I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago! Filed by phone after my retail job suddenly closed, got that same confusing text, and had no idea what to do next. Here's what I learned: The "payment issued" text usually means your money will hit the debit card within 24-48 hours if you already have one, but since this sounds like your first payment, they're probably mailing your card now. I was able to track my card shipment by calling Bank of America at the number others mentioned - they could tell me it had been sent and when to expect it. One thing that saved me was setting up UI Online immediately. Even though I filed by phone, I could still create the online account using my SSN and the claim info from my paperwork. Having that online access made everything so much easier for future certifications and checking payment status. Also, don't stress too much about the amount varying - mine fluctuated based on whether I did any gig work that week. The system is confusing at first, but once you get into the rhythm of bi-weekly certifications through UI Online, it becomes much more manageable. You'll get through this!

Just wanted to chime in with some additional reassurance! I was in a very similar situation when I first filed - lost my job at a small accounting firm that closed unexpectedly, filed by phone, and then panicked when I got that text with no way to verify anything. One thing that really helped me was understanding that the EDD system, while confusing, is actually pretty reliable once you know how it works. That "payment issued" text is essentially their way of saying "your money is in the pipeline" - it's not instant like a bank transfer, but it's definitely coming. For your immediate rent situation, here's what worked for me: I called my landlord and explained I was waiting for unemployment benefits that had been approved and issued. Most landlords are understanding about EDD delays if you're proactive about communicating. Some will even accept a screenshot of the payment notification as proof that money is coming. Also, once you get your UI Online account set up (which I highly recommend doing today), you'll see a "Payment Activity" section that shows the exact status of each payment. It really helps with the anxiety of not knowing what's happening with your money. The learning curve is steep, but once you're in the system and understand the rhythm, it becomes much more manageable. You've got this!

One final thing to consider - when you file your claim, you'll likely need to complete the DE 230 (Employee Questionnaire for Unemployment Insurance Benefits Eligibility). Be very detailed about your working conditions that show you were an employee, such as: - Who controlled how and when you worked - Whether you could accept/decline assignments - If you used their equipment/facilities - If you were integrated into their business operations - Whether you worked exclusively for them - If they trained you or required specific methods These factors are crucial for the ABC test. For the hours issue, there's usually a section where you can explain special circumstances - this is where you should note that you weren't instructed to track hours since you were told you were a contractor/on salary, but that you consistently worked at least 40 hours weekly. Don't hesitate to attach a separate sheet with additional explanation if needed.

Just wanted to add that you should also keep detailed records of all your communications with EDD throughout this process. Save copies of everything you submit, take screenshots of confirmation pages, and write down the names/ID numbers of any EDD representatives you speak with. Also, if your former employer tries to contact you directly about the claim (which sometimes happens), don't discuss it with them - refer them to EDD or your attorney. They might try to pressure you to withdraw the claim or "work something out" but that could complicate things. Good luck with your case! It sounds like you have a strong misclassification claim based on what you've described.

So glad you got this resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to call Money Network directly first instead of trying to get through to EDD. The postal service has been having issues lately, and cards getting lost in the mail is way more common than it should be. For anyone else reading this thread - the Money Network customer service number is 1-866-692-9374 and they're usually pretty helpful once you get through to them. And yeah, that $15 expedite fee is totally worth it when you're waiting on rent money! Hope your replacement card arrives quickly and you can get that direct deposit set up ASAP!

@Jasmine Quinn - Definitely call Money Network ASAP! I was in the same boat as you and @Malik Johnson just a few weeks ago. My card took 18 days and I was panicking about bills. Money Network was actually really helpful once I called them directly - they could see exactly when my card was mailed and when it should have arrived. The key is to be persistent with them if your card is overdue. They have the tracking info and can tell you right away if it's lost in the mail. Don't wait any longer than 10 business days to call them, especially if you need the money for rent or other essentials. Also, once you do get your card, I second what others have said about setting up direct deposit immediately. It's so much less stressful not having to worry about cards getting lost in the mail for future payments!

I'm a community college adjunct who went through this exact scenario last year! The eligibility interview is basically EDD's way of making sure you're not trying to collect benefits during a normal academic break when you have "reasonable assurance" of future work. What saved me was having all my documentation organized beforehand. Bring everything: your original offer letter from University B, the cancellation email/letter, your final paystub from University A, and any correspondence showing you have NO guarantee of fall employment. During my interview, the EDD rep asked three main questions: 1) Did you quit or get fired? (Answer: Neither - your contract was canceled) 2) Are you available for work? (Yes, and you're actively looking) 3) Do you have any written guarantee of future employment? (No) The interviewer I spoke with didn't really understand academic employment at first, so I had to explain that adjuncts work semester-to-semester with no job security. I emphasized that losing the summer contract meant losing my only source of income for that period, just like any other worker who loses a job. Got approved about 10 days after the interview. The key is being very clear that this was an unexpected job loss, not just a gap between regular teaching assignments. You've got this!

I'm also an adjunct professor and went through a similar eligibility interview situation about 6 months ago. The stress is real - I completely understand what you're going through! Here's what I wish someone had told me beforehand: the eligibility interview isn't necessarily a bad sign. EDD flags a lot of academic worker claims automatically because the system doesn't handle our employment patterns well. In my case, they were mainly trying to verify that I wasn't receiving any payments from my previous institution while claiming benefits. A few practical tips for your interview: - Have a clear timeline ready: when your spring work ended, when you secured the summer position, exactly when it was canceled, and when you filed your claim - Emphasize that you're seeking ALL suitable work, not just teaching positions (this shows you're genuinely available for employment) - If they ask about fall prospects, be honest but don't speculate - focus on the fact that you currently have no written job offers or guarantees The waiting is brutal, but try to stay positive. Most adjuncts I know who've gone through this process eventually get approved, especially when they have documentation of an unexpected contract cancellation like you do. The fact that University B pulled your contract just one week before classes started really strengthens your case - that's clearly not a normal "between semesters" situation. Hang in there! You've got solid documentation and a legitimate claim.

Just went through the backdating process myself a few months ago! One thing that really helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when they open (8am). The wait times are usually shorter then. Also, when you do get through, be super polite and patient with the rep - they deal with frustrated people all day and being nice can really make a difference in how helpful they are. Good luck with your claim!

I actually just completed my backdating process last month and wanted to share what worked for me! The most important thing is having a clear, honest reason for why you didn't file immediately. In my case, I was dealing with a family emergency and couldn't focus on filing right away. I gathered all my documentation (termination letter, medical records, etc.) and called exactly at 8:01am on a Tuesday - got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was actually really understanding once I explained my situation calmly. The whole process took about 3 weeks from when I made the call to when I saw the backdated payments in my account. Don't get discouraged if it takes a few tries - persistence really does pay off! Also definitely keep certifying for your regular weeks while you wait for the backdated ones to process.