awesome! glad u got it fixed. wish theyd update their system to not ask for info from like 5 years ago lol

Glad to hear you got it resolved! Your experience is really helpful for others dealing with the same issue. It's frustrating that EDD's system still prompts for outdated verification info from the old BofA system, but at least their phone reps have the ability to work around it. 45 minutes is actually pretty reasonable for EDD wait times - you got lucky calling right at 8 AM! Thanks for updating us on how it went.

I'm going through something very similar right now and wanted to add a few things that have helped me navigate this mess. First, if you're still within your appeal window, definitely pursue it - but also consider reaching out to your local legal aid society or workforce development office. Many have advocates who specialize in EDD appeals and can help you frame your case properly at no cost. Also, while you're waiting for the appeal process, look into your local church or community organizations. I know it sounds random, but several in my area have emergency childcare funds or know of family daycare providers who offer sliding scale rates that aren't listed anywhere online. Sometimes these informal networks are lifesavers. One more practical tip - if you do get called for any job interviews during this process, ask potential employers upfront about their family-friendly policies. Some companies have on-site childcare, backup care partnerships, or flexible scheduling that could solve your work-childcare dilemma entirely. I've found that being honest about my situation during interviews actually helped me find employers who value work-life balance. Hang in there - this system is frustrating but you're clearly a thoughtful parent making the best decisions for your family with the resources available. That has to count for something!

I'm a single mom who successfully appealed an EDD denial for childcare reasons about 18 months ago, and I wanted to share some specific things that made the difference in my case. The appeal hearing judge told me afterwards what really convinced them: 1. I had created a spreadsheet showing my actual take-home pay after taxes/deductions versus childcare costs, broken down by week. This made it crystal clear that I would have been paying $200+ per week just to work. 2. I included a timeline showing when I first realized the childcare issue, what steps I took each week to try to solve it, and when I finally gave notice. This proved it wasn't an impulsive decision. 3. Most importantly - I had documentation showing I asked my employer for accommodations (flexible schedule, remote work options) and was denied. Even though you mentioned you might not have kept that email, check your sent folder or ask HR for a copy of any requests you made. The whole appeal process took about 6 weeks from filing to decision, and I was approved retroactively from my original application date. During that time, CalWORKs emergency assistance helped bridge the gap - definitely apply for that ASAP. You're not alone in this struggle, and your situation sounds very similar to mine. The system is definitely not parent-friendly, but appeals DO work when you have the right documentation. Don't give up!

As someone who's been on unemployment for about 8 months now, I can confirm what everyone else is saying about the midnight Monday certification timeline! The key thing to remember is that EDD processes certifications in batches, and midnight submissions usually get priority in the first batch. Since your payment already switched to "paid" status on Tuesday, you're right on track for the typical timeline. One thing I'll add that might help for future certifications: I always screenshot my certification confirmation page and the "paid" status when it updates, just in case there are ever any discrepancies later. It's saved me once when there was a system glitch. Also, if you're ever worried about timing in the future, you can usually certify a few hours before midnight on Sunday night and still get the same processing speed - you don't have to wait until exactly midnight. Your Money Network card should definitely have the funds by Thursday morning at the latest. In my experience, Wednesday night deposits are pretty common too, so you might even get lucky and see it tomorrow evening!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my experience since I'm also relatively new to the EDD system - been on unemployment for about 2 months now. The anxiety you felt about your first few certifications is so relatable! I remember refreshing the EDD website constantly after my first certification, not knowing what was normal timing. What I've learned is that midnight Monday certifications really do process the most consistently. I've tried certifying at different times and the midnight submissions always seem to get into that priority batch everyone mentions. Since your payment already switched to "paid" on Tuesday, you're experiencing the exact timeline that most of us see regularly. One thing that helped reduce my stress was realizing that EDD's system, while frustrating in many ways, is actually pretty reliable for the basic payment processing when there are no flags on your account. The fact that you reported part-time earnings and it still processed normally is a really good sign that your claim is in good standing. You should definitely have your money by Thursday for rent - I'd even bet on Wednesday evening based on the timeline you're describing! Keep us updated when it hits your Money Network card. These real-world timing examples are super helpful for other newcomers to the system.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through almost the exact same situation about 4 months ago - missed my hearing because EDD sent the notice to my previous address even though I had updated my info with them twice. The panic is real, but you're absolutely taking the right steps. A few things that helped me get through the Request to Reopen process: 1. I wrote a very detailed timeline in my request - when I filed the original appeal, when I expected to receive the hearing notice, when I realized I missed it, etc. Be specific with dates. 2. I included screenshots from my UI Online account showing my correct address was on file, plus confirmation emails from when I updated it. 3. The judge who reviewed my reopening request actually called me directly to ask a few questions, which was nerve-wracking but showed they were taking it seriously. My new hearing was scheduled about 7 weeks later, and I ended up winning the appeal completely - no overpayment required! The administrative law judge said mail delivery issues with EDD notices are unfortunately very common and she sees these cases regularly. The waiting period is absolutely brutal when you're worried about thousands of dollars, but try to use that time productively to prepare your case. You're going to get through this! Keep fighting - don't let them intimidate you into just paying when you may not owe anything at all.

I just wanted to add another perspective from someone who's been through this process recently. I missed my EDD appeal hearing about 3 months ago due to never receiving the notice, and like everyone here, I was absolutely panicking about the overpayment ($11,200 in my case). What really helped me was calling the Appeals office multiple times to make sure they had all my current contact information on file - phone, email, AND mailing address. Turns out they had my old email from 2 years ago! I also asked them to send any future correspondence via email AND regular mail to be extra sure. When I filed my Request to Reopen, I included a sworn declaration (you can find templates online) stating under penalty of perjury that I never received the hearing notice. This seemed to carry more weight than just a regular letter. The judge approved my request in about 12 days, which was faster than the 20 days they quoted me. My new hearing is actually scheduled for next week, so I can't report on the final outcome yet, but the process of getting the reopening approved went much smoother than I expected. Don't lose hope - the system may be frustrating but there are definitely ways to work through it when you're persistent and thorough with documentation. Hang in there everyone! We've got this! 💪

I represented myself at the appeal hearing - didn't use a lawyer. The process was actually less intimidating than I expected. The hearing officer was fair and asked straightforward questions about the working relationship. I prepared a simple timeline showing when the contractor started/ended projects, when they invoiced me vs. when they invoiced other clients, and key communications that demonstrated their independence. The whole hearing took about 45 minutes over the phone. My advice: practice explaining your case clearly and concisely beforehand. Focus on the facts, stay calm, and be ready to answer questions about specific details of your working relationship. Since you have strong documentation (LLC, multiple clients, own equipment), you have a really good chance of winning if it comes to an appeal. But hopefully your initial response will be strong enough that it won't even get that far!

I went through something similar last year and want to echo what others have said about being thorough with your documentation. One thing I'd add - if you have any invoices where the freelancer charged you their business rate (vs. what would be typical hourly employee wages), that can help show they were operating as an independent business. Also, if they ever declined work from you or negotiated project terms/pricing, document that too. EDD looks for evidence that they had real autonomy in the business relationship. The fact they had an LLC is huge in your favor! I'd also recommend calling your business insurance company - some policies include coverage for employment-related claims like this. Even if it doesn't cover the cost, they sometimes provide legal consultation services. Don't panic - you have good evidence and California businesses do win these cases when they have proper documentation. Submit everything before the deadline and stay organized!