by the way does anyone know if cash app reports to the irs??? my friend said edd payments might be taxed differently if they go through cash app instead of a normal bank?????

UPDATE: The money just hit my Cash App account this morning! So that was exactly 3 business days after the status changed to paid. Thanks everyone for the help and advice. For anyone else using Cash App for EDD direct deposit, it does work, just be patient!

My roomate had this problem too and what worked was something weird - he had to change his email password on his EDD account and then do the 2-factor verification again. No idea why but the money showed up like 6 hours later. Might be worth a try.

Just a follow-up since my earlier solution worked for you - after you get this resolved, I STRONGLY recommend setting up direct deposit through the Money Network portal rather than using the card. It takes about 5-7 business days to process the change, but then your funds go straight to your regular bank account rather than dealing with the card. Also, document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of your UI Online payment history showing 'paid' status, note the times/dates you call Money Network, and get the names of any representatives you speak with. This documentation can be crucial if you need to escalate your case.

ya this happns alot with school workers. my neighbor works as a janitor at highschool and got hours cut last year and had to appeal twice b4 getting benefits. keep trying to call them cuz sometimes they can fix it without appeal if u get a good person

One more important tip: When you file your appeal, request a telephone hearing rather than in-person if that's an option. Telephone hearings are typically scheduled faster, sometimes 2-3 weeks sooner than in-person hearings. This can make a big difference when you're waiting for benefits to start. Also, don't stop looking for additional work while this process plays out. If you find other employment to supplement your reduced school hours, you may still qualify for partial benefits depending on how much you earn each week. Make sure to report all work and earnings accurately when certifying.

One more thing I forgot to mention... if all else fails you can actually fax EDD a written request to reset your account! I know it sounds ancient but my neighbor did this when she couldn't get through on the phone or recover her password. Send it to the UI Online support fax number.

UPDATE: Success! We tried the Spanish queue trick this morning and got through after only 15 minutes on hold! The rep was super helpful and was able to both reset the UI Online account AND file the new claim all in one call. She said they've been having major phone system issues this week which is why it's been even harder than usual to get through. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions - this community is amazing!

One more important thing to note - when you file your appeals, explicitly request a waiver of overpayment recovery under Section 1375(b) of the California Unemployment Insurance Code. To qualify, you need to show:\n\n1. The overpayment wasn't your fault (you provided accurate information)\n2. Repayment would cause extraordinary hardship\n\nInclude a short financial statement showing your current income, expenses, and why repayment would create substantial hardship. This gives you protection even if some of the overpayment determinations are upheld. About 60% of properly documented waiver requests are approved in my experience.

I'll definitely include a waiver request with my appeals. My current job pays significantly less than I was making before unemployment, and I'm still catching up on bills from that period. Really hoping I can get this resolved without having to pay back money I don't have. Thank you for all your expert advice!

The appeal system is completely overloaded right now. I work in a legal aid office, and we're seeing wait times of 4-7 months across all our clients' cases. This is significantly longer than the pre-pandemic standard of 6-8 weeks. While waiting, make sure you: 1. Continue certifying for weeks (if the system allows you) 2. Document all attempts to contact EDD (dates, times, who you spoke with) 3. Gather and organize all evidence supporting your case 4. Apply for other assistance programs if eligible (food stamps, rental assistance) If you're facing immediate financial crisis, consider contacting 211 for emergency assistance resources in your area while your appeal is pending.

Has anyone ever tried going IN PERSON to the appeals office??? I'm wondering if that works better than calling?

Whatever you do, DON'T put your work history online in the EDD portal where your abuser might somehow see it! My friend's ex somehow figured out where she was working through some public records and it created a whole new safety issue. Ask EDD about their privacy protections for DV survivors specifically. Some reps know about them and some don't!

Thank you all so much for your advice and support. I filed my claim today and requested a phone interview. I've been working with a local DV organization to gather supporting documentation, and they're actually providing me with a letter explaining my situation. I also found some emails and texts that show the pattern of abuse, plus I have two friends who witnessed incidents and are willing to provide statements. I'm feeling a bit more hopeful now, though still nervous about the process. I'll update this thread after my phone interview to let you all know how it went. Thanks again for all your help - it means more than you know to not feel alone in this.

Is anyone else having issues with the Money Network app too? I can't even log in to check my balance since yesterday afternoon. Keeps giving me an error message about "service unavailable." Wondering if this is connected to the payment delays everyone's talking about.

UPDATE: My payment just hit my Money Network card about an hour ago! Logged in and it's there. So it took about 3 days total after certification. Relief! Hopefully everyone else sees their payments soon too.

Has anyone else noticed that EDD seems to have different rules depending on who you talk to? Last month they told me one thing, then this month something completely different. It's maddening!

Just to follow up on some of the other comments - I can confirm that backdating while serving penalty weeks is definitely possible. My neighbor went through this exact situation in January 2025. The key points for your assemblywoman's rep to emphasize: 1. EDD's Field Office Manual specifically allows for backdating claims when there's good cause (their internal policy guideline is called "BDC 5") 2. Nothing in EDD regulations prohibits backdating when penalty weeks are involved 3. The two issues (backdating and penalties) should be handled separately 4. Request that a claim specialist or supervisor review the case, not just a regular phone rep And definitely get your request in writing through UI Online rather than relying on phone conversations. Phone reps often provide incorrect information about backdating policies.

To answer your question about the interview process - yes, most claims that involve leaving a job for medical reasons will trigger a phone interview. It's nothing to be nervous about. The interviewer will simply ask questions about why you left your job in October and what happened when you tried to return. Just be honest and straightforward. Explain that you had documented medical reasons for leaving, that you were told you could return, and that when you attempted to return, they informed you there was no position available. The interviewer is mainly trying to determine if you had good cause for separation and are available for work now. Document everything - dates you spoke with your former employer, who you spoke with, and what was said. This documentation can be very helpful during your interview.

When I applied last year after being let go, my former employer tried to fight my claim saying I voluntarily quit (which wasn't true). Just be prepared that your employer might contest your claim. If they do, you'll get paperwork about an appeal hearing. DON'T PANIC if this happens! It's actually pretty common. Just make sure you attend the hearing (they're usually by phone) and bring all your documentation. The judges are generally fair if you can show medical necessity and that you were essentially laid off when trying to return.