Hey Alberto, I just went through this exact same process last month and I totally understand the anxiety you're feeling right now. I was terminated for what my employer called "excessive absences" but it was really just 4 sick days over 6 months when I had the flu and food poisoning. The wait after the eligibility interview was absolutely brutal - I was checking my UI Online account like every hour and losing sleep over it. In my case, I got my determination letter exactly 8 business days after the interview, and thankfully I was approved! The interviewer had asked really detailed questions about each absence and whether I had tried to find coverage, etc. What really helped my case was having documentation - I had doctor's notes for the sick days which showed they were legitimate medical reasons. For your situation with the car breakdown, do you have any receipts from a mechanic or towing company? That kind of documentation could really strengthen your case by proving it was a genuine emergency beyond your control. The fact that you had good attendance for 2 years before this incident should definitely work in your favor. Try to stay positive - from everything I've read and experienced, EDD does try to be fair when it's clearly not misconduct. Keep certifying for benefits while you wait, and don't be afraid to reach out to local assistance programs if you need help with rent in the meantime. You've got this!

I know exactly what you're going through - the waiting period after an EDD eligibility interview is absolutely nerve-wracking! I had my interview about 3 months ago for a similar issue (terminated for "poor attendance" after missing work for a family emergency) and the anxiety was consuming me. In my case, it took 9 business days to get the determination letter, but my UI Online account actually updated 3 days before the letter arrived in the mail. The interviewer asked tons of detailed questions about my absence and whether I had tried to contact my supervisor, etc. What really helped was that I had text messages showing I did try to call in, even though my boss claimed I was a "no-call no-show." For your car breakdown situation, that sounds completely legitimate and definitely not misconduct - especially with your 2-year perfect attendance record beforehand. Try to gather any documentation you have (mechanic receipts, towing bills, etc.) in case they need additional info. The fact that you only missed 2 days in 2 years should absolutely work in your favor. Keep checking your UI Online account daily and make sure you keep certifying for benefits while you wait. Hang in there - based on what you've described, this sounds like it should be approved!

Update: I filed my claim yesterday and the process was smoother than I expected! I made sure to indicate that I was available for non-union work and other types of employment. My claim is pending now, and I have a phone eligibility interview scheduled for next week. Thanks everyone for your advice - it really helped me prepare! I'll update again after the interview to let everyone know how it went in case other actors are in the same situation.

Good luck with your interview, Caleb! I went through a similar situation during the writers' strike a few years back. One tip that really helped me: when they ask about your availability for work, be specific about the types of jobs you're actively pursuing. I mentioned I was looking for commercial acting work, teaching opportunities, and even restaurant work to show I was genuinely available and willing to work outside the union. They seemed to appreciate the concrete examples rather than just saying "I'm available for non-union work." Also, don't stress too much - the eligibility interview is really just to verify your situation, not to trip you up. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're going through this! I just went through something similar a few months ago. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet - make sure to check if your state offers a Security Freeze through the DMV. In California, someone can use your stolen info to get a duplicate driver's license, which then gives them more credibility when applying for benefits or other services. Also, when you call that IRS Identity Protection Unit number that Malik mentioned, ask them about getting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). It's an extra layer of security for your tax filings that prevents fraudsters from filing fake returns in your name. The whole process is exhausting and feels unfair, but hang in there. Most people I know who dealt with EDD fraud eventually got it resolved, it just takes way longer than it should. Keep pushing and don't let them put you off!

Just wanted to add something that saved me a ton of headaches when this happened to me - contact your bank and ask them to put a "verbal password" on your account. This means anyone calling about your account has to provide this password before they'll discuss anything. Also, if you have any automatic bill payments or direct deposits set up, consider temporarily switching those to a different account while you monitor your primary accounts for suspicious activity. Identity thieves sometimes test stolen info on smaller transactions first before going for bigger fraud. One more tip: keep a dedicated folder (physical or digital) with all your fraud-related documents. You'll be referencing case numbers, confirmation numbers, and dates constantly as you work through this mess. Having everything organized in one place will save your sanity! Stay strong - you're doing all the right things and this will get resolved eventually!

This is absolutely infuriating but unfortunately very common right now. I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate EDD issues, and we've seen a huge spike in Money Network fraud cases since the holidays. Here's what I tell everyone: 1. Don't just rely on Money Network - also file a complaint with the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) online. This creates a paper trail and sometimes gets faster results. 2. Contact your state assemblyperson's office. Many have constituent services that can intervene with EDD on your behalf - it's free and surprisingly effective. 3. If you're facing eviction or utilities being shut off, apply for emergency rental assistance through your county immediately. Don't wait for the fraud to be resolved. 4. Document your financial hardship in writing and submit it with all your fraud paperwork. This can help expedite the process. The fact that they're only leaving you $16 while they "investigate" is cruel. Push hard on that Regulation E requirement for provisional credit that others mentioned - you have rights here and they're banking on you not knowing them. Stay strong and keep fighting this!

Just went through this exact same situation two months ago - $1600 stolen from my EDD card! I know how panicked you must be feeling right now. Here's what actually worked for me to speed things up: Call Money Network AND EDD on the same day and tell them both that you're filing complaints with CFPB and your state representatives. I swear this lit a fire under them because suddenly I was getting callbacks and updates. Also, when you talk to Money Network, use the exact phrase "provisional credit under Regulation E" - don't let them tell you that you have to wait for their investigation to finish. I also started emailing their customer service in addition to calling, because then you have written proof of all your communications. Screenshot everything! The good news is that once the wheels start turning, it moves pretty fast. I got my provisional credit in 8 business days and the full resolution took about 3 weeks total. Way better than the "90 days" they initially tried to tell me. You've got this - just be persistent and don't let them wear you down with their bureaucracy. Your rent is more important than their slow processes!

I had a slightly different issue with certifications last month, but what fixed it for me was going through the 'Ask EDD' form on the website rather than calling. Go to 'Contact EDD' > select 'Unemployment Insurance' > then 'Payments' > then 'Where is my payment?' This creates a case that gets assigned to a specialist who will usually call you back within 48-72 hours. It's much less frustrating than getting stuck in phone loops. Just make sure to include your claim number and specify that you've already completed certification online but the system keeps asking you to certify by phone again.

I went through this exact same issue about a month ago! The system kept looping me back to certification even though I'd already done it online. What worked for me was calling early (around 7:55 AM) and using the 1-855-327-7057 number that Mason mentioned, but I pressed 1 for English, then 2-4-0 really quickly before the prompts finished. Sometimes the system glitches if you let it finish the full menu options. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to check if there's a "stop payment indicator" on your account - that's usually what causes the certification loop when you've reported earnings. The rep was able to clear mine in about 5 minutes once they saw what was happening. Don't give up, it's definitely fixable!