Dont forget that when you file taxes next year, the EDD can cross reference with IRS and see if you had income you didnt report while on unemployment. Better safe than sorry!

I went through something similar last year and ended up calling EDD to get clarity. The rep I spoke with explained it this way: if you're just moving money from one account to another (like withdrawing cash from savings or brokerage), that's not income. But if you made money on investments (capital gains), that IS income and should be reported. Since you mentioned you had $240 in gains, I'd definitely report that amount. It's better to be transparent than risk an audit later. The EDD system can be confusing, but they're really looking for any NEW money you earned, not money you're just moving around between your own accounts.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! EDD card fraud is unfortunately really common. In addition to what others have said, make sure you also: - Change your PIN immediately if you haven't already - Check if there are any other unauthorized transactions you might have missed - Ask EDD about getting a replacement card sent to a secure address - Consider setting up account alerts if that's an option The key is to document EVERYTHING - dates, times, reference numbers from calls, names of representatives you speak with. This paper trail will be crucial if you need to escalate. Don't let them brush you off if they don't refund the full amount the first time. You have rights as a victim of fraud! Stay strong and keep pushing. It's frustrating but you will get through this. 💪

Hey Liam, I feel for you - this exact thing happened to me about 6 months ago and it was such a stressful experience. The good news is that you CAN get your money back, but you'll need to be really persistent. Here's what worked for me: I called EDD first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) and kept redial-ing until I got through. It took about 2 hours of calling, but I finally reached someone. They opened a fraud investigation and gave me a case number - make sure you get one! Then I also called Bank of America's EDD card customer service line (1-866-692-9374) and filed a dispute claim there too. Having both EDD and BoA working on it from different angles seemed to speed things up. The whole process took about 6 weeks, but I got every penny back. The key is don't give up and keep calling for updates every week or so. I know it's exhausting but you've got this! Also, once you get your money back, definitely transfer it to your personal bank account right away like Emma mentioned. These cards are way too vulnerable to fraud. Hope this helps and hang in there! 💪

I'm really glad to see you're getting such great advice here! As someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago, I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me during the EDD process. When you have your eligibility interview, they might ask you something like "Did you consider any other options before quitting?" Be prepared to explain what you tried - like reporting to HR, talking to your manager directly (if you did), or even looking into transfers within the company. The key is showing that quitting was truly your last resort. Also, if you haven't already, try to get a copy of your company's harassment policy from the employee handbook. If they failed to follow their own procedures after you reported the harassment, that can actually strengthen your case for good cause. The emotional toll of dealing with workplace harassment is real, and it sounds like you made the right choice for your health and wellbeing. The unemployment process can feel overwhelming, but you're clearly being thorough and proactive about documenting everything. That preparation will really pay off during your interview. Best of luck - you've got this!

I'm so sorry you had to endure that kind of workplace harassment - it's incredibly brave of you to prioritize your mental health and leave that toxic environment. From what you've described, you absolutely have a valid case for "good cause" unemployment benefits. A few additional tips that might help strengthen your claim: 1. **Medical documentation is key** - When you get that updated doctor's note, ask them to specifically link your health issues (anxiety, insomnia) to the workplace harassment. The more medically detailed, the better. 2. **Prepare for the employer pushback** - Your former employer will likely contest your claim and may try to frame this as a performance issue. Having your detailed documentation will be crucial to counter their narrative. 3. **Be ready for specific questions** - During your eligibility interview, they'll want to know exactly what steps you took before quitting. Walk them through your reports to HR, any conversations with management, and why those efforts failed to resolve the situation. 4. **Save everything** - Keep all your documentation organized and easily accessible. Include emails, text messages, your journal entries with dates, medical records, and any witness information. The process can be lengthy and EDD often denies legitimate claims initially, but don't let that discourage you. Many people win on appeal with proper documentation. You're already doing everything right by being so thorough with your record-keeping. Stay strong - you made the right choice for your health, and you deserve those benefits while you look for a better work environment!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I feel your frustration Norman - the EDD system is notoriously difficult to navigate and it sounds like you got caught in the endless loop that so many of us face. The 1-3-3-0 sequence rarely works during peak hours. Have you tried calling very early in the morning (around 8:00-8:02 AM) or using the Spanish line option which sometimes has shorter wait times? Also, some people have had success with the 833-978-2511 number instead. Don't give up - many of us have been in your exact situation and eventually got through. Keep trying different strategies and times of day.

I'm new to this community and just went through almost the exact same situation! My EDD appeal results came back mixed about two weeks ago - some weeks showing PAID and others showing excessive earnings. I was initially terrified about potential overpayments, but after reading through all these helpful responses, I finally understand the difference. The 'excessive earnings' designation simply means you earned more than your weekly benefit amount during those specific weeks, so you weren't eligible for benefits. Since EDD never paid you for those weeks in the first place, there's absolutely nothing to repay. It's completely different from an actual overpayment situation. For the weeks showing as PAID, that's great news! It means the appeal judge reviewed your case and determined you were wrongfully denied benefits. In my experience, those payments processed to my EDD debit card about 8 business days after the status changed in the portal. I know the waiting is stressful, especially when you can't get through to EDD by phone (I tried for literally two weeks straight!), but the official determination letter really does explain everything clearly when it arrives. Hang in there - it sounds like your appeal was largely successful!

I'm new to this community and just went through a very similar situation with my EDD appeal! My portal updated about a month ago with the same mixed results - some weeks showing PAID and others showing excessive earnings. I was absolutely terrified about potential overpayments until I found threads like this one. What really helped me was understanding that 'excessive earnings' just means you made more than your weekly benefit amount during those specific weeks, so you weren't eligible for benefits. Since EDD never actually paid you for those weeks, there's nothing to repay - it's completely different from an overpayment situation. For your PAID weeks, that's fantastic news! It means the appeal judge found you were wrongfully denied benefits. In my case, those payments showed up on my EDD debit card about 9 business days after the status changed in the portal. I also couldn't get through to EDD by phone for weeks (their system is terrible!), so I ended up just waiting for the official determination letter. When it finally arrived, it explained exactly why each week was approved or denied, which gave me so much peace of mind. Hang in there - it sounds like your appeal was mostly successful! The waiting is the hardest part, but you're definitely on the right track.