

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You're absolutely right that being initially approved but then never receiving payments is a huge red flag for administrative error rather than just an eligibility issue. That distinction could really make a difference when presenting my case to the assembly member's office. I'm definitely going to file that Public Records Act request for my complete claim file - several people have mentioned that and it sounds like it could reveal exactly where things went wrong in EDD's internal process. The COVID connection is definitely something I'll emphasize since our restaurant closure was directly due to health department restrictions. It's really helpful to frame this as "administrative failure" rather than just "eligibility dispute" - that language probably carries more weight when asking for help from elected officials. Thanks for laying out such a clear strategy and reinforcing that this is worth fighting for even after all this time!

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I'm really encouraged to see all the detailed advice and support you're getting here! As someone who's dealt with similar bureaucratic nightmares, I wanted to add one more angle that might help. When you contact your assembly member's office, consider asking if they have any experience with cases involving the specific transition period when EDD was switching people between regular UI and PUA programs. Your situation - being initially approved for regular UI by your restaurant manager's advice, then having it overturned at a hearing, but potentially being eligible for PUA due to COVID closure - sounds like you got caught in the bureaucratic gap between these programs during a chaotic time. Also, don't forget to check if your state has any pandemic-related relief funds or settlement programs that might still be accepting claims for people who were wrongly denied benefits. Some states have created special remedy programs years later specifically for cases like yours where administrative errors during the pandemic caused people to lose benefits they should have received. The fact that you're still fighting for this after all these years shows real determination, and honestly, $4,750 is absolutely worth pursuing through every avenue available. You've got a solid plan now with the assembly member route, Public Records Act request, and all that documentation gathering. Don't let anyone convince you to just walk away from money you were legitimately owed!

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This happend to me too where I was worried bout the holidy. Turns out the money showed up anyway! EDD computers dont take holidays lol

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ur lucky then. mine always gets stuck for atleast a extra day during holidys. EDD computers might work but the banks dont process stuff on federal holidays no matter what!!!

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I've been on EDD for about 8 months now and here's what I've learned about holiday timing: EDD's system processes certifications automatically regardless of holidays, but the actual money transfer can get delayed depending on your bank and payment method. Since you already got the "PAID" status this morning, you're in great shape! With Money Network, I usually see funds available within 2-4 hours during weekdays. The holiday might add some delay to bank processing, but since it's electronic transfer to the card, it's usually not as affected as traditional bank transfers. Keep checking the Money Network app throughout the day - I bet you'll have your funds by this afternoon! Really glad it worked out for your rent situation 🙌

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@StarStrider this is such valuable insight, thank you! As someone who just started dealing with EDD a few weeks ago, the whole system is pretty overwhelming. Your explanation about EDD processing vs bank processing really cleared things up for me. I was panicking about my certification from yesterday but seeing how @d2bef0c1d010's worked out gives me confidence. It's amazing how the EDD computers just keep chugging along regardless of holidays - I had no idea! Really appreciate experienced folks like you sharing the knowledge with us newbies 🙏

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@StarStrider thank you so much for this detailed breakdown! I've only been on unemployment for about 3 weeks and honestly the whole payment timing thing has been giving me major anxiety. Your explanation about EDD processing vs bank processing makes perfect sense - I had no idea the EDD computers worked 24/7 even on holidays! Seeing @d2bef0c1d010's success story this morning really helps calm my nerves about my own certification yesterday. It's so reassuring to have experienced community members like you sharing this knowledge with those of us still figuring it all out. The Money Network timing info is super helpful too - I'll definitely keep that in mind for future certifications! 🙏

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Good luck with your certification! I hope you don't experience any delays. For future reference, I've found that keeping detailed records of sick days (including doctor's notes and pay stubs) really helps if EDD ever needs additional documentation. It's frustrating that the system isn't more straightforward about these common situations, but you made the right choice being honest about it. Please do update us on how it goes - your experience could help other people in similar situations!

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I completely agree with keeping detailed records! I learned this the hard way when I had to provide documentation for a sick day last year. Having everything organized (doctor's note, pay stub showing sick pay, even the date I called in) made the whole process smoother when EDD asked for clarification. It's such a relief to see someone else recommend the honest approach - even though the system can be frustrating, being truthful upfront usually saves more headaches in the long run than trying to game the system.

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I've been through this exact situation multiple times over the past year. Here's what I've learned from experience: if you mark "Yes" on the sick question, there's about a 50/50 chance your payment will be delayed for review, even with proper documentation. The EDD system flags ANY "Yes" answer for manual review, regardless of whether it's one day or the whole week. My personal approach now is to only mark "Yes" if I was sick for 3+ days during the certification period. For single sick days where I have proper documentation and got paid sick leave, I just report the hours/income and leave the sick question as "No." I've never had an issue with this approach, and my payments always come through on schedule. The key is being consistent with your reporting and keeping all your documentation (doctor's notes, pay stubs) just in case. EDD's system unfortunately isn't nuanced enough to handle these common workplace scenarios smoothly, so sometimes you have to work within its limitations to avoid unnecessary delays.

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This is really helpful practical advice! I'm new to dealing with EDD and honestly had no idea that ANY "Yes" answer could trigger a manual review. Your 3+ day rule makes a lot of sense - it seems like a reasonable threshold for when illness actually impacts your ability to work for a significant portion of the week. I'm definitely going to save your comment for future reference. It's frustrating that we have to navigate around the system's limitations rather than just following the literal instructions, but I appreciate you sharing what actually works in practice. Have you ever had EDD question your approach during any audits or reviews?

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I went through a CA/NC interstate claim just last year and wanted to share some practical tips that might help with your timeline concerns! Since your rent is due in 3 weeks, here's what you can do to potentially speed things up: 1. Call EDD first thing Monday morning at 8:00 AM sharp - the phone lines open then and you have the best chance of getting through before they hit capacity. 2. When you do get through, specifically ask to speak with an Interstate Claims specialist. Regular EDD reps often don't know the nuances of interstate processing and might give you generic timelines. 3. Have your Social Security number, the exact dates of employment in NC (start and end), and your employer's full business name and address ready when you call. For the NC side, their unemployment office (DES) actually has better phone wait times than EDD in my experience. Their number is 888-737-0259, and they can give you updates on where your claim stands once EDD transfers it over. One thing that really helped me was being proactive about the wage verification. I called my former HR department in NC and asked them to confirm they had received any wage verification requests. Sometimes there are delays on the employer side that you can help push along. Also, look into California's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) - many counties still have funds available and they can process applications pretty quickly while you're waiting for unemployment. Better to apply now just in case! The whole process took me about 4 weeks total, but I got lucky with no complications. Hoping yours goes smoothly!

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Andre, this is incredibly helpful! I'm definitely calling EDD at 8 AM Monday - I've been trying random times during the day which explains why I keep getting the busy signal. The tip about asking specifically for an Interstate Claims specialist is gold - I had no idea there were different types of specialists. I'm also going to call my former HR department proactively like you suggested. They were pretty responsive when I worked there, so hopefully they can help speed things along on their end. The NC DES number is super useful too - I'll save that. And yes, I'm definitely looking into ERAP tonight after reading your comment and Kiara's. Even if my unemployment comes through on time, having that safety net will help me sleep better. Thank you for sharing your timeline and being so specific about the steps! Four weeks total doesn't sound too bad if I can stay on top of everything.

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Hey Keisha! I just completed a CA/NC interstate claim about 2 months ago, so your timing is perfect for getting current info! Here's what actually worked for me: The key thing that saved me time was setting up alerts in both the California UI Online system AND North Carolina's DES online portal (des.nc.gov). You can create accounts in both systems to track your claim status, which gives you way more visibility than just waiting for phone calls or mail. For the NC phone interview that others mentioned - they actually sent me a text message the day before with a 4-hour window when they'd call. So it's not completely random anymore! Make sure your phone number is updated in both systems. One specific tip for NC: they're really particular about your "reason for separation" matching exactly what your employer reports. I'd recommend reaching out to your former company's HR and asking them what reason they plan to report to unemployment. If there's any mismatch, it can delay things by weeks. Also, since you're worried about the 3-week timeline - check if your county has CalFresh (food stamps) emergency processing. In some counties, you can get approved in 3 days if you show proof of unemployment filing. It won't help with rent, but at least takes food costs off your plate while waiting for benefits. The whole process took me 3 weeks and 2 days from filing to first payment, which was way better than I expected based on all the horror stories online. Stay organized, be proactive, and you should be okay! Feel free to ask if you have specific questions about the process.

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