Make sure you have COPIES of all your paystubs before sending anything to EDD!! I sent all my original documents for a similiar situation and they LOST THEM!!! Had to go back to my employer to get everything reprinted. Such a pain!!

Update from my earlier comment: I forgot to mention that if your benefit amount does get recalculated and increased, make sure to check if you're also eligible for Fed-Ed benefits depending on when your claim started. This can extend your benefit period if you meet the earnings threshold, which you likely will if your WBA increases significantly.

my cousin works at edd and she says theyre super backed up right now cuz of layoffs in the tech industry. lots of people filing new claims so everything is slower than normal

Update on your options: After you manage to speak with an EDD representative, they can: 1. Confirm if your card has been issued and provide a tracking number 2. Expedite a replacement card (5-7 business days instead of 10-14) 3. In extreme hardship cases, they can sometimes arrange an emergency payment at a physical office Regarding the direct deposit option another user mentioned - this is still being rolled out gradually to all claimants, so you may not have access yet. It typically becomes available after your first payment cycle is complete. I'd focus on getting through to EDD first thing tomorrow morning. The first hour they're open is usually the best time to call.

I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but have you considered requesting a waiver for your overpayment? If it wasn't your fault (like if EDD made the mistake or if paying it back would cause significant financial hardship), you can file for an overpayment waiver. I did this last year and got about half of my $6200 overpayment waived. It took about 3 months to process but was worth it. You can find the DE 1446W form on the EDD website.

Just to clarify some misinformation I'm seeing in this thread: The Treasury Offset Program (TOP) works independently from your payment plan with EDD. Even if you're making regular payments, your tax refund can still be intercepted if your debt has been certified for offset. The good news is that any amount intercepted will reduce your overall debt balance. If your refund is intercepted, you should receive a notice from the Department of Treasury explaining the offset and providing contact information. Any disputes about the offset need to be directed to EDD, not the IRS or FTB. Also worth noting that federal refunds may be applied to state debts under certain circumstances through reciprocal agreements between California and the federal government.

The whole system is designed to TRAP people! They make the rules complicated on PURPOSE so they can deny benefits and save money. I've seen it happen over and over. You report honestly and still get punished because some random EDD worker doesn't understand their own rules. The whole thing is BROKEN!

Quick update on what you should expect: When you call EDD about this, ask to speak with a tier 2 representative who can make determinations about your eligibility. Regular representatives might not be familiar with how settlements are handled. Make sure to emphasize that your settlement was for physical injuries and medical expenses, not for lost wages or employment-related issues. The distinction matters significantly for how it's treated. Also, document the call - get the representative's ID number and write down when you called and what was discussed. This will help if there are any issues later.

@user4 It took about 3 weeks from application to starting the program. I had to do an assessment test and interview. The key is proving you're committed to completing it. They told me they have programs for healthcare, construction trades, CDL licensing, and IT. The stipend amounts vary depending on the program. Good luck!

@user6 - That's a separate question but I'll answer quickly: If you were hospitalized and unable to work, you should mark that you were NOT available for work during that week. However, this may make you ineligible for benefits for that specific week. You can still certify and explain in the comments section that you were hospitalized. If you're going to be unable to work for an extended period due to medical reasons, you might want to look into State Disability Insurance instead. @user4 - Back to your question about extensions: Sometimes the EDD introduces special programs when economic conditions change. Keep certifying as long as your UI Online account allows you to, even after receiving the exhaustion notice. This keeps your claim active in case any new extension programs become available.

To answer your follow-up question: No, you cannot extend a claim that's reaching its benefit year end date, even if there's a balance remaining. The balance unfortunately doesn't carry over. It's best to file online when prompted. You'll see a notice in UI Online when your benefit year is ending. Filing online is generally faster than calling, and you can do it 24/7. However, if you have special circumstances or wages that might not be in their system, calling might be necessary. One important note: You must have earned enough wages in your new base period to qualify for a new claim. If you haven't worked since your last claim began, you might not qualify for a new regular UI claim.

for your mailbox question, the card just comes in regular mail. doesn't look like anything special just a plain envelope. my friend didnt even realize what it was and almost threw it away lol. so keep an eye out!

One more thing - before you go to an AJCC office or use any service, make sure you're clear on exactly what issue you need help with. Is your claim pending? Is it disqualified? Are you trying to file a new claim? Each problem has different solutions. For a pending claim that's been stuck for 6+ weeks, that usually means either: 1. An eligibility interview is needed (you'd see this scheduled in UI Online) 2. Identity verification issue (check for any messages about ID.me) 3. Wage verification problem 4. Former employer contested your claim Knowing the specific issue will help you explain it better to whoever you reach.

I just went thru this nightmare scenario. After months of trying I finally got my claim fixed. What worked for me: 1. Called exactly at 8:01am (not 8:00 - the system is still booting up) 2. Used the 2511 number NOT the 5616 number 3. Press 1, then wait for all prompts, then press 24 TOOK ME 14 TRIES over 3 days but I finally got thru. Then had to wait 2.5 hrs on hold but the rep fixed my pending payments in 10 minutes once I got someone. Don't waste time going to AJCC unless you've completely exhausted phone and assembly member options.

Unpopular opinion maybe, but you should've applied immediately after being laid off instead of waiting a month. You essentially left money on the table that you were entitled to. The system already gives us the bare minimum - don't give them reasons to give you even less!

One thing to keep in mind: if your unemployment benefits are going to expire soon and you're still struggling to find work, make sure you update your résumé on CalJOBS and actively use the platform. Not only is this required for your work search activities, but sometimes employers specifically look for candidates who are nearing the end of their benefits, as there are occasional hiring incentives for employers who hire people in that situation. Also, depending on your industry and circumstances, you might want to look into whether you qualify for any retraining programs through EDD's Training Benefits program. This won't extend your benefits, but it can provide valuable skills that might help you land a job faster.

One important point that hasn't been mentioned: while you're waiting for this to be resolved, make absolutely sure you continue certifying for benefits every two weeks on your regular schedule. Even if your payments get temporarily paused during this process, keeping up with your certifications ensures you'll get backpay for those weeks if the determination remains in your favor. Also, take detailed notes during your interview. Write down the interviewer's name, ID number if provided, and key points discussed. This can be valuable if you need to reference the conversation later or if you have to appeal.

jst wondering did u get laid off or fired? cuz thats diffrent 4 edd rite?

my payment still procesed before my interview even happend. i think they just do these to check random ppl but still pay u

Thanks everyone for all the responses! This has really calmed my nerves. I'm going to get all my documentation ready and make sure I'm available for the call. It's good to know this is mostly routine now and not specifically because there's a problem with my claim. I'll update after my interview!