As someone who went through a similar situation with EDD overpayment collections, I want to emphasize that time is critical here. The sooner you get that hardship reduction in place, the better. When I called EDD, I made sure to have all my documentation ready - rent/mortgage statements, utility bills, grocery receipts, anything showing our monthly expenses with two kids. Also, don't be discouraged if the first representative you speak with says they can't help or that 100% collection is "standard policy." Ask to speak with a supervisor or tier 2 representative who has authority to make adjustments. I had to escalate my call twice before finding someone who could actually process the hardship reduction. One tip for calling: try calling exactly at 8:00 AM or right after lunch around 1:30 PM. Those seem to be the best times to get through. Good luck - you shouldn't have to choose between paying rent and EDD getting their money back!

I went through this exact nightmare last year and want to share what worked for me. EDD was taking 100% of my benefits for a $3,100 overpayment from 2022. After reading advice similar to what's been shared here, I called at exactly 8:00 AM and got through on my third try. The key was being persistent but polite, and having ALL my financial documents ready. I brought up my rent, utilities, groceries, and childcare costs, and explained that with zero income coming in, we couldn't even afford basic necessities. The tier 2 rep was actually understanding and reduced my collection rate to 30%. It made such a huge difference - I was finally getting some money each week instead of nothing. The whole process took about 45 minutes on the phone, but it was worth every minute. Don't give up if you get disconnected or if the first person says they can't help. Keep calling back and asking for someone with authority to adjust collection rates. You have rights as a claimant, especially when you have dependents and can prove financial hardship.

I've been following this thread closely since I'm dealing with a similar email mismatch issue with EDD. What's really helpful is seeing all the different strategies people have tried and what actually worked. I'm planning to combine several approaches: first trying the 833-978-2511 number at exactly 8:01 AM using the "contact information audit" terminology, and if that fails, visiting my local EDD office with all my documentation. The documentation advice from Mateusius is spot-on too - I'm starting a call log today. It's frustrating that we need these workarounds for basic government services, but I'm grateful for this community sharing real solutions. Has anyone had success getting the email issue fixed through the secure messaging system in UI Online, or is phone/in-person the only way that actually works?

Reading through all these responses, I'm amazed at how many people are dealing with the exact same email mismatch issue - it really shows how widespread this problem is with EDD's system! I'm planning to try the 833-978-2511 number tomorrow morning at 8:01 AM sharp and specifically request a "contact information audit" like Sadie suggested. If that doesn't work, the in-person office visit that Abby mentioned sounds like a solid backup plan. I also really appreciate Mateusius's advice about documenting everything - I'm starting a call log today so I don't lose track of what different reps tell me. It's ridiculous that we need all these strategies just to get basic account info corrected, but this thread has given me hope that there are actually ways to get through the system. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually works instead of just complaining (though the complaints are totally justified too!). Will definitely update once I make some progress.

this is tru. my roommate got direct deposit and dont have 2 deal with money network at all

I've been having the exact same fingerprint loop issue for weeks! Reading through all these solutions, I'm going to try the app update fix first since that seems to have worked for several people. If that doesn't work, I'll go through the full troubleshooting steps that Natasha outlined. It's so frustrating that we have to become tech support experts just to access our own benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not going crazy and there are actual solutions to try!

I just went through this exact same transition from Florida to California about 8 months ago! Florida required 5 work search contacts per week with super detailed documentation during every certification - company names, dates, contact methods, the whole nine yards. California's system felt almost too good to be true at first. Here's what I've learned: **The Process:** During bi-weekly certification, you literally just check "yes" that you looked for work. No entering job details, no contact information, no application methods - just a simple checkbox. **The Catch:** EDD can audit you at any time and request detailed proof of your work search activities. I got selected for an eligibility review at month 5 and had to provide everything - dates, companies, positions, how I applied, any responses. **My Strategy:** I keep a Google Doc with 3-4 activities per week minimum. For marketing, I count: job applications, LinkedIn networking messages, attending virtual career fairs, updating my portfolio, taking relevant online courses, and reaching out to recruiting agencies. **Marketing-Specific Tip:** Join the San Francisco Marketing Association or LA Marketing groups if you're near those areas. Their events count as networking activities and are actually useful for finding opportunities! The "reasonable effort" standard basically means they want to see you're genuinely trying to find work, not just going through the motions. Coming from Florida's rigid system, California's trust-based approach felt weird but is actually much less stressful once you establish a routine. Keep good records and you'll be totally fine! The marketing job market here is definitely stronger than most states too.

I made the exact same transition from Oregon to California about a year ago and completely understand your confusion! Oregon's system is incredibly strict - I remember having to document every single detail down to the exact time I submitted applications. Here's what I've learned about California's approach: **The Big Difference:** You just check "yes" during bi-weekly certification that you looked for work - no need to enter specific job details like Oregon required. Much simpler! **The Important Part:** Keep detailed records anyway! I got randomly audited 7 months in and needed to provide proof of all my work search activities. Having good documentation saved me from any issues. **My Recommendation:** Track 3-4 activities per week minimum. For marketing specifically, this can include: job applications, LinkedIn networking, informational interviews, attending webinars, updating your portfolio, or reaching out to recruiters. **Pro Tip:** Save all your application confirmation emails and screenshot job postings. I keep everything in a dedicated folder organized by week - makes it easy to reference if EDD ever calls. The "reasonable effort" standard is intentionally flexible to account for different industries and job markets. For marketing roles, quality networking and targeted applications often matter more than hitting a specific number. California's trust-based system is way less stressful than Oregon's micromanagement once you get used to it. Just stay consistent with your search and keep organized records - you'll be totally fine! Welcome to California and good luck with your job search!

Congrats Victoria! That's such a relief after all that stress and waiting. Your case gives me hope - I'm dealing with a similar situation where my employer cut my hours from 40 to 15 per week and then acted surprised when I had to find other work. Filed my appeal last week and trying to stay optimistic. 18 days is actually pretty fast compared to some of the horror stories I've heard. Did you have to provide a lot of documentation during the hearing or was it mainly just testimony?

This is such helpful information for everyone going through appeals! Victoria, I'm so glad you got a positive outcome - 18 days is actually pretty reasonable given what others have shared. For anyone else waiting, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Keep certifying every two weeks no matter what, 2) Check UI Online daily since it might show up there first, 3) Expect 2-4 weeks typically but could be longer, and 4) Have all your documentation ready for the hearing. The fact that constructive dismissal cases like hour reductions seem to have good success rates is encouraging. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community really helps people navigate this confusing process!