Hey there! I just went through this whole ordeal a couple months back when my company "restructured" (aka fired half of us). The stress is totally understandable, but honestly the online filing is WAY easier than dealing with their phone system. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you're filling out the online application, take screenshots of each page as you go! I had a browser crash halfway through my application and had to start over because I didn't save my progress. Super frustrating. Also, make sure you're filing in the right week. You want to file your claim during the week you actually became unemployed, not before. I made that mistake initially and it caused some confusion with my claim dates. The whole process took me about 30 minutes online once I had all my info together. Much better than the horror stories I was hearing about people spending entire days trying to get through on the phone. You'll get through this - unemployment benefits are there for exactly this kind of situation!

I feel for you - getting laid off is stressful enough without having to navigate the EDD maze! I went through this exact situation about a year ago. Here's my experience: The online filing is definitely your best bet. I spent 3 days trying to get through on the phone (literally redailing hundreds of times) before I just gave up and did it online. Took me maybe 45 minutes total once I sat down with all my paperwork. Pro tip: Have your bank account info ready too for direct deposit setup. They'll ask for it during the application and it's way faster than waiting for the debit card to arrive in the mail. Also, don't panic if they ask you to verify your identity later - that's super common now. They'll send you instructions by mail if needed. The whole "we're processing your claim" phase feels like forever but they're usually pretty good about the timeline they give you. One more thing - start doing your weekly certifications immediately once your claim is approved, even if you're actively job hunting. You have to certify that you're looking for work to keep getting benefits. Set a phone reminder because it's easy to forget when you're stressed about everything else. Hang in there! The first few weeks are the worst part, but it does get easier once everything is set up.

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!

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!

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 !!

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.

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.

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! 🤞