Just wanted to add my recent experience to help with timeline expectations. I completed ID.me verification on December 15th and my payments switched from pending to paid on December 27th - so exactly 8 business days (excluding weekends and Christmas holiday). The key thing that helped me was calling EDD on day 10 when nothing had changed. Turns out there was a secondary review flag on my account that the rep was able to clear immediately. Within 24 hours of that call, all my pending weeks switched to paid status. My advice: definitely wait the 7-10 business days that others mentioned, but don't hesitate to call if you hit that 10-day mark. Sometimes there are backend issues that only a representative can see and fix. And yes, keep certifying every two weeks even while pending - you'll get all those back payments once everything clears! The direct deposit tip from Norman is spot on too. Made a huge difference not having to wait for the debit card to arrive.

I'm going through this exact same process right now and honestly the waiting is the worst part! I completed my ID.me verification on Wednesday (so 3 business days ago) and my claim is still showing pending. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really comforting though - sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty standard. What's been helping me manage the anxiety is making a little checklist of all the things people mentioned: ✓ completed ID verification, ✓ set up direct deposit, ✓ continuing to certify every two weeks, ✓ taking screenshots of my account status. Having that visual reminder that I'm doing everything right helps a lot. I'm planning to wait until next Thursday (that'll be day 10 for me) and if nothing changes by then, I'll try calling first thing Friday morning. The stories about backend flags that only reps can see are making me think it's worth the effort to get through to someone if it goes past the 10-day mark. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - it really helps to know what to expect! I'll update this thread when my status changes too.

I've been dealing with the same EDD login nightmare for weeks! What finally worked for me was a combination of things: 1) Using Firefox in private/incognito mode, 2) Manually typing my password instead of copy/paste or autofill, 3) Waiting exactly 24 hours between failed login attempts (I set a phone reminder), and 4) Logging in during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening. The system seems less overloaded then. Also, double-check that your caps lock isn't on - I know it sounds basic but I've made that mistake more than I'd like to admit! Don't give up, the system is broken but these workarounds have helped me get through. Hope this helps someone else avoid the frustration! 🙏

Just wanted to add another tip that saved me recently - if you're getting the "account locked" message, try logging in from a completely different device (like your phone if you were using computer, or vice versa). Sometimes the lockout seems to be device-specific rather than account-wide. Also, make sure you're going directly to the official EDD website (edd.ca.gov) and not clicking through Google search results, as sometimes cached pages can cause issues. I know it's frustrating but don't give up - I was ready to throw my laptop out the window but finally got through last week using these methods!

Just wanted to add some perspective as someone who recently went through the whole 26-week cycle. I was laid off from my marketing job in early 2024 and used up all 26 weeks before finding new employment. A few things I learned that might help others: - The 26 weeks is pretty firm unless you qualify for training extensions - Keep detailed records of your job search activities - EDD can audit you at any time - If you're close to exhausting benefits, start looking into other assistance programs early (don't wait until week 26) - The one-week waiting period only applies at the beginning of your claim, not if you have gaps in certification Also want to echo what others said about keeping up with certification even during appeals. I had a friend who stopped certifying during a dispute and lost out on weeks of backpay when she won her case. Good luck to everyone navigating this system!

Just to add another data point - I'm currently on week 14 of my unemployment claim after being laid off from a financial services company in January. Can confirm it's definitely 26 weeks for regular UI in California right now. One thing that caught me off guard was how strictly they enforce the work search requirements. I got a notice around week 8 asking me to provide detailed documentation of my job search activities for the previous month. Thankfully I had been keeping good records, but it was definitely a wake-up call that they're actively monitoring compliance. Also, for anyone wondering about part-time work while collecting - you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction in benefits. Anything above that gets deducted dollar-for-dollar from your weekly payment, but like others mentioned, it doesn't extend your claim period. The key is just staying on top of your certifications and being honest about any income. The system seems to work pretty smoothly if you follow the rules, but any discrepancies can definitely cause delays and headaches.

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning (called right when they opened at 8am). Turns out there were TWO problems - 1) My employer had reported my wages to the wrong SSN for one quarter (typo on their end), and 2) The system was trying to reactivate my old pandemic claim instead of creating a new one. The rep was actually super helpful and fixed both issues. They're processing a new claim for me now and said I should see everything updated in my portal within 10 days. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! I'll post again once everything is resolved to confirm it all worked out.

So glad you got it sorted out! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's crucial to keep calling until you reach someone who can actually look at your account. The combination of employer reporting errors AND the system trying to reactivate an old claim instead of filing a new one is exactly the kind of mess that automated systems can't handle. Thanks for sharing the update - it'll definitely help others who run into similar issues. The 8am call time tip is gold too!

Have you tried turning it off and on again? 🤣

I just went through this exact same situation last week! Here's what worked for me: First, try the password reset option on the EDD website, but if that doesn't work (which happened to me), don't panic. I called the EDD technical support line at (833) 978-2511 - it's specifically for account issues, not general claims. The wait was still long (about 2 hours), but shorter than the main line. They were able to unlock my account and help me reset the password over the phone. Make sure you have your Social Security number, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your bank account ready. Also, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - that's when I had the most luck getting through. Good luck with your disability claim! 🤞