This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with the exact same issue - certified for two weeks on Sunday and only one week got paid while the other is stuck on pending with zero explanation. Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much relief knowing I'm not alone and that there are actual explanations for why this happens. The insights about quarterly reviews, SDI cross-checks, and random system flags are things I never would have known about otherwise. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01 AM calling strategy tomorrow and make sure to ask specifically about "stop payment alerts" when I get through. It's so frustrating that EDD's system leaves us completely in the dark about these holds, but communities like this where people share real solutions are absolutely invaluable. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and successful strategies - you're helping so many of us navigate this confusing system!

This thread has been such a lifesaver for me! I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now - certified last Sunday and only got paid for one week while the other is stuck on pending. I was honestly starting to think I had done something wrong with my certification, but reading through everyone's experiences here shows this is way more common than I realized. The explanations about quarterly reviews, SDI cross-checks, and random system flags are incredibly helpful - I had no clue these were even things that could happen! I'm definitely going to try the 8:01 AM calling strategy tomorrow and make sure to ask about "stop payment alerts" specifically. It's so frustrating that EDD gives us zero transparency about these holds, but seeing that so many people have successfully resolved this gives me hope. Thanks to everyone who shared their strategies and experiences - this community is amazing for helping people navigate EDD's confusing system!

This is such a helpful thread! I just started my first job in California last month and was totally confused by all the deductions on my paystub. I kept wondering why I didn't see "unemployment" anywhere but now I understand that SDI and UI are completely different things. It's reassuring to know that my employer is handling the UI payments behind the scenes. I'm definitely going to set up that UI Online account to check my wage history - better safe than sorry! Thanks everyone for explaining this so clearly.

This is exactly the kind of confusion I had when I first moved to California! The abbreviations on paystubs are so confusing. One thing that helped me understand it better was thinking of it this way: SDI is like insurance YOU pay for (disability/family leave), while UI is like insurance your EMPLOYER pays for (unemployment). Both protect you, but they're funded differently. Also, if you want to double-check that your employer is legit and paying their taxes properly, you can look up their business on the California Secretary of State website to make sure they're in good standing. I learned this the hard way after working for a sketchy company that wasn't paying their employment taxes! Your wages won't count toward UI eligibility if your employer isn't properly registered and paying their obligations.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my overpayment notice about 3 weeks ago for 9 weeks from 2023. Like you, it was completely unintentional - I think there was confusion about when my part-time job ended versus when I was still certifying. The panic is SO real when you see that big number they want back! I just submitted my DE 1446HW hardship form last week after reading through all the advice here. A few things I learned that might help: 1. Call EDD ASAP to request they pause collections - I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually worked to get through quickly 2. The hardship form is intimidating but just be thorough and honest about your finances 3. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit 4. Don't be afraid to call back if you don't hear anything after a few weeks The waiting is nerve-wracking but from what I'm seeing here, there's definitely hope for getting at least a partial waiver. Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess! EDD's system is confusing and it's not your fault you got caught up in it.

I've been through this exact situation twice unfortunately - once in 2021 and again in 2023. The good news is that based on your description (no fraud language, unintentional overlap), you have a really good chance of getting some relief through the hardship process. A few things that helped me: - Document EVERYTHING about your current financial situation - income, all expenses, debts, medical costs, etc. - When filling out the DE 1446HW, err on the side of providing too much information rather than too little - If you have any documentation from that time period (pay stubs, work schedules, emails), include copies to show the confusion wasn't intentional - Request a payment plan as backup even while pursuing the hardship waiver The first time I got a full waiver, the second time I got approved for a payment plan of $50/month which was manageable. Don't lose hope - EDD knows their system is confusing and they do work with people who made honest mistakes. The key is being proactive and thorough with your application. You've got this!

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds so similar to yours, Wesley. I just went through this exact same process about a month ago after being laid off from my retail management position. Got the same "Notice of Conditional Payment Pending Eligibility Review" and was completely panicked, especially since I had never filed for unemployment before. Like everyone else has mentioned, I kept certifying and did receive the conditional payments while waiting for my interview. What really helped me was following the advice I've seen mentioned here - I called EDD right at 8 AM and explained my financial situation (I was also worried about rent). They were able to schedule my interview for the following week instead of the usual 3-4 week wait. The interview itself was much less intimidating than I expected. They mainly wanted to verify my job separation details and review my work search activities. Having everything organized in a spreadsheet beforehand made it go really smoothly - the whole call took maybe 15 minutes. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have a quiet space for the call and good phone reception. My interview was scheduled for a specific time and they only gave me one chance - if I had missed it, I would have had to start the whole scheduling process over again. All my pending weeks were released within 48 hours after the interview, just like others have mentioned. You're going to get through this! The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but it sounds like you're doing everything right.

As someone who just went through this process a few weeks ago, I wanted to add my voice to all the reassuring responses here. I received the exact same notice after being laid off from my office job, and like you, I was completely confused and stressed about what it meant. The key things that helped me were: 1. **Keep certifying religiously** - I continued my regular certification schedule and received conditional payments the entire time 2. **Document everything** - I created a detailed timeline of my layoff, including emails from HR, my final pay stub, and even screenshots of the company announcement about layoffs 3. **Be prepared for the work search questions** - They asked me for specific details about at least 5 different job applications, including company names, dates, and how I applied My interview was scheduled exactly 3 weeks after I received the notice, and like others mentioned, it was much more straightforward than I anticipated. The interviewer was actually quite professional and understanding. They mainly wanted to verify that my separation was indeed a layoff (not a quit or termination) and that I was genuinely looking for work. One thing that might help with your immediate rent concern - I was able to get a letter from EDD confirming my pending claim status, which I showed to my landlord. It bought me some extra time while waiting for the review to complete. All my conditional payments were converted to regular payments within 24 hours of passing the interview. You're going to be okay! The system is designed to be confusing, but most of these reviews are just routine verification. Hang in there!

Update: Had my interview yesterday and it went exactly as you all described! The interviewer was actually pretty nice. She just verified my work search activities (asked for details on 3 recent applications) and confirmed my previous employment ended due to downsizing. Took about 20 minutes total. My certification got processed normally afterward. Thanks everyone for calming my nerves about this!

Glad you came back to update us! This is super helpful for future folks who might be in the same situation. It's crazy how much anxiety these routine interviews can cause when you don't know what to expect. Your experience sounds pretty typical - most of these interviews really are just checking boxes to make sure everything's legit. Thanks for sharing your outcome, it'll definitely help other community members who find this thread later!