Dont forget to check if ur eligible for any other benefits too! Food stamps, rental assistance, etc. Every little bit helps when ur out of work.

Just went through the backdating process myself a few months ago! One thing that really helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when they open (8am). The wait times are usually shorter then. Also, when you do get through, be super polite and patient with the rep - they deal with frustrated people all day and being nice can really make a difference in how helpful they are. Good luck with your claim!

Ugh, I feel your pain. I was locked out for weeks! Have you tried using the ID.me verification process? It's a pain, but it worked for me eventually.

I went through the exact same nightmare last month! Here's what finally worked for me: I had to completely start fresh with ID.me verification. Delete any existing ID.me account you might have created, then start the process over from scratch. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and a recent utility bill ready. The video call took about 45 minutes to connect, but the actual verification was only 5 minutes. Also, try using Chrome browser in incognito mode - seemed to work better than regular browsing. Don't give up, you'll get through this! 💪

Oof, dropped calls are the WORST. Sending good vibes your way, OP! Hope you get through soon. ❤️

This is SO frustrating! I've been dealing with EDD for months and the dropped calls are just part of their broken system unfortunately. Here's what's worked for me: 1. Call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - set multiple alarms 2. Use the "comma trick" when dialing: dial the main number, then add commas and the extension to auto-navigate the menu 3. If you get through to someone, immediately ask for a callback number in case you get disconnected again Also, document EVERYTHING - dates, times, reference numbers, what was discussed. I started doing this after my third dropped call and it saved me when I finally got a competent rep. Don't give up! The system is designed to wear you down, but your benefits are worth fighting for. You got this! 💪

Just went through this exact same nightmare last month! The "preparing to send" status is basically meaningless - it's what their system defaults to when there's ANY kind of hold or verification issue. In my case, it turned out to be because my apartment number was formatted differently on my driver's license vs my EDD application (I had "Apt 2B" on one and "Apartment 2B" on the other). The Money Network automated system will never tell you the real reason for the delay, you absolutely need to get through to an actual EDD representative who can see the backend verification flags. Once they cleared the address formatting issue, my card was expedited and arrived in 6 days. Don't waste any more time calling Money Network directly - they can't fix verification holds, only EDD can. The Claimyr service mentioned above really does work if you can't get through the regular phone lines.

I'm going through this exact same issue right now - been waiting 3 weeks for my Money Network card and the automated system keeps saying "preparing to send." Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and frustrating - reassuring because I'm not alone and there are actual solutions, but frustrating because these verification holds seem to happen so frequently over tiny details that should be easy to catch upfront. I had no idea that something as small as formatting differences between "Street" vs "St" or including/excluding middle initials could hold up the entire process for weeks. Definitely going to try calling the EDD disability line tomorrow morning since that seems like a much better option than dealing with the Money Network runaround. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread is a goldmine of practical advice that you'd never get from the official websites!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much better understanding how this works now. Just to summarize what I've learned for anyone else who finds this thread: 1) Work Sharing means reduced hours AND reduced pay, but UI benefits offset SOME of the lost wages 2) The program primarily helps avoid layoffs while reducing the financial impact 3) Weekly certification forms are required and different from regular UI 4) Benefit amounts vary based on your wage history and reduction percentage 5) You can work other jobs but must report those earnings I'll update after our HR meeting next week if I learn anything else important about how the program works!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that Work Sharing programs typically have a maximum duration - usually 26 weeks in California, though this can be extended during economic downturns. Also, your employer has to meet specific requirements to participate, like demonstrating at least a 10% reduction in business activity. If you're concerned about your company's long-term stability, it might be worth asking HR about their timeline for returning to full hours and what metrics they're using to measure when business conditions improve. This can help you plan your finances better during the Work Sharing period.