update us on what happens! im having similar issues with my claim and need all the help i can get

Just wanted to add something important about temp/substitute positions in schools - make sure when you file your claim that you specify you were working as a temporary employee, not a regular school employee. This matters because there are special rules for school employees that might affect your eligibility timing. Regular school employees often can't collect unemployment during scheduled breaks or between school years, but temp workers like TAs and substitutes are usually exempt from these restrictions. The EDD rep you talk to needs to know this distinction. Also, since you mentioned this was a 4-month position, keep any documentation you have about the temporary nature of your employment (emails, job posting, contract if you had one). This will help establish that you weren't a regular school employee subject to the between-terms restrictions. Good luck with your callback! The fact that you were dismissed with "zero notice" for going "in a different direction" definitely sounds like a layoff situation, not misconduct, so you should be fine on that front.

Just checking back - have you had any success with the resources suggested here? One additional recommendation: If your mother banks with a credit union or local bank, their fraud department might be willing to help advocate on her behalf, especially if she's been a long-term customer. Also, the America's SBDCs (Small Business Development Centers) sometimes help with PPP fraud cases even for non-business owners. They understand SBA systems and may have contacts who can expedite the case. You can find your local office at americassbdc.org.

I'm so sorry your family is going through this nightmare. Identity theft targeting seniors is absolutely heartbreaking, and the fact that government agencies are making victims feel like criminals is unacceptable. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - consider reaching out to your state's Attorney General's office. Many AGs have elder fraud units that specifically handle these types of cases and can put pressure on federal agencies. Also, if your mom receives any more threatening collection letters, respond in writing (certified mail) stating that this is a case of identity theft under investigation and that you dispute the entire debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, they must stop collection efforts once you dispute it in writing. Document everything with photos/scans. The fact that she's been retired for 9 years and never owned a business should make this a slam-dunk case once you get the right people involved. Stay strong - you're doing everything right by advocating for her!

PSA: If anyone else is struggling with EDD issues, there's a really helpful Facebook group called 'EDD Unemployment Help'. Lots of good info and people sharing their experiences.

I had the exact same blank page issue last month! Turns out it was a browser compatibility problem. Try using a different browser - I switched from Chrome to Firefox and it worked immediately. Also, if you're still missing weeks to certify, you can request backdating once you get through to someone. Make sure to explain that the technical issues prevented you from certifying on time. The EDD can usually backdate your claim to cover those missed weeks if you have a valid reason. Don't give up - the system is definitely broken but you'll get through it eventually!

This is super helpful info! I'm bookmarking this thread because I have a feeling I might need to access my old EDD account someday too. Question for those who've been through this - is there any way to reset your security questions or get help if you can't remember those either? I changed phones since then and lost access to my old email, so I'm worried I'll be completely locked out if I ever need to get back in.

Pro tip for anyone else who might face this issue: if you're trying to recover old EDD account access, check your email for any old payment confirmation emails from 2020-2021. I found mine buried in my Gmail archives when I searched for "EDD" and "payment issued" - they actually show the exact weekly benefit amount which is what the system asks for. Saved me from having to guess! Also, if you had direct deposit, your bank statements from that time period will show the exact amounts too.

After reading through all the comments, I want to add one more important point: Even if your backdating request is denied, make sure you still appeal the decision if you believe you had good cause. The appeal process is separate from EDD and handled by administrative law judges who sometimes interpret the rules differently than EDD representatives. Also, regardless of the backdating situation, continue certifying every two weeks to serve those penalty weeks as quickly as possible. Each week you're eligible (even if in penalty status) gets you one week closer to receiving benefits.

I went through something similar last year. Had 10 penalty weeks from an overpayment and tried to backdate by 2 months. The key thing that helped my case was that I had been receiving conflicting information - I called EDD twice in February and got two different answers about whether I could file yet (one rep said wait until my employer submitted paperwork, another said file immediately). I kept notes of both calls with dates and reference numbers. They approved my backdating request, but like others mentioned, you MUST certify for all those backdated weeks and meet all eligibility requirements. I had to provide detailed job search records going back to when I was laid off. The penalty weeks did count during that backdated period, so I essentially served 8 out of 10 penalty weeks during the backdated time. Without documentation of conflicting/incorrect information from EDD or a medical issue, it's really tough to get approved. But definitely still try - worst case they say no and you're in the same situation. Good luck with your interview!