One important thing to note: make sure you continue certifying for your SDI benefits properly while this is all going on. Sometimes people get so focused on the appeal that they miss certification deadlines, which creates a whole new problem. Also, when you win your appeal (staying positive here), get the decision in writing and keep multiple copies. EDD has been known to request the same documentation multiple times.

I went through something very similar in 2023. EDD garnished about $3,200 from my SDI payments over 4 months while my appeal was pending. When I finally won my appeal, it took about 8 weeks to get the money back, but I did receive every penny they had taken. A few tips from my experience: - Keep detailed records of every garnishment amount and date - When you call EDD after winning, ask specifically for the "Benefit Payment Control" unit - they handle garnishment reversals - If the first rep says they can't help, politely ask to be transferred to a supervisor who can access overpayment adjustments - The reimbursement will likely come as a separate EDD debit card deposit, not added to your regular SDI payments The whole process is stressful and unfair, but hang in there. The fact that you have documentation proving it was a layoff puts you in a strong position for your hearing. Best of luck!

Hey Nick! I'm going through something similar right now - also considering leaving due to health issues. One thing I learned from talking to an EDD rep (after many failed attempts to get through!) is that they really scrutinize voluntary quits, so documentation is EVERYTHING. I'd suggest getting your doctor to write a detailed letter that specifically mentions how your work environment is affecting your health conditions - not just that you have anxiety/insomnia, but how the job itself is causing or worsening these issues. Also, before you quit, definitely try the accommodation route first (reduced hours, different duties, work from home if possible) and keep emails/documentation of all requests. Even if they deny your requests, it shows you tried to preserve your employment. The whole process is honestly pretty stressful, but having all your ducks in a row from the start will save you headaches later. Good luck with both the claim and your business venture!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who successfully got UI after quitting for health reasons in 2023. The timeline everyone's mentioning is spot on - it took about 6 weeks from filing to first payment, and that was WITH proper documentation. A few things that really helped my case: 1) I had my therapist write a letter specifically stating that my work environment was "incompatible with my mental health treatment and recovery" - that specific language seemed important. 2) I saved all my text messages and emails where I told friends/family about work stress BEFORE I quit - this helped establish a timeline. 3) During the phone interview, I was very factual and didn't get emotional, just stuck to the medical facts and timeline of events. Also @Nick, regarding your business - I was upfront about my plans during certification and just made sure I was genuinely applying to jobs too. EDD seemed okay with it as long as I could show I was available for full-time work if offered. The whole process is definitely nerve-wracking but doable with the right prep!

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone still struggling with EDD password resets - if you have the EDD mobile app installed, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Sometimes the app version works when the website doesn't, or vice versa. I've had luck logging in through the app when the desktop site was giving me problems. Also, if you're using a VPN, try turning it off - EDD's system sometimes flags VPN connections as suspicious and blocks access. Hope this helps someone!

Another thing that helped me when I had this exact same issue - if you have any old EDD correspondence (like award letters or previous notices), make sure you have those handy when you call. The tech support agents will ask you to verify your identity with information from your claim, and having those documents ready speeds up the process significantly. Also, if you know anyone else who has successfully gotten through to EDD recently, ask them for the exact menu options they pressed - sometimes the phone tree changes and you want to make sure you're getting routed to the right department. The whole system is frustrating but you'll get through it!

Just to follow up on a few points mentioned in this thread: 1. You create your PIN during the first activation call 2. If the automated system is causing problems, call the customer service number instead 3. For security reasons, there's sometimes a 24-48 hour waiting period after activation before all funds are available 4. You can check your balance by creating an account at moneynetwork.com or through their mobile app 5. Direct deposit is generally faster for future payments Hope this helps clear up some confusion!

Glad to see you got it sorted out! This is such a common issue - the EDD really needs to improve their instructions for the Money Network card activation. For anyone else reading this thread who might be having similar problems, here are the key takeaways: 1) You CREATE your PIN during activation, you don't receive one, 2) If the automated system isn't working, call customer service directly, and 3) Consider setting up direct deposit to avoid card delays in the future. The whole process is way more confusing than it needs to be, but once you know the tricks it's manageable.

Any updates? Did they end up calling you later or were you able to reach someone?

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! The exact same thing happened to my neighbor last month - scheduled for 2-4pm and they didn't call until almost 7pm that evening. She was panicking just like you are now. The key things that helped her: 1) Keep your phone charged and with you at ALL times (even overnight if possible), 2) Make sure your voicemail has space and can accept calls from blocked/private numbers, 3) Document everything - screenshot your call attempts with timestamps. Don't give up hope yet - they're probably just running super behind schedule. The fact that so many people here have experienced the same thing tells me this is unfortunately normal for EDD right now.