Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! To update: I spoke with my employer today and they confirmed the reduction starts next Monday. I'm going to apply for partial unemployment as soon as my hours are officially reduced. I also found my past pay stubs showing my consistent 40-hour weeks for the last 9 months. Feeling a bit more prepared now, but still anxious about how long the EDD process might take.

btw when u certify make sure u say YES to the question about looking for work and keep a record of job applications somewhere in case they ask for proof!!! they've gotten really strict about work search requirements lately!

WAIT I just realized something!! Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE the refund is from this year's taxes?? Because last year my husband got a refund in our account in July that we thought was from that year's taxes but it was actually a DELAYED refund from the PREVIOUS year that finally processed, and then a week later our ACTUAL refund for that year got intercepted by EDD!!! Don't spend that money until you're 100% sure!!!!

Just wanted to add my experience - I had an EDD overpayment of about $3,200 and they did intercept my tax refund last year, but like others have said, they never touched my bank account directly. The key thing is that tax refund interception happens automatically through government systems, but bank account access requires your explicit permission. One thing I learned is that if you're proactive about setting up a payment plan, EDD will often stop future tax refund interceptions as long as you're making your monthly payments on time. I set up a $50/month plan and they released the hold on my tax refunds. It's definitely worth calling them or using one of those callback services people mentioned to get it sorted out before they move to wage garnishment. Also, definitely verify that refund is actually from this year's taxes like someone else suggested - the IRS has been processing things really weirdly lately and delayed refunds have been showing up at random times!

When I filed for good cause quit due to harassment, my attorney advised me to have coworkers submit declarations rather than using their emails directly. These were signed statements that described what they witnessed but weren't on company letterhead or from work accounts. This protected them while still providing evidence. For the Indeed reviews, they helped support my case as part of a pattern of workplace issues, but weren't considered primary evidence. What really helped was that I had documented my own experience thoroughly with dates, times, and descriptions of incidents. The key elements EDD looks for in good cause quit cases are: - Did you make reasonable efforts to preserve your employment? (Like reporting issues to HR) - Would a reasonable person feel compelled to quit under the same circumstances? - Do you have documentation supporting your claims? Focus on these elements in your claim submission.

I had a similar situation when I quit due to workplace harassment. Here's what I learned from my experience and research: **Regarding coworker emails:** EDD doesn't automatically forward your evidence to employers, but during their investigation they may share the general nature of your allegations. If your emails contain specific details that could only come from certain people, your employer might be able to identify who provided the information. **Better approach for coworker support:** - Ask them to write brief, factual statements on personal letterhead/paper (not company email) - Focus on specific incidents they witnessed rather than opinions - They can use first name and last initial if they're concerned about identification - Have them date and sign the statements **On Indeed reviews:** These can be useful supporting evidence showing a pattern of workplace issues, but EDD gives much more weight to your own documented experiences. Include screenshots, but don't rely on them as your primary evidence. **Strongest evidence for your case:** - Your own emails to HR documenting complaints - Any written responses from management - Medical documentation if stress affected your health - Your personal documentation with dates/times of incidents The key is proving YOU had good cause to quit based on YOUR documented experience. Good luck with your claim!

Update: My sister decided to take the 1-month position. We made sure to get everything in writing and her direct manager promised to provide her with a termination letter at the end of the temporary assignment that clearly states the permanent business closure. She also found out they're NOT offering any severance pay to anyone (so at least we don't have to worry about that complication). Thanks everyone for the super helpful advice! It's making this stressful situation a bit easier to navigate.

Smart choice on taking the temporary position! One more thing to keep in mind - when she files her claim after the temp work ends, she should be prepared to explain the timeline clearly during her initial interview or if EDD has any follow-up questions. Sometimes they get confused when there's a gap between the original layoff announcement and the actual last day of work. Having that termination letter mentioning the business closure will be key. Also, she might want to start putting together her job search documentation now since EDD requires proof of work search activities. Good luck to your sister!

UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for the advice! I called Money Network again this morning and specifically asked for the fraud department using the phone tree someone suggested. Got a much more helpful rep who processed an expedited claim AND issued a provisional credit that should appear in 2-3 business days! Also filed a CFPB complaint as backup. I'm switching to direct deposit as soon as this is resolved. Will update again when everything is finalized.

So glad you got the provisional credit! I had a similar experience where the regular customer service was useless but the fraud department actually helped. Just a heads up - make sure you keep checking on your case every few days. Sometimes they need additional documentation or the investigation stalls. Also, when you switch to direct deposit, double-check your bank account info because I've seen people accidentally transpose numbers and then their payments get delayed. The direct deposit is SO much better though - no more worrying about card skimmers or ATM fraud!