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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Both my Money Network card phone access and UI Online have been locked since this morning. It's so frustrating that there's no clear communication about system maintenance or security lockouts. I've been reading through all these responses and it sounds like this is unfortunately pretty common. I'm going to try the ATM balance check first since I need to know how much I have available, then work through the other suggestions - calling from a different phone, trying incognito mode, and that direct Money Network number someone mentioned. If those don't work, I might have to bite the bullet and use Claimyr since I can't afford to wait days to get through. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - it's really helpful to know what's worked for others and that this usually does resolve itself eventually. The EDD system definitely needs better communication though!
I’m having this issue too !!
Oh no, sorry you're dealing with this too! Based on what everyone's been sharing in this thread, it sounds like there might be ongoing system issues or security lockdowns affecting multiple people. Have you tried checking your balance at an ATM with your physical card yet? That seems to work even when the phone and online systems are down. Also, some people mentioned their access came back after the system maintenance finished, so hopefully yours will resolve soon too. Keep us posted on what works for you!
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I'm sorry you're going through this tough situation. As others have mentioned, without W-2 wages in your base period, you likely won't qualify for regular UI benefits. However, there are a few things worth double-checking: 1. Make sure you understand exactly what your base period would be - it's typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing 2. Even if you had minimal W-2 income mixed in with your consulting work, it might be worth applying to see if you meet the minimum requirements If UI isn't an option, definitely explore the other safety net programs mentioned here. Also consider reaching out to local nonprofit organizations and churches - many have emergency assistance programs for people in financial crisis. Some utilities and rent assistance programs are also available depending on your county. Hang in there - this gap in coverage for self-employed workers is a real problem that affects many people. You're not alone in this struggle.
Thank you for such a comprehensive response! This really helps clarify things. I think I might have had a small part-time W-2 job for a few weeks early last year, so maybe it's worth checking my exact base period like you suggested. Even if it doesn't work out, knowing about the nonprofit and emergency assistance options gives me some hope. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one dealing with this gap in the system.
I'm really sorry you're dealing with this financial stress. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like you're getting good advice about the W-2 wage requirement for regular UI benefits. One thing I wanted to add that might help immediately - have you looked into your local food banks and community assistance programs? Many don't have strict eligibility requirements and can help with groceries while you're figuring out your next steps. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with emergency assistance in your area. Also, if you do decide to take on any temporary or part-time W-2 work to get back into the system, even a few months could potentially help you qualify for benefits later if needed. It's frustrating that the system doesn't recognize the reality of gig work, but at least now you know exactly where you stand and can plan accordingly. Wishing you the best - this community seems really supportive and knowledgeable about navigating these challenges.
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To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
I'm dealing with a similar situation - got hit with false statement penalties and it's been a nightmare trying to get answers from EDD. From what I've researched, you can appeal the penalty decision, but you need to act fast. There's usually a 30-day window from when you receive the penalty notice to file an appeal. You'll need to gather any documentation that proves you didn't intentionally provide false information. Has anyone here successfully appealed one of these penalties? Would love to hear about the process and what evidence worked best.
@Ryan Andre Thank you for sharing that info about the appeal process! I wasn t'aware of the 30-day window - that s'really important to know. I m'curious, when you say gather documentation to prove you didn t'intentionally provide false information, what kind of documents would be most helpful? I m'worried I might not have kept all the right paperwork from when I was certifying. Did you find any specific forms or records that were particularly useful in building your case? Also, has anyone had luck getting help from an attorney or legal aid organization for these appeals?
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I work in IT (not for FPL tho). Sometimes clearing your browser cache and cookies can help with account issues. Might be worth a try before you spend hours on the phone.
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll give that a try now.
This actually worked for me once! Good advice.
I had the exact same issue a few months ago! What finally worked for me was calling the 1-866 number first thing Monday morning at exactly 8:00 AM. I literally set an alarm and called right when they opened. Got through on the second try and they unlocked my account within 10 minutes once I had a real person on the line. The rep told me that Monday mornings are actually their least busy time because most people assume it'll be swamped. Also, make sure you have your ID ready to verify your identity - they'll ask for your SSN, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your bank account on file. Hope this helps and you get it sorted soon! 🤞
Javier Gomez
I just went through a backdating interview two weeks ago and got approved for all 4 weeks I requested! Similar situation - got laid off from my office job in late January but didn't file until early March because I was overwhelmed and honestly thought I'd bounce back quickly. The interview was pretty straightforward. They asked when I was separated from my job, why I waited to file, and if there was anything that prevented me from filing sooner. I explained that I'd never been unemployed before and was dealing with the stress of losing my job, plus I wasn't sure if I qualified since I'd heard mixed things about unemployment benefits. The interviewer was understanding and the whole thing took maybe 12 minutes. I had my termination paperwork ready but they mainly just wanted to confirm dates and hear my explanation. One thing that might have helped - I mentioned that I was actively job searching during those weeks and could provide email confirmations if needed (though they didn't ask for them). Your situation sounds totally reasonable - being overwhelmed after a layoff is something most people can relate to. Just be honest about your circumstances and have that termination letter handy. The fact that you're preparing shows you're taking it seriously. Good luck!
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Kelsey Chin
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Your experience gives me so much confidence going into my interview. It's reassuring that they were understanding about the overwhelming feelings after job loss - I think a lot of people don't realize how emotionally draining it can be to suddenly lose your job, especially when you've been stable for years. I really appreciate you mentioning the job search emails too. I've been applying like crazy during these past weeks so I'll definitely mention that to show I was available and actively looking. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive experience!
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Theodore Nelson
I had my backdating interview about 2 months ago and wanted to share some specific tips that really helped me succeed! I was laid off in December but didn't file until late January - about 6 weeks later - because I was honestly in denial about needing unemployment and thought something would come through quickly. Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. Write down your key points beforehand. I had a simple timeline ready: layoff date, when I started realizing I needed to file, and my honest reason for the delay. 2. They really do want to hear genuine reasons. I told them I was dealing with the emotional impact of losing my job and wasn't familiar with the system since I'd been employed for 8+ years straight. They seemed to appreciate the honesty. 3. Have all your dates ready - not just your termination letter, but also when you first looked into unemployment, when you actually filed, etc. They asked for very specific timelines. 4. If you applied for any jobs during those weeks, definitely mention it! I brought up that I had been actively searching and they noted that as evidence I was available for work. The interviewer was actually pretty kind and understanding. The whole thing took about 15 minutes and I got approved for 5 out of 6 weeks (they denied one week where I had briefly traveled out of state). Your reason about being overwhelmed and expecting to find work quickly is totally valid - that's exactly what happened to me! Just be prepared to explain it clearly and you should be fine. Rooting for you!
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Morita Montoya
•This is incredibly thorough and helpful - thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to break down specific preparation steps. Writing down a timeline beforehand is such a smart idea, especially since I tend to get nervous during important calls and might forget details. Your point about being genuine really resonates with me too. I was definitely in a similar headspace of denial and thinking something would work out quickly. It's encouraging to hear that the interviewer was understanding about the emotional impact of job loss - I think people underestimate how much that can affect your decision-making in those first few weeks. I'll definitely mention my active job searching during the backdated period since I have plenty of application confirmations. Thanks again for such detailed advice and for rooting for me!
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