I'm a newcomer here but dealing with something similar! I just got my interview notice last week after 6 months on partial unemployment (restaurant industry - hours are super unpredictable). Reading through everyone's experiences here is making me feel so much better. I was convinced I had messed something up, but it sounds like these random reviews are just part of the process. @Carmen Ruiz - have you had your interview yet? I'm scheduled for next Friday and getting nervous. Going to follow all the advice here about having my work calendar and pay stubs organized. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when dealing with EDD stress!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds so similar to yours! I just went through an EDD eligibility interview last month after being on partial unemployment for about 8 months (I work in retail with fluctuating hours). Like you, I got the notice out of nowhere with no explanation. The interview ended up being totally routine - the representative just wanted to verify that I was still available and actively searching for full-time work, and she asked me to walk through a few of my recent certifications to make sure my reported hours matched my actual work schedule. She was actually really professional and understanding about the nature of part-time/inconsistent work. The key things that helped me were: having my work schedule/calendar handy, keeping my job search log up to date (even though it wasn't perfect), and just being completely honest about everything. The whole thing took maybe 25 minutes and my benefits continued without any interruption. It definitely seems like they do these random check-ins more frequently with partial claims since our work patterns can look "irregular" to their system. Try not to worry too much - it sounds like you've been doing everything by the book! Good luck with your interview!

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to reach someone at EDD today? Did they help resolve the interview situation?

Glad to hear you got it resolved! A wrong number dial is such a classic EDD move - frustrating but at least now you know it wasn't anything you did wrong. For anyone else reading this thread who might face a similar situation, the key takeaways seem to be: 1) Call the main EDD line ASAP the next business day, 2) Answer ALL calls from 916 area codes during your interview window (and maybe a few hours after), and 3) Document everything through UI Online as backup. Hope your Friday interview goes smoothly and you can finally move forward with your claim!

extended benefits are a myth, change my mind 🤔

Hey Chad! I just went through this process last month. A few things that helped me: 1. Try calling the EDD technical support line (1-800-300-5616) instead of the main number - sometimes it's less busy 2. Have your Social Security number and all employment info from the last 18 months ready 3. The extended benefits eligibility depends on whether California's unemployment rate triggers the program (it changes quarterly) 4. You can also check your eligibility online through your EDD account under "Extensions" The whole process took me about 6 weeks from application to first payment, but that included some back-and-forth for additional documentation. Hang in there - it's frustrating but worth it if you qualify!

I'm starting to think we should all just show up at their office in person. Maybe then they'd have to deal with us!

I've been going through the exact same thing for over 3 weeks now. The automated system is absolutely useless and I'm starting to panic about my bills. One thing that helped me a little was calling the main EDD line first thing at 8am sharp and pressing 1-3-4 really quickly to try to skip some of the menu options. Still took forever but I at least got into a different queue. Also, make sure you have all your paperwork ready before you call because if you do get through, they'll want everything immediately. Keeping my fingers crossed for all of us! 🤞

Just to follow up - did your payment show up this morning? Most first payments to Money Network cards appear within 48 hours of EDD showing 'paid' status.

So glad to see your update that the payment finally came through! This is exactly why I always tell people to give it at least 48 hours before panicking. The disconnect between when EDD says "paid" and when Money Network actually posts it is one of the most confusing parts of the whole unemployment system. Your experience is super helpful for other first-time claimants who will inevitably go through the same stress. Hopefully your landlord situation worked out okay too!