I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add that if anyone is dealing with penalty weeks, make sure to screenshot your UI Online account showing the weeks available to certify. I learned this the hard way when EDD tried to claim I hadn't been maintaining my claim properly during my penalty period. Having those screenshots saved me when I had to prove I was following their system prompts to certify. Also, when you do get through to EDD (whether through Claimyr or just persistence), ask them to put notes in your file about the conversation - get the rep's name and badge number if possible. The system is frustrating but documentation is everything with EDD appeals and waivers.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through penalty weeks in 2024. Everything everyone is saying about continuing to certify is absolutely correct - DO NOT STOP CERTIFYING even though you won't get paid during the penalty period. I made the mistake of thinking "why bother if I'm not getting money" and stopped certifying for 3 weeks. Big mistake! Those weeks didn't count toward my penalty and I basically extended my punishment period. For your appeal situation, don't give up hope even though the EDD rep said your chances are low. I've seen people win late appeals with solid documentation of emergencies. The key is being very specific about dates, why you couldn't respond, and providing any proof you have. Medical records, hospital bills, travel receipts - anything that shows you had a legitimate emergency during that time. Also wanted to mention that if you do end up owing an overpayment, definitely apply for the hardship waiver (form DE 1446W) but ALSO look into setting up a payment plan as a backup. Even if the waiver gets denied, you can often negotiate a very low monthly payment that won't break your budget. I ended up paying $25/month for my overpayment which was way more manageable than the lump sum they originally wanted. Hang in there - this process is incredibly stressful but you're doing the right things by staying on top of it and seeking advice!

i had my interview last week and the lady was actually super nice! wasnt scary at all. just be honest

Hey Sofia! I went through a similar situation a few months ago with temp work and an EDD interview. Just wanted to add that when they ask about your job search efforts since leaving those temp positions, definitely mention those 20+ applications you've been submitting - it shows you're actively seeking work which is a requirement for benefits. Also, if you have any email confirmations from job applications or responses from employers, keep those handy. Sometimes they ask for proof of your job search activity during the interview. The fact that you've been consistently looking for work since the temp jobs ended really supports your case. One more tip - write down a timeline of events before your interview (dates you started/left each temp job, when you reported the hostile environment, etc.). Having everything organized will help you stay focused during the call. You've got this!

Update: I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended here, and it actually worked! Got through to an EDD rep this morning. Turns out my claim was flagged for an eligibility review because my last employer contested it (even though I was laid off, not fired). The rep scheduled me for a phone interview next week and said my payments should release after that. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Congratulations on finally getting through! That's such a relief. Your situation with the employer contest is actually pretty common - a lot of people don't realize that employers can dispute claims even for legitimate layoffs, which automatically triggers a review. The good news is that if you were truly laid off and have documentation (like a layoff notice or termination letter stating "lack of work"), the eligibility interview should go smoothly. Just make sure to have all your paperwork ready and be clear about the circumstances of your separation. The whole process is frustrating but at least now you're in the system and moving forward!

is the bofa card the one with the picture of the bear on it? i got one of those but thought it was fake lol

This thread has been really helpful! I'm actually in a similar situation - just received what looks like a legitimate BofA EDD card but was expecting Money Network. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like if you had a previous claim with a BofA card that's still valid, EDD's system automatically reuses it instead of issuing the new Money Network cards. For anyone else dealing with this: check your card's expiration date first - if it's from a previous claim and still valid, that's probably why you got BofA instead of Money Network. You can use it safely as long as your UI Online account shows "Debit Card" as your payment method. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

btw what did u do to get the penalty? just curious cuz im paranoid about making mistakes

Just went through something similar recently! One thing I'd add is to make sure you have your bank account info updated and verified in your UI Online account before you certify. Sometimes after penalty periods, EDD will randomly flag accounts for additional identity verification or banking verification, which can delay payments even after you've served your time. Also, keep screenshots of your certification confirmations and payment history showing you completed all 10 penalty weeks. If there are any issues with your first payment, having that documentation ready can help speed up resolution. The EDD system isn't always great at tracking penalty completion automatically. Good luck getting back to regular payments - you've definitely earned it after 10 weeks of that nonsense!