Has anyone else noticed that EDD ALWAYS finds a way to make us wait for money even when we're LEGALLY entitled to it?? Like, we win an appeal which PROVES they were wrong, and instead of rushing to fix their mistake, they make us wait ANOTHER month?! It's almost like they're hoping we'll just give up!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! The rep confirmed they received my appeal decision but said it's in a processing queue. She put in a request to expedite it due to my financial hardship, but couldn't give me an exact timeframe. She did say I should see some movement on my account within 7-10 days though. Just wanted to update everyone in case someone else runs into this same situation. Will post again once I actually see the money! Thanks everyone for your help so far!

This is absolutely alarming! The fact that your account was changed to "Jane Doe" with a 1920 birth date after speaking with a rep is a massive red flag. This could be either a serious system glitch or potential fraud/identity theft. Here's what I'd do immediately: 1) Call EDD back and demand to speak to a supervisor - emphasize this is a security breach, not just an account issue 2) File a report with EDD's fraud hotline (1-800-229-6297) 3) Document everything with screenshots and write down exactly what the rep told you yesterday 4) Consider filing a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs if EDD doesn't take this seriously. Your claim balance being zeroed out along with the name/DOB changes suggests someone may be trying to redirect your benefits. Don't let them treat this as routine - this needs immediate escalation and investigation!

This is extremely concerning and definitely not something that should happen after a routine backdate request! The "Jane Doe" with 1920 birth date is actually a default placeholder that EDD sometimes uses when there are system errors or security flags on accounts. The fact that this happened immediately after speaking with a rep suggests either a major system glitch or the rep accidentally triggered some kind of security protocol. I'd recommend calling EDD immediately and asking for the Claims Specialist supervisor - explain that your account was compromised after a backdate request and your personal information was changed without authorization. Make sure to mention the specific date/time you spoke with the rep yesterday so they can review that call. Also, ask them to put a security hold on your account until this is resolved to prevent any further unauthorized changes. This is definitely not normal and they need to fix it ASAP before it affects your benefits!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! EDD missed wages from my freelance work that I did through a 1099 contractor position, and my weekly benefit is $300 lower than it should be. I've been stuck in phone hell for over a month trying to get someone to look at my case. Reading all these responses has been a lifesaver - I had no clue about the DE 1326E form! I've just been sending messages through UI Online and getting nowhere. Going to download that form today and submit it with all my 1099s and bank statements showing the payments. Has anyone dealt with missing 1099 contractor wages specifically? I'm wondering if there's anything different I need to include since it wasn't traditional W2 employment. The work was definitely in my base period and should count toward my benefit calculation. This whole system is so broken - how are people supposed to survive when they can't even calculate benefits correctly? Thank you all for sharing what actually works!

I'm in the exact same boat and it's absolutely maddening! EDD is missing wages from my second part-time job and I'm getting $380 less per week than I should be. I've been calling every single day for 3 weeks and can never get through - just that stupid "high call volume" message every time. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though! I had no idea there was a specific DE 1326E wage investigation form. I've just been sending regular messages through UI Online and mailing copies of my paystubs with no response whatsoever. Clearly I need to be way more strategic about this. Going to download that form right now and submit it through UI Online with all my documentation from the missing employer. Really hoping this actually works because I'm falling further behind on my bills every week. The stress of trying to survive on partial benefits while also spending hours every day trying to reach EDD is honestly overwhelming. Thank you everyone for sharing what actually works - this thread has given me more useful information than 3 weeks of trying to navigate EDD's useless phone system!

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! Had a retail job that ended in December, got on unemployment in January, then worked at a summer camp from June through August. The reopening process was actually pretty straightforward - just logged into UI Online and hit the reopen button like others mentioned. One thing I wish someone had told me though - make sure you keep track of exactly how much you collected before starting your seasonal job. I had collected about 8 weeks of benefits before my summer job started, so I knew I had plenty left when camp ended in August. Really helped with planning my finances. Also, the resort job sounds awesome! Working seasonal can actually be a great way to build up different skills and experiences while still having the safety net of unemployment benefits. Just make sure you get everything in writing about the start and end dates - it really does help if any questions come up later.

Hey Anna! Just wanted to chime in as someone who's dealt with EDD and seasonal work multiple times. You're getting great advice here, and I can confirm that reopening after seasonal work is definitely doable when done right. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned much - when you do reopen in September, make sure you're ready to actively job search right away. EDD will expect you to be looking for work immediately upon reopening, so it's worth starting to think about your job search strategy while you're still working at the resort. Maybe even network with other seasonal workers or resort staff who might know about permanent opportunities. Also, since you mentioned this is a resort job, you might want to ask if they ever hire seasonal workers for permanent positions. Sometimes seasonal gigs can turn into year-round opportunities if you do well! The timing actually works out pretty well for you - September/October is often when a lot of businesses start hiring for the holiday season, so you might have good luck finding something permanent right as your seasonal job wraps up.

I went through something similar a few years back, though not quite as long a period. Here's what I learned from my experience: EDD can backdate claims, but the longer the period, the harder it gets. For a full year, you'll really need to make a strong case. The good news is that a documented family medical emergency is one of the strongest "good cause" reasons they recognize. A few practical tips: - When you call, ask to speak with a "claims specialist" specifically about backdating - don't just talk to the general phone reps - Organize ALL your documentation beforehand: termination paperwork, medical records, ANY job search activity you can prove (emails, applications, even informal inquiries) - Be prepared to explain week by week how you were still able and available for work despite the family situation The reality is they probably won't approve the full 12 months, but even getting 6-8 months backdated would be significant money. Don't let the negative comments discourage you - it's definitely worth trying, especially with proper documentation. The worst they can say is no, and you're not losing anything by applying. One last thing - if they initially deny it, don't give up. The appeals process exists for exactly these kinds of situations.

I'm new to dealing with EDD but wanted to share what I learned from my research after reading through this thread. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that California has specific time limits even for "good cause" backdating - generally they won't go back more than 12 months from when you file the claim, regardless of the reason. Since you were laid off in March 2024 and we're now in March 2025, you're right at that 12-month limit. This actually works in your favor because you're not asking them to go beyond their maximum backdating period. Also, I found that EDD has a specific form (DE 1326) for requesting good cause determination that might be relevant to your situation. You might want to ask about this when you call. The family medical emergency documentation is definitely your strongest angle here. Make sure you have everything organized chronologically - hospital admission dates, your job search timeline, termination paperwork, etc. The more organized and complete your documentation package is, the better your chances of getting approved for at least a portion of that period. Good luck with your claim! Even if you only get approved for part of the time period, it could still make a significant difference financially.