I'm having a similar issue where I can't access my UI Online account. It's been really frustrating trying to get through to EDD by phone. Has anyone tried the ID.me verification process? I heard that might be required now for account access, but I'm not sure if that's related to this specific error message. Would appreciate any guidance from others who've dealt with this!

I went through the exact same thing a few months ago! That error message usually means your account has been flagged for security reasons or identity verification. Here's what worked for me: First, check if you have any pending mail from EDD about identity verification - sometimes it gets delayed or goes to spam. If not, try calling the technical support line at (800) 300-5616 early in the morning (around 8:01 AM) for better chances of getting through. They can tell you exactly why your account is blocked and what steps you need to take. In my case, I had to complete the ID.me verification process online, which took about 3-4 business days to get approved. Don't give up - it's frustrating but definitely solvable!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to: 1) Look for both the DE 1447 repayment arrangement form and the DE 1446W waiver form, 2) Keep certifying as normal and watch my payment history like a hawk once the penalty period ends, and 3) Prepare for at least a 25% reduction in my weekly benefit amount. This has been super helpful - I feel much more prepared now for what's coming.

One more thing to add - make sure you have your bank account info updated in UI Online before your penalty period ends. I've seen people have their first payment delayed because their direct deposit info expired or was incorrect. Also, if you haven't certified for benefits during your penalty weeks, you'll need to start certifying again right away when the penalty period ends. Don't wait - EDD won't automatically restart your payments, you have to actively certify to trigger them. The system doesn't always make this clear!

One more thing to keep in mind - since this is 1099 income, you might be able to deduct business expenses when you file your taxes, but for EDD reporting purposes you still have to report the full gross amount. So if you had any expenses related to that gig, keep track of them for tax time, but they won't help with your UI reporting.

Just wanted to add that if you're worried about how the 1099 income will affect your benefit amount, EDD has a formula where they subtract $25 from your earnings and then reduce your weekly benefit by 75% of what's left. So if you earned $620, they'd subtract $25 (leaving $595), then reduce your benefit by 75% of that ($446.25). You might still get partial benefits depending on your weekly benefit amount. It's definitely better to report it and get reduced benefits than risk the fraud penalties everyone mentioned!

BTW if both you and your partner are filing appeals, do them separately! Don't combine them or mention each other's cases. Each claim is handled individually, even for married couples. I made that mistake and it caused confusion and delays.

As someone who just went through this process successfully, I want to add a few more practical tips that helped me: 1. **Keep detailed records** - Screenshot your current award letter and benefit amount before filing the appeal. This helps if there are any disputes later about what you were originally awarded. 2. **Submit multiple copies** - I sent my appeal both by mail AND uploaded it through UI Online (if that option is available in your account). Belt and suspenders approach since EDD loses things frequently. 3. **Use certified mail** - If you're mailing your appeal, use certified mail with return receipt. That way you have proof they received it and when. 4. **Calculate everything yourself first** - Before submitting, calculate what your weekly benefit SHOULD be under ABP using the formula (highest quarter earnings ÷ 25). This gives you a target number to reference in your appeal. My situation was almost identical to yours - went from part-time to full-time in late 2023, got a ridiculously low benefit amount initially ($198/week), appealed for ABP, and ended up with $521/week. The backpay alone was over $1,300. Don't let EDD's terrible customer service discourage you. This is YOUR money that you earned and deserve. Fight for it!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share another strategy that worked for me after weeks of frustration. I used the EDD's "Contact EDD" online form (not the general inquiry one, but the specific form for claim issues) and marked it as "urgent - financial hardship." While it says they respond within 5-7 business days, I actually got a callback within 3 days from a tier 2 specialist. The key is being very specific about your issue and including your claim number, the exact error messages you're seeing, and dates of when you've tried to call. I also mentioned that I was facing eviction (which was true) and needed immediate assistance. Sometimes the online route can be faster than the phone marathon, especially for complex issues like ID verification that might need a specialist anyway. Worth trying if you're still stuck!

I've been dealing with EDD phone hell for the past month myself, so I really feel for everyone sharing their struggles here. What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies from this thread: 1. I used the tech support number (1-855-327-7057) that @Liam mentioned - got through in about 35 minutes 2. Called on a Wednesday at 1:15pm following @Sofia's insider timing advice 3. Had all my documents ready and specifically mentioned "ID.me verification issue requiring escalation" The rep was actually really helpful and explained that there's been a huge backlog in their ID verification department due to new security measures. She was able to see that my case had been sitting in a queue for 3 weeks without anyone looking at it! For anyone still struggling - don't give up. The system is broken but there are real people trying to help once you can reach them. Also keeping a call log with times/dates helped me when I finally got through - the agent appreciated having specific details about how long I'd been trying. Sending good vibes to everyone still fighting this battle! 💪