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I'm going through something very similar right now! Just got laid off from my retail management position two weeks ago and reported my severance package ($3,200) when I filed. Haven't gotten my interview scheduled yet but seeing all these responses is making me feel so much better about the process. It sounds like as long as you were honestly laid off and the severance was a one-time payment, the interview is just a formality. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with EDD's confusing system!
Welcome to the club nobody wants to be in! But seriously, it sounds like you're in a really similar situation to what everyone else has described here. The fact that your severance was also a lump sum and you were laid off (not fired for cause) should work in your favor. I'm still waiting for my interview next week, but reading all these experiences has me feeling much more confident. Definitely keep documenting your job search activities - seems like that's something they ask about. Hope we both get through this process smoothly! This community really is amazing for navigating all of EDD's quirks.
I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and completely understand your anxiety! When I got that "something that can make you ineligible" message after reporting my $4,800 severance, I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my claim. But it really is just standard procedure when any severance is reported - their system automatically triggers the interview requirement. During my phone interview, the EDD representative was actually pretty straightforward and professional. They asked: 1) Why I was separated from work (layoff vs. firing vs. quitting), 2) Whether my severance was paid as a lump sum or ongoing payments, 3) If there were any work restrictions in my severance agreement, and 4) Whether I was available for full-time work and actively job searching. The whole interview took about 20 minutes, and I had my benefits approved within 2 business days afterward. My biggest advice is to have your termination letter and severance agreement documents ready to reference, and keep your answers clear and direct. Since you were laid off due to position elimination and received a lump sum payment, you should be in good shape. The fact that you reported everything honestly from the start definitely works in your favor!
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience! It's incredibly reassuring to hear that the interview was straightforward and professional rather than some kind of interrogation. I was really worried I had somehow made a mistake by reporting my severance, but it sounds like being honest upfront was definitely the right call. I love that you broke down the exact questions they asked - that gives me a much better idea of what to expect. I have my termination letter (clearly states "position elimination") and severance agreement ready to go. The 2-day approval timeline after your interview gives me a lot of hope too! Really appreciate you taking the time to walk through your whole experience.
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Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1) Look for both the DE 1447 repayment arrangement form and the DE 1446W waiver form, 2) Keep certifying as normal and watch my payment history like a hawk once the penalty period ends, and 3) Prepare for at least a 25% reduction in my weekly benefit amount. This has been super helpful - I feel much more prepared now for what's coming.
Great plan! Just remember to keep certifying on time every two weeks even during this transition period. Missing certifications can create even more headaches. Good luck!
One more thing to add - make sure you have your bank account info updated in UI Online before your penalty period ends. I've seen people have their first payment delayed because their direct deposit info expired or was incorrect. Also, if you haven't certified for benefits during your penalty weeks, you'll need to start certifying again right away when the penalty period ends. Don't wait - EDD won't automatically restart your payments, you have to actively certify to trigger them. The system doesn't always make this clear!
This is really important advice! I just checked and my direct deposit info is still current, but I hadn't thought about the certification thing. During my penalty weeks I've been certifying but just getting $0 payments - so I should be good to go once the penalty ends, right? I don't want any delays getting my first payment after waiting 15 weeks!
Yes, if you've been certifying throughout your penalty period, you should be all set! The payments should resume automatically once your penalty weeks are completed. Just keep an eye on your UI Online account to make sure the first payment processes correctly. Sometimes there can be small delays, but since you've maintained your certification schedule, it should be smooth sailing.
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This whole thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar issue right now where EDD has my marital status wrong and it's affecting my benefit calculation. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like these database errors are way more common than they should be. @Jackson Carter - thanks for the detailed update! Really encouraging to know this can actually get resolved. I'm curious - when you were on the call with the Tier 2 specialist, did they explain what might have caused the citizenship error in the first place? I'm wondering if there's something we can do to prevent these kinds of mix-ups in future applications. Also for anyone else dealing with similar issues - I found that keeping a detailed log of every call attempt (date, time, any reference numbers) has been helpful when I finally do get through. The reps seem to appreciate having that information readily available.
This is really helpful advice about keeping a log! I wish I had thought of that during my weeks of calling attempts. The rep actually didn't explain what caused the citizenship error specifically, but they did mention that these issues often happen during quarterly system updates when data gets pulled from multiple government databases and sometimes gets cross-referenced incorrectly. They said it's become more common since the January 2025 system upgrade. Really frustrating that we have to deal with their technical glitches affecting our benefits!
I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm currently dealing with what sounds like the exact same citizenship error - the system suddenly has me marked as needing work authorization even though I've been a US citizen my whole life and have successfully filed UI claims before. It's beyond frustrating that their system can just randomly decide you're not a citizen anymore! Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear this is a widespread issue with their January 2025 system update. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service since calling directly has been completely useless - I've tried over 20 times this week and either get disconnected or stuck in endless hold loops. One thing I'm wondering - for those who got this resolved, did the citizenship error affect your ability to certify for benefits while waiting for the fix? I'm worried I'm going to miss certification deadlines while dealing with this mess. The whole situation is making me incredibly anxious about losing weeks of benefits over their technical screw-up.
I'm dealing with something similar right now too! The citizenship error is preventing me from certifying - every time I try to certify it redirects me back to the "update work authorization" page that doesn't apply to me. It's like being stuck in an endless loop. From what I've read in other threads, you CAN'T certify until they fix the citizenship status because it affects your entire eligibility determination. That's why this needs to be fixed ASAP - every week we can't certify is potentially lost benefits. Definitely try Claimyr, I'm planning to use it tomorrow morning. This whole situation is so stressful!
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UPDATE: I FINALLY got through to EDD this morning after calling right when they opened! You all were right - it was a verification issue triggered by the Money Network card activation. The rep said there was a mismatch between my mailing address (where the card was sent) and my residence address on file. The tier 2 specialist was able to verify my identity and remove the disqualification. She said my payment should be processed within 48 hours. Such a relief! For anyone else experiencing this - keep calling and make sure you get to a tier 2 rep who can actually fix the issue. The first person I spoke with couldn't even see why I was disqualified.
Great news! Thanks for updating us. This is exactly why it's so important to make sure all your information matches exactly across systems. Glad you got it resolved without too much delay.
Lucky you got through! I'm dealing with a different EDD issue and been trying for WEEKS with no luck. The system is broken!!
So glad you got this resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to double-check that ALL their information matches perfectly across EDD systems before activating anything. The Money Network card activation seems to trigger these verification checks more often than EDD admits. For future reference for anyone reading this - when you get your card, before activating it, go into your UI Online account and verify that your mailing address, residential address, phone number, and even how your name is formatted (middle initial vs full middle name, etc.) matches EXACTLY what you used when you first applied. Even tiny differences can cause these automated flags. It's ridiculous that EDD doesn't warn people about this possibility, but at least now we know what to watch out for. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - it really helps other people going through the same thing!
This is such helpful advice! I wish I had known about checking all the address formatting before I activated my card. It's crazy that something as simple as writing "St." vs "Street" can cause your benefits to get flagged. EDD really needs to do a better job explaining these potential issues upfront instead of leaving people to figure it out after they're already in crisis mode. Thanks for sharing this tip - it could save a lot of people from going through what Connor just experienced!
Mary Bates
hey just wondering did u have ur interview yet? how did it go??? im sure everything worked out fine!
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Vera Visnjic
•My interview is still scheduled for Tuesday, but I feel so much better prepared now thanks to everyone's advice! I've gathered documents about the school closure, made notes about why evening/weekend work is all I can do right now, and prepared to explain why I didn't think about a leave of absence. I'll definitely update after my interview to let everyone know how it went!
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Amina Sow
Good luck with your interview on Tuesday! You've gotten some great advice here. I went through a similar situation last summer when my daughter's summer camp was canceled unexpectedly and I had to quit my office job. One thing I'd add - if they ask about future employment, make sure to emphasize that you're actively seeking work that fits your available hours (evenings/nights/weekends). I brought a list of jobs I'd applied for in hospitality, security, and healthcare that had evening shifts. This showed I wasn't just collecting benefits without trying to work. Also, don't be surprised if they ask about your partner's work situation or other family members who could help with childcare - just be honest about your specific circumstances. The interviewer was actually pretty understanding once I explained everything clearly. You sound well-prepared and your situation is exactly the kind of thing EDD recognizes as good cause. Keep us posted on how it goes!
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AstroAdventurer
•Thank you for the encouragement! That's really smart about bringing a list of jobs you've applied for - I hadn't thought about documenting my job search efforts that specifically. I have been looking at evening positions at hospitals and some retail stores that are open late, so I'll make sure to have that ready to show. It's reassuring to hear from someone who went through something similar with unexpected childcare issues. Fingers crossed for Tuesday!
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