California Unemployment

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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!


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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!


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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.


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Just to clarify something important: the previous advice about benefit years is mostly correct, but there's a key distinction to understand. If your previous benefit year has ended but you still have a balance, they should start you on a new claim with a new benefit amount based on your recent wages. If your previous benefit year hasn't ended yet (even if the balance is exhausted), they typically keep you on that claim year. However, there's an exception: if you've earned enough wages since filing your previous claim to establish a new claim, AND your benefit amount would be at least $25 more per week than your old claim, you can request what's called a "Section 1275 Determination" where they evaluate if you qualify to establish a new claim before the old benefit year ends. This requires speaking with a tier 2 specialist, not just any representative.

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Wow, I had no idea about the Section 1275 option! That sounds exactly like what I need. My new claim would definitely be at least $25 higher (it should be $328 higher based on my recent income). So I need to specifically ask for a Section 1275 Determination when I finally reach someone? Is there any specific documentation I should have ready?

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Exactly - you need to specifically mention "Section 1275 Determination" when you speak with a rep. Have your recent pay stubs or proof of earnings ready to verify your wages since your last claim began. They'll need to calculate if you've earned enough qualifying wages in the quarters since your previous claim started. Make sure you speak with a tier 2 specialist - regular reps often don't know about this provision.

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Update for anyone following this thread and having similar issues: EDD just announced they're having system-wide problems with claim transitions right now. Their latest website update says they're aware of payment amount discrepancies between new claims and continuing claims. They claim they're working on a fix, but as usual, no timeline given. The frustrating part is they're still telling people to call the regular number if they have issues, even though nobody can get through.

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Thanks for this update! At least it confirms it's a known issue affecting multiple people. I was finally able to get through to an EDD representative yesterday using the callback service someone mentioned above. The rep acknowledged the problem and said they would escalate my case to a specialist who can perform the Section 1275 Determination. They said I should see the correct payment amount within 5-7 business days. I'll post another update once I know if it's resolved!

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Amina Sy

did ur husband have wages in his base period? thats wat determines if he gets an extension

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He worked full-time before filing his claim last year, so I think he should have enough wages in the base period. I guess we'll find out when the notice comes?

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Just to update you on what to expect: once you get the paper notice, it will either say he qualifies for an extension (in which case the system will update automatically within a few days), or it will say he needs to file a new claim (if it's been a year since his original claim). Either way, any weeks he certifies during this waiting period will eventually get paid retroactively if he's eligible. But those pending weeks from months ago - that's the real issue you need to address ASAP. They won't resolve themselves, and they're holding up money he's probably entitled to.

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Thanks, this is really helpful! We'll focus on getting those pending weeks resolved first, then deal with the extension once the notice comes. Really appreciate everyone's help!

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Just to share my experience with the Money Network card - when I activated mine back in February, everything was fine for about a week then I got a "disqualification" too. For me, it turned out I had entered my SSN with a typo when activating the card, which didn't match my claim info. Took forever to get it fixed though. Hope your situation gets resolved faster!

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How did you finally get it fixed? Did you have to call or was there another way to resolve it?

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Had to call unfortunately. Took me 3 days of trying before I got through. They had to escalate to a specialist who could see both systems.

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UPDATE: I FINALLY got through to EDD this morning after calling right when they opened! You all were right - it was a verification issue triggered by the Money Network card activation. The rep said there was a mismatch between my mailing address (where the card was sent) and my residence address on file. The tier 2 specialist was able to verify my identity and remove the disqualification. She said my payment should be processed within 48 hours. Such a relief! For anyone else experiencing this - keep calling and make sure you get to a tier 2 rep who can actually fix the issue. The first person I spoke with couldn't even see why I was disqualified.

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Great news! Thanks for updating us. This is exactly why it's so important to make sure all your information matches exactly across systems. Glad you got it resolved without too much delay.

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Lucky you got through! I'm dealing with a different EDD issue and been trying for WEEKS with no luck. The system is broken!!

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UPDATE: I got through to EDD! Used that Claimyr service and it worked exactly like the video showed. Got connected to a tier 2 specialist after about 35 minutes of waiting. The rep said my certification had been flagged for review because of the part-time work I reported, but it was just sitting in a queue waiting to be processed. She was able to verify my reported earnings and release the payment right away! The status just changed to 'paid' in my account. Thanks everyone for your help. Definitely call if this happens to you - waiting it out might work eventually, but talking to someone fixed it immediately.

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Great news! This is exactly why it's important to be proactive with EDD issues. Their automated systems flag things all the time, but speaking with a tier 2 specialist can almost always resolve these routine holds. Glad you got it sorted out before rent was due.

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congrats!! good to know about that claimyr thing might try it next time i get stuck in edd hell lol

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My entire family lost access to our bank accounts last month because a pipe burst in our bathroom and flooded the house and we had to go stay with my sister in Ohio and Wells Fargo thought someone stole our identity because we were suddenly making purchases in a different state and it took 9 days to get it all sorted out which was a complete nightmare because we were dealing with insurance and contractors for the flood damage at the same time so I totally understand your frustration with these automatic fraud systems!

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what does this have to do with EDD cards?

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For future reference for anyone reading this thread: It's a good idea to set up direct deposit for your EDD benefits instead of using the Money Network card if possible. Here's how: 1. Log in to UI Online 2. Go to "Profile" 3. Select "Payment Method" 4. Choose "Direct Deposit" 5. Enter your bank information It typically takes 1-2 payment cycles to switch over, but then you avoid all these Money Network card issues entirely. Just make sure you empty your card before switching!

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I'm definitely going to do this now! This whole experience was way too stressful. Thanks for the instructions!

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Has anyone had luck with contacting EDD through their social media accounts? I heard somebody got their issue resolved by messaging them on Twitter but not sure if that really works or if they were just lucky.

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EDD doesn't officially handle claim issues through social media - they'll just direct you to call the regular number. They specifically state they can't discuss individual claims on social platforms due to privacy/security concerns. Some people try tagging their state representatives on Twitter, which occasionally works but is hit or miss.

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UPDATE: I used that Claimyr service mentioned above and ACTUALLY got through to EDD! Took about an hour total but the rep told me my account was flagged for 'quarterly review' whatever that means 🙄 They cleared it and my payment should be deposited tomorrow! Such a relief!!! BTW I also asked about switching to direct deposit and they said I can do that once the payment goes through. The option will appear in UI Online under profile settings.

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Thank you SO MUCH for the update! This gives me hope. I'm going to try Claimyr first thing tomorrow morning. Did they explain what a 'quarterly review' actually is or why you weren't notified about it?

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AstroAce

my neighbor is helping me with my edd case and she said bay area legal aid hass free workshops for people who filing appeals. they show you how to prepare evidence and stuff. might be worth checking if they have one before your deadline.

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That's really helpful, thank you! I'm not in the Bay Area but I'll check if there's something similar in my region. How is your case going?

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AstroAce

its ok i guess. still waiting for my hearing date. been 3 weeks since i filed the appeal form. make sure u read all the paperwork they send u carefully!!! i missed a important deadline cuz i didnt open mail for few days

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Make sure you understand the difference between an ALJ hearing and a second-level appeal to the CUIAB Board. If you lose at the ALJ level, you can still appeal to the Board, which is why documentation is crucial. They'll review the record from your hearing but typically don't accept new evidence. For legal resources, try: 1. Center for Workers' Rights - They do free consultations for EDD cases 2. Legal Aid at Work - Their Workers' Rights Clinic can help with appeals 3. Your county's bar association - Many offer low-cost consultations with employment attorneys If you absolutely can't find affordable representation, at minimum have someone review your appeal statement before you submit it. The specific wording is extremely important.

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Thank you for the detailed information! I'm writing down all these resources. I didn't realize there were two levels of appeals - that's actually somewhat reassuring. Has anyone here gone through a second-level appeal? What was your experience like?

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I went thru BOTH appeals and still lost because the system is RIGGED!! EDD always sides with employers no matter what evidence you have. I had to pay back $7,250 plus a 30% penalty even though I had proof I reported everything correctly!!!

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just wanna add that EDD systems are COMPLETELY unpredictable lol... i did exacty what ur doing and nothing happened to my claim, but my roomate had almost identical situation and somehow got flagged for interview... its like rolling dice honestly

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That's what makes me so nervous! It feels like you can do everything right and still end up with problems. I think I'm going to try calling them before I certify next, just to be safe.

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Just to follow up on what everyone's saying - one important detail: make sure you continue to certify EVERY two weeks, even when you know you'll get $0 because of your earnings. If you stop certifying, your claim could go inactive and that creates a different set of problems. The system is designed to handle temporary work - that's why they ask about your earnings each week when you certify. And remember, if your benefit year is still active when your temp job ends (benefit years last for 12 months from the claim filing date), you can just resume certifying normally.

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Thank you for emphasizing that! I'll definitely keep certifying throughout the temp job. My benefit year should be active until February 2026, so I should be good on that front. I appreciate everyone's help!

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UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning after trying for three days straight. The rep confirmed that I need to speak with a Tier 2 specialist because my situation requires special handling. They've put me on a callback list (said 3-5 business days). I'll update again once I hear back from them. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

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That's great progress! Make sure you have all your documentation ready when they call back. The specific things that will help your case are: 1) Your termination/RIF paperwork showing the position was eliminated 2) Pay stubs from your base period (typically 15-18 months ago) 3) Any communication showing you were previously expected to return to work Good luck, and definitely post an update when you get resolution.

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FINAL UPDATE: Good news! The Tier 2 specialist called me back today and reviewed my case. Because my job was permanently eliminated (not just seasonal layoff), they're processing what they called a 'backdated new claim.' I had to provide my Forest Service RIF notice and answer questions about my work history. They said I should see the claim update in my UI Online account within 10 days, and then I can certify for benefits again. Such a relief! Thanks to everyone who helped me navigate this complicated situation.

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That's excellent news! I'm glad you got it resolved. This is a good example of why speaking directly with knowledgeable EDD staff is so important for complex situations. The online system just isn't designed to handle these edge cases.

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Super happy for you! Would you mind sharing how many weeks of benefits they approved? Curious if they gave you a full new claim or partial.

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I have a question related to this - I'm being furloughed for 6 weeks starting next month, but I'm allowed to use some vacation time for part of it. If I use vacation pay for 2 weeks, can I still get unemployment for the other 4 weeks? Or does using vacation time disqualify me completely? Sorry to piggyback on this thread but seems related!

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Mei Wong

You can receive unemployment for the weeks you're not receiving vacation pay. When certifying, you must report any vacation pay for the specific weeks you receive it. Those weeks might be reduced benefits or no benefits depending on how much vacation pay you receive. But the weeks without vacation pay can still qualify for full benefits. It doesn't disqualify your entire claim.

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Perfect, thank you! That makes a lot of sense.

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Update: I applied online yesterday and the process was pretty straightforward. I had to provide the specific reason (temporary layoff/furlough), my last day worked, and expected return date. The system accepted my application and said I'd be notified about the next steps within 10 days. I'll update again once I hear back about whether I'm approved and if there are any special work search requirements with my guaranteed return date. Thanks everyone for the helpful advice!

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good luck! make sure u certify every 2 weeks even if still pending

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Thanks for the reminder! I'll make sure to keep certifying regardless of the status.

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