I'm going through almost the exact same situation - filed my appeal 23 days ago for a work separation reporting issue and the financial stress is absolutely overwhelming! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both incredibly helpful and eye-opening about how broken this system really is. It sounds like we're all looking at 6-10+ weeks minimum which is just devastating when you're already struggling to pay rent and bills. I had to have that dreaded conversation with my landlord yesterday about potentially being late on rent, but thankfully they were more understanding than I expected when I explained the EDD situation. I also just signed up for Uber Eats after seeing so many people mention gig work as a way to survive while waiting - it's not ideal but at least it's something coming in. Madison, definitely look into those assembly member offices and local assistance programs people have mentioned - I'm planning to call mine Monday morning. It's absolutely ridiculous that we all have to scramble for backup plans when we should simply be receiving the unemployment benefits we paid into. But it's really reassuring to see that most people with reporting errors like ours do eventually win their appeals with full backpay. This whole thread has been a lifeline honestly - knowing we're all supporting each other through this nightmare helps so much. Hang in there, we've got this!

I'm in a very similar situation - filed my appeal 21 days ago for a reporting issue and the anxiety about bills is just crushing! Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful but also shows how broken this system really is. It sounds like we're all looking at 6-12 weeks which is absolutely brutal when rent is due. I finally broke down and signed up for DoorDash yesterday after seeing so many people mention gig work - made $47 on my first day which isn't much but at least it's something. Also called my assembly member's office this morning after reading about it here and they said they'd look into my case. Madison, definitely don't wait on exploring those options - even small income helps with the stress of not knowing when this will end. The uncertainty is the worst part but it's really encouraging to see that most people with reporting errors like ours do eventually win their appeals. We're all in this nightmare together but we'll get through it!

Hey Mateo! I'm also an IHSS caregiver and went through something really similar last year. Your situation sounds like constructive dismissal - when an employer creates impossible working conditions that force you to leave. The fact that your client told you not to come in AND then demanded you pay someone else is completely unreasonable and not part of any IHSS agreement. A few tips for your interview: - Emphasize that you were ready, willing, and able to work your scheduled hours - Mention that the social worker confirmed the client's demand was inappropriate - Bring up that IHSS caregivers can't be required to pay other caregivers - that's not how the program works - If you have any documentation from the social worker backing you up, mention that too The interview process can be slow but most IHSS cases like yours get approved because the guidelines are pretty clear about what's reasonable. Keep certifying no matter what - you don't want to lose potential payments while waiting! Good luck with everything!

I work for a local IHSS advocacy organization and your situation is actually pretty straightforward from an eligibility standpoint. What your client did is called "constructive termination" - essentially firing you by making it impossible to do your job. The key things to emphasize in your interview are: 1) You were scheduled to work and showed up ready to work, 2) The client told you not to come in, 3) The client then made an unreasonable financial demand that's not part of IHSS caregiver duties, and 4) A social worker confirmed this was inappropriate. Make sure you frame it as "my client terminated my services" rather than "I left" or "I quit." You didn't voluntarily leave - you were prevented from working. The interviewer will likely ask if you tried to resolve the situation (mention the social worker conversation) and whether you were willing to continue working (yes, but the client wouldn't allow it). Document everything - dates, times, names of people you spoke with. If the interviewer needs clarification about IHSS policies, they can contact your county's IHSS program directly. Most importantly, keep certifying! You'll get backpay from your claim start date once approved.

Just went through this whole process myself and finally got my appeal approved last month! One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline of events leading up to my claim denial. I wrote down dates, what happened, who I spoke with, etc. It made it SO much easier to present my case clearly during the hearing. Also, if you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to ask for help - there are legal aid organizations that offer free assistance with EDD appeals. I used one and they helped me organize my evidence and even did a practice run of the hearing with me. The whole thing took about 3 months from start to finish, but it was worth it to get those back payments. Hang in there, you've got this! 🙏

I'm currently waiting for my appeal hearing to be scheduled and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I wanted to add one thing that my friend who works in social services told me - make sure to submit any new evidence or documentation as soon as possible, even if your hearing isn't scheduled yet. Apparently there's a window where they'll accept additional materials, but if you wait too long they might not consider it. Also, I've been using the EDD website to track my appeal status, and while it doesn't update super frequently, it does show when they've received your paperwork and what stage you're at in the process. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so reassuring to know I'm not going through this alone! 🤝

I'm so glad I found this thread! As someone completely new to the unemployment system, I've been dealing with this exact same Money Network login freeze for the past 5 days and was starting to panic that it was just me. My payment showed up in EDD on Monday but I can't access it at all - just that endless frozen screen after clicking sign in. I tried clearing cookies, different browsers, incognito mode, everything people suggested online but nothing worked. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful, especially knowing that the early morning login actually works for some people. I'm definitely going to try the 5-6am window tomorrow with my transfer info ready to go. Also really appreciate the tip about the automated phone system to at least check that the funds are there - gives me some peace of mind! Already started the direct deposit setup process through UI Online because this Money Network situation is absolutely ridiculous. It's insane that a government contractor can have such widespread issues with zero communication to users. Thank you all for sharing your workarounds and experiences!

I'm completely new to the EDD system and this Money Network nightmare has been my introduction to it - what a disaster! I've been locked out for 6 days now with the same frozen login issue everyone's describing. My benefits payment posted last Thursday but I still can't access a penny of it. The most frustrating part is calling Money Network customer service and being on hold for literally hours before getting disconnected. I tried their "technical support" line three times yesterday and got hung up on each time after 90+ minutes of waiting. Reading through all these experiences has been both comforting (knowing it's not just me) and infuriating (seeing how widespread this problem is with zero official response). I'm definitely going to try the 5am login trick tomorrow morning with my bank transfer info ready. Also just finished setting up direct deposit through UI Online - this will be my first and LAST time dealing with Money Network if I can help it. As a newcomer to unemployment benefits, I had no idea the payment system would be this unreliable. Thank you everyone for sharing your workarounds and keeping each other informed when the official systems are failing us!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's incredibly frustrating when companies use vague termination reasons without any documentation to back them up! Your situation sounds textbook for EDD approval though. The fact that you received a positive performance review just 4 months ago and they can't provide specific examples of these "performance issues" really works in your favor. I went through something very similar about 8 months ago when I was let go from my project coordinator role for alleged "organizational deficiencies" but had never received any coaching or write-ups. I was terrified to apply for unemployment because I thought being fired meant automatic disqualification, but that's absolutely not true! EDD approved my claim because my employer couldn't demonstrate any pattern of warnings or progressive discipline. The key thing to remember is that poor performance ≠ misconduct in EDD's eyes. Misconduct requires willful disregard for your employer's interests, which clearly doesn't apply here. Apply through UI Online immediately and be completely honest about the circumstances - mention that positive review and the lack of any prior warnings. Even if your employer contests (which many do automatically), EDD consistently sides with employees when there's no real documentation of misconduct. You've paid into this system and absolutely deserve these benefits while you get back on your feet. Don't let them make you second-guess yourself - you know you were doing your job well, and EDD will see that too!

I'm so sorry this happened to you - being suddenly terminated without any warning or documentation is incredibly stressful and unfair! Based on everything I've read in this community and my own research, you absolutely should apply for EDD benefits immediately. The fact that you have a positive performance review from just 4 months ago and they can't provide specific examples of these alleged "performance issues" makes your case very strong. California unemployment law is actually on your side here. EDD distinguishes between being fired for simple poor performance (which qualifies you for benefits) versus being fired for willful misconduct (which doesn't). What you're describing - vague "performance issues" with zero documentation or progressive discipline - is exactly the type of situation where EDD typically approves claims. Don't let them intimidate you into thinking you don't deserve benefits. You've been paying into this system through your taxes, and this is precisely what it's designed for. Apply through UI Online today and be completely honest about the circumstances. Even if your employer contests your claim, the burden is on them to prove misconduct with actual evidence, which they clearly don't have. Stay strong and don't second-guess yourself - you know you were doing your job well, and EDD will recognize that when they see the lack of proper documentation from your employer!