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! 💪

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!

UPDATE: My payment finally switched from pending to paid this morning! The EDD website now says the payment was issued today (Monday) so hopefully it will be in my account tomorrow morning. Thanks everyone for your help!

That's awesome news! I'm glad your payment finally processed. I'm actually in a similar situation - certified yesterday around 2 PM and mine is still showing pending this morning. Your timeline gives me hope that it should switch to paid by tomorrow. Did you notice any specific time when it changed from pending to paid, or did you just happen to check at the right moment?

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to recover your account using any of the methods suggested? If you're still having trouble, I recommend trying the EDD online assistance form at https://askedd.edd.ca.gov/ and selecting the option for account technical issues. Sometimes they respond faster to written requests than phone calls. Also, be aware that if you're reapplying after a long break, you'll need to go through ID verification again with ID.me even after you recover your account access.

Congrats on getting back in! For anyone else reading this thread who might be stuck on the ID.me verification step - here's a tip that helped me: make sure you're using the EXACT same name format that's on your driver's license or state ID. Even small differences like using "Mike" instead of "Michael" or having a middle initial vs full middle name can cause the verification to fail. Also, if you're doing the video call verification, have good lighting and hold your ID steady - the representatives are usually pretty patient if the system is being finicky with reading your documents.