dont stress out to much! i got this notice 2x during my claim last year. both times i still got paid while waiting for interview. just keep certifying and answering honestly. but def have good records of job search activities cuz thats what they asked me about in my interview.

Hey Wesley! I just went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. I know how stressful it is, especially with rent coming up. Here's what helped me get through it: First, the good news - you'll likely still get paid while they do the review. I received all my conditional payments and they were converted to regular payments after my interview. The key is to keep certifying exactly as you have been. For your interview preparation, since you mentioned the restaurant closed suddenly, try to get any documentation you can - even a text from a coworker or manager confirming the closure can help. I had to explain a similar situation with my employer. One thing that really helped me was calling EDD early in the morning (around 8:02 AM) to ask about expediting the interview due to financial hardship. They were actually pretty understanding about the rent situation and got me scheduled sooner. Also, make sure you have your work search log super organized. I used a simple spreadsheet with company names, dates, positions applied for, and method of contact. They asked for specific details during my interview. The waiting is the worst part, but try not to panic. Most of these reviews are just routine verification and as long as you've been honest and following the rules, you should be fine. Keep us updated on how it goes!

To summarize what everyone has correctly shared: 1. The WBA listed is the gross amount before any tax withholding 2. If you elected tax withholding, 10% will be withheld for federal taxes only (California doesn't tax unemployment benefits) 3. You can change your withholding preference anytime through UI Online 4. If you don't withhold taxes now, you'll need to pay them when filing your tax return 5. Verify your award amount is based on complete wage information from all employers 6. Remember to certify every two weeks to receive payments Most people find it easier to have taxes withheld rather than face a potentially large tax bill later, but it's a personal financial decision.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Money Network card they use for payments can sometimes have delays or issues. I'd recommend setting up direct deposit to your bank account instead if you haven't already - it's more reliable and faster. You can do this through UI Online under "Payment Method." Also, make sure to keep track of all your payments because you'll get a 1099-G tax form at the end of the year showing your total unemployment income, which you'll need for filing taxes.

Has your sister been certifying for benefits while waiting for the appeal? MAKE SURE SHE KEEPS CERTIFYING even though she's getting denied! If she wins the appeal, they'll pay all those past weeks, but only if she certified properly. I've seen people miss out on thousands because they stopped certifying during their appeal process.

Document everything and stay organized! I went through a similar appeal last year where my employer fabricated warnings. Here's my checklist for your hearing: 1. Create a timeline of employment showing only the 2 actual warnings 2. Bring the original termination letter highlighting "performance issues" 3. Get that personnel file ASAP - if they can't produce the alleged 6 warnings, that's huge 4. Prepare a simple statement about her job duties and how she tried to meet expectations 5. Practice staying calm - judges notice when employers can't back up their claims The fact that they initially said they wouldn't contest but now are lying about documentation is actually going to work against them. Judges see right through this stuff. Focus on the legal distinction between misconduct (willful) vs performance (trying but not meeting standards). You've got a strong case! Also yes, make sure she keeps certifying for benefits during the appeal process - she can get backpay if she wins.

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare! My old college email got deactivated after I graduated last year and I've been locked out of my EDD account for over 2 weeks now. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I had no idea about the Trusted Referee video call option or any of these technical workarounds! Based on everyone's advice, I'm planning to try the video call first thing tomorrow morning using incognito mode with all my documents ready (driver's license, Social Security card, utility bill). The tips about clearing browser cache, not navigating away during the wait, and starting early morning for shorter wait times are exactly what I needed to know - I definitely would have made those mistakes otherwise! If the Trusted Referee call doesn't work out, it's really reassuring to know that creating a new ID.me account and using Claimyr to reach EDD is a solid backup plan. The fact that multiple people have confirmed EDD agents are understanding about the dual account situation when you explain the email access issue gives me so much confidence. This whole system is ridiculously broken but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their real experiences and specific technical solutions here. This thread should honestly be stickied as a resource! I'll definitely update with my results to help the next person stuck in ID.me purgatory. Fingers crossed the video call works - really need to get my benefits sorted before rent is due!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My old work email got deactivated about 3 weeks ago and I've been completely locked out of my EDD account since then. This thread has been an absolute lifesaver - I had no clue about the Trusted Referee video call option or any of these technical workarounds that actually work! Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm definitely going to try the video call approach first thing Monday morning. The technical tips about using incognito mode, clearing browser cache, having perfect lighting, and NOT navigating away during the wait are exactly what I needed to know - I would have made every single one of those mistakes otherwise. It's so encouraging to see JaylinCharles's recent success story going from locked out for a month to back in their EDD account within 2 hours once they got the process right. That gives me real hope this can actually work! If the Trusted Referee call doesn't pan out, knowing I can create a new ID.me account and use Claimyr to reach EDD as a backup plan makes me feel like there's actually a clear path forward instead of being stuck in bureaucratic purgatory forever. This whole system is unnecessarily complicated for something as basic as accessing unemployment benefits, but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their real experiences and specific solutions here. This thread should honestly be pinned - it's better than any official help documentation! Will definitely update with my results to help the next person dealing with this ID.me nightmare.

my sister works for edd (not saying which office) and she says identity theft cases are taking around 90 days right now bcuz theres so many of them

The UI Online portal is pretty much useless for tracking identity theft cases. I check mine religiously and it never shows any updates - it just keeps showing the fraudulent claim sitting there, which is super frustrating to see every time I log in. Phone calls are really the only way to get actual status updates, but even then you have to get the right department. Regular customer service reps can only see basic info, but the fraud investigators have access to the real case notes. When you call, specifically ask to be transferred to the "identity theft investigation unit" or "fraud department" - don't just accept talking to whoever picks up first. Document every call with date, time, rep name, and what they told you. It's a pain but it's the only way to stay on top of your case.