Update: I was able to get through to EDD (after being hung up on 4 times!) and they confirmed the issue is that my former employer is claiming I quit voluntarily. This is absolutely NOT true - I was laid off when they reduced staff. I'm going to contact my old manager to see if they'll provide a letter confirming this. Feeling slightly less panicked now that I understand what I'm fighting against.

I'm so glad you were able to get through to EDD and figure out what you're dealing with! The "quit vs layoff" issue is actually one of the more winnable overpayment cases if you have the right documentation. A few quick tips for your hearing on Friday: 1. If you can't reach your old manager, try to get ANY documentation from that time period - final paystub, unemployment application where you indicated "laid off," even social media posts mentioning being laid off can help establish timeline. 2. Be prepared to explain the business reasons for the layoff (slow business, staff reduction, etc.) - this shows it was employer-initiated, not your choice. 3. If your employer shows up to the hearing, stay calm even if they misrepresent what happened. Stick to the facts and let your documentation speak for itself. 4. Remember that EDD initially approved your claim without an interview - this suggests their own system found you eligible based on the information provided. You've got this! The fact that you're being proactive and gathering evidence puts you way ahead of most people at these hearings. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just want to add one more important point that might help others - if you're in that gray area where you're not sure if you're truly "disabled" enough for SDI, err on the side of caution and don't certify for UI. I made the mistake of thinking my condition wasn't "serious enough" for SDI and kept certifying for UI while my claim was pending. Turns out my doctor's note was sufficient for SDI approval, but I ended up with a $1,800 overpayment because I certified for UI during weeks I was technically disabled. The stress of dealing with that overpayment was worse than just waiting for the SDI decision in the first place. Better to be safe than sorry!

I went through something similar last year and learned the hard way that timing is everything with these claims. The key thing to understand is that your SDI claim has an "onset date" - the date your doctor says you became unable to work. From that date forward, you legally cannot certify for UI because you'd be stating you're "able and available" for work when medically you're not. I made the mistake of continuing to certify for UI "just until my SDI got approved" and ended up with a mess to clean up later. Even though it seems logical to keep getting UI payments while waiting, the system sees it as you claiming two conflicting things - that you can work (UI) and can't work (SDI) for the same time period. My advice: stop certifying for UI immediately if your disability onset date has passed. Yes, waiting for SDI approval while bills pile up is stressful, but dealing with overpayment demands later is way worse. SDI will pay you retroactively once approved, so you won't lose those benefits - you'll just get them as a lump sum instead of weekly payments. If you've already certified for weeks that overlap with your disability period, call EDD ASAP to report it. They're usually more lenient about fixing honest mistakes than discovering fraudulent claims later.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - fraud on unemployment cards seems to be happening way too often lately. Based on what others are sharing here, it sounds like you should prepare for potentially 2-4 weeks minimum for resolution, which I know doesn't help your immediate rent situation. A few things that might help while you wait: contact your landlord ASAP to explain the situation and see if they'll work with you on a payment plan or extension. Most landlords would rather work with you than go through eviction proceedings. Also check if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs - many do and they can sometimes help within just a few days. For the Money Network side, definitely take the advice about calling every few days and mentioning financial hardship. Sometimes being the squeaky wheel really does help. And yes, file that police report - it creates an official record that can strengthen your fraud claim. Hang in there - this system is absolutely terrible but you will get your money back eventually. Just focus on protecting your housing situation in the meantime.

I'm dealing with Money Network card fraud right now too - had $800 stolen from my account three weeks ago. Based on my experience so far, here's what I've learned that might help: 1. When you call Money Network, ask to speak with the "fraud resolution department" specifically - don't just go through regular customer service. They have different timelines and seem more empowered to help. 2. Get everything in writing via email if possible. I started requesting email confirmations of our phone conversations and it's made a huge difference in tracking progress. 3. Check if your state has any emergency UI assistance programs. California actually has some rapid response funds for situations like this, though they're not well publicized. 4. Document the financial impact this is having on you - late fees, inability to pay rent, etc. This can be used as evidence for expediting your case and potentially getting additional compensation beyond just the stolen amount. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you have bills due. I'm still waiting on mine but following these steps has at least made me feel like I have some control over the process. Stay strong and keep fighting - these fraudsters shouldn't get away with stealing from people who are already struggling!

i tried using that claimyr thing and got through today too! my problem was different tho, they said i answered a certification question wrong and that triggered a stop. rep fixed it in like 2 minutes once i finally got someone on the phone. why cant they just tell us whats wrong instead of making us guess??

I'm new to this community but dealing with the exact same certification issue right now! My UI Online account has been showing "no weeks available" since Monday even though I should have weeks left on my claim. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful - sounds like this is more widespread than I thought. I'm going to try the Claimyr service that a few people mentioned since calling directly hasn't worked for me either. Thanks for sharing your updates about what worked, it gives me hope that this can actually get resolved quickly once you reach the right person!

Update: I used TeleCert yesterday and it went through! The automated system is painfully slow but at least it worked. Still having trouble getting through to an actual person though. I have questions about why my last payment was less than I expected. Going to try the Claimyr thing as a last resort if I can't get through by Friday. Thanks everyone for all your help!

Just wanted to add - if you're still having trouble with TeleCert or need to speak with someone urgently, try calling the EDD switchboard at 1-800-480-3287 first thing Monday morning at exactly 8:00 AM. This number sometimes has shorter wait times than the main UI line. They can transfer you to the right department once connected. Also, check if your local library has free computer/internet access while yours is down. Most libraries let you use computers for 1-2 hours at a time, which would be enough to access UI Online and check for any important messages in your inbox. Some even have staff who can help navigate government websites if you're not sure what to look for. Hope your situation improves soon - the stress of dealing with EDD while unemployed is really tough. You're doing the right thing by staying on top of your certifications!