Congratulations on getting your appeal approved! That's such a relief after waiting 8 months. For anyone else dealing with similar confusion about BofA vs Money Network cards, this is a perfect example of why it's always worth calling EDD to verify, even if it takes multiple attempts to get through. The transition period is definitely causing a lot of mixed signals, but at least now we know that old claims stick with their original payment system. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - got a BofA card last week for a claim I filed in early 2024 that went to appeal. I was panicking thinking it was a scam since everyone talks about the Money Network switch. Reading about your successful resolution gives me hope that my appeal might have been approved too. Going to check my UI Online account right now and then call EDD to verify. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on finally getting your benefits!

Hey Mateo! I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when my restaurant cut me from 35 hours to 12 hours due to "slower business." Here are some practical tips that really helped me: 1. Apply ASAP - there's a waiting week, so the sooner you file, the sooner you might start receiving benefits 2. When you file, you'll answer questions about why your hours were reduced - be honest that it was your employer's decision, not yours 3. Get something in writing from your manager about the hour reduction if possible (even a text or email works) 4. The work search requirement is real - I had to apply to 3 jobs per week and keep records, even though I was still working part-time One thing that surprised me: my first certification was confusing because I had to report earnings for a week where I hadn't been paid yet (since payday was later). Just remember it's about when you WORKED, not when you got paid. The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap while I looked for a second part-time job. Don't let people scare you off - yes, EDD can be frustrating, but the program exists for exactly your situation. You've got this!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! My hours just got cut from 40 to 20 per week at my office job, and I've been really stressed about making ends meet. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially knowing that I need to report gross earnings and track everything carefully. One question I have that I didn't see addressed: if my employer decides to increase my hours back up in a few months, do I just stop certifying for benefits at that point, or is there a formal process to close out the claim? I want to make sure I handle everything properly from start to finish. Also, does anyone know if having a side gig (like occasional freelance work) affects partial UI benefits? I do some graphic design work here and there and want to make sure I report that correctly too if I get any projects while collecting benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really reassuring to know this program exists for situations like ours!

Update us when you get this resolved! I'm sure others will run into the same situation and could benefit from knowing what worked for you.

I went through something similar last month - missed my interview because they called 20 minutes late and I was in the middle of picking up my kids from school. The anxiety is real, but here's what saved me: I immediately called the main EDD number and kept pressing 1-2-1 to get to a live person. Took about 45 tries over two days, but I finally got through to someone who could see the call log showing the interviewer called outside the scheduled window. They marked it as "interviewer error" and rescheduled me for the following week. The key is being persistent and having your story straight about why you couldn't answer at that exact moment. Don't give up - this happens more often than you'd think and they do have procedures to handle it!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress while caring for a 7-month-old! This is actually a really common issue that many new parents face with EDD, and you're absolutely right to keep fighting. One thing I'd add to all the great advice here - when you file your Board Appeal, consider requesting that they assign a different administrative law judge if possible. Sometimes the first judge has already formed an opinion about your case that's hard to change, and a fresh perspective can make all the difference. Also, if you can afford it, consider consulting with an employment attorney who specializes in unemployment appeals. Many offer free consultations and some work on contingency. They know exactly how to frame these disability leave cases and can spot issues that non-lawyers might miss. You mentioned feeling confused by the process - that's completely normal! The EDD system is intentionally complex, but you have a strong case based on what you've described. The 18 months of work history plus the SDI coverage should absolutely qualify you. Don't let them wear you down - you deserve these benefits! Keep documenting everything and stay organized. You've got this! 💪

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through a very similar situation about 2 years ago. The whole SDI vs PFL distinction that others mentioned is HUGE - I wish someone had explained that to me earlier because it was exactly what was tripping up my case too. One additional tip that really helped me during my Board Appeal: I wrote a brief summary letter (like 1 page) that clearly stated my case and attached it as the first page of all my documents. Something like "This appeal concerns EDD's incorrect denial of benefits due to failure to properly account for SDI disability leave under UI Code Section 1253.3" and then bullet points of the key facts. The judges see so many cases that having a clear summary right up front really seemed to help. Also, the timeline document suggestion from Emma is spot-on. I made mine in a simple table format showing each month, what I was doing (working/SDI/PFL), and my wages. It made it super visual and obvious that I had qualifying work history when disability periods were properly excluded. Don't let them intimidate you - you clearly know your case better than that first judge did! The fact that you're organizing everything and learning the specific regulations shows you're on the right track. Keep pushing forward! 👍

Another option that worked for me - try contacting your state representative's office! I know it sounds like overkill, but their constituent services team can sometimes cut through the EDD bureaucracy when you're truly stuck. I called my assemblymember's office, explained the situation, and they had someone from EDD call me back within 48 hours to help reset my password. It's a free service and they deal with EDD issues all the time. Worth a shot if the other suggestions don't pan out! Good luck Kaylee! 🍀

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! Here's what finally worked for me: I contacted my credit union and they were able to pull up a detailed statement going back 18 months showing all my EDD deposits with exact dates. Even if you bank with a big bank, most have online chat support that can help you search for specific transaction types. Also, if you have Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal linked to your account, check their transaction histories too - sometimes they capture payment details that can help you piece together the timeline. The key is being persistent and trying multiple angles. Don't let EDD's broken system defeat you! 💪