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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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I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed my first unemployment claim yesterday and I've been anxiously refreshing my email waiting for some kind of confirmation or rejection notice. The wage reporting section was so confusing - I had overlapping pay periods too and felt like I was just making educated guesses about the amounts. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief. I had no idea that EDD already has access to our actual wage data through employer tax reports. I was imagining some poor EDD worker manually checking every single number we entered and flagging us for fraud if we were off by even a few dollars! It sounds like the key takeaway is that as long as we reported everything honestly (which we did), the system will sort out the details. I'm definitely going to stop obsessing over whether I calculated that one tricky pay period correctly and just wait for the official determination. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for first-time filers like us!
You're absolutely right about stopping the obsessing! I literally did the same thing - kept refreshing my email and checking the EDD portal every few hours expecting some immediate response. It's such a relief to learn that this is actually a really common experience for first-time filers and that EDD has streamlined processes for handling wage discrepancies. I think we all imagine this super strict system where one small error ruins everything, but clearly that's not how it works in practice. The fact that so many people here have had similar experiences and everything worked out fine is really reassuring. Now I can focus on other things instead of constantly second-guessing my math!
I'm literally going through this EXACT same situation right now! Just submitted my first unemployment claim two days ago and I've been losing sleep over the wage calculations. Like you, I had pay periods that didn't align perfectly with the quarters EDD was asking about, and I tried my best to estimate the prorated amounts but I'm honestly terrible at math too. Reading through all these responses has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea that EDD cross-references everything with employer-reported wage data anyway. I was picturing some scenario where they'd immediately flag my application as fraudulent because I miscalculated a partial pay period by $50 or something. It's so reassuring to see how many people have been in our exact shoes and had everything work out fine. I think as first-time filers we just don't realize how common these wage calculation issues are, and that EDD has systems in place to handle them routinely. Thanks for posting this question - you've probably helped way more people than just yourself! Now I can finally stop refreshing my email every hour waiting for a rejection notice and just trust that the process will work itself out.
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I went through something very similar when I was laid off from my marketing job in 2022. I enrolled in a single evening Excel certification course while collecting unemployment benefits. Like you, I was really nervous about how to handle the school question on my certification. I ended up calling EDD directly (took forever to get through) and they told me that since it was just one class that didn't interfere with my ability to work during normal business hours, I should still mark "yes" to the school question but that it likely wouldn't affect my benefits. They were right - I marked yes, never got called for an interview, and my payments continued without any interruption. The key things that worked in my favor were: 1) It was only one evening per week, 2) I could still accept full-time work during business hours, 3) I would have dropped the class immediately if I got a job offer that conflicted with it. Your programming class sounds very similar to my situation. Just be honest on your certification and you should be fine. The fact that you're taking it to improve your job prospects actually looks good to EDD. Good luck with both the class and your job search!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through almost the exact same situation. The fact that you were able to call EDD and get a direct answer is amazing - I've been trying to reach them for days with no luck. Your three key points are really useful guidelines to keep in mind. It sounds like as long as the class doesn't interfere with normal work availability, EDD is pretty reasonable about it. I'm definitely feeling more confident about marking "yes" and just being straightforward about the whole thing. Did you end up finding the Excel certification helpful in your job search?
I'm in a very similar situation right now! Just got laid off from my customer service job and was thinking about taking a basic coding bootcamp prep course at the local library while job hunting. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful - it sounds like the consensus is definitely to be honest on the certification even if it might trigger an interview. One thing I'm curious about though - has anyone here taken classes that were completely free (like library workshops or free online courses) and if EDD treats those any differently? I'm wondering if they care more about formal enrollment vs. just attending free educational sessions. Either way, I'm planning to report it accurately, but just curious about others' experiences with informal learning while on unemployment. Thanks for starting this thread @CosmicVoyager - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that's hard to find on the official EDD website!
Great question about free classes! I actually took some free workshops at my local workforce center while on unemployment last year. I still reported them on my certification because technically they were still "training" activities, even though they were free. The EDD rep I eventually spoke with said they care more about whether the activity affects your availability for work rather than whether you're paying for it or not. So a free coding bootcamp prep course would still need to be reported if it has set meeting times that could potentially conflict with work. Better safe than sorry with EDD - they seem to appreciate honesty even for informal learning!
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I'm experiencing this exact same certification loop issue and it's driving me absolutely crazy! Been stuck for 8 days now - fill out everything perfectly, hit submit, and then BAM - right back to the beginning with no error message or explanation whatsoever. I've tried literally everything: different browsers, clearing cache, different times of day, disabling ad blockers, even tried on my phone. Nothing works! Reading through all these comments gives me some hope though. I'm definitely going to try the Microsoft Edge + 4am combo that worked for Khalil, and I love the idea of writing down all my answers on paper first so I don't have to keep re-entering everything. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become tech detectives just to access benefits we've earned. Thank you to everyone sharing their workarounds - this community is a lifesaver when EDD's system completely fails us!
I just joined this community because I'm having the EXACT same problem! It's so frustrating and honestly makes me feel like the system is designed to make us give up. I've been trying for 6 days straight and getting nowhere. The fact that there's no error message is what kills me - you have no idea if you did something wrong or if it's just broken. I'm definitely going to try the Edge + 4am method tonight based on everyone's success stories here. Also going to write everything down first like you mentioned - such a smart idea! It's crazy that we need a whole strategy just to submit a basic form. Really hoping this works for both of us. Thanks for sharing your experience - knowing I'm not alone in this mess actually helps a lot!
I'm dealing with this same certification loop nightmare! Been trying for over a week now and it's incredibly frustrating. I complete everything, hit submit, and then get kicked right back to the start with no explanation. It's so reassuring to see I'm not alone in this - clearly EDD has a major system issue they need to fix ASAP. Based on all the success stories here, I'm definitely going to try the Microsoft Edge browser at 4am with all extensions disabled. The tip about writing answers down on paper first is brilliant too - I'm tired of re-entering the same info over and over. Thanks to everyone sharing their workarounds! This community is amazing when the official system completely fails us. Will update if the early morning Edge method works for me!
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Hi Logan! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation. Reading through all the excellent advice shared here, I wanted to add one more angle that might help. **Try contacting your local Independent Living Center (ILC)** - These are federally funded organizations specifically designed to help people with disabilities navigate exactly these types of barriers. You can find your local ILC through the National Council on Independent Living website or by calling 2-1-1. **Another option:** Some credit unions and community banks have more flexible accommodation policies than large institutions. If BofA continues to be difficult, ask if they can transfer your benefits to a different financial institution that's more disability-friendly. **For immediate help:** Consider reaching out to your county's disability services office - they often have staff who specialize in benefits advocacy and may have direct contacts at both and BofA who can expedite accommodation requests. The community here has given you fantastic resources and strategies. Remember that persistence often pays off - sometimes it takes calling multiple times until you reach a representative who's properly trained on disability accommodations. Don't hesitate to politely ask to speak with a supervisor if you're not getting the help you need. You have every right to access your benefits without having to put your health and safety at risk. The law is on your side here! Keep advocating for yourself, and please keep us updated on how things go. We're all rooting for you! 💙
This is such valuable advice, Dmitry! The Independent Living Center suggestion is brilliant - I had no idea these federally funded organizations existed specifically for situations like this. Logan, I'm new to this community but have been following your situation, and I'm really impressed by how much support and practical advice everyone has shared. The ILC option sounds particularly promising because they likely deal with banking/benefits accessibility issues regularly and probably have established procedures for exactly this type of problem. I also wanted to emphasize something several people mentioned - don't be afraid to escalate if the first representative you speak with isn't helpful. Sometimes it really does take finding the right person who understands disability accommodations. And definitely document everything as others suggested! One small addition to Dmitry's advice: when you 2-1-1 to find your local ILC, you can also ask them about other disability advocacy resources in your area. They're like a one-stop information hub for community services. The fact that you reached out here shows you're not giving up, which is so important. This community clearly has incredible knowledge and experience with these systems. Wishing you success with whichever approach you try first - you've got so many good options now! 🙏
Hi Logan! I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out after reading about your situation. As someone who has navigated similar accessibility challenges, I'm really encouraged by all the comprehensive advice shared here! One additional resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is **California's Disability Rights Legal Center** (213-736-1031). They offer free legal advocacy specifically for situations where people with disabilities are denied equal access to services. Sometimes just having a legal advocate make a can resolve these issues quickly. Also, if you're receiving any other government benefits or work with a caseworker, they might be able to help coordinate with on your behalf. Social workers and benefits coordinators often have direct lines to supervisors at these agencies. **Quick tip for phone calls:** When you either BofA or EDD, try calling early in the morning (8-9 AM) or later in the evening. You often get more experienced representatives during these times who are better trained on accommodation procedures. The community here has given you such a wealth of options - from the ADA compliance departments to mobile notaries to advocacy organizations. You definitely don't have to navigate this alone, and you absolutely shouldn't have to risk your health to access your benefits. Please keep us updated on your progress! This community is clearly invested in helping you find a solution. You've got this! 💪
Paolo Longo
This is absolutely infuriating! As someone who just started dealing with these Money Network cards after being on the old BofA system, I had no idea about these authorization holds. It's unconscionable that they're essentially holding our own money hostage when we're already struggling financially. I've been reading through everyone's suggestions and it sounds like the immediate transfer to a personal bank account is the way to go. But what about people who don't have bank accounts? Are there any other options for them, or are they just stuck dealing with these predatory practices? Also, has anyone tried disputing these holds directly with Money Network? I'm wondering if there's any way to get them to adjust their policy for unemployment benefit cards specifically, since this isn't regular spending money - it's government assistance that people depend on for basic necessities.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•Great questions! For people without bank accounts, I'd recommend looking into prepaid cards from credit unions or even opening a basic checking account - many have no minimum balance requirements. Some credit unions specifically serve low-income members and offer free accounts. As for disputing with Money Network directly, I haven't had luck there. They claim it's "industry standard" but that doesn't help when you can't buy groceries. The authorization holds are technically legal, but applying them to government benefit cards feels predatory. I think the real solution has to come from EDD changing their contract requirements with Money Network, which is why contacting state reps is so important. We need to make enough noise that they realize this is hurting the people these benefits are supposed to help.
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Eleanor Foster
This is such a nightmare! I just went through the exact same thing last week - tried to buy a $12 sandwich at Subway with $15 left on my card and it got declined. The worker looked at me like I was trying to pull a fast one, and I had to awkwardly explain that I had money but the card was being weird. So humiliating. What really gets me is that they don't warn you about this anywhere! When they sent the new Money Network cards, there was zero mention of these authorization holds. I only found out when I called customer service after my card got declined three times in one day. The rep was like "oh yeah, we hold 20% extra at restaurants" like it was no big deal. I've started using the trick someone mentioned above about asking for "no tip option" at fast food places, and it works about half the time. The other half they look at you like you're speaking another language. Thanks to everyone sharing workarounds here - definitely going to set up that automatic transfer to my bank account ASAP. This whole Money Network situation is just another way they're making life harder for people who are already struggling.
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Avery Flores
•I feel your pain on this! The lack of transparency is what really gets me too - nowhere in the paperwork did they mention these holds would happen. It's like they deliberately hid this information knowing how much it would impact people who are already on tight budgets. The "no tip option" trick is hit or miss for me too. Some places can do it, others act like you're asking them to perform surgery. I've found that explaining "my card has a hold issue" sometimes gets more sympathy than trying to explain the whole unemployment card situation. One thing I discovered is that grocery stores with delis don't usually trigger the restaurant hold - so if you're craving hot food and running low on funds, try the prepared food section at Safeway or similar instead of fast food. Not ideal, but it's helped me avoid those embarrassing declines a few times. This whole Money Network switch has been such a downgrade from the BofA cards. We really need to keep pressuring EDD about this!
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