ok so i just tried to set up direct desposit and it says i need to verify my identity AGAIN?? i already did the id.me thing when i first applied! why do they make everything so complicated 🤬

This is such great news to hear! I'm still on the fence about switching from the Money Network card because I've gotten used to the routine, but hearing about 24-hour deposits is really tempting. My biggest worry is something going wrong during the transition period and missing a payment. Did you have to do anything special when you applied for direct deposit, or was it pretty straightforward through UI Online? Also wondering if your bank charged any fees for receiving the EDD deposits?

I'm going through something similar right now - had my eligibility interview about 2 weeks ago and still waiting on employer verification. What's been helping me stay sane is keeping a detailed log of dates and what the interviewer told me, so I have something to reference when I call for updates. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have your employer's correct contact information on file with EDD. I had to call back and update my former boss's phone number because the one they had was outdated. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're watching your bank account get lower each day, but from what I'm seeing in this thread, most people do eventually get approved. Hang in there!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Had my eligibility interview 5 days ago and they said they need to verify with my previous employer too. The stress of waiting is real, especially when bills are piling up. My interviewer mentioned it usually takes 1-2 weeks but could be longer if the employer is slow to respond. What's helping me cope is setting up a daily routine to check my UI Online account at the same time each morning so I'm not obsessively refreshing it all day. Also started looking into local food banks and utility assistance programs just in case this drags on longer than expected. The uncertainty is the worst part - wishing there was a way to get real-time updates on where they are in the process. Hope we both hear back soon!

So glad you got this resolved! This thread is going to be super helpful for anyone else dealing with inactive EDD cards. It's crazy that they don't send any kind of heads up before placing these security holds - you'd think after spending so much on unemployment benefits, they'd want to make sure people can actually access their money when they need it. The 8am calling strategy seems to be the real MVP here. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

This is such valuable information! I actually have an old EDD card from 2021 that I never used because I got back to work quickly. After reading this thread, I'm definitely going to check my UI Online account to see if my funds are still showing as paid. It's honestly ridiculous that EDD doesn't send any kind of notification before placing these security holds - like why wouldn't they want people to know their money is still available? Thanks Jackson for sharing your experience and following up with the resolution. The 8am calling strategy and making sure your address is updated seem like key takeaways here!

That EDD rep definitely gave you wrong information! I went through something very similar in 2023 - multiple appeals denied, confusing info from reps, the whole nightmare. Here's what I wish I had known earlier: The "only sent once" thing about waivers is completely false. I actually got my waiver form twice because I lost the first one in all the EDD paperwork chaos! Since your letters don't mention fraud, you're probably looking at a non-fraud overpayment which is good news for waiver eligibility. The key things to look for are: - No mention of "willful misrepresentation" - No Section 1257(a) citations - No penalty percentages (like 30% added to the base amount) The waiting for it to "post" is unfortunately normal - mine took about 4 months after my final appeal was denied. It's maddening but that's just how slow their system is. My biggest advice: start preparing now even while you wait. Gather bank statements, pay stubs, monthly expenses, anything that shows financial hardship. When you finally get that overpayment notice, you'll want to request the DE 1446 form immediately and be ready to submit it with all your documentation. Don't give up! The system is broken but waivers do get approved for people in your situation.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - the EDD system is absolutely broken and their reps giving out incorrect information just makes everything worse! That rep was completely wrong about waivers being "only sent once." I work as a benefits advocate and I've helped dozens of people get multiple waiver forms over the years. The DE 1446 can be requested whenever you have a qualifying non-fraud overpayment. Based on your description, you're likely dealing with a non-fraud overpayment since there's no mention of fraud in your letters. The "hasn't posted yet" status is unfortunately normal - EDD's systems are incredibly slow and it can take 3-6 months or even longer after appeals are exhausted. Here's what I'd recommend while you wait: 1. Start gathering financial hardship documentation now (bank statements, pay stubs, bills, proof of dependents, etc.) 2. Request your complete claim file in writing to see exactly how your disqualification is coded 3. When you call again, ask specifically for a Tier 2 specialist who handles overpayment waivers 4. Don't accept "I don't know" answers about fraud vs non-fraud status The waiting is agonizing, but many people in your exact situation have successfully gotten waivers approved. Document everything and keep pushing for accurate information. You've got this!

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning (called right when they opened at 8am). Turns out there were TWO problems - 1) My employer had reported my wages to the wrong SSN for one quarter (typo on their end), and 2) The system was trying to reactivate my old pandemic claim instead of creating a new one. The rep was actually super helpful and fixed both issues. They're processing a new claim for me now and said I should see everything updated in my portal within 10 days. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! I'll post again once everything is resolved to confirm it all worked out.

So glad you got it sorted out! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's crucial to keep calling until you reach someone who can actually look at your account. The combination of employer reporting errors AND the system trying to reactivate an old claim instead of filing a new one is exactly the kind of mess that automated systems can't handle. Thanks for sharing the update - it'll definitely help others who run into similar issues. The 8am call time tip is gold too!