btw they dont charge 4 first replacement but if u lose it again its like $12 or somthing

I went through this exact situation last year! My EDD card got lost in the mail and I never even saw it. I called Money Network at 1-866-692-9374 and they were actually really helpful - way better than trying to reach EDD directly. They sent me a replacement card for free (first replacement is always free) and all my benefits were still there waiting for me. The whole process took about 10 days from when I called to when I got the new card. Just make sure your son has his SSN and can answer some identity verification questions when he calls. The money definitely doesn't disappear just because the original card wasn't activated!

I had a similar experience last year! My eligibility interview was only about 6 minutes and I was convinced I'd blown it because I didn't get to present half of what I'd prepared. The interviewer asked maybe 3 questions total and seemed to already know the basic facts of my case. Turns out she had already reviewed all my uploaded documents beforehand and just needed to verify a couple details verbally. Got my approval letter 5 days later and received all my back pay within 2 weeks after that. The key thing is that you've been consistently certifying during this whole process - that shows you've been available and looking for work, which strengthens your case. Try not to overthink it too much. Employment date discrepancies are usually pretty cut and dry when you have the documentation to back it up.

I'm going through something very similar right now! My eligibility interview was scheduled for next week and I've been preparing for hours, gathering every piece of documentation I can think of. Your post actually makes me feel a bit better about what to expect - I was imagining this intense hour-long interrogation but it sounds like they might already have most of what they need from the case file. The 7 months without benefits sounds absolutely brutal though. I've only been waiting 3 months and it's already putting serious financial strain on my family. Really hoping your decision comes back positive soon! Keep us posted when you hear back - stories like yours help the rest of us know what we're dealing with in this whole process.

PSA: If anyone else is struggling with EDD issues, there's a really helpful Facebook group called 'EDD Unemployment Help'. Lots of good info and people sharing their experiences.

I had the exact same blank page issue last month! Turns out it was a browser compatibility problem. Try using a different browser - I switched from Chrome to Firefox and it worked immediately. Also, if you're still missing weeks to certify, you can request backdating once you get through to someone. Make sure to explain that the technical issues prevented you from certifying on time. The EDD can usually backdate your claim to cover those missed weeks if you have a valid reason. Don't give up - the system is definitely broken but you'll get through it eventually!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you're filling out the initial application and it asks about other income sources, make sure to keep documentation of your Social Security survivor benefits (like your award letter or recent statements). Even though they won't reduce your unemployment benefits, EDD sometimes asks for verification of reported income sources during the review process. Having that paperwork ready can help avoid delays in processing your claim. Good luck with your application!

I've been through a similar situation with survivor benefits and unemployment. One thing to keep in mind is that while California doesn't reduce your UI benefits for Social Security, some people get confused because the federal tax implications can be different. Your unemployment benefits are fully taxable, but only a portion of your Social Security survivor benefits may be taxable depending on your total income. Just something to consider when planning for tax season - you might want to have taxes withheld from your unemployment payments if you're not already doing that. The EDD website has a form you can submit to have taxes automatically deducted if you prefer.

UPDATE: Finally got through to EDD this morning! The rep confirmed my claim went inactive because I missed certifying for a few weeks. She reactivated it right away and I was able to certify for the past 3 weeks. The backpay should hit my account within 48 hours. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to hear you got it resolved! For anyone else who encounters this issue, I'd recommend setting up calendar reminders for your certification dates. I learned this the hard way after missing a few weeks myself. The EDD system is pretty unforgiving when it comes to missed certifications, but at least the reactivation process is usually straightforward once you get through to someone.