Just want to chime in as someone who's been lurking here for a while but finally created an account because this P.O. Box issue is driving me absolutely insane! I've been stuck on this same problem for over a week now. The system keeps telling me to call, but every time I try the main line it's either busy or I get disconnected after waiting forever. Reading through everyone's suggestions here gives me hope though! I'm definitely going to try Joy's technical support line tip first - that 1-800-300-5616 number sounds like it could be a game changer. If that doesn't work, I might bite the bullet and try that claimyr service Esmeralda mentioned, even though paying $20 feels frustrating when this should just work in the first place. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences and solutions. It's so reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this ridiculous system glitch. Hopefully between all these different approaches, we can all get through this P.O. Box nightmare! 🤞

Hey Liam! I just went through this exact same P.O. Box nightmare last month and I feel your pain. After reading through all these great suggestions, here's what I'd recommend trying in order: 1. **Start with Joy's technical support line** at 1-800-300-5616 - this seems like the most direct route for online application issues 2. **Try the early morning calling strategy** (8 AM sharp) if the tech line doesn't work out 3. **Contact your old employer's HR** for their physical street address as a backup I actually had success with a combination approach - I called my former employer first to get their street address, then used that when I finally got through to EDD. The whole thing took about 3 days total but was so worth it to avoid the endless phone loops. One more tip: keep a notepad handy with all your info written out (SSN, employer details, dates, etc.) so you're ready the moment someone picks up. The reps can usually fix this P.O. Box issue super quickly once you actually reach them! Don't give up - this community has your back and clearly there are multiple ways to solve this! 💪

Final summary of what actually works: Wednesday/Thursday 2-3pm, avoid lunch (12-1:30pm), avoid Monday mornings, avoid Friday afternoons, and budget 3+ hours for the whole process. Or pay someone to do it for you.

This thread is gold! I've been doing everything wrong - calling Monday mornings, trying during lunch, giving up after 20 attempts. No wonder I haven't gotten through in 2 weeks. Going to try the Wednesday 2-3pm strategy tomorrow and actually budget the full day for it. Really appreciate everyone sharing their hard-earned wisdom here. The Claimyr option is also looking tempting if the manual approach fails again.

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago. I started a "data entry" job that turned out to require advanced Excel macros and SQL queries - skills nowhere in the original job posting. After 4 days of being completely overwhelmed, I had the conversation with my manager about the skill mismatch. She basically said "figure it out or find another job." I documented that conversation and quit the next day. When I certified, I reported my hours worked honestly and selected "quit" as the reason. My payments went to pending immediately, and I got scheduled for an eligibility interview about 3 weeks later. The EDD representative was actually pretty understanding when I explained that the job required technical skills I don't have and that weren't mentioned in the hiring process. I provided the original job posting and my notes from the conversation with my manager. They ruled that I had good cause to quit due to substantial differences between the advertised position and actual job duties. All my pending payments were released, and I continued receiving benefits while job searching. The key was being completely honest about everything and having documentation. Your situation sounds like it has even stronger documentation potential with the anxiety/health impact. Just make sure to have that conversation with your supervisor first - EDD definitely asks if you tried to resolve the situation before quitting.

I understand you're in a really stressful situation, and it's clear you're trying to handle this responsibly. Based on what you've described, you may have a strong case for "good cause" to quit if the job duties are substantially different from what was presented during hiring. Here's what I'd suggest: First, definitely resolve that held week issue - call EDD first thing tomorrow to understand why it's pending. Sometimes it's just a routine verification that's easily resolved. Second, document everything about the skill mismatch. If you can find the original job posting online, screenshot it. Write down specific examples of tasks they're expecting you to do that weren't mentioned in the interview. Most importantly, have that conversation with your supervisor about the mismatch between your skills and their expectations. Ask if training is available or if there's a better role fit. Even if they say no, this shows EDD you tried to resolve the situation before quitting. Send a follow-up email afterward summarizing what was discussed to create a paper trail. When you do certify, be completely honest about your work hours and reason for leaving. Yes, your payments will likely go to pending during the eligibility review, but if you have good documentation and legitimate reasons, EDD does approve these cases. The anxiety and health impact you're experiencing can also support your case, especially with doctor's documentation. You've got 25+ years of work history and have rarely needed unemployment - that works in your favor. Stay calm, document everything, and follow the proper steps. You've got this!

So glad to hear you're taking action and getting help! Your update gives me hope for my own situation. I'm dealing with a similar overpayment issue right now and was feeling completely overwhelmed. One thing I'd add from my experience - when you meet with legal aid, ask them about requesting a hearing if your initial appeal gets denied. Sometimes you need to go through multiple levels of appeals, but having legal aid guide you through that process makes a huge difference. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING - every form, every letter, every communication. EDD has a habit of "losing" paperwork, so having your own complete file is crucial. Thanks for sharing your progress - it really helps to know there are people out there who successfully navigate this nightmare!

I'm really glad to see this thread helping so many people! As someone who went through a similar EDD overpayment situation about 6 months ago, I wanted to add a few more tips that might help: 1. When you're gathering documentation for your hardship waiver, include utility bills, rent receipts, medical bills - anything that shows your actual monthly expenses. The more detailed your financial picture, the stronger your case. 2. If you were homeless, try to get documentation from any shelters you stayed at, social services you contacted, or even friends/family who can write letters confirming your housing situation. 3. Don't be discouraged if your first appeal gets denied - this happens a lot even for legitimate cases. The hearing process that others mentioned is where many people finally get their overpayments resolved. 4. Consider reaching out to your local assembly member's office. They often have staff who specialize in helping constituents with EDD issues and can sometimes get faster responses. The system is definitely broken and unfair, but seeing people like Freya take action and get results gives me hope that others can too. Keep fighting for yourselves - you deserve better than this bureaucratic nightmare!

Best of luck with your interview! You're smart to prepare thoroughly - that documentation and those witness texts will really help your case. One thing I'd add is to stay calm if the interviewer seems rushed or impatient. Some of them are just trying to get through their caseload quickly, but it doesn't necessarily mean they're not listening to what you're saying. Also, if they ask about job searching, be ready to explain that you were focused on trying to resolve the workplace issues first before looking elsewhere (if that's true). They sometimes want to know if you made efforts to find other work before quitting. You've got solid evidence and a legitimate case - hostile work environment with documentation is exactly the kind of "good cause" they look for. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I went through this same process about 6 months ago after quitting due to a supervisor who was creating a hostile environment. A few additional tips that helped me: 1. Practice explaining your situation out loud beforehand - it really helps you stay composed and organized during the actual call 2. Have a glass of water nearby because talking for 20-30 minutes straight can make your throat dry 3. If they ask about any gaps in your story or want clarification, don't panic - just calmly explain what you remember 4. Write down the interviewer's name and any reference numbers they give you for your records The fact that you have email documentation and witness texts puts you in a really strong position. Many people don't have any evidence at all. My interviewer specifically mentioned that documentation makes cases much more straightforward to evaluate. One thing that surprised me was they asked about my work performance - whether I had any disciplinary issues or poor reviews. Be ready to explain that the hostile environment was about your boss's behavior, not your work quality. You sound well-prepared and you have a legitimate case. The anxiety beforehand is totally normal but you'll do great!