Update us when you get this resolved! I'm sure others will run into the same situation and could benefit from knowing what worked for you.

I went through something similar last month - missed my interview because they called 20 minutes late and I was in the middle of picking up my kids from school. The anxiety is real, but here's what saved me: I immediately called the main EDD number and kept pressing 1-2-1 to get to a live person. Took about 45 tries over two days, but I finally got through to someone who could see the call log showing the interviewer called outside the scheduled window. They marked it as "interviewer error" and rescheduled me for the following week. The key is being persistent and having your story straight about why you couldn't answer at that exact moment. Don't give up - this happens more often than you'd think and they do have procedures to handle it!

Another option that worked for me - try contacting your state representative's office! I know it sounds like overkill, but their constituent services team can sometimes cut through the EDD bureaucracy when you're truly stuck. I called my assemblymember's office, explained the situation, and they had someone from EDD call me back within 48 hours to help reset my password. It's a free service and they deal with EDD issues all the time. Worth a shot if the other suggestions don't pan out! Good luck Kaylee! 🍀

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! Here's what finally worked for me: I contacted my credit union and they were able to pull up a detailed statement going back 18 months showing all my EDD deposits with exact dates. Even if you bank with a big bank, most have online chat support that can help you search for specific transaction types. Also, if you have Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal linked to your account, check their transaction histories too - sometimes they capture payment details that can help you piece together the timeline. The key is being persistent and trying multiple angles. Don't let EDD's broken system defeat you! 💪

Quick tip from someone who's been through this exact situation - if you're really worried about timing for rent, you can also call Bank of America at 1-866-692-9374 and ask if they can expedite your debit card for a small fee (I think it was like $5 when I did it). They can usually get it to you in 1-2 business days instead of the usual week. Also, once you get your UI Online account set up, you'll see that EDD actually shows the exact date your payment was "sent" to your card, which helps with planning. The payment amounts can vary week to week depending on any part-time work you report, so don't be surprised if it's not always the same. Hang in there - the first few weeks are definitely the hardest part of navigating the system!

I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago! Filed by phone after my retail job suddenly closed, got that same confusing text, and had no idea what to do next. Here's what I learned: The "payment issued" text usually means your money will hit the debit card within 24-48 hours if you already have one, but since this sounds like your first payment, they're probably mailing your card now. I was able to track my card shipment by calling Bank of America at the number others mentioned - they could tell me it had been sent and when to expect it. One thing that saved me was setting up UI Online immediately. Even though I filed by phone, I could still create the online account using my SSN and the claim info from my paperwork. Having that online access made everything so much easier for future certifications and checking payment status. Also, don't stress too much about the amount varying - mine fluctuated based on whether I did any gig work that week. The system is confusing at first, but once you get into the rhythm of bi-weekly certifications through UI Online, it becomes much more manageable. You'll get through this!

Hi everyone, just made a video about how to call the EDD and reach a live human agent: https://youtu.be/-R4SqP7_JUA

I've been dealing with the same frustrating issue! The system seems to automatically disconnect calls after a certain period, even when you're still holding. From what I've experienced, it usually happens during peak call times when their system is overloaded. One thing that's helped me is calling right when they open at 8 AM - the success rate seems much higher then. Also, make sure you're not on speakerphone or using Bluetooth as sometimes the system interprets audio delays as a disconnected call. Keep trying - I know it's incredibly frustrating but persistence eventually pays off with EDD.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while caring for a 7-month-old! This is actually a really common issue that many new parents face with EDD, and you're absolutely right to keep fighting. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - when you file your Board Appeal, consider requesting that they assign a different administrative law judge if possible. Sometimes the first judge has already formed an opinion about your case that's hard to change, and a fresh perspective can make all the difference. Also, if you can afford it, consider consulting with an employment attorney who specializes in unemployment appeals. Many offer free consultations and some work on contingency. They know exactly how to frame these disability leave cases and can spot issues that non-lawyers might miss. You mentioned feeling confused by the process - that's completely normal! The EDD system is intentionally complex, but you have a strong case based on what you've described. The 18 months of work history plus the SDI coverage should absolutely qualify you. Don't let them wear you down - you deserve these benefits! Keep documenting everything and stay organized. You've got this! 💪

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a very similar situation about 2 years ago. The whole SDI vs PFL distinction that others mentioned is HUGE - I wish someone had explained that to me earlier because it was exactly what was tripping up my case too. One additional tip that really helped me during my Board Appeal: I wrote a brief summary letter (like 1 page) that clearly stated my case and attached it as the first page of all my documents. Something like "This appeal concerns EDD's incorrect denial of benefits due to failure to properly account for SDI disability leave under UI Code Section 1253.3" and then bullet points of the key facts. The judges see so many cases that having a clear summary right up front really seemed to help. Also, the timeline document suggestion from Emma is spot-on. I made mine in a simple table format showing each month, what I was doing (working/SDI/PFL), and my wages. It made it super visual and obvious that I had qualifying work history when disability periods were properly excluded. Don't let them intimidate you - you clearly know your case better than that first judge did! The fact that you're organizing everything and learning the specific regulations shows you're on the right track. Keep pushing forward! 👍