One more thing to check - look at the 'Determination' section in her UI Online account. Sometimes there's an entry there showing when they determined she was eligible for PUA instead of regular UI. The date on that determination would be very close to when she was approved for PUA. Also, PUA was only available from March 29, 2020 through September 4, 2021, so that narrows down the timeframe. If she was auto-transferred, it likely happened in April or May 2020 when they were implementing the program.

I went through something similar with my elderly father last year. One thing that really helped was creating a timeline document while going through all these different sections (Claim History, Notices, Determinations, Messages). For the tax paperwork issue you mentioned, if you can't find the exact application date through EDD's portal, you might also check if she has any old bank statements or tax documents from 2020. Sometimes the first PUA payment date can help you work backwards to estimate when she applied, since there was usually only a 1-2 week processing time back then. Also, if she was automatically transferred from regular UI to PUA, there should be a gap or change in payment amounts in her claim history - regular UI was based on previous wages while PUA had a standard weekly amount. That transition point might give you clues about timing even if the exact dates aren't clearly listed. Hope this helps and good luck navigating the EDD maze! Your mother-in-law is lucky to have someone helping her with this complicated stuff.

I'm going through this EXACT same situation right now! Got a letter for an interview scheduled for yesterday 2-4pm, sat by my phone the entire time with it fully charged and volume all the way up - nobody called. Just like you, when I checked my UI Online account there's absolutely no record of any interview being scheduled. It's like the letter and the online system are completely disconnected! I've been reading through all these responses and it's actually making me feel a lot better knowing this is happening to so many people. It sounds like the EDD is just severely backlogged right now and they're running way behind on these interviews. I'm going to follow the advice here about documenting everything - I already took photos of the letter and screenshots of my UI Online showing no scheduled interview. Planning to keep certifying as normal and give it about a week before trying to contact them through the online system. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this mess!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! This is actually becoming incredibly common right now - you're definitely not alone. I had a similar experience about 6 weeks ago where I was scheduled for an interview and they never called. I was absolutely panicking thinking I'd lose my benefits. What ended up happening is they called me 12 days later! The rep explained that their interview scheduling system is completely overwhelmed and they're running 1-3 weeks behind on all eligibility interviews. She said the automated letters go out based on their original timeline, but the actual staff can't keep up with the volume. The most important things: 1) Keep certifying for benefits on your normal schedule - don't stop just because of this missed interview, 2) Document everything like others mentioned (screenshots, photos of the letter, notes about when you were available), and 3) Don't panic yet - they won't disqualify you because THEY missed the call. When they finally did call me, the rep could see all the notes about the original scheduled time and that I hadn't been reached. They actually apologized for the delay! The interview itself was pretty straightforward after all that stress. Hang in there - this is definitely a system problem, not something you did wrong!

UPDATE: I just managed to get through to EDD (kept calling back-to-back this morning) and they confirmed my first payment was processed yesterday! The representative said the card should arrive within 7-10 business days from payment processing. She also said I can set up direct deposit for future payments once I activate the card. I'm still frustrated about the wait, but at least now I know the money is coming. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

That's such a relief that you got through and got confirmation! I'm actually in a similar situation - got my NOC last week and have been anxiously waiting. Your update gives me hope that mine should be coming soon too. Did the EDD rep mention anything about whether they can expedite the card if you're facing eviction or other emergency situations? I've heard mixed things about whether they have any options for people in dire financial straits.

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I'm in a similar situation - had my phone interview 3 weeks ago and still showing pending. From what I've read in this community, it seems like the wait times are really inconsistent. Some people get updates within a week, others wait months. Have you tried calling the 833 number early in the morning around 8:01 AM? I've heard that's when you have the best chance of getting through to someone who can check your status.

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I submitted my application yesterday and am waiting for it to process. One question I'm still confused about - for the work search requirement, does applying for additional hours at my current job count as one of my job search activities? Or do all job searches need to be with entirely different employers?

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago when my retail hours got slashed from 32 to 20 per week. Definitely apply for partial UI - you qualify! A few tips from my experience: 1) Apply ASAP since there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start, 2) When they ask for documentation of the hours reduction, screenshots of your work schedule or a simple email from your manager confirming the cut works fine, 3) The work search requirement is totally manageable - I counted things like updating my resume, applying on company websites, even asking my current manager about picking up shifts at other store locations. The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap while I found a second part-time job. Hang in there - it's stressful but the system does work once you get through the initial paperwork!