I've been following this thread as someone who went through a very similar EDD interview about a year ago, and I wanted to share what ultimately made the difference in my case getting approved. The most important thing I learned is that EDD isn't just looking at whether your workplace was "bad" - they're specifically evaluating whether you had "good cause" under California law, which means any reasonable person in your situation would have quit too. Your case actually checks all the major boxes they look for: 1. You documented the issues by speaking with HR (twice!) 2. You sought medical help and got professional recommendations 3. You requested a reasonable accommodation to try to stay employed 4. Your employer denied that accommodation despite medical backing 5. You only quit when all other reasonable alternatives were exhausted During my interview, the agent spent most of the time asking about what steps I took to try to resolve the situation before quitting. The fact that you have emails from those HR conversations is huge - it shows you followed proper channels and gives you specific dates and details to reference. One thing that really helped me was framing my responses around the legal concept of "constructive discharge" - basically that my employer created working conditions so intolerable that any reasonable person would have felt compelled to resign. The denied medical accommodation after your doctor's recommendation is actually perfect evidence of this. You're going to do great on Monday! Make sure to emphasize that you "had good cause to quit" and "no reasonable alternative but to resign." The preparation you've done shows you understand exactly what EDD needs to hear.

I just wanted to add my experience since I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago and was successfully approved for benefits. Your case sounds really solid - having those HR emails documenting your attempts to resolve the issues is crucial, and the denied medical accommodation request is actually one of the strongest pieces of evidence you could have. During my interview, the EDD agent was very focused on whether I had tried to preserve my employment before quitting. They asked specifically about: - What steps I took to address the problems - Whether I had any documentation of those efforts - If I explored reasonable accommodations - Why those accommodations weren't sufficient The fact that you have a doctor's note recommending reduced hours that was formally denied by your employer shows you made genuine efforts to find a solution that would allow you to stay employed despite the health impacts. That's exactly what EDD considers "good cause" for leaving. One thing that helped me stay calm during the interview was remembering that the agent isn't there to judge whether your situation was "fair" - they just need to determine if you met the legal standard for having good cause to quit. With your documentation and the clear timeline of escalating issues → medical intervention → accommodation request → denial → resignation, you've built exactly the kind of case they're looking for. Try to get some rest this weekend and trust in your preparation. You've done everything right and have the documentation to back it up. Looking forward to hearing about your positive outcome on Monday!

I've been dealing with Money Network transfers for about a year now, and here's my take: the 1-2 business day timeframe is mostly accurate, but there are definitely exceptions. I've noticed that transfers initiated on Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the most reliable. One thing that really helped me was calling my bank (Wells Fargo) directly to ask about their specific ACH processing schedule. They told me incoming transfers from Money Network typically post to accounts around 6am on business days, which helped me set realistic expectations. Also, if you're in a real pinch for cash and can't wait for the transfer, you can use your Money Network card to buy a money order at the post office or grocery store, then deposit that into your account - it's not ideal but it can be same-day access to your funds if you're desperate.

I've been using Money Network for almost two years now and wanted to share a few additional tips that might help newcomers. First, if you have multiple bank accounts, it's worth testing transfers to each one to see which processes faster - I found my smaller local credit union actually beats my big national bank by half a day consistently. Second, Money Network sends email confirmations when transfers are initiated AND when they're completed on their end, so make sure those emails aren't going to spam. Finally, if you're really in a bind and need faster access, some check-cashing places will cash out your full Money Network balance for a fee (usually around $3-5), which might be worth it in emergency situations. The system definitely has its quirks, but once you learn the timing patterns it becomes much more manageable!

One more thing - make sure you keep track of all your wages from both jobs for the past 18 months or so. Sometimes EDD's system doesn't capture everything correctly, especially with multiple jobs. Having your paystubs or wage statements ready can save you a lot of headaches if there are any discrepancies. When you file your claim, you'll be asked to provide employer information for all your jobs during the base period. Make sure to include both the restaurant and your IHSS work (your county/public authority should be listed as the employer for IHSS, not your son). Best of luck with your baby! The system can be confusing but once you get through the paperwork, it's so worth it to have that time with your newborn!

Hey Zainab! I was in a very similar situation when I had my daughter last year - working part-time at a retail job plus doing IHSS for my elderly mother. Just wanted to add a few things that helped me: 1. When you file your PFL claim online, there's a section where you can list multiple employers. Make sure to include both your restaurant AND list your county's public authority as your IHSS employer (not your son's name). 2. For the doctor's certification forms, ask your OB at your next appointment if they can give you the forms early so you can get familiar with them. Some doctors prefer to fill them out closer to your due date, but having them ready saves time. 3. Keep digital copies of everything! I had to resubmit some paperwork when they said they didn't receive it the first time. The good news is with two steady jobs paying into SDI, you should definitely qualify and probably get a decent benefit amount. I was getting about 65% of my combined wages from both jobs. Don't let the horror stories scare you - plenty of us get through the process just fine! Feel free to reach out if you have questions as you get closer to filing!

As a complete newcomer to this system, I can't believe how much I've learned from this thread! I'm just getting started with my unemployment application and had absolutely no clue about the Money Network card details. The fact that the envelope is so plain that people regularly throw it away seems like such an obvious design problem - why wouldn't they put "UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS" or "DO NOT DISCARD" on the outside? Reading everyone's real experiences has been way more helpful than anything on the official EDD site. I'm definitely signing up for USPS Informed Delivery right now based on all these recommendations, and it's reassuring to know Money Network's customer service is actually reachable unlike EDD's. The direct deposit option to avoid future card mail stress sounds like a lifesaver too. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed, practical advice - this community support makes the whole process feel less intimidating for those of us just starting out!

As someone who's completely new to the unemployment system and hasn't even filed my first claim yet, this entire discussion has been absolutely eye-opening! I had no idea that something as crucial as unemployment benefits would arrive in such a plain, easily-mistaken envelope. It seems like such a fundamental design flaw that's practically guaranteed to cause anxiety and confusion for recipients. Reading through everyone's shared experiences and timelines has been incredibly valuable - the 7-14 business day window, the generic "Money Network Cardholder Services" return address from South Dakota, and especially the complete lack of EDD branding on the outside. I'm definitely signing up for USPS Informed Delivery immediately based on all these recommendations, even before I start my application process. The tip about Money Network customer service being more accessible than EDD's direct lines is also really valuable to know. It's amazing how much more practical, actionable information I've gotten from this community thread than from any official EDD documentation. Thanks to everyone for being so generous with sharing your real-world experiences - it makes this intimidating process feel much more manageable for newcomers like me!

Hey Wesley! I just went through this exact same situation about two months ago, and I totally understand your panic - especially with rent coming due. The good news is that "conditional payment" actually means you'll likely continue receiving payments while they do their review, rather than having them stopped completely. Here's what worked for me: I called EDD right at 8:00 AM sharp and explained my urgent financial situation (rent due, bills piling up). They were actually pretty understanding and moved my interview up by about 10 days. The key is being persistent but polite when explaining the hardship. Since you mentioned the restaurant closed suddenly and your employer is hard to reach, definitely check your UI Online account under "Claim History" to see how they reported your separation. If it shows anything other than "layoff" or "lack of work," that could be exactly why you're under review. I had a similar issue where my employer initially reported my separation incorrectly. For your interview prep, gather any evidence of the restaurant closure you can find - closure signs, local news articles, even social media posts from the business. Also, organize your job search records by date with specific company names and application methods. They asked me detailed questions about at least 6-7 of my applications. The waiting is absolutely the worst part, but try not to stress too much. My interview took about 20 minutes, and all my conditional payments were released within 48 hours afterward. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I literally just went through this exact situation last month! Got the same "Notice of Conditional Payment Pending Eligibility Review" after being laid off from my hotel management job when the property was sold. The panic you're feeling is totally normal - I was convinced they were going to deny my claim entirely. But here's what actually happened: I continued receiving conditional payments throughout the entire review process, and after my eligibility interview (which took about 2.5 weeks to get scheduled), all payments were immediately converted to regular status. A few things that really helped me: - I called EDD at exactly 8:02 AM and explained my rent deadline was approaching - they actually expedited my interview by about a week - I prepared a simple document with my job search activities organized by date, company, position, and application method - Since your restaurant closed suddenly, definitely have any closure documentation ready (I had photos of "permanently closed" signs which helped explain the situation) The interview itself was maybe 12 minutes and very straightforward - they just verified my layoff details and asked about 4-5 specific job applications. The interviewer was professional and seemed to understand that restaurant closures have been common. Most importantly: you WILL get through this! The conditional payment system is actually designed to help you while they verify everything. Keep certifying on schedule and try not to let the uncertainty overwhelm you. Wishing you the best!