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!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful replies! I'm feeling less anxious now knowing this is normal. I'll wait another week before trying to contact anyone about it. And I'll definitely set up direct deposit once I get the card to avoid this issue with future payments. I'll also check with my neighbors and make sure I'm watching for a plain envelope that could look like junk mail. Really appreciate all the advice!

One thing I'd add - if you're really stressed about accessing your money while waiting for the card, you can also check if your bank offers Zelle or if you have friends/family who could help you access funds once the card arrives. Some people I know have had their trusted family member receive the card, activate it, and then transfer money to them via Zelle or Venmo as a temporary solution. Obviously only do this with someone you completely trust! But it can be a lifesaver if you have urgent bills while waiting for the postal service to deliver your card.