Hey Javier! I just read through this entire thread and wow - this community absolutely delivered with some incredible solutions! I had a similar phone verification nightmare with EDD about 6 months ago when I switched carriers, and it was beyond frustrating. Here's one more trick that eventually worked for me that I didn't see mentioned: try calling EDD's main number but use *67 before dialing to block your caller ID. Sometimes their system gets confused when it sees your new number calling but expects your old number, and blocking caller ID can bypass that glitch. Also, if you have an old phone or tablet lying around, try logging into your EDD account from that device - sometimes the system recognizes "trusted" devices and will let you update your info without the verification code. I know it's stressful when you need to get to work, but honestly between all the amazing advice in this thread, you're definitely going to get this sorted out. Don't panic if it takes a day or two - you can backdate everything once it's fixed. This community has basically given you a complete EDD troubleshooting masterclass! Keep us updated on what works! 💪

Hey Javier! I just caught up on this entire thread and honestly, this community is absolutely incredible! You went from having one frustrating phone verification issue to having what's basically a complete EDD troubleshooting encyclopedia thanks to everyone's help. I had a similar nightmare about a year ago when I switched from AT&T to Mint Mobile. What finally worked for me was actually a combination of three things: using the incognito browser trick, calling that EDD Identity Verification line someone mentioned (866-362-8854), AND having my old carrier do a temporary number revival for $15. Sometimes you need multiple approaches working together to beat their glitchy system. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you have access to a computer at work (if it's that kind of job), try logging in from there during your break. Sometimes EDD's system responds differently to corporate IP addresses vs residential ones - weird but true! Don't stress if you couldn't get this sorted before heading to work today. You've literally got like 40+ different solutions to try now, and you can definitely backdate your certification once this gets resolved. The EDD system is broken but this community sure isn't! Keep us posted on what ends up working - this thread is going to help so many people dealing with the same issue! 🙏

wat happens if u get a second job? can u still get benefits if ur total hours still less than before?

Dylan, I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago - hours cut from 35 to 14 per week at my retail job. I was so stressed about money but applying for partial UI was honestly one of the best decisions I made! A few things that helped me: - Apply ASAP since there's usually a waiting week before benefits start - Keep detailed records of your reduced hours/paystubs - EDD might ask for them - Don't stress too much about your employer finding out - mine was actually understanding since they knew they had to cut hours due to slow business - The online application is pretty user-friendly, took me maybe 30 minutes The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap while I looked for supplemental income. You've got this! The system exists exactly for situations like yours where your hours get slashed through no fault of your own.

I've been in your exact shoes! Unfortunately, EDD will automatically disconnect you at 8PM when their system shuts down - no callback option for after-hours holds. I know it's painful to hang up after hours of waiting, but you're better off calling fresh tomorrow at 8AM sharp. That's when I finally got through after multiple failed attempts. Use one of those shortcut videos Tom posted - they really work! Also, prep all your info tonight (SSN, claim number, documents) so you're ready to go quickly once connected. The waiting game is brutal but don't give up - you'll get through!

I'm going through the same thing right now - been on hold since 2PM and it's so frustrating! Based on what everyone's saying here, it sounds like I should hang up and try the 8AM strategy tomorrow. Has anyone tried calling on different days of the week? I'm wondering if certain days are better than others for getting through. Also, does anyone know if the callback service people mentioned actually works well, or is it better to just keep trying the regular number with those shortcut methods?

Just wanted to add one more thing since you're filing tomorrow - make sure you have your Social Security card or W-2s handy when you file. EDD's system sometimes asks you to verify your SSN during the application process, and having the physical documents nearby can save you from having to start over if there are any input errors. Also, try to file early in the morning if possible - their system tends to be less sluggish before peak hours. You've got all the right information now, so you should be in good shape!

One more thing to keep in mind - since you mentioned productions might not resume until February, make sure you're prepared for the work search requirements during your claim period. As an entertainment industry worker, you can focus your search on industry-specific opportunities, but EDD will expect you to demonstrate active job seeking efforts. Keep detailed records of any applications to studios, networking events, union job boards, or even remote wardrobe consultation gigs. Having a solid paper trail of your job search activities will be crucial if you ever need to prove you're meeting the work search requirements, especially with an interstate claim where they might scrutinize things more closely.

As someone who's been navigating EDD for about 5 months now, I can totally relate to this confusion! The system really doesn't make it clear upfront, which is so frustrating when you're trying to budget on a tight timeline. Here's what I've learned: Your payment schedule is tied to your certification group, not specific days of the week. I'm in Group 1 and certify every other Sunday night, then my payment hits my account consistently on Tuesday mornings around 6 AM. It took about 3 certification cycles for this pattern to become rock solid, but now I can plan my budget around it perfectly. The most important thing is to log into your UI Online account and check your "Notifications" section - it will show your next certification date. That's your anchor point for predicting payments. Also, if you're using direct deposit instead of the Money Network card, the timing might vary slightly based on your bank's processing schedule. One practical tip that saved my sanity: I set a phone reminder for my certification day that says "Payment expected in 2 days" so I never have to wonder when money is coming. Takes all the guesswork out of it! Your first payment being on a random day is totally normal while your claim gets established. After that, you'll have a predictable routine that's as reliable as a regular paycheck. Hang in there!

I'm literally going through this exact same confusion right now! Just got approved for EDD benefits last week and was completely lost about when to expect my first payment. The lack of clear information from EDD is honestly mind-blowing - how do they not explain this basic stuff upfront? Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about certification groups or that payments come after you certify rather than on fixed weekdays. Just logged into my UI Online account and found I'm in Group 1 with Sunday certifications, so now I at least know what to expect moving forward. The Money Network text alerts sound like a game-changer - definitely setting those up today. And I love the suggestion about treating your certification day as your mental "payday" even though the actual deposit comes 1-2 days later. That's such a smart way to handle the budget anxiety! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines. It's so reassuring to know that the irregular timing at the beginning is completely normal while your claim gets established. Can't wait for my payment schedule to stabilize into that predictable routine everyone keeps mentioning!