have u tried faxing them? I know it sounds old school but sometimes it actually works lol

I went through something similar a few months ago. Here's what finally worked for me: I called right when they opened (8am sharp) and kept hitting redial until I got through to the queue. It took like 30 tries but I finally got someone. Also, try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - seems like Mondays and Fridays are the worst. Make sure you have all your info ready (claim number, SSN, etc.) because they'll ask for everything. Don't give up - you'll get it sorted out!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I now understand that my claim balance won't automatically refill when it runs out, even though my benefit year isn't over yet. I'm going to try contacting EDD to see if the part-time work I did qualifies me for an Additional Claim, and I'll start preparing for a potential gap in benefits by looking for more work opportunities. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

Just wanted to add that if you do end up having to wait until your benefit year ends to reapply, make sure you keep certifying for benefits even after your balance hits zero! I made the mistake of stopping my certifications when my balance ran out, thinking there was no point. But EDD told me later that I should have kept certifying to maintain my claim status. It didn't affect my ability to reapply, but it's apparently the "correct" thing to do according to their system. Also, when you do reapply after your benefit year ends, they'll look at your wages from the past 18 months, so any work you do during this gap period could actually help increase your new benefit amount!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - fraud on these EDD cards is unfortunately super common and the stress is just awful when you're already unemployed. I haven't personally experienced this exact situation, but I've been reading through all these responses and it seems like there's a pretty consistent pattern for legitimate fraud cases like yours. The fact that you have charges in Sacramento while you're in San Diego is actually really strong evidence in your favor. That geographic distance makes it pretty clear this wasn't you or anyone you gave permission to use the card. From what everyone's sharing, cases with this kind of obvious evidence usually do get resolved with the provisional credit on day 10. Definitely call back tomorrow and specifically ask about that fraud affidavit that multiple people have mentioned - it sounds like that's a crucial step that some reps forget to mention initially. Also make sure to get your case number so you can reference it in future calls. I know the waiting is torture, especially with rent coming up, but try to hang in there. Based on all the experiences people are sharing here, legitimate fraud cases like yours where the evidence is clear tend to get resolved in favor of the victim. The provisional credit should come through to help with your immediate needs while they finish the full investigation. Keep documenting everything and don't hesitate to call if you don't see that credit by day 11. Wishing you the best - please keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - Money Network card fraud is unfortunately way too common and the stress is just unbearable when you're already dealing with unemployment. I went through something very similar about 8 months ago (fraudulent charges at multiple locations while my card never left my possession) and I understand that pit-in-your-stomach feeling you're experiencing right now. The good news is that I DID receive my provisional credit exactly on day 10 as promised, and my final investigation concluded in my favor after about 6 weeks. Here are the key things that helped me: 1. **Call back immediately and ask specifically about the fraud affidavit** - This seems to be the most crucial step that reps often forget to mention initially. They'll email it to you and you need to complete and return it ASAP. 2. **Get your case/reference number** and write it down - you'll need this for every future call. 3. **Your geographic evidence is incredibly strong** - Sacramento vs San Diego makes this a very clear-cut fraud case in your favor. 4. **Document absolutely everything** - screenshot the fraudulent transactions, keep notes of every call (date, time, rep name, what they said). 5. **Set a reminder for day 11** - if no provisional credit appears, call immediately and reference your case number. The waiting period is absolutely agonizing (I checked my account probably 50 times a day), but legitimate fraud cases with clear evidence like yours typically get resolved in the victim's favor. Once this nightmare is over, definitely switch to direct deposit - I made that change immediately and haven't had a single issue since. Hang in there and please keep us updated. This community is really supportive and we're all rooting for you!

@Emily - Adding to all the great advice here! 👋 One thing that really helped me when I reapplied last year was calling my state's unemployment office directly instead of just relying on the website. I know everyone says the phone lines are impossible, but I found that calling right when they open (usually 8 AM) gave me the best chance of getting through. The representative was able to walk me through the entire process and even flagged some issues with my application before I submitted it, which saved me weeks of back-and-forth. They also confirmed whether I should reopen my old claim or file a new one based on my specific situation. Another tip: if you're worried about missing any steps, most states have local workforce development offices where you can get help in person. The staff there are usually super knowledgeable about unemployment benefits and can review your application before you submit it. The whole process definitely feels overwhelming at first, but once you get that first payment, it's such a relief! You're almost through the hardest part just by asking for help here. Good luck! 🍀

Hey @Emily! 👋 I totally feel your pain - the reapplication process can be so confusing! I just went through this myself about 6 weeks ago and wanted to share a few things that really helped me: **Before you start:** - Create a checklist of all the documents you'll need (SSN, employment history, bank info, etc.) - Set aside a good 2-3 hours when you won't be interrupted - nothing worse than losing your progress halfway through! **During the application:** - Take screenshots of each page as you complete it (saved me when the site crashed on the confirmation page!) - If you get stuck on any questions, there's usually a little "?" help icon that explains what they're looking for **After submitting:** - Keep checking your account every few days for any requests for additional info - Start your weekly certifications right away, even while it's still "pending" - you don't want to miss any weeks! The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but most people I know (including myself) heard back within 2-3 weeks. And honestly, this community has been such a lifesaver for navigating all the confusing parts - don't hesitate to ask if you hit any specific roadblocks! You've got this! The fact that you're asking for help shows you're being proactive about it. 💪✨

Pro tip for everyone struggling with the EDD website - if you're on mobile, try switching to desktop view or using a computer instead. The mobile version of UI Online is even more confusing and sometimes doesn't display all the information correctly. I couldn't find my claim balance on my phone for the longest time, but it showed up fine when I logged in from my laptop. The desktop version is still terrible, but at least it's consistently terrible lol.

Another thing to keep in mind - if you're getting close to exhausting your regular UI benefits, you might want to look into whether you qualify for extended benefits or other programs. I learned this the hard way when my claim balance hit zero and I had no idea there were other options available. The EDD website doesn't really make it clear what happens next, so it's worth researching early rather than waiting until you're down to your last few weeks of benefits.