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I'm dealing with the same "review required" status right now - it's so frustrating! From what I've been reading in other posts here, it seems like it could be several different things causing it. Some people had identity verification issues, others had wage/income discrepancies, and some had employer disputes to resolve. The tricky part is that the system doesn't tell you exactly what type of review is needed. I've been trying to call EDD for over a week but keep getting the busy signal. Has anyone had luck with any of the phone tricks people have been sharing? I'm getting desperate at this point - bills don't wait for EDD reviews to complete! @Alex Reeder - when did your status first change to "review required"? Mine's been like that for about 10 days now with no updates.
@Amara Adebayo I m'in the exact same boat! My status changed to review "required about" 2 weeks ago and I haven t'heard anything since. It s'so stressful not knowing what specific issue they re'reviewing or how long it might take. I tried some of the phone tricks mentioned in the other comments but still haven t'gotten through to anyone. The automated system just keeps telling me to check back online. Has anyone here actually gotten a timeline from EDD about how long these reviews typically take? I m'worried this could drag on for months without any communication. @Elizabeth Pinedo - when you called about the wage overlap issue, did they give you any indication of how backed up they are with reviews right now?
I went through this exact same thing about 3 months ago! My claim got stuck on "review required" for almost 6 weeks and I was going crazy trying to figure out what was wrong. Turns out it was a simple address verification issue - apparently when I moved last year, there was a mismatch between what I put on my claim and what was in their system from my previous employer. The key is really getting through to a Tier 2 specialist who can actually see what's flagged for review. The regular reps can't access those details. I finally got through using the phone method where you call right at 8:01 AM and keep hitting redial - took me about 45 minutes of constant calling but it worked. Once I got the right person, they fixed it in literally 5 minutes and all my pending payments were released within 24 hours. So don't lose hope - it's usually something much simpler than it seems! The hardest part is just reaching someone who can actually help. @Alex Reeder have you tried checking if there are any document requests in your UI Online account? Sometimes they'll ask for additional verification there even if the main status just says "review required.
I went through this exact same panic when my benefits ran out in December. Here's what I learned that might help: First, don't wait - apply for CalFresh immediately. The application process takes time and every dollar helps when you're facing that rent payment. I was hesitant at first but it really did help bridge the gap. Second, check if your city or county has emergency rental assistance programs. Many are still running with COVID relief funds and some are specifically for people who've lost unemployment benefits. I found one through 211 (just dial 2-1-1) that helped cover part of my rent for two months. Third, consider gig work while you're figuring out the training benefits angle. I started doing DoorDash and Uber Eats - it's not great money but it's something coming in and keeps you active instead of just sitting at home worrying. The California Training Benefits program is real but the approval process can take 4-6 weeks, so don't count on it as your immediate solution. Have backup plans in place. One last thing - document EVERYTHING you're doing in your job search. Screenshots of applications, emails with recruiters, networking events you attend. If you do get approved for a new claim later, they audit way more thoroughly now and you'll need proof of every single contact. You've got this! The uncertainty is the worst part, but there are more options than it initially seems.
This is such comprehensive advice, thank you! I'm definitely going to call 211 first thing tomorrow - I had no idea about emergency rental assistance programs still being available. The gig work suggestion is smart too, I was so focused on finding another full-time marketing role that I wasn't considering anything else. Quick question - when you did DoorDash while on unemployment, did you have to report those earnings to EDD? I want to make sure I don't mess anything up if I do end up qualifying for training benefits later.
I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm facing the exact same situation - my regular UI benefits just ended and I've been panicking about my next steps. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful. A few things I wanted to add based on my research over the past week: 1. **Apply for multiple safety nets at once** - Don't wait to see if one program works out before applying to others. I submitted applications for CalFresh, local rental assistance, and started researching CTB-approved training programs all at the same time. 2. **Your local library might have resources** - I discovered my library offers free career counseling, resume workshops, and even has partnerships with some of the approved training programs. They also have computers and internet if you need them for applications. 3. **Keep track of deadlines** - Some rental assistance programs have monthly application windows, and training program enrollment dates vary. I made a spreadsheet with all the deadlines so I wouldn't miss anything. 4. **Network like crazy** - I know it sounds cliché, but I've gotten more promising leads through LinkedIn and local networking groups in the past month than through traditional job applications. Many of these groups are free and some even meet virtually. The job market really is brutal right now, but knowing there are still some options available (even if they're not as generous as the pandemic programs) gives me hope. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made me feel way less alone in this process!
This is such a helpful breakdown! I love the idea of making a spreadsheet with all the deadlines - that's exactly the kind of organization I need right now. I'm definitely going to check out my local library tomorrow. I had no idea they offered career counseling services. The networking suggestion is spot on too - I've been so focused on online applications that I haven't really been leveraging my professional connections. Do you have any recommendations for finding local networking groups? I'm in the Sacramento area if that helps. Thanks for taking the time to share all these practical tips!
I've been dealing with the Money Network card for about 2 months now since getting my unemployment benefits. The $1,000 daily ATM limit is accurate, but I learned the hard way that you really need to be strategic about which ATMs you use. I had similar issues at first - tried a random ATM at a corner store and could only get $300 out. What worked for me was going to actual bank branches during business hours. Bank of America and Wells Fargo ATMs have consistently let me withdraw $800-900 in a single transaction. Also, if you're in a bind and need cash fast, don't forget about cash back at grocery stores - you can get up to $200 cash back with a small purchase and it counts as a purchase transaction, not an ATM withdrawal, so it doesn't eat into your daily limit. The Money Network app is definitely worth downloading for the ATM locator feature - it'll show you fee-free options and save you from those $3-5 surcharge fees that really add up when money's already tight.
This is really helpful info, especially coming from someone who's only been dealing with this for 2 months - shows you've figured out the system pretty quickly! The cash back at grocery stores is such a smart workaround that I hadn't considered. $200 extra without touching the ATM limit could make all the difference when you're trying to get rent money together. I'm definitely going to try the Bank of America and Wells Fargo ATMs like you suggested instead of those corner store ones. Sounds like the Money Network app is absolutely essential - everyone who's had success mentions it. Thanks for sharing what you learned, even the hard way!
I've been on the Money Network card for about 4 months now and can confirm the $1,000 daily ATM limit everyone's mentioned. One thing that really helped me was calling their customer service line (number on back of card) and asking them to walk me through all the limits and options. They actually have pretty decent phone support compared to trying to get through to EDD directly. Here's what I learned that might help: - ATM withdrawals: $1,000/day but individual machines often have lower limits - Bank teller withdrawals: $10,000/transaction (need ID) - Cash back at stores: Usually $100-200, doesn't count against ATM limit - Online bill pay: Can pay rent directly through many landlord portals For your rent situation specifically, I'd suggest trying a major bank branch ATM first (Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA) during business hours - they typically allow $800-1000 per transaction. If that doesn't work, the teller withdrawal option is clutch for larger amounts. The Money Network app's ATM locator has also saved me tons in fees. Hope this helps and you get your rent sorted!
This is incredibly thorough and helpful! I really appreciate you taking the time to call customer service and get all the details - that's such a smart approach that I wouldn't have thought of. The breakdown of all the different limits and options is exactly what I needed. I'm definitely going to try a Chase or Wells Fargo branch ATM first, and it's good to know about the teller withdrawal backup option if I ever need really large amounts. The tip about online bill pay directly through landlord portals is brilliant too - that could solve this whole problem permanently if my landlord has that set up. Thanks for sharing everything you learned over the past 4 months!
As a newcomer to this community, I'm incredibly grateful to have found this thread! I just received my disqualification notice yesterday and was completely panicking until I read through everyone's experiences here. Like so many others, I believe I made the exact same mistake with those confusing certification questions. I marked YES to being unable to accept full-time work because I had a family emergency that required me to drive my elderly parent to the hospital one afternoon. I genuinely thought that any period where I couldn't work meant I should answer YES, but now I understand they're asking about overall availability for the entire week. @Sean O'Connor - Your success story and the update about getting through to EDD gives me so much hope! The fact that the representative explained these questions are about weekly availability rather than brief unavailability periods should really be made clearer in the actual certification process. What's most frustrating is seeing this clear pattern - so many honest people getting disqualified for the same question interpretation issues. A family medical emergency shouldn't disqualify someone from unemployment benefits, especially when you're actively job searching and available to work the vast majority of the week. The consistent advice from experienced members about filing appeals within 30 days and continuing to certify during the process has been invaluable. I was terrified that certifying after getting disqualified might make things worse, but everyone's explanations about protecting backpay rights make perfect sense. I'm filing my appeal today and will document everything carefully. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community where people can get real advice from others who've actually navigated these challenges. This thread has been a lifesaver!
@CosmicCaptain Welcome to the community! I'm also a newcomer here and just read through this entire thread after getting my own disqualification notice this week. Your family emergency situation is heartbreaking - helping an elderly parent get to the hospital is exactly what anyone would do, and it's ridiculous that answering honestly about that could trigger a disqualification. What really stands out to me after reading everyone's experiences is how these aren't isolated incidents - we're seeing a clear pattern of the same certification question confusing honest claimants. The fact that @Sean O'Connor was able to get clarification that these questions ask about OVERALL weekly availability is so helpful, but that information should be built right into the questions themselves! I've been taking notes on all the advice from experienced members here, and the consensus seems crystal clear: file your appeal within 30 days, continue certifying to protect backpay rights, and document everything thoroughly. The success stories like Sean's show that these "question misunderstanding" appeals can definitely work when you can demonstrate you were genuinely available for work and just interpreted the wording differently. It's amazing how supportive this community is for people dealing with EDD's confusing system. Reading through all these similar experiences has made me feel so much less alone in this process. Good luck with your appeal - it sounds like we're all going through the same thing and hopefully we'll all get positive outcomes!
As a newcomer to this community, I want to add my thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences in this thread! I just received my own disqualification notice three days ago and was absolutely terrified until I found this discussion. Reading through @Sean O'Connor's journey from confusion to resolution has been incredibly encouraging. Like so many others here, I think I fell into the same certification question trap - I marked YES to being unable to accept full-time work because I had to attend my child's school conference that lasted about 2 hours on a Tuesday afternoon. I genuinely believed that ANY time I couldn't work meant I should answer YES, but now I see these questions are about overall weekly availability. What's really eye-opening is how many newcomers are commenting with almost identical situations - medical appointments, family obligations, job interviews, training sessions - all legitimate activities that shouldn't disqualify someone from unemployment benefits. It seems like EDD's certification questions are creating a systemic problem where honest people are getting penalized for interpreting confusing wording differently than intended. The unanimous advice from experienced members about filing appeals within 30 days and continuing to certify during the process has been so valuable. I was initially scared that certifying after being disqualified might be seen as fraudulent, but the explanations about protecting your right to backpay make complete sense. I'm preparing my appeal letter this week and will make sure to clearly explain that I misunderstood what the availability question was asking. Thank you all for making this community such a supportive place where people can learn from real experiences and get practical guidance for navigating EDD's complex system!
Natasha Volkova
I'm in a very similar situation! Just got laid off from my remote graphic design job and I'm moving from my apartment in Berkeley back to my parents' house in Visalia to save money while I search for new work. My employer has my Berkeley address on file, but I'll be living in Visalia indefinitely. After reading through all these responses, I feel so much better about this situation - I had no idea it was this common, especially among remote workers! The consistent advice from everyone who's been through this is really clear: use your actual current address where you'll be living, be upfront about the employer address difference in the application, and keep documentation ready. I was really stressing about potential delays or verification issues, but seeing all these success stories from people in nearly identical situations has been incredibly reassuring. It sounds like EDD handles these address discrepancies all the time and as long as you're transparent from the start, it shouldn't cause problems. Thanks for asking this question - you've probably helped tons of people who are dealing with the same dilemma but were afraid to ask about it!
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Margot Quinn
•I'm literally going through this exact same thing right now! Just got laid off from my remote marketing coordinator job and I'm moving from my place in San Diego back to my family's home in Merced to cut costs during my job search. It's honestly so comforting to see how many of us are in identical situations - I thought I was the only one dealing with this address confusion! Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a huge relief. I was really worried about creating complications with my claim, but the consistent success stories and advice here have put my mind at ease. Using your actual living address and being transparent about the employer difference from the start seems to be the way to go. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver for those of us navigating unemployment and relocation at the same time! It's crazy how common this scenario has become with remote work.
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Simon White
I'm also dealing with this exact situation! Just got laid off from my remote software engineering job and I'm moving from my expensive apartment in Palo Alto back to my parents' place in Sacramento to save on rent while I job hunt. My employer has my Palo Alto address but I'll be living in Sacramento for the foreseeable future. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea so many remote workers were going through the same thing! Based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to use my Sacramento address (where I'll actually be living) when I file my claim and just explain the employer address difference in the comments section. The consistent message from everyone who's been through this successfully seems to be: be transparent from day one, use your actual current address, and keep documentation ready. It's really reassuring to see that EDD handles these situations routinely, especially with how common remote work relocations have become. Thanks for posting this question - you've helped so many of us who were stressing about this same dilemma!
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Yara Sayegh
•I'm in the exact same boat! Just got laid off from my remote UX design job and moving from San Francisco back to my family's place in Fresno to save money during my job search. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I was so anxious about the address mismatch potentially causing delays with my claim, but it sounds like this is incredibly common for remote workers right now. The advice about using your actual living address and being transparent from the start seems to be the consensus from everyone who's successfully navigated this situation. I feel so much better knowing that EDD routinely handles these address discrepancies and that being upfront about it actually prevents more issues than trying to match employer records initially. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community has been amazing for helping those of us dealing with unemployment and relocation at the same time!
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