This entire thread is exactly what I needed to read today! I just got off the phone with EDD after 47 calls (yes, I counted) and got the same conditional payment promise within 48 hours. My situation is pretty similar to Effie's - been pending for 8 weeks, down to my last few dollars, and honestly starting to panic about basic expenses. Reading everyone's real timelines (2-5 business days seems to be the norm despite what they tell you) helps me set realistic expectations instead of obsessively checking my account every hour for the next two days. Got my CP confirmation number and took screenshots of everything per the great advice here. What really gives me hope is seeing how many people eventually got ALL their back weeks released at once when the conditional payments kicked in. That's a lot of money hitting at once after months of stress - I can only imagine the relief! Also appreciate all the practical tips about continuing to certify, checking the EDD inbox regularly, and being prepared for overnight batch processing around 2 AM. This community has been more helpful than EDD customer service ever was. Will definitely post an update once my payments come through to add another data point for future people going through this nightmare!

This thread is giving me so much hope! I've been stuck in pending status for 9 weeks now and have been calling EDD daily with no success. Reading about Effie's 36-hour turnaround and seeing all the other success stories here is keeping me motivated to keep trying. I'm definitely going to attempt the Tuesday 8 AM strategy and ask for a CP confirmation number when I finally get through. The tip about taking screenshots before everything changes is genius - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense for documentation purposes. My biggest fear has been that EDD would just keep stringing me along indefinitely, but seeing how many people eventually got their conditional payments (even if it took longer than the promised 48 hours) shows that this system actually does work. The fact that most people got ALL their back weeks released at once is especially encouraging since I'm looking at over 2 months of pending payments. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - this community support means everything when you're dealing with such a broken system!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! I just wanted to add that you might want to document everything about your termination while it's still fresh in your memory. Write down exactly what your manager said, the date and time of the conversation, and any witnesses who were present. Also, if you received any emails about your performance or the termination, make sure to save those. Even if your manager seemed understanding, sometimes HR departments or upper management can change the story when they respond to EDD. Having your own clear record of what happened will help you stay consistent during the interview. One thing I learned from my own experience - they might ask you about your availability to work and any limitations you have. Make sure you're clear that you're ready and able to work full-time, actively looking for jobs, and have no restrictions that would prevent you from accepting suitable employment. The waiting is absolutely horrible, but based on what you've shared about your situation, this really sounds like a standard performance-related termination that shouldn't disqualify you from benefits. You're being smart by preparing thoroughly!

I'm going through almost the exact same thing right now! Filed on March 22nd after being let go for "performance reasons" and my eligibility interview isn't until April 8th. Like you, I can't certify for ANY weeks and it's driving me crazy. One thing that's helped me stay sane during this waiting period is setting up a daily routine of job searching and keeping detailed records of applications. Not only does it help with the anxiety of not having income coming in, but I know they'll ask about job search efforts during the interview. Also wanted to mention - if you're in a really tight spot financially, check if your utility companies have hardship programs. PG&E and other utilities often have emergency assistance for people waiting on unemployment benefits. It's not much but every little bit helps when you're stretching every dollar. The whole system really does seem designed to make people give up, but reading through all these responses gives me hope that it actually works out for people with legitimate claims like ours. Hang in there - we've got this! 🤞

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 had a similar issue trying to reach PFL. What worked for me was calling the SDI number (1-800-480-3287) that Katie mentioned, but I had to call right when they opened at 8 AM to get through. The wait times are brutal, but early morning seems to be your best bet. Also, make sure you have all your documents ready before calling since they'll ask for a lot of information to verify your claim.

I'm dealing with the same anxiety right now! My first EDD direct deposit shows "paid" since Wednesday but still nothing in my Chase account as of today (Friday). Reading all these comments has been such a relief - I had no idea this 3-5 day delay for first-time deposits was so common. I was starting to think I messed up my banking info or something! It's frustrating that EDD doesn't give you a heads up about this delay when you switch from the debit card. At least now I know this is normal and not to panic until it's been a full week. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when you're navigating all this unemployment stuff for the first time!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to this community and currently going through my first EDD direct deposit experience too. It's been 3 business days since my payment showed "paid" and I was starting to get really anxious about it. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like this 3-5 day delay for first-time direct deposits is completely normal, even though EDD doesn't warn you about it anywhere. I wish they would just add a simple note on their website explaining this! It would save so many people from the stress and worry. I'm going to wait until Monday before getting concerned, and I'll definitely set up those text alerts with my bank that someone mentioned. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community is amazing for helping newcomers navigate all the confusing parts of the unemployment process!

I've been struggling with my PFL application too. Has anyone had success getting through to an actual person recently? The wait times seem incredibly long and I keep getting disconnected. Also wondering if there are any specific documents I should have ready before calling to make the process smoother once I do get through.

As someone who's been through the PFL process, I'd recommend having these documents ready before calling: 1) Your Social Security card or number, 2) Birth certificate of the family member you're caring for (if applicable), 3) Medical certification forms from the doctor, 4) Your employment information including employer's name and address, and 5) Banking information for direct deposit setup. Also, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - I had better luck getting through then. The automated system Katie mentioned really does work if you follow those exact steps. Good luck everyone!