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MAKE SURE u save all ur paystubs and take screenshots of ur work schedule too!! my friend got hit with an overpayment notice because her employer reported different hours than what she claimed. EDD always sides with the employer unless u have proof!!
I'd also recommend downloading the EDD mobile app if you haven't already - it makes certifying every two weeks much easier than using the website. You can certify right from your phone and track your claim status. Just remember that when you certify, you'll need to report your gross earnings (before taxes) for those 15 hours, not your take-home pay. The app will walk you through all the questions step by step. Good luck with your application!
Thanks for mentioning the mobile app! I didn't even know EDD had one. That'll definitely be more convenient than trying to use their website on my phone. Quick question - when you say report gross earnings, does that include any tips I might get during those 15 hours? I work retail so I don't get tips regularly, but sometimes customers give small amounts during busy periods.
Just wanted to add that if anyone else is dealing with this same issue, there's also a "Chat with ID.me" option hidden in their help center that sometimes connects you faster than calling. Look for it under "Account Recovery" in their support section. I tried it when I couldn't get through on the phone and got connected to someone within 20 minutes. They were able to initiate the email change process right there in the chat, though they still had to verify my identity over the phone afterward. Worth trying if you're hitting busy signals on the main support line!
Oh wow, I had no idea there was a chat option! I've been dreading making that phone call because I hate being on hold forever. Thanks for sharing this - definitely going to try the chat first before calling. Did they ask for the same verification info (license, SSN, etc.) through chat, or was it different since it wasn't over the phone initially?
@Aisha Patel That s'such a helpful tip about the chat option! I wish I had known about that when I was going through this nightmare. For anyone else reading this - definitely try multiple contact methods. The chat verification process is usually similar to phone they (ll'ask for your driver s'license number, last 4 of SSN, etc. but) sometimes the chat agents can start the process and then transfer you to a phone specialist who already has your case pulled up, which can save time. Also, screenshot everything during the chat in case you need to reference it later!
This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now where my old email got hacked and I had to abandon it completely. Been putting off dealing with ID.me because I was dreading the process, but seeing all these success stories gives me the motivation to tackle it. Going to try the chat option first thing tomorrow morning, then call if that doesn't work out. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own unemployment benefits, but at least there are workarounds. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when navigating these government system nightmares!
Good luck with tackling your ID.me issue! Just a heads up - if your old email was hacked rather than just shut down, make sure to mention that specifically when you contact ID.me support. They might need to take extra security steps since there could be a potential fraud concern with a compromised email account. Also, if you haven't already, consider filing a report with your email provider about the hack - sometimes ID.me asks for documentation about why you can't access the original email. Hope you get it sorted quickly!
So glad you got it resolved @Sean Kelly! Your experience is super helpful for others dealing with the same issue. I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - been approved for 10 days and no card yet. After reading all these comments I'm definitely going to call Money Network first thing Monday morning instead of trying to get through to EDD. The address issue seems to be really common - I should probably double-check mine in UI Online too. Thanks for sharing your update and congrats on finally getting access to your funds!
@Lucy Lam definitely check your address first! I made the same mistake as Sean and was missing my apartment number. It s'such a simple thing but causes huge delays. The Money Network number 1-866-692-9374 (is) way easier to get through to than EDD - I called last week and only waited about 10 minutes. They can tell you right away if the card was mailed or if there s'an address issue. Good luck getting yours sorted out!
This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually dealing with this exact situation right now - got approved 2 weeks ago and still waiting for my card. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like calling Money Network directly at 1-866-692-9374 is definitely the way to go instead of trying to reach EDD. I'm going to check my address in UI Online first thing tomorrow to make sure it's complete - seems like missing apartment numbers or small address errors are causing a lot of these delays. It's reassuring to see that most people do eventually get their cards, even if it takes longer than expected. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips!
This is so frustrating and unfortunately way too common with EDD! I went through something similar a few months ago where they scheduled my interview for a Friday afternoon and never called. Turns out their system had a glitch that day and multiple people got missed. Here's what I learned: definitely call them tomorrow morning right when they open at 8am. Keep hitting redial - it took me about an hour of constant calling but I eventually got through. The rep was actually helpful once I reached someone and rescheduled me for the following week. Also, take screenshots of your online portal showing today's scheduled interview time as proof you were supposed to have the call. When I spoke to the rep, having that documentation really helped my case. The good news is that once you do complete the interview (assuming it goes well), you'll get all your back pay including for this waiting period. I know it doesn't help with rent being due next week, but at least you won't lose out on the money completely. Don't lose hope - most people I know who had missed interviews got it sorted out within 1-2 weeks once they made contact with EDD. The system is broken but the individual reps are usually understanding when it's clearly their fault.
Thank you for the advice about taking screenshots - that's really smart! I already grabbed a screenshot of my portal showing today's scheduled interview time, so I'll definitely have that ready when I call tomorrow. It's encouraging to hear that the reps are usually understanding when it's clearly their fault. The system glitch you mentioned makes total sense - it seems like their technology is just as unreliable as everything else about EDD. I'm prepared to spend however long it takes calling tomorrow morning until I get through. Really appreciate you sharing your experience and the reassurance that people do get this resolved!
This exact thing happened to my sister last month! EDD scheduled her interview for 9am-11am and never called. She was literally sitting by her phone the whole time, just like you. What ended up working was calling the 1-800-300-5616 number at exactly 8:00am the next morning and just keep redialing over and over. It took her about 30-40 minutes of constant calling but she finally got through. The rep told her their interviewer had technical issues that day and rescheduled her for later that week. The really important thing is to make sure you keep certifying for benefits while you wait - don't let your certification lapse! My sister got all her back pay once the interview was completed and her claim was approved. Also, check your UI Online portal frequently because sometimes they'll process claims without needing the interview if they determine it's not actually necessary. That happened to one of my coworkers recently. I know how stressful this is when rent is due - hang in there and definitely start calling first thing tomorrow morning. You've got this!
Nia Thompson
Just wanted to add another option that worked for me - if you have a smartphone, try using the EDD mobile app to send a message through the "Contact Us" feature. I know the original poster mentioned they already tried UI Online, but the mobile app seems to route messages differently. I got a response within 2 days when I explained my situation was urgent due to rent being due. Also, when you do get through to someone (whether by phone or through one of these services), ask them to put notes in your account about the issue being resolved so if something similar happens again, the next rep can see the history. Really glad to hear the Claimyr service worked for you @Ava Johnson - that's awesome that you got it sorted out!
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Evelyn Martinez
•Great tip about the mobile app! I didn't even know there was a separate Contact Us feature there. I've been struggling with a similar issue for weeks and tried everything else mentioned in this thread. Definitely going to download the app and try messaging through there. Also really smart advice about asking them to put notes in your account - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense for future reference. Thanks for sharing! @Nia Thompson
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Malik Davis
Another strategy that helped me when I was in a similar situation - try calling the disability insurance (DI) line at 1-800-480-3287 and explain that you're having trouble reaching someone about your UI claim. Sometimes they can transfer you internally to the right department, and since fewer people know about this number, you're more likely to get through to a human. Also, if you're really desperate, consider reaching out to your local One-Stop Career Center (American Job Centers). They often have direct contacts at EDD and can sometimes make calls on your behalf or escalate urgent cases. I know it's frustrating but don't give up - there are people there who want to help, the system just makes it incredibly hard to reach them!
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Keisha Johnson
•This is such helpful advice! @Malik Davis I had no idea about the DI line trick - that s'really clever thinking since most people probably don t'know about that number. I m'definitely going to save this thread because there are so many good strategies here. It s'honestly ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to talk to someone about our own benefits, but at least this community is helping each other out with creative solutions. Really appreciate everyone sharing what worked for them!
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