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This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a newcomer to this community but going through almost the exact same situation. Got laid off from an animation studio three weeks ago and just discovered they deposited accumulated comp time into my account during a week I'd already certified for. Like everyone else here, I had absolutely no warning this payment was coming. The entertainment industry layoffs have been absolutely brutal lately, and it sounds like these unexpected final payments are becoming the norm rather than the exception. It's both reassuring and frustrating to see how common this timing issue is - clearly the companies aren't doing a great job communicating what payments might still be coming after termination. Based on all the advice shared here, I'm definitely going to use the UI Online messaging system to report this voluntarily. The specific language suggestions about "voluntarily reporting previously unreported wages" and the documentation tips (screenshots, timeline, etc.) are exactly what I needed to know. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a lifesaver for navigating these EDD complications that seem to come up constantly with our type of work. It's good to know that being proactive and honest about these situations typically results in just a simple overpayment adjustment rather than penalties. Here goes nothing!
Welcome to the community! Your situation sounds exactly like what so many of us have been dealing with lately. The animation studio layoffs have been particularly rough - it's wild how these companies just don't give any heads up about comp time or other accrued payments that might still be coming. You're absolutely doing the right thing by being proactive about reporting it. From everyone's experiences shared here, it really seems like the UI Online messaging approach is the most reliable way to handle this. Make sure to keep those screenshots of when the deposit hit versus when you certified - that documentation has been key for people getting smooth resolutions. The fact that this keeps happening to so many of us in entertainment really shows how unprepared these companies are for proper offboarding procedures. At least EDD seems to be getting familiar with these scenarios given how often they're seeing them! Good luck with your report - you've got all the right info from this thread to handle it properly. Definitely keep us posted on how it goes!
I'm new to this community but dealing with almost the exact same issue! Just got laid off from a post-production house last week and discovered they deposited my remaining PTO balance during my first certification week. Like everyone else here, I had zero warning this was coming - they didn't mention any pending payments during my exit. Reading through all these experiences has been such a relief honestly. It's crazy how common this situation is with entertainment industry layoffs right now. Companies really need to do better at communicating what final payments might still be coming after termination. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about using UI Online messaging to voluntarily report it. The specific language suggestions and documentation tips (screenshots of deposit dates, keeping certification records, etc.) are exactly what I needed. It sounds like being proactive and transparent is key to getting a simple overpayment adjustment rather than penalties. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community is incredibly helpful for navigating these EDD complications that seem to come up constantly in our industry. The fact that so many people have gone through this exact scenario and had positive outcomes when reporting voluntarily is really reassuring!
Welcome to the community! Your post-production house situation sounds exactly like what so many of us are experiencing right now. It's honestly become ridiculous how these companies just don't communicate about pending payouts during layoffs - like they expect us to be mind readers about what's still coming! You're definitely taking the right approach based on all the great advice shared in this thread. The UI Online messaging system really does seem to be the most reliable way to handle this, and having those screenshots ready showing the deposit timing versus certification dates will make everything smoother. It's actually kind of comforting (in a sad way) to see how many of us in entertainment are dealing with this exact same scenario. At least it means EDD reps are getting very familiar with these timing issues and seem to handle them pretty routinely when we're proactive about reporting. You've got all the right guidance from this thread - definitely keep us updated on how your experience goes!
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I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just switched from the Money Network card to direct deposit with US Bank last Friday and my status changed to "paid" on Tuesday morning. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the additional verification process for first-time direct deposits. The Money Network card was terrible but at least it loaded immediately, so this waiting period is making me super anxious especially with bills coming up. It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't explain any of this upfront! Based on everyone's experiences here, I'm planning to wait until Monday before I start panicking. Really appreciate @Norman Fraser for documenting the whole timeline and keeping us updated - it's so reassuring to see that it actually worked out after 3 business days. Fingers crossed mine follows the same pattern!
@Zainab Ali I totally understand the anxiety! I just went through the same process last month when I switched from Money Network to direct deposit with Wells Fargo. The first payment took exactly 4 business days after showing paid "status," which had me checking my bank account obsessively. What helped me was setting a specific date to start worrying - sounds like you re'doing the same thing by planning to wait until Monday. The good news is that once this first payment goes through, all the subsequent ones should be much faster and more predictable. This thread really is a lifesaver for understanding what s'actually normal vs what EDD tells us which (is basically nothing! .)Keep us posted on when yours comes through!
@Zainab Ali You re'so right about the anxiety! I switched from Money Network to direct deposit with Credit Union about 6 months ago and went through the exact same stress. The first payment took 5 business days which felt like forever, but every payment since then has been super reliable - usually 1-2 days max after it shows paid. One thing that helped me was downloading my bank s'mobile app notifications so I d'get an alert the moment anything deposited instead of constantly checking. The waiting is definitely the worst part but based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like you re'right on track for a normal timeline. Monday seems like a reasonable deadline to start following up!
This thread is amazing - I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Switched from Money Network to direct deposit with US Bank on Monday and my status changed to "paid" yesterday morning. I was starting to panic thinking something went wrong since I'm so used to the Money Network card loading instantly (literally the only good thing about that awful card). Reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief - I had no idea about the extra verification process for first-time direct deposits after switching payment methods. It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't communicate any of this! They should really put a notice when you switch that says "expect 3-5 business days for your first direct deposit." Based on all the timelines shared here, I'm planning to wait until Friday before I start worrying. Really appreciate @Norman Fraser for documenting everything and providing updates - it's incredibly helpful to see the actual timeline vs just wondering what's normal. Will definitely update once mine hits!
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I'm going through something very similar right now and wanted to add a few things that have helped me navigate this mess. First, if you're still within your appeal window, definitely pursue it - but also consider reaching out to your local legal aid society or workforce development office. Many have advocates who specialize in EDD appeals and can help you frame your case properly at no cost. Also, while you're waiting for the appeal process, look into your local church or community organizations. I know it sounds random, but several in my area have emergency childcare funds or know of family daycare providers who offer sliding scale rates that aren't listed anywhere online. Sometimes these informal networks are lifesavers. One more practical tip - if you do get called for any job interviews during this process, ask potential employers upfront about their family-friendly policies. Some companies have on-site childcare, backup care partnerships, or flexible scheduling that could solve your work-childcare dilemma entirely. I've found that being honest about my situation during interviews actually helped me find employers who value work-life balance. Hang in there - this system is frustrating but you're clearly a thoughtful parent making the best decisions for your family with the resources available. That has to count for something!
Thank you so much for mentioning legal aid - I had no idea they offered EDD appeal help! I just looked up my local workforce development office and they actually have a "benefits advocacy" program listed on their website. I'm going to call them first thing Monday morning. The community organization tip is really smart too - I've been so focused on formal daycare centers that I hadn't thought about asking churches or community groups about informal childcare networks. And you're absolutely right about being upfront with potential employers - I was worried it would hurt my chances, but finding the right fit from the start would save everyone time and frustration. I really appreciate you sharing these practical strategies that go beyond just the appeal process itself!
I'm a single mom who successfully appealed an EDD denial for childcare reasons about 18 months ago, and I wanted to share some specific things that made the difference in my case. The appeal hearing judge told me afterwards what really convinced them: 1. I had created a spreadsheet showing my actual take-home pay after taxes/deductions versus childcare costs, broken down by week. This made it crystal clear that I would have been paying $200+ per week just to work. 2. I included a timeline showing when I first realized the childcare issue, what steps I took each week to try to solve it, and when I finally gave notice. This proved it wasn't an impulsive decision. 3. Most importantly - I had documentation showing I asked my employer for accommodations (flexible schedule, remote work options) and was denied. Even though you mentioned you might not have kept that email, check your sent folder or ask HR for a copy of any requests you made. The whole appeal process took about 6 weeks from filing to decision, and I was approved retroactively from my original application date. During that time, CalWORKs emergency assistance helped bridge the gap - definitely apply for that ASAP. You're not alone in this struggle, and your situation sounds very similar to mine. The system is definitely not parent-friendly, but appeals DO work when you have the right documentation. Don't give up!
This is incredibly encouraging to hear from someone who actually won their appeal! The spreadsheet idea is genius - I've been thinking about this all wrong by just comparing my gross salary to daycare costs instead of my actual take-home pay. Your point about the timeline is so important too - I need to sit down and map out exactly when everything happened to show this was a thoughtful process, not just me quitting on a whim. I'm definitely going to dig through my email more thoroughly to see if I can find any trace of my request to HR about going part-time. Even if I don't have the original email, maybe I can get them to confirm the request was made and denied. Six weeks feels manageable, especially knowing there's a real chance of success with the right documentation. Thank you for sharing your experience - it gives me so much hope that this appeal is actually worth pursuing!
Your success story is exactly what I needed to hear right now! I'm in almost the identical situation - left my job because childcare costs were eating up my entire paycheck, got denied by EDD, and feeling completely overwhelmed by the appeal process. The spreadsheet breakdown showing actual take-home vs childcare costs is such a smart approach - I was just doing rough math in my head but you're absolutely right that the judge needs to see the real numbers on paper. I'm going to start putting together that timeline tonight while everything is still fresh in my memory. It's so reassuring to know that appeals actually do work when you have proper documentation. Can I ask - did you have legal representation during your hearing, or did you represent yourself? I'm trying to figure out if I should look into getting help or if the hearing process is manageable on my own.
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I went through almost the exact same situation in late 2024! Got hit with penalty weeks for "misreporting" my part-time hours (it was honestly just confusion about how to report tips vs wages) and EDD initially refused to backdate my claim. Here's what finally worked: I had to escalate beyond the regular phone reps. My local legal aid society helped me draft a formal complaint that referenced specific EDD policies about backdating. The key was citing EDD Directive PL 15-01 which outlines when backdating is required for "good cause." Within 2 weeks of submitting that formal complaint through their appeals process, they not only approved my backdate request but also reduced my penalty from 12 weeks to 6 weeks after reviewing all my documentation. The breakthrough moment was when I got connected to an actual claims specialist (not just a phone rep) who understood that backdating and penalty weeks are completely separate issues that can coexist. Most phone reps seem to think you can't have both, which is totally wrong. Don't give up! The system is confusing and the reps often give incorrect information, but there are people there who know the actual policies. Your assemblywoman's office should definitely push back - EDD does this kind of backdating all the time once you get to the right person.
This is incredibly helpful! I had no idea about EDD Directive PL 15-01 - that's exactly the kind of specific policy reference I need. Did you have to get the legal aid society involved from the beginning, or were you able to reference that directive on your own first? I'm definitely going to look into contacting my local legal aid society if my assemblywoman's office can't make progress. It sounds like having someone who understands the actual policies (rather than what phone reps think the policies are) makes all the difference. Really encouraging to hear that you got both the backdating AND a reduction in penalty weeks. That gives me hope that this nightmare situation can actually be resolved!
I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in week 8 of penalty weeks for what was basically a paperwork error on my part (didn't report a small consulting payment correctly), and EDD initially told me backdating "wasn't possible" with active penalties. After reading everyone's experiences here, I submitted a formal backdate request through UI Online yesterday, making sure to keep it completely separate from my penalty appeal. I referenced EDD Directive PL 15-01 that Kelsey mentioned and cited "good cause" due to confusion about eligibility requirements as a first-time filer. One thing I want to add for anyone else in this situation: I also reached out to my local One-Stop Career Center, and they have an EDD liaison who can sometimes help escalate these cases. The counselor there told me she's seen this exact scenario resolved successfully multiple times in the past few months. CosmicCommander, definitely push your assemblywoman's office to reference the specific policies people have mentioned here - especially the Field Office Manual "BDC 5" guideline and California UI Code Section 1253(c). Having those concrete policy references seems to make a huge difference in getting EDD to take the request seriously. Fingers crossed for both of us! Will update if I hear back on my backdate request.
This is such great additional information! I didn't know about the One-Stop Career Center EDD liaisons - that's another avenue I should definitely explore. It's encouraging to hear that you've submitted your request using all the specific policy references from this thread. The point about keeping the backdate request completely separate from the penalty appeal seems to be the key takeaway from everyone's success stories. I was initially thinking about mentioning both issues together, but clearly that just confuses the system and the reps. Really hoping your backdate request gets approved quickly! Please do update us when you hear back - success stories like these give the rest of us hope and concrete strategies to follow. Good luck with everything!
Astrid Bergström
Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll attend my interview for the current claim and then file a new claim immediately on 6/9 when my benefit year ends. I'll also try to set aside some of my current payment to prepare for a possible gap. Really appreciate all the help!
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PixelPrincess
•Good plan. One last tip: when you file your new claim, make sure to report ALL employment since your original claim date, including the job you had between August and recently. They'll cross-check this with employer records, so accuracy is important. Best of luck with everything!
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Omar Hassan
I'm in a similar boat - my benefit year expires next month and I'm dreading having to navigate this whole process again. One thing I learned from my first claim is to screenshot EVERYTHING - your current claim details, payment history, certification confirmations. When you file the new claim, sometimes the old information becomes harder to access in the system, and having screenshots saved me when I had questions about my employment dates. Also, if you're doing gig work or any side income while unemployed, make sure you understand how to report that correctly on your new claim because the rules can be different than your current one.
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Noah Irving
•That's really smart advice about screenshotting everything! I hadn't thought about the old information becoming harder to access. Quick question - when you mention gig work reporting being different on a new claim, do you mean the earnings thresholds change or just the way you report it? I do some occasional freelance work and want to make sure I don't mess that up when I file my new claim.
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