Hey Emma! Just wanted to chime in since I went through this exact same confusion when I first applied. The waiting period is definitely one of those things they should explain better upfront! One tip that helped me - when you certify this Sunday, double-check that you're answering all the questions correctly, especially about availability for work and any job search activities. Sometimes people accidentally trigger issues that can delay payments. Also, if you haven't already, make sure your direct deposit info is set up correctly in your UI Online account - that'll help ensure your payments come through smoothly once they start processing. The good news is that after this initial confusion, the process becomes pretty routine!

Yes, you absolutely need to meet all eligibility requirements during the waiting period week, including being available for work and conducting job search activities if required. The waiting period isn't a "free pass" week - you still have to be actively seeking employment and meet all the same criteria as any other week you're claiming benefits. The only difference is you don't get paid for that first week. California typically requires 3 job search activities per week (though this can vary), so make sure you're documenting your applications, interviews, or other qualifying activities. When you certify, you'll be asked about your job search efforts for both weeks, including that waiting period week.

I'm new to this community but found this thread while desperately searching for help with my own ID.me nightmare! My unemployment claim has been stuck for 8 days because ID.me is showing some random @yahoo.com email I've never created or used. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I genuinely thought I was the only one dealing with this! The consistent advice about calling 866-775-4363 at exactly 8:00 AM EST seems to be the golden solution that actually works. I'm particularly grateful for the detailed breakdowns from @QuantumQuasar, @Oliver Weber, and others about what to expect during the call. The fact that these mystery accounts can come from tax preparation services, previous employers, or other government agencies without our knowledge is both infuriating and enlightening. Now I'm wondering if my phantom account traces back to when I used H&R Block a couple years ago. Already have my alarm set for tomorrow morning and all my documents organized (driver's license, SSN card, utility bill, birth certificate). I'm also noting down those key phrases about "duplicate accounts under SSN" and "identity resolution team" that multiple people have mentioned as helpful. This thread has transformed what felt like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into something that actually seems solvable with the right approach. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences and creating this supportive community! @Zainab Ibrahim really hoping your nephew's call goes smoothly tomorrow - please keep us posted! We're all in this together! 💪

I'm new to this community but stumbled across this thread while frantically searching for help with my own ID.me disaster! My unemployment claim has been completely stuck for 6 days because ID.me keeps showing some mysterious @hotmail.com email address that I absolutely never created. This entire discussion has been such a godsend - I honestly felt like I was going crazy thinking I was the only person experiencing this! The overwhelming consensus about calling 866-775-4363 right at 8:00 AM EST gives me real hope that there's actually a solution to this nightmare. What's been most helpful is reading the detailed play-by-plays from people like @QuantumQuasar and @Oliver Weber about what actually happens during these calls. Learning that these phantom accounts often trace back to tax preparation services, employers, or other government agencies creating ID.me accounts without our knowledge is both maddening and illuminating. I'm now suspicious that my mystery account might be linked to when I used TaxAct a few years back. I've got my alarm set for 7:55 AM tomorrow and all my documents ready to go (driver's license, SSN card, recent bank statement, birth certificate). I'm also jotting down those crucial phrases about "searching for duplicate accounts under this SSN" and "identity resolution team" that so many successful callers have mentioned. This thread has completely changed my perspective from feeling helpless to having a clear action plan. The community support here is absolutely incredible and makes this bureaucratic maze feel so much less overwhelming! @Zainab Ibrahim really hoping tomorrow brings good news for your nephew! Please update us - we're all cheering you on! 🙏

Just wanted to add another perspective - I had a $3,200 overpayment and was able to get it reduced to $800 through the hardship waiver process. The key is to provide detailed financial documentation showing that repayment would cause serious financial hardship. I submitted bank statements, rent receipts, utility bills, and a letter explaining my situation. It took about 6 weeks to get approved, but it was worth it. Even if you don't qualify for a full waiver, they might reduce the amount significantly. Don't give up without exploring this option!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got hit with a $2,800 overpayment notice last month and I'm terrified about my tax refund getting intercepted. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and scary! It sounds like they really can take both federal and state refunds, which is devastating since I was counting on that money too. I'm definitely going to try calling EDD to set up a payment plan before I file my taxes, and if I can't get through I'll check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Has anyone here had success negotiating a lower monthly payment amount, or do they pretty much dictate the terms? Also wondering if there's a minimum monthly payment they'll accept - I honestly can't afford much more than $75-100 per month right now.

I'm so sorry you and everyone else are dealing with this nightmare! I just joined this community because I'm having the exact same issue - my Money Network card was working perfectly yesterday morning, then suddenly started getting declined everywhere around 3pm. I checked my balance online and my unemployment payment is definitely there, but I can't access a single penny of it. Reading through all these experiences has been both terrifying and reassuring - terrifying because this seems to be such a widespread problem, but reassuring because I'm clearly not alone and there are actual solutions. It's absolutely insane that Money Network can freeze our cards for normal activities like shopping at different stores in the same day without sending ANY notification whatsoever! I'm going to try the 7am calling strategy that everyone's mentioned here tomorrow morning - calling exactly at 7:00 AM with my SSN, DOB, and card number ready, and asking immediately for the fraud/security department. The fact that we need these specific "hacks" just to access our own unemployment benefits shows how completely broken this system is. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and step-by-step solutions. This thread has been a lifesaver for understanding what's happening and how to fix it. I'm definitely switching to direct deposit the moment I get this resolved - no way I want to deal with these random freezes again! Fingers crossed the early morning calling trick works for me too.

I'm brand new to this community and unfortunately experiencing this exact same Money Network card nightmare right now! My card was working fine this morning, but when I tried to buy lunch around noon it got declined. Then I tried to get gas on the way home - declined again. I can see my unemployment payment sitting there in my online account, but I literally cannot access any of it. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both a huge relief and incredibly frustrating - relief because I'm clearly not alone in this, but frustrating because it's obvious this is a widespread systemic problem that Money Network and EDD should have fixed by now. The fact that they can freeze our cards for completely normal activities like shopping at different locations without ANY notification is absolutely unacceptable when people are depending on this money for rent and groceries. Based on all the amazing advice shared in this thread, I'm going to try calling at exactly 7:00 AM tomorrow morning with my SSN, DOB, and card number ready. I'll ask specifically for the fraud/security department and tell them my card has a security freeze to avoid getting transferred around. It's honestly ridiculous that we need these insider tips just to access our own unemployment benefits! Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and solutions - this community support is invaluable for navigating these system failures. The moment I get this resolved, I'm switching to direct deposit. This thread has convinced me that's the only way to avoid dealing with Money Network's broken card system in the future!

I'm currently preparing for my own EDD appeal hearing and this entire thread has been incredibly valuable - thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice! One additional resource I wanted to mention: the California Department of Industrial Relations has a free guide called "Representing Yourself at an EDD Appeal Hearing" that walks through the entire process step by step. You can find it on their website under the appeals section. It includes sample questions judges typically ask and guidance on how to organize your evidence. Also, for anyone dealing with medical appointment conflicts like several people mentioned here - I found out that EDD's own handbook states that claimants can have "reasonable restrictions" on their availability as long as they don't substantially reduce employment opportunities. This language might be helpful to reference during your hearing. The stress of this process is real, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated similar situations is really encouraging. It sounds like preparation and honest documentation are key. Wishing everyone the best with their appeals!

I went through a very similar situation about a year ago and want to offer some encouragement along with practical advice. Like you, I was completely honest about my limitations (I had weekly dialysis appointments) and ended up with an overpayment notice after my initial denial. Here's what worked for me: **For the overpayment:** File that DE 1446 waiver form immediately, but also call EDD and specifically request a "collection hold" while your appeal is pending. Use those exact words - "collection hold." They can do this but often don't volunteer the information. **For the hearing preparation:** Create what I call a "story timeline" - a chronological narrative that shows you were genuinely job searching despite your medical appointments. Include dates of applications, interviews you scheduled around your appointments, and any employer communications. This demonstrates good faith effort. **During the hearing:** When they ask about being "able and available," emphasize that you were seeking work that could reasonably accommodate your known schedule. This shows you were being realistic, not fraudulent. I actually got my case overturned by proving I had applied for several positions and scheduled interviews around my dialysis schedule. The most important thing I learned is that "available for work" doesn't mean available 24/7 - it means available for substantial employment within your reasonable constraints. Your honesty in reporting should work FOR you, not against you. Stay strong - the system is overwhelming but winnable with proper preparation. You've got this!