This whole thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar ID verification issue right now and was about to mail my documents like the rep told me to. Thank you everyone for mentioning ID.me - I had no idea that was even an option! It's ridiculous that EDD reps aren't consistently telling people about the faster online verification method. Going to check my UI Online account right now to look for that ID.me link. Hopefully I can get this sorted out quickly like you did Maxwell!

Just went through this exact same frustrating experience last month! The first EDD rep I spoke with also only mentioned mailing documents and made it sound like that was my only option. I was so stressed about sending my original ID through the mail. Thankfully I found out about ID.me through this community - completed the verification in about 20 minutes and my claim was approved within 48 hours. It's honestly inexcusable that some reps aren't informing people about the faster digital option. For anyone still dealing with this - definitely try the ID.me route first before resorting to mailing anything. And if you need to call EDD again, don't be afraid to ask specifically about digital verification options if they only mention mail-in documents.

One more important tip: When you mail your appeals, send them by certified mail with return receipt requested. This gives you proof of when you submitted each appeal, which is crucial if there's ever a question about whether you met the deadlines. Keep copies of everything you send as well as your certified mail receipts. Also, after submitting your appeals, watch your mail carefully for hearing notices. Sometimes these can be scheduled with relatively short notice, and missing a hearing typically results in losing your appeal by default.

I went through this exact same nightmare situation! Got 5 different determination letters over 2 weeks with overlapping but slightly different accusations. Here's what I learned the hard way: 1. Appeal EVERY SINGLE LETTER separately - don't assume the redetermination replaces anything unless it explicitly states that in writing 2. Use certified mail for each appeal and keep tracking numbers 3. Write specific responses addressing the exact allegations in each letter (don't just copy/paste the same response) 4. Include all determination letter numbers and dates in your appeals even if they seem related The EDD's computer system is ancient and treats each determination as a separate case. I made the mistake of only appealing 3 out of 5 letters thinking some were duplicates, and those 2 became final determinations that I'm still fighting today. Also pro tip - if you can't get through to EDD by phone (and you probably can't), document EVERYTHING you tried to do to contact them. Print screenshots of busy signals, keep call logs, etc. This can help in your appeal if they claim you didn't try to resolve issues before the deadline. Don't let the multiple forms intimidate you - it's better to be over-thorough than to miss something and regret it later!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! My check is 10 days late and I've been checking my mailbox obsessively every day. It's so stressful when you're counting on that money for rent and groceries. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really helpful though - at least I know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess. The fact that so many people are having the same issue with their UI Online showing 'paid' but no check in the mail makes me feel like mine isn't lost, just stuck somewhere in this broken system. I'm definitely switching to direct deposit the second this check finally shows up. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories - it really helps to know we're all in this together!

I'm in the exact same boat - my check is 8 days late and I've been losing sleep over it! Reading through all these comments has been such a huge relief though. I had no idea about the vendor change or the USPS staffing issues, so knowing this is a widespread problem and not just my payment getting lost makes me feel so much better. My UI Online shows 'paid' too, so sounds like we're all dealing with the same system delays. I'm definitely going to wait it out a bit longer and then switch to direct deposit immediately. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not dealing with this stress alone!

That's correct. You can request an Overpayment Recovery Reduction through your UI Online account or by calling EDD. If approved, they may reduce the standard 25% collection rate to as low as 10% depending on your financial situation. You'll need to provide evidence of financial hardship.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this - I had a similar situation with penalty weeks + overpayment last year. The key thing to remember is that once your penalty period ends, you should start receiving benefits again automatically when you certify, BUT they will deduct for the overpayment. In my case, they took exactly 25% each week until my balance was paid off. The good news is that the disaster waiver for the waiting period means you'll get paid for both weeks on your first certification back. Make sure to keep checking your UI Online account - it should show your payment history and remaining overpayment balance. If something looks off after a few days, definitely call EDD to verify everything is processing correctly. Good luck!

I'm also in a similar boat - just exhausted my benefits and looking at EDD positions! One thing I haven't seen mentioned here yet is that they also have seasonal hiring surges. A friend who works in their Sacramento office told me they typically do big hiring pushes right before tax season (January-March) and again before the holidays when claim volumes spike. So timing your application might matter. Also, for those worried about the long wait times - I've heard that some offices are more desperate for staff than others. Rural offices sometimes move faster through the hiring process than the big city ones because they get fewer applicants. Might be worth looking at positions outside your immediate area if you're willing to commute or relocate. The state does offer relocation assistance for some positions too.

I just wanted to add something that might help with the immediate financial pressure while you're waiting for the EDD hiring process - have you looked into gig work or freelance accounting services? Since you have an accounting background, you could potentially pick up some bookkeeping clients through platforms like Upwork or even local small businesses. I know it's not ideal when you want stable employment, but it could help bridge the gap during those 3-6 months of waiting for state employment. Also, don't forget to check if your local One-Stop Career Centers have any rapid employment programs or connections with employers who need immediate hires. Sometimes they have relationships with companies that aren't widely advertised. The combination of applying for EDD positions AND having some income coming in from temporary work might take some of the financial pressure off while you wait for the state bureaucracy to move. Hang in there - it sounds like you have a solid plan forming!