Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to apply for CalFresh today through BenefitsCal.com and make sure I have all my documentation ready. I'll also call EDD to ask about possible extensions using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Really appreciate all the guidance - navigating these different benefit systems is pretty overwhelming.

Good luck with your CalFresh application! One more thing to keep in mind - if you do get approved for CalFresh before your unemployment runs out, make sure to report to EDD that you're receiving food assistance. It shouldn't affect your UI benefits at all (CalFresh isn't counted as income), but it's better to be transparent about all benefits you're receiving. Also, once you start receiving CalFresh, you'll need to do periodic reviews (usually every 6 months) to maintain your benefits, so keep all your documentation organized. The system can be confusing but you've got this!

Congratulations on getting this resolved! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's so important to share these stories in the community. The fact that you got through in 15 minutes using Claimyr while others have spent weeks trying to call directly really highlights how broken the EDD phone system is. I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where my claim was automatically denied after reopening, even though I was laid off from my most recent job. Your post gives me hope that it can be fixed quickly once you reach the right person. Going to try that service you mentioned since traditional calling hasn't worked for me either. Thanks for taking the time to post the update - it's incredibly helpful for those of us still fighting this battle!

As someone who just went through a very similar situation last month, I can't stress enough how important it is to act quickly on this. The EDD system has a major flaw where it automatically applies previous disqualifications to reopened claims without any human review. Here's what I learned from my experience: The key is getting to a live person who can do a "manual eligibility review" - don't let them just tell you to wait for a letter or appeal. Be very clear that you were LAID OFF (not quit) from your most recent employer and that this is completely different from whatever caused your previous claim to be disqualified. One tip that helped me: When you do get through, ask the rep to add detailed notes to your file explaining the layoff situation. This way if you have to call again, the next person will see the context immediately instead of starting from scratch. Also, keep certifying every two weeks even while this is being resolved! If they fix the disqualification, you'll get retroactive payments for all the weeks you certified during the dispute period. Don't give up - this is definitely fixable once you reach the right person who understands the technical issue with reopened claims.

After you get this resolved, make sure to set up your account to receive text notifications about interviews and important claim updates. They don't always send physical mail in time, and sometimes emails go to spam. The text system is the most reliable way to get notified about interviews. Go to UI Online > Profile > Contact Information > Communication Preferences and check the SMS option for all notification types.

I went through something very similar last year and here's what finally worked for me: I called the EDD disability line (1-800-480-3287) and explained that my UI claim was affecting my ability to work due to the stress and uncertainty. They transferred me directly to a UI specialist who was able to reschedule my interview that same day. It's a bit of a workaround, but sometimes different departments have better access to resolve UI issues. Also, document everything - keep a log of every call attempt with date/time, save screenshots of your pending claim status, and if you have the police report about your stolen phone, keep that handy as proof of why you missed the original interview. The representatives are more helpful when you can show you've been making good faith efforts to resolve the issue. Hang in there - I know how stressful this is, but most people do get their backpay once it's resolved!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a similar scare last year! It's crazy how common these identity theft attempts are becoming with unemployment benefits. For anyone else reading this thread - definitely sign up for credit monitoring services if you haven't already, and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports even if you haven't been victimized yet. Prevention is so much easier than cleanup! Also, the fact that you got through to EDD using Claimyr gives me hope - I've been struggling to reach them about my own claim issue for weeks. Glad everything worked out for you!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else who might encounter this situation - I work in banking and see these NetSpend scam attempts frequently. What likely happened is someone used your husband's personal information (SSN, name, address) to apply for a NetSpend account, probably hoping to redirect unemployment payments or use it for other fraudulent purposes. The good news is that you caught it early and took all the right steps! For future protection, I'd also recommend setting up account alerts with your bank and consider using a service like LifeLock or Identity Guard for ongoing monitoring. These scammers often try multiple times with the same stolen info. Also, keep that police report number handy - you might need it if other fraudulent accounts pop up in his name down the road.

What a stressful situation, but I'm so relieved to see your update that you got rescheduled! Your persistence really paid off. For your Thursday interview, I'd recommend having all your employment documentation organized beforehand - pay stubs, termination letter, any correspondence with your former employer, etc. The interviewer will likely ask about your work history and the circumstances that led to your unemployment claim. Also, find a quiet spot where you won't be interrupted and maybe put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door just to be extra safe. You've been through enough stress already - having everything prepared will help you feel more confident going into the call. Wishing you the best of luck!

This thread is such a perfect example of why this community is so valuable! Reading through everyone's advice and seeing your successful outcome gives me so much hope. I'm actually dealing with a similar EDD nightmare right now (different issue, but the same feeling of being trapped in their system), and seeing how persistence and multiple approaches worked for you is really encouraging. The step-by-step advice from folks like Amina and Javier is gold - I'm definitely saving this thread for reference. Thanks for taking the time to update us with the good news, and best of luck with your Thursday interview! Stories like yours remind us that even when the system feels impossible, there are ways through it if you don't give up.