I just found out that I was hacked well my identity was stolen in 2021. I went to file for unemployment in 2026 and found out Jane Doe also born 01/01/1920 information was linked to my account. Now I'm having trouble proving my true identity. There is an address as well .. sigh The fraud department doesn't care there's too many people doing this stuff help!!!

@Kk Doll I'm so sorry you're dealing with this identity theft situation from 2021! The fact that you also have the "Jane Doe 01/01/1920" linked to your account suggests this might be part of a larger pattern of fraud or system issues. Since the fraud department isn't being helpful, I'd recommend escalating this through multiple channels: 1) File a complaint with the California State Auditor's office about EDD's inadequate fraud response 2) Contact your state assembly member's office - they often have staff who can intervene with EDD on constituent issues 3) File an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and use that report number when dealing with EDD 4) Consider reaching out to local news stations - EDD tends to respond faster when there's media attention. Also, gather every piece of documentation you have proving your real identity (old tax returns, W-2s, bank statements) and create a comprehensive packet. Sometimes persistence and having everything organized in one place helps cut through their bureaucracy. Don't give up - you deserve to have your identity restored and your benefits processed correctly!

One important thing to remember: make sure you're correctly reporting ALL income from your cash tips on your bi-weekly EDD certifications. Even if you keep the money separate, you still need to report that income for the week you earned it. Failure to report income properly can result in overpayment notices and potential penalties down the road.

Another option to consider is getting a reloadable prepaid card like Green Dot or Netspend that allows cash deposits at participating retailers. You can load your cash tips onto those cards at places like CVS, Walgreens, or 7-Eleven (usually a small fee around $3-5). Then you can use that card for purchases or transfer the money to a regular bank account later. It's not as convenient as being able to deposit directly to your EDD card, but it gives you more flexibility than having to deal with money orders every time you get cash tips.

After reading through all these comments, I think the consensus is pretty clear: 1. File now with April 15th as your last working day 2. Report your severance income when certifying 3. Keep detailed records of your job search 4. Expect to receive reduced or no benefits until severance ends 5. Make sure you have your termination letter and severance agreement ready in case there are questions This is exactly what worked for me when I was in your situation. The system is designed to handle this common scenario, but you need to be patient and thorough with your documentation.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you file your claim, make sure to keep copies of all your severance documentation (pay stubs, severance agreement, etc.) easily accessible. EDD sometimes requests additional documentation weeks or even months after you file, and having everything organized will save you a lot of stress. Also, if your severance includes things like health insurance continuation or other benefits, those typically don't count as wages for unemployment purposes - only the actual cash payments do. Good luck with your claim!

Update: My roommate just found a letter from her former employer dated around the time she was let go that clearly states it was a layoff due to department restructuring. We're putting together her appeal tonight and will mail it certified tomorrow. Thank you everyone for the advice - especially about the payment plan and tax deduction if she does end up having to repay anything. It's made her feel a lot less panicked about the whole situation.

That's great news about finding the layoff documentation! Having that letter stating it was due to department restructuring should really strengthen her appeal. Just a few more tips as you put together the paperwork: make sure to include a timeline of events, copies of any unemployment certification where she accurately reported her job separation reason, and if possible, contact info for any coworkers who were also laid off at the same time (this shows it was a legitimate layoff, not targeting her specifically). Also, when you mail it certified, keep that receipt - you'll want proof of the delivery date in case there are any disputes about meeting the 30-day deadline. Wishing her the best of luck with the appeal!

Update us when you hear something! Good luck with your claim.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Had my eligibility interview on Wednesday and it's been radio silence since then. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're already stressed about finances. I keep refreshing my UI Online account hoping something will change, but it's still showing "pending" for all my certifications. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful - sounds like 7-14 business days is pretty normal, even though it feels like forever. Thanks for posting this question, I was wondering the same thing but felt silly asking!