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!

Update for everyone: EDD is supposed to be launching a new direct deposit system in mid-2025 that will allow claimants to receive benefits directly to their bank accounts without using Money Network cards at all. This was announced in their latest stakeholder meeting. Not helpful for current issues, but at least there's a change coming eventually.

Has anyone tried using Zelle or other instant transfer services? I discovered that if you link your Money Network card to Zelle through your regular bank's app, you can sometimes move money instantly instead of waiting days for ACH transfers. Not all banks support this with prepaid cards, but Chase and Wells Fargo worked for me. Also, some credit unions will do same-day transfers if you call them directly and explain the situation. Worth checking if your bank has any expedited transfer options specifically for unemployment benefit cards.

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Thanks everyone for sharing these tips! I've been struggling to get through to EDD for weeks. Just to confirm - so the best strategy is to call right at 8am when they open, avoid the lunch hour (12-1pm), and try to get through before 5pm if I need a tier 2 rep? I'll definitely try calling first thing Monday morning. Has anyone had luck with the automated callback feature, or is it better to just stay on hold?

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my employer just reduced my hours to part-time due to "budget constraints" but I'm still technically employed. From what I've learned, you should definitely apply since this wasn't your choice. One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of all communication with your employer about this leave. Screenshot emails, save any paperwork they give you, etc. Also, when you file your weekly certifications, you'll need to report any work you do (even if it's just checking work emails) and any income you receive. The burnout aspect is real - I know healthcare admin has been incredibly demanding. While you can't mention that as your reason for the claim, at least this forced break might help you recover before you return to that intense environment.

Just want to echo what others have said about getting everything in writing from your employer. I was in a similar spot last year - put on "administrative leave" that was supposedly temporary but felt more like they were trying to push me out. Having that paper trail saved me when EDD questioned whether it was really employer-initiated. Also, don't stress too much about the work search requirements while you're still technically employed. You can fulfill them by networking, taking online courses related to your field, or even just updating your LinkedIn profile and resume. The key is showing you're making an effort to stay "job ready" even if you're not actively trying to leave your current position. One more tip - if you do get approved, your weekly benefit amount will be based on your earnings over the past 12-18 months, so hopefully those long hours you've been working will result in a decent benefit amount. Take care of yourself during this break - burnout in healthcare is no joke!

LPT: Si logras comunicarte con alguien, pide hablar con un supervisor. A veces ellos tienen más autoridad para resolver problemas complejos como este.

¡Qué frustrante! Yo pasé por algo similar el año pasado. Una cosa que me funcionó fue intentar usar un navegador diferente (Firefox en lugar de Chrome) y también desactivar cualquier bloqueador de anuncios. A veces esos plugins interfieren con los sitios del gobierno. También, si tienes la opción, intenta desde una computadora en lugar de tu teléfono - el sitio web del EDD a veces no funciona bien en móviles. ¡Espero que puedas resolverlo pronto!