Final update: It took exactly 4 business days for my direct deposit to activate. Just got my first payment directly to my checking account today! For anyone else wondering, the process was pretty straightforward - the Money Network website walks you through it. And yes, I did have to transfer the initial payment from my card separately.

That's awesome that it worked out so smoothly for you! 4 business days is actually pretty reasonable. Quick question for everyone - has anyone had issues with the Money Network website being down or glitchy when trying to set up direct deposit? I'm planning to do this soon and want to know if there are certain times of day that work better or if I should expect any technical difficulties with their site.

For your vacation payout question: Yes, you must report vacation pay when certifying. On the certification form, you'll select "Yes" when asked if you received any income, then select "Vacation Pay" as the type. Enter the gross amount (before taxes) and the dates it covers. For severance, you'll handle it similarly but select "Severance Pay" as the income type. Both can reduce your weekly benefit amount for the weeks they cover, but won't necessarily disqualify you completely. If you have trouble understanding how to report these correctly, I strongly recommend speaking with an EDD representative who can guide you through your specific situation.

I went through almost the exact same situation 6 months ago! Company laid me off but kept me on the books for "transition purposes" until my official end date 10 weeks later. I was so confused about when to file, but I'm glad I applied immediately after reading advice like what's here. The key thing is that EDD cares about when you stopped working and receiving regular wages, not what your employer calls your status. I had to do a phone interview because my employer initially disputed the claim (they said I was still employed), but once I explained I wasn't working or getting paid, it got approved quickly. One tip: keep that layoff email from HR as documentation. I had to reference mine during my interview to prove I wasn't working even though I was technically still "employed." Also, if you get any kind of severance or continued benefits, make sure you understand exactly what you're receiving and when so you can report it correctly. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. Don't let the administrative games delay your application!

I'm telling you, it's a conspiracy to keep us poor and desperate. They make it so hard on purpose so people just give up. Stay strong and keep fighting!

I've been through this exact same situation! The waiting game is absolutely brutal. One thing that worked for me was creating a new email address specifically for unemployment correspondence and then updating my contact info through the online portal. Sometimes their system gets glitchy with certain email providers. Also, try checking if there's a "secure messages" section in your online account - sometimes they send notifications there instead of email. I know it's frustrating, but don't give up! The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so keep being persistent with calls and emails. You've got this! 💪

I'm in almost the exact same situation as Dylan and really appreciate all the detailed advice in this thread! Filed my claim in November 2023 and got hit with the same address verification denial even though everything on my driver's license matches perfectly. I'm at about 9 weeks since filing my appeal and the silence from EDD is deafening. A few things I've learned from my own research that might help others: If you moved recently like Dylan did, make sure you can explain the timeline clearly at your hearing. I created a simple timeline document showing when I moved, when I updated my address with DMV, when I registered to vote at the new address, etc. Also, I found out that some credit monitoring services (like Credit Karma) will show you a history of addresses associated with your credit report - this can be useful evidence if EDD is questioning whether you actually live where you say you do. One question for those who've been through hearings recently - do they still allow you to have a representative or advocate with you during the hearing, or do you have to represent yourself? I've heard mixed things about this and want to be prepared. The financial stress while waiting is brutal. Hang in there everyone - it sounds like most people with legitimate cases do eventually win their appeals.

Dylan, I feel for you - the EDD appeal process is absolutely brutal right now. I'm currently at week 13 waiting for my hearing date after filing an appeal for the same address verification issue back in November. Like others have mentioned, the wait times are all over the place but seem to average around 10-12 weeks. One thing that really helped me was going to my local Assembly member's office for constituent services - they were able to confirm my appeal was actually in the system and get me a rough timeline estimate when I couldn't get through on the phones. You can find your Assembly member on the CA legislature website and just call asking for help with EDD issues. Also, start preparing your documentation NOW even while you wait. I created a binder with sections for: lease/rental agreement, utility bills, bank statements, DMV records, voter registration, medical records, and even subscription service bills (Netflix, gym membership, etc.) - basically anything showing your name at that address over time. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case. The financial stress is real - I had to take on some gig work just to stay afloat while waiting. But from what I've seen in this community, people with legitimate address verification issues usually win their appeals if they come prepared. Hang in there!

That makes sense. I reported some part-time hours for the second week, so maybe that's why it's under additional review. Fingers crossed it gets sorted soon!

Hey Sofia! I went through something very similar last year when I had to submit paystubs for wage verification. The mixed "paid" status (one week yes, one week pending) is actually pretty normal when they're reviewing documentation. What you're experiencing sounds like standard EDD procedure - they often process weeks individually when there are discrepancies to review. The paper check timeline everyone mentioned is accurate in my experience too. I got mine in about 7 business days. One tip: if you have a local EDD office that's open for in-person visits, sometimes going there can help get faster answers about document processing status than calling the phone lines. They can actually pull up your file and tell you definitively if your paystubs were received and are being processed. Hang in there - it's frustrating but it will get resolved!