I had this exact problem in 2024!! They ended up taking 25% of each payment but I called (took FOREVER to get through) and explained my situation with rent and kids and stuff and they reduced it to 15% for 6 months. So it's worth trying to negotiate but prepare for hell getting through to someone who can actually help. Make sure you have all your financial documents ready to prove hardship when you call.

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your overpayment has any appeal rights still available. Sometimes people don't realize they can still challenge the original overpayment determination even if it's old. I had a friend who successfully appealed a 2022 overpayment in 2024 and got it reduced significantly. The appeal process is separate from the waiver process, so it's worth looking into both options. You can find appeal forms on the EDD website under the "Forms" section. Even if the deadline has passed, you might be able to file for "good cause" to extend the appeal period if you have a valid reason for the delay.

When you do get through to EDD, make sure your husband asks about the work sharing program if his hours are just reduced rather than completely eliminated. My brother-in-law is in roofing and they use this during rainy seasons - the company reduces everyone's hours and EDD pays partial benefits to make up some of the difference. It's better than full unemployment in some ways because he doesn't have to do the job search requirements. Just something to consider!

I went through this exact same situation last year! My account got locked after about 8 months of not using it when my seasonal job ended unexpectedly. The key thing is that your husband absolutely has to be the one to call - they won't unlock it for anyone else, even spouses. When I finally got through (took about 2 hours of calling), they asked me tons of verification questions including my previous employers, the exact dates of my last claim, and even details about my last certification. Have him gather all that info before calling. Also, since he's in construction and it's weather-related, that's actually one of the fastest types of claims to process once the account is unlocked. They understand seasonal construction layoffs are legitimate and usually don't require as much documentation. The rep told me weather-related work stoppages are pretty routine for them to handle. One tip that helped me: call right at 8am when they open. The wait times are usually shortest then before everyone else starts calling.

As a newcomer here, I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress while preparing for surgery! Your employer's Monday/Friday restriction policy is completely illegal under California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act. I recently went through something similar when I needed oral surgery - my boss tried to claim I needed "supervisor approval" for any sick days that created a 3-day weekend. Total nonsense! What worked for me was sending a very direct email stating: "I am formally requesting [X] days of accrued paid sick leave for medically necessary surgery recovery from [specific dates]. Per California Labor Code Section 246.5, employers cannot restrict when employees use sick leave for legitimate medical purposes." I attached my doctor's note and made sure to keep copies of everything. My employer backed down within 24 hours once they realized the potential liability. The key is being professional but firm, and showing you understand your rights. If they continue to give you trouble, don't hesitate to file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner's Office - they take these violations seriously and can impose significant penalties. Focus on your health and recovery, that's exactly what paid sick leave is designed for! Wishing you a smooth surgery! 💙

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how helpful everyone has been in breaking down this complex situation! Reading through all these experiences has really opened my eyes to how common these employer violations are across California. What strikes me most is how consistent the pattern seems to be: employers try these illegal restrictions on sick leave usage, but they almost always back down immediately once employees demonstrate they know their rights and cite the specific Labor Code sections. It's both frustrating that we have to become legal experts just to use our earned benefits, and empowering to see how effective standing your ground can be. For anyone else dealing with similar employer interference, the advice in this thread is gold: - Always make formal written requests (email creates the perfect paper trail) - Cite California Labor Code Section 246.5 specifically - Emphasize medical necessity rather than just wanting time off - Keep copies of ALL communications - Don't let them intimidate you - the Labor Commissioner's Office has your back Your employer's Monday/Friday restriction policy is textbook interference with protected sick leave rights. Surgery recovery is exactly what paid sick leave is designed for, regardless of which day of the week it falls on. Focus on your health and don't let their illegal policies add stress to an already challenging time. Wishing you a smooth surgery and speedy recovery! This community clearly has your back. 💪

I'm also new to this community but wanted to share my experience since it sounds so identical to what many of you are going through. I had my eligibility interview just three days ago and immediately saw the "disqualified" status appear on my UI Online account, even though the conversation with the EDD representative seemed completely routine. Like others have mentioned, I was initially panicking because I really need those benefits to cover my rent and basic expenses while I'm job searching. But after reading through all these detailed experiences, especially from Brooklyn Knight, Grace Patel, Emma Wilson, and others who had their disqualifications reversed, I'm feeling much more hopeful. The pattern everyone's describing is so consistent - normal interview, immediate disqualification status, determination letter arrives within a week, and then often gets resolved with additional documentation. It really does seem like EDD's system automatically updates with temporary disqualifications during their review process, which is incredibly misleading and stressful for claimants. I'm following everyone's advice and using this waiting time to organize all my documentation: detailed job search logs with specific company names, dates, position titles, screenshots of applications, email confirmations, and my layoff paperwork. I've also been continuing to certify for benefits as recommended, just in case the disqualification gets overturned. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines - it's been incredibly valuable for understanding what to expect. This community support makes such a difference during what could otherwise be an isolating and anxiety-inducing process. I'll definitely update when I receive my determination letter to add to the collective knowledge here!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I'm currently going through the exact same thing. Had my eligibility interview yesterday and saw the "disqualified" status appear on my UI Online account within a couple hours, despite what seemed like a completely normal conversation about my layoff. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! The pattern is so consistent across everyone's stories - routine interview followed by immediate disqualification status, then often resolved after the determination letter arrives. It really seems like EDD's system has this automatic process that shows "disqualified" during review periods, which is terribly misleading. What's been most valuable is learning about the typical timeline - determination letters arriving within 5-8 days, and then many cases getting resolved quickly once additional documentation is provided. I'm taking everyone's advice and organizing all my records now: detailed job search logs, application screenshots, layoff paperwork, etc. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when you're already stressed about finances, but seeing so many success stories gives me hope that this might just be part of EDD's confusing process rather than a final decision. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it makes such a difference to know we're not alone in navigating this system! I'll definitely update when I receive my determination letter.

Update us if you get in! I'm curious which solution works. The EDD login issues seem to be happening to different people for different reasons, so documenting what works helps everyone.

Wow, this thread is incredibly helpful! I just joined this community because I've been having the exact same login issues with EDD for the past week. Reading through all these solutions gives me hope - I was starting to panic about missing my certification deadline too. I'm going to try the Firefox + early morning approach that worked for @Amara Eze, and if that doesn't work I'll use the TeleCert backup number that @Sofia Martinez mentioned. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own accounts, but at least there are workarounds. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!