One more strategy that worked for me - if you're still having trouble getting through to the claim status line (1-866-333-4606), try calling the EDD disability line first (1-800-480-3287) and ask them to transfer you to unemployment. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes their transfer queue is shorter than calling the UI line directly. The disability reps are usually really helpful and will connect you to the right department. I discovered this by accident when I dialed the wrong number, but the rep was super nice and got me transferred to someone who could help with my pending unemployment claim. Still took about 45 minutes total, but way better than the 3+ hours I was spending on the main line. Just make sure to be polite and explain that you need help with unemployment, not disability benefits. Worth a shot if nothing else is working!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with a pending claim for 6 weeks and was about to give up after reading old info about the noon cutoff. Now I have a whole arsenal of strategies to try - the claim status line at 1-866-333-4606, calling during the 1-2pm window, using a different phone number, and even the disability line transfer trick if needed. I'm going to spend tonight gathering all my documentation (SSN, account number, 18 months employment history, job search records) and try the claim status line first thing tomorrow afternoon. It's such a relief to know there are actual ways to get through and that people are successfully resolving their pending claims. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - you've restored my faith that this nightmare can actually be resolved! 🙏

So glad everything worked out for you! Your experience really highlights how broken the EDD system is - it's crazy that documents can just sit there indefinitely until someone manually intervenes. I'm saving this thread because I feel like I'll probably need to reference it at some point. The tip about using Claimyr seems like a game changer for actually getting through to a real person. Thanks for taking the time to update us with the resolution - it gives the rest of us hope that these issues can actually be fixed once you get the right person on the line!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been helping people with EDD issues for a while - this thread perfectly illustrates the most frustrating part about dealing with California's unemployment system. The fact that Charlee's documents were sitting in a queue for almost two weeks and could be resolved in minutes once a human looked at them shows how badly the automated processing is failing people. For anyone else going through address verification (or really any EDD verification issue), here's what I've learned works best: 1) Upload crystal clear documents that show your full name and new address, 2) Don't wait more than 10 business days before calling - the "normal timeframe" advice isn't helpful when people have bills to pay, and 3) Use a callback service like Claimyr or keep calling first thing in the morning when call volumes are lowest. The system is broken but there are ways to work around it if you're persistent. Really glad Charlee got it resolved and thanks for updating us - success stories like this help everyone!

I'm going through something very similar right now - just got fired from my packaging job last week for attendance issues, mostly due to my car being in the shop multiple times and some family emergencies. My HR person told me the exact same thing about not being eligible for benefits because it was "my fault." Reading through everyone's experiences here is giving me so much hope! It's clear that HR departments routinely say this to discourage applications, regardless of the actual circumstances. The pattern I'm seeing is that EDD really does look at each case individually and considers whether the absences were truly within your control or not. @Lilly Curtis - based on all these success stories, it sounds like you have a really strong case. Your 2.5 years of good employment history, the transportation-related nature of your absences, and especially those text messages you sent to your supervisor each time will really work in your favor. The fact that you were communicating about the issues shows good faith effort on your part. I'm definitely applying for my benefits tomorrow after seeing how many people with similar situations got approved. Don't let HR's scare tactics stop you from getting the support you're entitled to while you look for new work. Apply ASAP and be completely honest about everything during the phone interview. Good luck!

I just wanted to add my voice to all the encouraging responses you're getting! I was terminated from my office job about 4 months ago for attendance issues - most of mine were due to chronic migraines and some car problems. My manager told me the exact same thing about not qualifying because I was "fired for cause." I was really scared to apply because of what they said, but my friend convinced me to try anyway. Best decision I made! Got approved after the phone interview where I explained the medical issues and transportation problems. The EDD rep was actually very understanding and asked thoughtful questions about whether I had tried to manage my attendance and communicate with my employer. What I learned is that "fired for cause" from an employer's perspective is very different from "misconduct" under unemployment law. EDD has a much higher standard - they're looking for deliberate wrongdoing, not just circumstances that led to attendance issues. Your situation with transportation problems and your long employment history sounds very similar to many of the successful cases people have shared here. The fact that you communicated with your supervisor each time shows you were acting responsibly. Don't let HR's intimidation tactics work - they're protecting their own financial interests, not giving you accurate legal advice. Apply today and be honest about everything during your interview. You've got this!

I'm actually a real estate agent now and went through this exact situation about 3 years ago! Your husband should be totally fine as long as he stays truly available for work. I did my pre-licensing course online while collecting UI benefits and had zero issues with EDD. The course was self-paced so I could easily pause studying for interviews or job opportunities. One thing I wish someone had told me - once he passes the state exam and gets his license, he'll need to find a brokerage to hang his license with. Even if he's not actively working yet, some brokerages require you to report those "affiliated" hours to EDD. I learned this the hard way when my broker told me I needed to report being "on call" even though I hadn't made any sales yet. Just something to keep in mind for down the road. The real estate market can be tough starting out, but if he's willing to put in the work, it can definitely be more stable than construction long-term. Best of luck to him!

As someone who works in HR and has dealt with unemployment issues, I wanted to add that your husband should also be prepared for potential verification requests from EDD. They sometimes do random audits where they ask for documentation of job search activities, especially if there are any changes in your situation. Since he'll be studying while collecting benefits, I'd recommend he keeps extra detailed records - not just of his job applications, but also of his study schedule to show it's truly flexible around work opportunities. Screenshot his online course progress, keep emails from potential employers, document any networking he does related to both construction and real estate. Also, make sure he understands that if he starts networking heavily in the real estate field (attending open houses, meeting with potential mentors, etc.), these activities could actually count toward his work search requirements if they're genuinely aimed at finding employment opportunities. EDD allows some flexibility in what counts as "job search" as long as it's reasonably related to finding work. The key is always transparency and documentation. Better to have too much paperwork than not enough if they ever question his claim!

One more thing to add - make sure you have your bank account info updated in UI Online before your penalty period ends. I've seen people have their first payment delayed because their direct deposit info expired or was incorrect. Also, if you haven't certified for benefits during your penalty weeks, you'll need to start certifying again right away when the penalty period ends. Don't wait - EDD won't automatically restart your payments, you have to actively certify to trigger them. The system doesn't always make this clear!

Hey there! I went through almost the exact same situation last year - had 12 penalty weeks and a $4,200 overpayment. Once my penalty period ended, EDD automatically started taking 25% of my weekly benefit amount (mine was non-fraud like yours). The deductions happened without any notice - it just showed up in my payment history as "Overpayment Recovery" or something like that. What really helped me was setting up a repayment plan using that DE 1447 form others mentioned. I was able to get it reduced to 15% by showing my rent and utility bills. The process took about 6 weeks to get approved, but they made it retroactive so I got refunded the difference from the higher deductions they had already taken. One heads up - make sure you keep detailed records of all your payments and deductions because EDD's accounting isn't always perfect. I had to dispute an error where they miscalculated my balance by about $300. Good luck with everything!