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!

Hey OP! It sounds like you're dealing with a very common EDD issue. Here’s a comprehensive approach: You should try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) as a quick alternative for reaching EDD. While it is a paid service, many people have found it to be a time-saver. However, consider it as just one part of your strategy. Always start with the online portal and the 'Contact Us' forms as an initial step. Certified mail remains a reliable option even if it takes longer. Document all interactions and attempts as they are crucial if you need to escalate the issue to higher authorities like your local government officials. Remember, persistency is key. Keep your information secure and protect your personal data no matter which method you choose. Good luck!

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! Here's what finally worked for me: I had to call EDD multiple times (like 15+ attempts) but eventually got through to someone who could update my email on the spot. The key is calling right at 8am when they open - set multiple alarms and start dialing exactly at 8:00. Also, make sure you have your Social Security number, claim number, and the new email address ready to go. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes once I actually got through to a person. Don't give up - it's frustrating but definitely solvable!

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.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now at my current job, so I really feel for you. One thing I want to add that hasn't been mentioned much is to also document how this hostile environment is affecting your work performance. EDD will want to see that the conditions weren't just unpleasant, but that they actually interfered with your ability to do your job effectively. For example, if the verbal abuse happens in front of clients or disrupts your concentration on important tasks, make note of that. If you're spending mental energy dealing with workplace drama instead of focusing on your actual responsibilities, that's relevant too. The key is showing that a reasonable person couldn't be expected to perform their job duties under these conditions. Also, since you mentioned your boss is an employment attorney, they might actually be more hesitant to contest your claim aggressively because they know better than anyone what constitutes a hostile work environment legally. Sometimes lawyers can be their own worst enemy when they think they know how to game the system but end up creating more liability for themselves. Keep your chin up - prioritizing your mental health is the right call here, and it sounds like you're building a solid case if you do decide to leave.

I've been following this thread as someone who successfully got UI benefits after quitting a toxic workplace, and I wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me during the EDD process: 1. When documenting incidents, include not just what happened but also any physical symptoms you experienced (headaches, stomach issues, sleep problems). EDD recognizes that hostile work environments can cause legitimate health impacts. 2. If you have any performance reviews or emails from before the hostile behavior started showing you were a good employee, keep those too. It helps prove the workplace issues aren't about your job performance. 3. During your EDD interview, stick to facts and avoid emotional language. Say "My supervisor raised his voice and used profanity when giving feedback" instead of "My boss screamed at me like a crazy person." The facts speak for themselves. 4. The high turnover rate in your position is actually really strong evidence. If possible, try to get contact info for some of those other former employees - their statements could be powerful supporting evidence. The process can be stressful, but remember that EDD deals with these situations regularly. They understand that sometimes quitting is the only reasonable option when workplace conditions become truly intolerable. You're building a solid foundation with all the documentation advice here. Trust the process and don't let fear keep you trapped in a situation that's harming your health.

To summarize what you should do: 1. Continue certifying for benefits every two weeks without interruption 2. Report the $10,000 payment in the week you actually receive it (not when you do the procedure) 3. Report it under "other income" and briefly describe it as medical research compensation 4. Keep all documentation related to the payment 5. Your benefits will pause only for that specific week 6. Benefits should automatically resume for subsequent weeks when you have no income If for some reason your benefits don't resume automatically after the week you report the income, then you may need to contact EDD directly to sort it out.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who recently went through something similar. I received a $3,200 payment for participating in a week-long clinical trial last summer. I reported it as "other income" during certification and my benefits were paused for that one week only. The key thing is to be completely honest and transparent - EDD has ways of finding out about unreported income later, and the penalties for not reporting can be severe (they can make you pay back benefits plus interest and fees). Also, make sure you understand exactly when you're receiving the payment vs when you're doing the procedure - you report it for the week you actually get the money, not necessarily when you do the study. Good luck with everything!