I'm so sorry you went through this horrible experience, Jessica. What that interviewer said to you was completely unprofessional and unacceptable - no one should be treated with such hostility during an already stressful process. I'm really glad to see from your update that you were able to get through to a supervisor who took your complaint seriously. That shows there are still people in the system who care about proper procedures and treating claimants with basic dignity. Your courage in documenting everything and filing a formal complaint is not only helping your own case, but it's also protecting future claimants from having to endure the same treatment. This thread has become such a valuable resource with all the practical advice shared - from using services like Claimyr to get through to EDD, to knowing that there's a review process separate from the interviewer's recommendation. I hope your claim gets approved and that your complaint leads to some accountability for that interviewer. Thank you for sharing your story and showing others that we don't have to just accept unprofessional treatment. Please keep us updated when you hear about your decision - we're all rooting for you!

Jessica, I'm so sorry you had to experience such unprofessional and hostile treatment during your eligibility interview. What that interviewer said to you was completely out of line and goes against basic standards of respectful service. No one should have to endure comments like "If I was your employer, I would have fired you" during what's supposed to be a neutral fact-finding process. I'm really encouraged to see from your update that you were able to get through to a supervisor who took your complaint seriously. It shows that there are still people in the system who understand the importance of treating claimants with dignity and following proper procedures. Your decision to document everything immediately after the call and then follow through with filing a formal complaint took real courage, especially when you're already dealing with the stress of unemployment. But you did exactly the right thing - not just for your own case, but to help protect future claimants from experiencing similar treatment. This entire thread has become such a valuable resource for anyone navigating the EDD system. The practical advice shared here about documentation, escalation procedures, and services like Claimyr will help so many people who find themselves in similar situations. Your willingness to share this difficult experience and turn it into something that can help others is truly admirable. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your claim gets approved. You clearly left your job for valid reasons, and despite that awful interview experience, the review process should evaluate your case fairly. Please keep us updated when you hear back - we're all rooting for you!

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago - missed my hearing because the notice got lost in the mail somehow. The stress was absolutely awful, especially with that overpayment amount hanging over my head! One thing that really helped my case was documenting EVERYTHING from that point forward. I took photos of my mailbox, kept a log of when I checked it, and even got a statement from my mail carrier confirming regular delivery to my address. It might sound like overkill, but it shows you're serious about staying informed. Also, when you fill out that DE 6054 form, be really specific about your communication history with EDD. Mention every letter you DID receive, every online message you responded to, etc. It builds a pattern that you're not someone who ignores official communications. The waiting period after submitting is nerve-wracking, but most people I know who had legitimate reasons for missing (like not receiving notice) did get their cases reopened. Hang in there - you're doing everything right by acting so quickly!

This is such a nightmare situation, but you're absolutely doing the right things! I went through almost the exact same thing last year - appeal case closed for "failure to appear" when I never got any hearing notice. A few things that really helped me beyond what others have mentioned: 1. When you fill out the DE 6054, include your USPS Informed Delivery screenshots if you have that service set up - it shows what mail you actually received during the time period when the notice should have arrived. 2. Print out your UI Online message history to show you've been actively checking and responding to EDD communications throughout your claim. 3. If you've moved recently (even within the same building/complex), mention that in your request - EDD's address update system is notoriously buggy and mail often gets sent to old addresses even after you update online. 4. Consider also filing a complaint with EDD's customer service about the notification failure - having that complaint number can add weight to your reopening request. The whole system is broken and you're definitely not alone in this. I got my case reopened after about 3 weeks, and the new hearing went smoothly once I actually knew when it was scheduled! Stay strong and keep pushing - you've got good cause and you're handling this exactly right.

To answer your follow-up question: You should be looking for work in the area where you currently reside (Texas). EDD understands that people relocate, and they expect you to be looking for work wherever you are living. Just make sure you keep detailed records of your work search activities.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar last year. I moved from California to Florida for family reasons and continued receiving my EDD benefits for the remainder of my claim period. The key things that worked for me were: 1) Updated my address immediately in UI Online, 2) When certifying, I always answered "yes" to being able and available for work, 3) I documented all my job search activities in Florida (kept a spreadsheet with company names, positions applied for, dates, etc.), and 4) I was prepared to explain that I was open to remote work or would relocate back to California for the right opportunity. I did get one phone interview about 3 weeks after updating my address, but it was straightforward - they just wanted to confirm I understood the requirements and was actively seeking work. The whole process was much smoother than I expected. Hope this helps ease your worries!

Been on EDD for about 8 months now and want to echo what everyone's saying about the certification schedule being everything. One thing that might help with your budgeting - EDD payments typically hit your account at the same time each week once you're in the rhythm. For me it's always Tuesday around 3am. Also, since you mentioned construction work, keep in mind that EDD sometimes flags construction workers for additional eligibility reviews because our work is seasonal. Don't panic if this happens - just respond quickly to any requests for info. I had to do a phone interview around month 3 just to confirm my work history and availability. Pro tip: if you ever can't access UI Online on certification day (system crashes happen), you can certify by phone using the automated system. The number is on your award notice. Saved me once when the website was down all Sunday. Good luck and congrats on finally getting that first payment! The hardest part is behind you.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been through this recently. I was also super confused about the payment timing when I first started getting benefits after being laid off from my warehouse job. The key thing that finally made it click for me was understanding that EDD operates on a "certification first, then payment" system rather than just automatically sending money every two weeks. Once I started thinking of it as "I need to check in with EDD every two weeks to confirm I still qualify, and THEN they pay me," it made way more sense. One thing that helped me stay organized was creating a simple calendar reminder that said "EDD Certification Day" for every other Sunday. I also wrote down my certification group info and next due date on a sticky note and put it on my bathroom mirror so I'd see it every morning. Also, don't stress too much about the exact timing - as long as you certify on your assigned date and answer the questions accurately, the payments will come. I was overthinking it at first and checking my bank account obsessively. Now after several months it's just part of my routine. You've got this! The first payment is always the hardest to get, and now that you're in the system it should be much smoother going forward.

This thread is incredibly informative! As someone new to this community, I'm both grateful for all the detailed advice shared here and honestly a bit alarmed at how common this unemployment fraud seems to be. The step-by-step guidance from everyone, especially the cybersecurity insights and practical tips about documentation, makes this feel like a comprehensive guide that could help so many people. It's reassuring to see how quickly you were able to resolve this situation by following the community's advice. The fact that multiple people had similar experiences really highlights how important it is to have these discussions openly. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and share it with friends/family - unfortunately, it seems like something many of us might need to deal with at some point. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge and experiences. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes a real difference when people are dealing with stressful situations like identity theft!

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread to read through as someone new to navigating EDD issues. The progression from the initial panic of receiving an unexpected card to the systematic resolution really shows how important it is to act quickly and get the right guidance. I'm particularly impressed by how this community came together with both practical advice and personal experiences to help solve what could have been a much more complicated situation. The cybersecurity insights about why people with previous claims are targeted more frequently really opened my eyes - I never would have considered that angle. And seeing multiple people confirm they've dealt with similar fraud attempts makes it clear this isn't just an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern we all need to be aware of. I'm definitely going to follow the proactive steps mentioned here - creating an EDD online account, considering a credit freeze, and bookmarking all those phone numbers and resources. It's unfortunate that we have to be so vigilant, but threads like this make it much easier to know exactly what to do if something similar happens. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise!