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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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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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Has anyone tried the local Assembly member route? My cousin was stuck for over a month and then contacted her district's Assembly person and they helped push it through within a week. Might be worth trying if the phone hell continues?
This is actually an excellent suggestion. Your state Assembly member or Senator's office often has dedicated staff who work on constituent services, including EDD issues. They have established channels to escalate problems. For anyone considering this option, visit findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov to locate your representatives. Their office will typically require you to complete a privacy release form allowing them to inquire about your claim.
I hadn't even thought of this option. I'll definitely try the phone again tomorrow, but if that doesn't work I'll look up my Assembly member. Thank you!
Just wanted to update - I finally got through! The trick was calling the 833 number at exactly 8:01am and following the menu options that @profile1 suggested. Waited about 35 minutes but finally spoke to someone. Turns out I had an identity verification issue that wasn't showing on my online account. The rep helped clear it up and my pending payments should be processed in 24-48 hours. Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!
congrats!!! so jealous but happy for u lol. gives me hope for my next pending disaster
That's amazing news! I'm so glad you got through and got it resolved. Identity verification issues seem to be really common right now. I'm definitely going to try the 8:01am call tomorrow using those exact menu options. Fingers crossed I have the same success!
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This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation with my benefits expiring in about 6 weeks. I've been taking some free coding courses on freeCodeCamp and was worried I'd have to start over completely. After reading all these responses, I'm planning to visit my local AJCC office next week to explore the community college and Calbright options mentioned here. One additional resource I found that might help others - the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has a program locator tool on their website where you can search for career education programs by field and location. I used it to find several data analytics and computer programming certificates in my area that are likely on the ETPL list. It's at cccco.edu if anyone wants to check it out. Also wanted to thank @Oliver Zimmermann for posting this question originally - your situation sounds almost identical to mine and this thread probably saved me from making the same Coursera mistake! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and resources here.
Thanks for sharing that community college program locator tool @Nick Kravitz! That's exactly the kind of resource I was looking for. I just checked it out and found several programs in my area that I hadn't considered before. It's amazing how many options are actually available once you know where to look. I'm also planning to visit my local AJCC office soon - seems like that's the consistent advice everyone is giving here. It's reassuring to hear from so many people who've successfully navigated this process, even though it initially seemed so confusing and overwhelming. This thread really shows the value of community knowledge sharing! Good luck with your AJCC visit - hope you find a program that works for your goals and timeline!
As someone who just went through this process, I wanted to add that timing is absolutely critical! I made the mistake of waiting too long to start the paperwork and almost had a gap in my benefits. Here's what I wish I'd known earlier: 1. Start the process AT LEAST 6 weeks before your benefits expire if possible 2. Have backup options ready - I applied to 3 different programs just in case one fell through 3. Keep detailed records of all your communications with EDD, AJCC, and schools - you'll need to reference them later 4. Some AJCC offices are way more helpful than others - if yours isn't responsive, try calling a different location in your area Also, for anyone considering the community college route - many offer "short-term career training" programs that are 6 months or less and specifically designed for UI recipients. These are often fast-tracked for ETPL approval. I ended up in a 4-month cybersecurity program that got me both the benefits extension AND landed me a job before I even finished! Don't give up if the first person you talk to says "no" - keep pushing and asking to speak to supervisors. The system is confusing but it absolutely works if you're persistent!
This is such valuable advice, thank you @Aurora St.Pierre! Your point about starting 6 weeks early really hits home - I'm cutting it way too close with only 3 weeks left on my benefits. The backup options strategy is brilliant too, I hadn't thought of applying to multiple programs simultaneously. I'm curious about your cybersecurity program - was that through a community college or a different type of institution? And did you have any prior IT experience, or were you completely switching fields? I'm trying to gauge whether someone like me coming from retail management could realistically succeed in a tech-focused program while also dealing with the stress of the whole benefits situation. Also, that's amazing that you landed a job before finishing the program! Did employers seem to value that you were in an EDD-approved training program, or was it more about the specific skills you were learning? Just trying to understand if there are any additional benefits to these approved programs beyond just the benefits extension.
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Just wanted to add my experience to help ease your worries! I went through this exact situation last year when I got married in the middle of being laid off. I was so stressed about the name mismatch, but it turned out to be way less complicated than I thought. Like others have said, definitely use your Social Security name when filing - that's what they match everything against. I brought my marriage certificate to the EDD office (this was pre-pandemic when you could still walk in) and they just made a copy for their records. The whole thing was resolved in about 10 days. The EDD staff told me they see this situation constantly, especially during wedding season! You're definitely not the first person to deal with this, so don't let the anxiety get to you. You have all the right documentation and you'll be fine! Congrats on the marriage btw! 🎊
This is so reassuring to hear! I'm actually in a very similar situation right now - got married last month and just found out I might be getting laid off next week. Your timeline of 10 days gives me hope that it won't drag on forever. The fact that you were able to walk into an EDD office back then sounds like it made things so much easier! I'm wondering - when you brought your marriage certificate, did they ask for any other documents or was that sufficient along with your Social Security card? Thanks for sharing your experience and the congrats! 💕
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Just got married two months ago and my employer announced layoffs yesterday. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - I had no idea this was such a common issue. It's really reassuring to see that so many people have navigated this successfully. I'm planning to follow the advice about using my Social Security name and having all my documents ready. One question though - for those who went through this, did you file online or over the phone? I'm wondering if one method is easier than the other when you have a name change situation. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! 🤞
Hey Andre! I actually just went through this process a few months ago and I filed online - it was super straightforward! The online system has a section where you can upload supporting documents, which made it really easy to attach my marriage certificate right away. I think online might actually be better than phone because you have everything documented and can take your time filling it out without feeling rushed. Plus you avoid the whole "trying to get someone on the phone" nightmare that everyone's been talking about! Just make sure you have all your docs scanned and ready to upload before you start. Good luck with everything! 🍀
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I'm currently going through this exact same situation and this thread has been incredibly valuable! Just got my letter yesterday about losing Medi-Cal due to unemployment putting me over the income threshold. Reading everyone's experiences has transformed my panic into actual hope. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed advice about Enhanced Silver plans and the tip about getting 90-day prescription refills while Medi-Cal is still active. I had no idea there were subsidized options specifically designed for people in our income bracket - the $28-67/month premiums people mentioned are so much more manageable than I expected. Planning to start my application online tonight and call first thing tomorrow morning at 8 AM. It's amazing how much less overwhelming this feels when you understand the actual process and timeline. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - you're literally helping people navigate one of the most stressful situations unemployment can throw at you!
@Khalid Howes I m'dealing with this same situation right now too! Got my letter on Monday and have been stressed all week about it. This thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea about the Enhanced Silver plans or that there were subsidies available for people in our income range. The tip about having your EDD payment stub ready is really helpful - I wouldn t'have thought to gather that documentation beforehand. I m'planning to call tomorrow too, so maybe we ll'both have good news to share! It s'crazy how much better this feels when you realize there are actually affordable options available instead of just losing coverage entirely. Thanks for sharing your timeline - knowing you re'going through the exact same process right now makes it feel less isolating. We ve'got this!
@Khalid Howes @Marcus Marsh Best of luck to both of you calling tomorrow! I went through this transition about 6 months ago and it s such'a relief once you get through to them and see your actual options. One thing that really helped me prepare was writing down all my questions beforehand - things like What s "the'effective date of coverage? , Are"my "current doctors in-network? , and"What are "the prescription copays? Having a" list kept me focused during the call instead of forgetting important details. Also, don t be'surprised if they offer you multiple Silver plan options with different trade-offs between monthly premiums and copays. Take notes on each one so you can compare them properly. The Enhanced Silver plans 87, 94 (really are) designed perfectly for people transitioning off Medi-Cal due to unemployment income. You re both'going to do great! This community has been so helpful for navigating these transitions - please update us on how your calls go tomorrow. The hardest part is behind you now that you know what to expect!
I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this thread has been such a lifesaver! Just got my Covered California letter on Tuesday saying my unemployment benefits put me over the Medi-Cal income limit. Reading everyone's success stories with the Enhanced Silver plans has completely changed my perspective - I went from total panic to actually feeling optimistic about finding affordable coverage. The fact that so many people ended up with monthly premiums under $50 and low copays is incredible. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here about starting my application online tonight and calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow. The tip about having my EDD payment documentation ready is so helpful - I would have been scrambling to find that during the call. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had experience with how the Silver plans compare to Medi-Cal for things like urgent care visits or emergency room coverage? I tend to get respiratory infections that sometimes need urgent care, and I want to make sure I understand what my out-of-pocket costs might look like. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these confusing transitions!
@Asher Levin Great question about urgent care and ER coverage! I went through this transition about 8 months ago and was worried about the same thing since I also deal with respiratory issues that sometimes need immediate attention. With my Silver 94 plan, urgent care visits are $25 copays compared (to $0 with Medi-Cal ,)and ER visits are $150 if you re'not admitted to the hospital. It s'definitely more expensive than Medi-Cal, but still very manageable compared to what you d'pay without insurance. Plus, if you do get admitted from the ER, that $150 copay gets waived. One thing I discovered is that many Silver plans also cover telehealth visits for only $5-10, which has been great for those times when I m'not sure if I need urgent care or can handle things with a prescription. Sometimes a quick video call with a doctor can save you that urgent care visit entirely. The Enhanced Silver plans really do have excellent coverage - the cost-sharing reductions make them almost as comprehensive as Medi-Cal. You re'going to be in good shape once you get enrolled! Good luck with your call tomorrow morning!
@Asher Levin I just went through this transition last month and had similar concerns about urgent care costs! With my Silver 87 plan, urgent care visits are $20 copays and ER visits are $125 waived (if admitted .)It s'more than Medi-Cal s'$0 copays but still very reasonable. One tip that s'saved me money - many Silver plans include 24/7 nurse hotlines where you can call and get advice on whether you actually need urgent care or if it can wait for a regular appointment. I ve'used this twice for respiratory symptoms and both times they helped me determine I could manage with my primary care doctor the next day instead of paying for urgent care. Also, if you have ongoing respiratory issues, make sure to ask about the prescription coverage when you call tomorrow. My inhaler went from free under Medi-Cal to $15 copay with Silver, which is still totally manageable. The Enhanced Silver plans really do maintain most of the benefits you re'used to with just slightly higher copays. You re'going to do great tomorrow! Having your documentation ready and calling right at 8 AM will make all the difference.
Selena Bautista
I'm a case worker who's handled hundreds of these situations, and I want to give you some peace of mind. Your UI overpayment will absolutely NOT affect your PFL baby bonding claim since it's non-fraud and you're actively making payments. Here's what's actually happening behind the scenes: When you have an active payment plan, EDD flags your account as "compliant" which means you're meeting your obligations. This prevents any automatic offsets or garnishments from other programs. The computer systems literally can't touch your PFL benefits while you're current on your plan. The 2-week wait is completely normal - we're actually seeing faster processing times now than we have in years. Your claim is probably sitting in a queue waiting for final review, not because of any issues but simply due to volume. One quick tip: If you want to check status without calling, log into your EDD account and look under "Claim History" - if there are no pending items or requests for additional info, you're just waiting in the normal processing queue. Keep making those monthly payments and enjoy this time with your baby girl. Everything will work out fine!
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Jamal Wilson
•This is incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who works directly with these cases! Thank you for explaining what's happening behind the scenes - I had no idea about the "compliant" flag system. That makes so much sense. I just checked my EDD account and you're right, there are no pending items or requests for additional info under Claim History. I'm definitely going to stop obsessing over checking it multiple times a day now. Your explanation has given me so much peace of mind during what should be a joyful time with my daughter. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your professional insight!
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MidnightRider
I'm currently going through a very similar situation! I have a UI overpayment from last year (around $2,100) and just applied for PFL bonding benefits for my newborn son. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful and reassuring. Like you, my overpayment was non-fraud - just a wage reporting discrepancy between what I reported and what my employer reported. I've been on a payment plan for about 5 months now and haven't missed a payment. My PFL claim has been pending for about 10 days so far. It's such a relief to hear from multiple people, including professionals, that these programs are truly separate and that being compliant with your payment plan protects your PFL benefits. The stress of new parenthood combined with financial uncertainty is really overwhelming, but this thread has given me so much peace of mind. Thanks for asking this question - I'm sure there are other new parents out there in similar situations who will benefit from all the great information shared here!
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Ava Martinez
•I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! It's crazy how common this situation seems to be - makes me feel less alone in dealing with it. Congratulations on your newborn son! 🎉 The combination of new parent exhaustion plus EDD stress is definitely no joke. I've been losing sleep over this (on top of the normal newborn sleep deprivation), but reading everyone's experiences here has really helped calm my nerves. It sounds like you're in an even better position than me with 5 months of consistent payments already - that should definitely show EDD you're committed to resolving the overpayment properly. Hopefully both our claims get approved soon so we can focus on what really matters - enjoying this special time with our babies! Keep me posted on how your claim progresses. It's nice to know someone else is going through the exact same thing right now.
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