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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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I'm completely new to this community and EDD system, but this thread has been such a lifeline! I was laid off in December 2024 but didn't file until just last week because I genuinely thought unemployment was a "last resort" that you only used after months of failed job searching. My employer's exit interview basically consisted of "here's your final paycheck, good luck" with zero mention of filing timing or deadlines. I spent the last 3+ months sending out applications daily, networking, and even doing some part-time delivery work to try to make ends meet - all while thinking I was being "responsible" by not immediately seeking government assistance. Reading everyone's experiences here has been both validating and frustrating to realize how widespread this misinformation is. Based on Lucas's detailed process and all the success stories shared here, I'm planning to submit my backdate request online this week. I have extensive documentation from my job search - application screenshots, recruiter email chains, and even receipts from the delivery work I did. The "lack of employer guidance" angle seems to align perfectly with my situation. Those missing 12+ weeks would honestly be the difference between keeping my apartment and having to move back home at 29. It's incredible how much bad advice is floating around about unemployment timing - I wish I'd found this community months ago! Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences and practical advice. I'll definitely update everyone on how my backdate request progresses. This community is amazing for newcomers like me who are totally lost in the EDD maze!
Welcome to the community, Amina! Your situation sounds so familiar - it's really frustrating how many employers just send people off without any guidance about unemployment benefits and timing. The "last resort" misconception seems to be incredibly widespread, and it's costing people like us thousands of dollars in benefits we're rightfully entitled to. Your documentation sounds excellent for a backdate request! Having 12+ weeks of application screenshots, recruiter emails, and delivery work receipts will really help demonstrate that you were making genuine good faith efforts to find work and generate income. The delivery work especially shows initiative and that you weren't just sitting idle waiting for benefits. I'm also newer to this process, but from everything I've read in this thread, the "lack of employer guidance" combined with documented work-seeking activities is exactly the kind of situation EDD considers for good cause backdating. Lucas's step-by-step process has been working really well for people in similar circumstances. I completely understand not wanting to move back home at 29 - that financial independence is so important and those missing weeks could make all the difference. It's encouraging to see all the success stories here from people who were in comparable situations. Make sure to be very specific about what your employer did (or didn't) tell you during that exit interview and include as much supporting documentation as the online system will allow. Based on the patterns I'm seeing, your case sounds like it has real potential for approval. Looking forward to hearing how your request goes - this community has been such an incredible resource for all of us navigating the EDD system for the first time!
I'm completely new to this community and dealing with EDD for the first time, but this thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was laid off in January 2025 but didn't file until just this week because I honestly had no idea you were supposed to file immediately after job loss. Like so many others here, I thought unemployment was something you only applied for after exhausting all other options first. My former company's HR department basically just handed me my severance paperwork and said "best of luck" without any mention of unemployment benefits or filing timing. I spent the last 2+ months applying to jobs every day, working with multiple recruiters, and even taking on some freelance projects to try to bridge the income gap. The whole time I genuinely believed I was doing the "right thing" by trying to be self-sufficient before turning to government assistance. Reading through all of your experiences, especially Lucas's detailed step-by-step process and the success stories from Rhett and others, has given me so much hope and practical guidance. I'm planning to submit my backdate request online this weekend, emphasizing the complete lack of employer guidance about filing timing and including all my job search documentation - application confirmations, recruiter emails, freelance invoices, etc. Those missing 8-9 weeks of benefits would make such a huge difference in my current financial situation. I've been dipping into my emergency fund and putting expenses on credit cards just to stay afloat while continuing my job search. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and advice so openly - this community has been an absolute lifesaver for someone like me who's completely new to navigating the EDD system. I'll definitely update on how my backdate request goes!
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Congratulations on getting your first payment! That's such a relief when you're waiting for bills to be paid. The 24-hour timeline you experienced is pretty typical for BofA from what I've seen. Just a heads up - keep track of your certification dates going forward because the timing stays pretty consistent once you're in the system. Also, if you ever have issues with future payments, don't panic right away since sometimes there can be small delays during holidays or if there are system maintenance windows. Glad everything worked out for you!
Thanks for the congrats and the helpful tips! I'll definitely keep track of my certification dates and the timing patterns. It's good to know about potential delays during holidays and maintenance - I would have probably panicked if a future payment was late without knowing that. Really appreciate all the advice from everyone in this thread, it made the whole process much less stressful!
That's such great news that your payment came through! 24 hours is actually really good timing for a first payment. I remember when I got my first EDD deposit, I was checking my account every few hours because I was so anxious about it. It's such a huge relief when that money finally hits your account, especially when you have bills waiting. Thanks for updating the thread too - it's really helpful for other people who might be in the same situation to see real examples of how long it actually takes!
So glad to hear it worked out! I'm actually in a similar situation - just filed my first claim last week and still waiting for approval. Reading about your experience gives me hope that once everything gets processed, the actual payment timing isn't too bad. The 24-hour turnaround seems pretty reasonable compared to some of the horror stories I've heard about EDD delays. Did you have any issues with the initial claim process, or was it mostly just waiting for approval?
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I just ran into this exact same issue this morning! Got the dreaded "service not available" message when trying to check my balance before paying bills. After reading through this amazing thread, I tried the DNS server change that @StarSurfer and @Daniel White recommended (switching to Google's DNS 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) and it worked like magic! It's absolutely crazy that Money Network's security system is so broken that it flags legitimate DNS servers as suspicious. I never would have thought to troubleshoot my network settings just to access my own benefits. This community has been infinitely more helpful than their customer service - you all deserve medals for figuring out these workarounds! For anyone else dealing with this nightmare, definitely try the DNS fix if the simpler browser solutions don't work. And keep that backup phone number (1-866-320-8699) handy because it seems like Money Network's system breaks in new and creative ways every month. Thanks everyone for sharing real solutions instead of just complaining! 🎯
I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with the same "service not available" error for the past week and was getting really stressed about accessing my benefits. The DNS solution you and @Daniel White shared is brilliant - I just tried switching to Google s'DNS servers 8.8.8.8 (and 8.8.4.4 and) it worked immediately! It s'honestly ridiculous that Money Network s'fraud detection system is so broken that it treats normal ISP DNS servers as suspicious activity. This community has been way more helpful than their customer service ever could be. I m'definitely saving that backup phone number 1-866-320-8699 (and) bookmarking this entire thread for future reference. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share what actually worked instead of just the generic try "again later responses" we get from official support! You all are lifesavers! 🙌
I've been struggling with this exact same error for the past two weeks and was honestly starting to panic about accessing my unemployment funds! This thread has been absolutely incredible - way more helpful than spending hours on hold with Money Network's useless customer service. I tried several of the solutions mentioned here and what finally worked for me was a combination approach: first I switched from Chrome to Firefox (like @Natasha Romanova suggested), then when that didn't work, I followed @Daniel White's DNS tip and changed to Cloudflare's servers (1.1.1.1 and 1.1.1.1). The combination of both fixes got me logged in successfully! It's absolutely insane that we need to become IT experts just to access our own benefits. Money Network's security system is clearly broken when there are 20+ different workarounds needed for the same basic login issue. I'm seriously considering switching to direct deposit through UI Online after reading about all these ongoing problems. Thanks to everyone who shared actual working solutions instead of just venting frustration. This community is a lifesaver! Definitely keeping that backup phone number (1-866-320-8699) saved for the next time their system inevitably breaks again. You all deserve awards for figuring out these fixes! 🙏
I'm so relieved to find this thread! I just started having the same "service not available" error yesterday and was freaking out because I need to transfer money for groceries today. The combination approach you used is really smart - trying the browser switch first and then adding the DNS change if needed. I'm going to try Firefox + Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) based on your success! It's honestly shocking how many different technical workarounds we need just to access our own unemployment money. The fact that this community has figured out more solutions than Money Network's actual tech support team is both impressive and deeply frustrating. Thank you for sharing what worked - crossing my fingers this fixes my access issues too! 🤞
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UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD! I tried calling right when they opened at 8am and got through after about 20 attempts. They confirmed my online application is in the system and put a note to disregard my paper application when/if it gets processed. The rep said my claim should be processed within 10 business days. What a relief! Thanks again for all the help everyone.
Great news! Make sure you set up your UI Online account as soon as you receive your account number so you can certify for benefits on time. The first certification period is critical - missing it can cause payment delays.
So glad you got it sorted out Nina! Your story is going to help so many people who run into the same website issues. The tip about trying Firefox in incognito mode late at night is gold - I'm definitely bookmarking this thread. It's crazy how much faster the online system is compared to paper applications. Good luck with your claim processing!
Yes, this thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where the EDD website keeps timing out when I try to upload my employment verification documents. Reading through everyone's experiences here gives me hope that persistence will pay off. @Nina Chan thank you for sharing your journey and congrats on getting it resolved! Going to try the Firefox incognito method tonight.
Dylan Wright
This is such a valuable discussion! I went through something very similar about 8 months ago and wanted to share what I learned. The key thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records throughout the entire process - not just the contract paperwork, but also screenshots of my EDD account status before starting work, copies of all my certifications, and even emails with the temp agency. When I went to reopen my claim after my 3-month contract ended, having all that documentation made the process super smooth. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - consider asking your temp agency about their policy for giving references. Some agencies are really good about serving as employment references for temp workers, which can be valuable when you're applying for permanent positions later. Also, don't be surprised if the company asks you to stay longer than the original 90 days - that happened to me and I ended up working there for 6 months total before finding something permanent. The flexibility of temp work can actually work in your favor if you play it right!
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Emma Wilson
•This is fantastic advice about keeping detailed documentation throughout the process! I hadn't thought about taking screenshots of my EDD account status before starting work, but that's such a smart idea for protecting yourself if any issues come up later. The point about temp agencies serving as employment references is really valuable too - I'll definitely ask about that when I accept the position tomorrow. It's encouraging to hear that your 3-month contract turned into 6 months! That kind of flexibility could really work in my favor, especially since the recruiter mentioned possible extension or conversion opportunities. Thanks for sharing such practical, real-world advice - having a detailed documentation strategy will definitely give me peace of mind throughout this whole process!
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Brooklyn Knight
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation but curious about one aspect that hasn't been covered much - what if the temp contract gets cut short unexpectedly? I know everyone's been discussing the scenario where the contract reaches its natural end date, but I'm wondering how EDD handles it if the company decides to end the contract early (not due to performance issues, but maybe budget cuts or project changes). Would that still be considered "no fault of your own" for unemployment eligibility? I'm weighing a temp offer myself and want to understand all the potential scenarios before making the decision. The insights everyone has shared about documentation and treating it like an extended audition are really valuable - definitely going to keep those in mind!
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Eleanor Foster
•That's a really important scenario to consider, Brooklyn! From what I understand, if a temp contract gets cut short due to reasons beyond your control (like budget cuts, project cancellation, or restructuring), that would still be considered "no fault of your own" and you should qualify for unemployment benefits. The key is having documentation showing that the early termination wasn't due to performance issues or misconduct on your part. I'd recommend asking the temp agency upfront about their policies for early contract terminations and making sure any contract paperwork clearly states the circumstances under which the assignment could end early. That way you have written proof that it was a business decision rather than a performance issue. It's smart of you to think through all these scenarios before accepting - having a clear understanding of the risks helps you make a more informed decision!
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