I'm so sorry you're going through this - the combination of workplace harassment and then getting denied by EDD is just awful. I went through something similar about 6 months ago and want to share a few things that helped me win my appeal. First, don't panic about the timeline! You have 30 days to file your appeal, and the good news is you have really strong documentation. The screenshots of the group chat messages are incredibly valuable evidence - make sure those are front and center in your appeal. When you write your appeal letter, structure it chronologically. Start with when the harassment began, show the escalation over time, document each attempt you made to resolve it (those HR emails are gold!), and then connect it directly to your health deterioration. The fact that you have ER visits with medical documentation is huge. One thing that really helped my case was getting a detailed letter from my therapist explaining how the workplace trauma affected my mental health and ability to function. Since you mentioned panic attacks and chest pain, having your doctor write specifically about how the workplace environment caused these medical issues could be the key to your appeal. Also, don't let that rushed phone interview discourage you. The appeal hearing is completely different - you'll have plenty of time to tell your full story to an Administrative Law Judge who will actually listen. Mine took about an hour and I was able to present everything properly. You've got this! The documentation you have sounds really strong, and quitting due to documented harassment that's affecting your health absolutely should qualify as good cause.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this - workplace harassment is traumatic enough without having to fight EDD too! Your case actually sounds very strong based on what you've described. The combination of documented harassment (those group chat screenshots!), attempts to resolve it through proper channels, and medical documentation connecting your health issues to the workplace situation checks all the boxes for "good cause" to quit. A few quick tips for your appeal: - File it ASAP (you have 30 days from the disqualification date) - Request your complete claim file so you can see exactly what your employer told EDD - Get a detailed letter from your doctor specifically linking your ER visits and health issues to the workplace harassment - Organize your evidence chronologically to show the pattern of escalating harassment The appeal hearing will be so much better than that rushed phone interview. The Administrative Law Judge will actually give you time to present your full case properly. I've seen people with similar situations successfully overturn their initial denials - don't lose hope! Your documentation sounds really comprehensive and that's exactly what wins these appeals. Hang in there - you did the right thing by leaving that toxic environment, and hopefully EDD will recognize that once you get a fair hearing.

I work at a local housing nonprofit and see this situation constantly! Here's what I tell clients: most housing programs have a 30-day grace period for unemployment documentation specifically because EDD is so slow. Ask your housing coordinator directly about their policy for newly filed claims - they should have a standard procedure. In the meantime, print EVERYTHING from your UI Online account: the confirmation page, any emails EDD sent you, and even screenshots of your login showing your claim number. Create a simple timeline document showing when you lost your job, when you filed, and when you expect the award letter. Most reasonable housing staff will work with you if you show you're being proactive. Also, some local One-Stop Career Centers have direct contacts at EDD and can sometimes expedite verification letters for housing emergencies - worth calling yours to ask!

Just wanted to add another potential workaround that worked for me recently - if you have a case worker or social worker assigned to you through any other program (like SNAP, Medicaid, etc.), they often have direct lines to EDD or can send official requests on your behalf. I was struggling with the same award letter issue for my housing voucher, and my SNAP caseworker was able to call EDD and get a verification letter emailed within 48 hours. She said it's because agency-to-agency requests get prioritized differently than individual calls. Also, if you're part of any disability services or workforce development programs, those staff members usually have similar connections. Worth checking if you have any other case workers who might be able to advocate for you - they understand the urgency of housing documentation and are used to navigating these bureaucratic delays!

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

Hey! That message means they've approved your unemployment application and you'll be getting your EDD debit card (Bank of America card) in the mail soon. This is the card they'll use to deposit your unemployment payments. It usually takes about 7-10 business days to arrive after you see that message. Once you get it, you'll need to activate it and then you should start seeing your payments deposited. Make sure to keep an eye on your mail and also check your EDD account online for any updates on payment dates!

Have you tried reaching out to your local state representative? Sometimes they can help push things along with EDD. Worth a shot if you're really stuck.

Honestly, the best thing I did was set up direct deposit like @Luca Ricci mentioned. I wasted 2 months waiting for my card that never came, then switched to direct deposit and got my payment within a week. You can change it in your UI Online account under "Payment Method." Also, if you do need to call, try the 833-978-2511 number early morning - seems to have shorter wait times than the main line. Hang in there! 💪

I've been through this exact scenario twice! The first time I panicked and almost reported the job offer too early, but luckily I asked my friend who works in HR first. Here's what I learned: Keep certifying normally until your ACTUAL first day of work. A verbal offer with no paperwork or start date is essentially just a promising conversation - nothing more. The EDD certification questions are very literal: "Did you work?" No. "Did you earn wages?" No. "Did you refuse work?" No (since you accepted). What really helped me was setting up a simple tracking system. I created a note in my phone with the offer date, acceptance date, and any updates from HR. This way I had everything documented if I ever needed to reference it later. The hardest part is the limbo period - you want to celebrate but you also can't fully relax until that first paycheck hits. Just remember that EDD deals with actual work performed and wages earned, not future promises. You're being smart by asking these questions instead of just winging it! Once you do get that start date, make sure to report your gross earnings for any week you work, even if the paycheck comes later. But until then, you're still unemployed in EDD's eyes, so keep doing everything you're supposed to do as an unemployment recipient.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Got a verbal offer on a Friday, accepted it, but then had to wait almost 3 weeks for HR to get everything sorted out. It was so stressful not knowing when I'd actually start earning money again. Here's what I did and it worked out perfectly: I kept certifying normally every week until my actual first day of work. The key is understanding that EDD's questions are very specific to what happened during that certification period. So if you didn't work or earn wages that week, you report no work and no wages. Since you accepted the job offer (didn't refuse it), you answer "No" to the refuse work question. I also kept doing my three work search activities each week until my start date, just to be safe. I know it seems silly when you already have a job lined up, but technically you're still unemployed until you actually start working. The waiting period is nerve-wracking, but you're doing the right thing by being cautious and asking questions. Once you do get that official start date and begin working, then you'll switch to reporting your actual earnings. Until then, just answer each certification question truthfully based on what actually happened that week. You've got this!