This just happened to my friend too! She panicked thinking her benefits were cut off, but it turned out to be a system maintenance issue that lasted about 48 hours. Her balance came back after the weekend. That said, definitely follow the advice others have given here - check for any pending issues, look at your benefit year start date, and keep trying to get through to someone. In the meantime, take screenshots of your account showing the zero balance just in case you need proof later. Also, if you haven't already, try logging out completely and logging back in. Sometimes that refreshes the data. The EDD system can be glitchy but don't lose hope - most of these zero balance scares do get resolved! 🤞

This exact thing happened to me about 6 weeks ago and I was absolutely panicking! After reading through all these comments, I can see everyone's giving really solid advice. Here's what ended up working for me: First, I checked my benefit year date and realized I was coming up on the one-year mark. Then I found a pending identity verification in my inbox that I had somehow missed. Once I completed that verification (which took about a week to process), my balance was restored and I got all my back payments. The most important thing I learned is to keep certifying no matter what - even with a zero balance. I almost stopped and that would have been a huge mistake. Also, if you can't get through by phone, try using the "Contact EDD" form online. It takes longer to get a response but at least you have a paper trail. Don't lose hope! The zero balance is scary but it's usually fixable. Just be patient and persistent. The system is overwhelmed but they do eventually get to everyone. Hang in there! 💪

Wow, this thread is like a goldmine of information! I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now - my claim has been stuck on "review required" for about 10 days and I was starting to panic. I got laid off in February and received both severance and accrued sick leave, which I carefully reported on my initial application. But then when I did my first certification, I saw those payments in my bank account and thought "well, this is income I received during this period" so I reported them again. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm now 99% sure that's what triggered my review flag. It's honestly infuriating that EDD's system is set up this way! The certification form literally asks about "all income received" during the period with no mention of exceptions for payments already reported elsewhere. How are people supposed to know not to report income twice when the system makes it seem like you should report everything? But I'm so grateful for all the detailed advice here. I was hesitant to call because I've heard such horror stories about EDD phone wait times, but seeing how quickly everyone got their issues resolved once they reached the right person gives me hope. Planning to start calling tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp with the main number and will be very specific about the potential double-reporting issue from the get-go. This community is amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences so thoroughly! I'll definitely come back and update once I get this mess sorted out.

This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I can't believe how many of us have fallen into the exact same severance pay double-reporting trap! I'm currently on day 8 of the dreaded "review required" status and was starting to think something was seriously wrong with my claim. Like so many others here, I received severance pay when I was laid off last month, dutifully reported it on my initial application, then made the fatal mistake of reporting it AGAIN during my first certification because that's when it actually hit my bank account. The EDD certification form really does make it seem like you should report ALL income received during that period - there's absolutely no indication that payments already on your initial claim should be excluded! Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has given me so much confidence to finally pick up the phone and call. I was honestly dreading it because of all the horror stories about EDD wait times, but seeing how quickly people got their issues resolved once they reached a knowledgeable rep is really encouraging. Planning to start my calling marathon tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp with the 1-800-300-5616 number. I'll be super specific about the potential severance double-reporting issue right from the start and cross my fingers for that callback option everyone raves about. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share such detailed updates - this thread is going to save so many people from weeks of unnecessary stress! Will definitely come back with my own resolution story once I get through.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! Filed my claim about 3 weeks ago and have been stuck on "claim filed" status with pending payments. After reading through all these comments, it's clear that identity verification is probably the issue for most of us. I haven't received any ID.me verification request yet, but based on what everyone's saying, I think I need to be more proactive about calling EDD instead of just waiting. The part about needing a separate letter with your Weekly Benefit Amount to know you're actually approved was really eye-opening - I thought the "filed" letter meant I was good to go! Going to try calling tomorrow using some of the strategies mentioned here. It's reassuring to know that once this gets sorted out, we should get all the back payments for the weeks we've been certifying.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and it was so stressful! The "filed" letter definitely just means they received your application, not that you're approved. What really helped me was calling EDD and specifically asking about identity verification - turns out that was my holdup too. I used the phone strategy someone mentioned earlier and got through in about 30 minutes instead of days of trying. Once I completed the ID.me verification, my payments started within a week and I got all the backpay for the weeks I had certified while waiting. Don't give up on calling them - sometimes the system just needs a human to manually push things forward. Keep certifying every two weeks in the meantime so you don't lose any potential payments!

Hey Katherine! I've been following this thread and wanted to add a few thoughts since I work in workforce development and see situations like yours fairly often. The advice about focusing on contracts that are naturally ending is spot-on. What matters to EDD is the reason for separation from your most recent work, so if you have legitimate contract endings (where renewal wasn't offered or available), that's your strongest foundation for a claim. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that you should also look into your county's job training programs. Many counties have their own funding streams separate from state programs that can provide support during career transitions. They often move faster than EDD programs too. Also, since your apprenticeship is starting in just 3 weeks, you might want to have a backup plan ready. Even if everything goes perfectly with EDD, there could be delays. Consider reaching out to local food banks, community assistance programs, or even seeing if you can pick up some short-term gig work that won't interfere with your training schedule. The electrical apprenticeship through IBEW is an excellent choice - those programs usually have strong job placement rates and good wages once you complete them. It's worth the temporary financial stress to get into that field. Best of luck navigating all the bureaucracy!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who successfully navigated a similar situation last year. I was doing freelance graphic design work and got accepted into a coding bootcamp. Here's what worked for me: First, I documented EVERYTHING about my contract endings - emails, project completion dates, whether clients offered renewals or not. This was crucial when EDD asked for details during my phone interview. Second, I applied for UI as soon as my legitimate contracts ended, BEFORE starting my training program. Got approved first, then applied for California Training Benefits. The key was establishing that valid UI claim first based on actual job loss, not voluntary departure. The CTB application was intense - they wanted detailed career plans, labor market research showing demand for my new field, and proof the training would lead to "suitable employment." But it was worth it because once approved, I could focus on learning without the weekly job search requirements. One tip: when you talk to EDD, emphasize how the electrical field has strong job prospects and how this apprenticeship will make you more employable. They like seeing that you're training for in-demand work, not just any random program. Also, definitely reach out to your local Building Trades Council if there is one. They sometimes have emergency funds specifically for people entering electrical apprenticeships. The financial stress was real, but getting through that unpaid period was so worth it. You're making a smart investment in your future!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just got approved for benefits this week and have been searching everywhere in UI Online for the direct deposit setup. It's so frustrating that they don't make this more obvious or let you set it up right when your claim gets approved. Based on what everyone is saying here, it sounds like I'll need to wait until after I certify for my first week before the option even appears. Has anyone had success calling EDD directly to get this set up early, or do we really have to wait for that first payment cycle? I'm hoping to avoid the Money Network card entirely if possible.

I had this exact same frustration when I first got approved! The direct deposit option is essentially locked until you complete your first certification cycle. Here's what worked for me: 1) Make sure your ID.me verification is 100% complete (you can check this in your account profile), 2) Certify for your first week this Sunday, 3) Wait 3-5 business days for EDD to process that payment, 4) Log back into UI Online and look for "Payment Method" or "Payment Preferences" - it should finally appear after your first payment processes. I know it's backwards that you can't set it up beforehand, but that's just how their system works. The good news is once you get it configured, direct deposit is much faster than waiting for the card! Pro tip: have your bank routing/account numbers and a voided check ready because they'll need to verify your account with micro deposits before fully activating it.