I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Had an old 2020 PUA claim that wouldn't clear from my UI Online account, and it was blocking me from filing a new claim after getting laid off. Here's what finally worked for me: I used the callback feature on the EDD website instead of waiting on hold. Go to "Contact EDD" and look for the callback option - you put in your phone number and they call you back when a rep is available. Took about 4 hours but at least I didn't have to sit by the phone the whole time. When they called back, I specifically told them "I need a tier 2 specialist to close out my old claim so I can file a new one" and they transferred me right away. The tier 2 person was able to reset my account in about 5 minutes and I could file my new claim immediately after. Also, don't stress about the timing - you can definitely file right away after being terminated. The one-week waiting period starts from when you file, not when you were let go. Good luck!

I'm dealing with something very similar right now! Just got laid off last week and when I tried to file, my UI Online account is stuck showing an old claim from 2021. It's so frustrating because I can't click on anything - the whole interface just seems frozen. I've been reading through all these responses and it sounds like this is a pretty common issue with their system not properly closing out old claims. I'm going to try that callback feature that Cedric mentioned - I had no idea that existed! Seems like it might be more reliable than the endless phone calls. One thing I wanted to add for anyone else dealing with this - make sure you save screenshots of what your UI Online screen looks like when it's showing the old claim. I wish I had done that from the beginning because now I'm worried they might ask me to prove what I was seeing when I call them. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. It's reassuring to know this can actually get resolved even though the process is a nightmare!

Just checking in - has there been any update on your situation? Did you end up trying Claimyr to reach someone at EDD?

I'm in a similar situation - filed my appeal 3 weeks ago and haven't heard anything yet. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying! It sounds like 4-8 weeks is pretty normal right now depending on your location. A few things that might help while you're waiting: I called my local legal aid society and they have a free unemployment appeals clinic that helps people prepare for hearings. They reviewed my documentation and gave me some really good tips on how to present my case. Also, if you're facing eviction, look into your county's emergency rental assistance programs - some of them will help even if you're waiting on unemployment appeals. Keep us posted on how the assembly member route works out for you. I might try that myself if I don't hear anything in the next week or two. This whole system is so frustrating but at least we're not going through it alone!

For anyone still fighting this battle: document everything. Keep records of your call attempts, hold times, and any issues you encounter. File complaints with CFPB, your state representatives, and EDD. This system won't improve unless people make noise about it.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. Going to try Claimyr to reach EDD and get direct deposit set up. Lesson learned: avoid the EDD debit card if at all possible. The Money Network customer service situation is completely unacceptable.

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

If you miss the scheduled callback from EDD, don't panic! Here's what typically happens: 1) They'll usually try calling 2-3 times within a short window, 2) You might receive a follow-up text or notice about rescheduling, 3) Check your UI Online account for any updates or new appointment options. The key is to respond quickly if you get any rescheduling options. Also, make sure your phone can receive calls from unknown numbers since EDD calls often show up that way. Has anyone else had experience with missed callbacks and successful rescheduling?

Hey Dylan, I'm going through something similar right now actually. Got my initial approval back in December, been getting paid since January, and just got hit with a second interview notice last week. Mine is scheduled for next Tuesday. From what I've researched and been told by others who've been through this, it's usually because your employer either missed the initial deadline to respond or they're now formally contesting your claim. The fact that you mentioned possible retaliation for reporting safety violations could actually work in your favor - California has pretty strong whistleblower protections. My advice would be to organize everything chronologically before your interview. I made a timeline with dates of when I reported issues to management, when the "performance problems" supposedly started, and when I was terminated. Having that structure really helps you stay focused during the call. One thing I learned from my research is that EDD interviewers are trained to be neutral, so don't take their tone personally if they sound skeptical. They have to ask tough questions to both sides. Just stick to the facts and you should be fine. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I went through this exact scenario about 8 months ago and it's definitely nerve-wracking! In my case, my employer waited almost the full 30 days before contesting my claim. What happened was they initially didn't respond to EDD's inquiry, so I got approved and started receiving benefits. Then they came back later claiming I was fired for violating company policy (which was bogus - I was actually let go during a "restructuring" that conveniently happened right after I complained about wage theft). The second interview lasted about 45 minutes and the interviewer asked very detailed questions about the specific incidents my employer cited. The key thing that saved me was having documentation - I had kept screenshots of text messages from my supervisor and emails showing I had followed proper procedures. One thing to be prepared for: they might ask you the same questions from your first interview but in different ways to see if your story stays consistent. Don't let this rattle you - just tell the truth the same way you did before. My benefits were paused for about 3 weeks while they made their determination, but I kept certifying and eventually got all the back pay. The determination letter was pretty detailed about why they ruled in my favor, citing the evidence I provided and noting inconsistencies in my employer's timeline. You've got this! The fact that you have documentation about the safety violations you reported is huge. Make sure to emphasize the timeline - when you reported the issues versus when the "performance problems" allegedly started.