Yes I won the appeal but it took 11 weeks to get a hearing date and then another 3 weeks to get the judge's decision. The whole time I wasn't receiving any benefits. It was a nightmare. Just make sure you document EVERYTHING.

I went through something very similar last year! My advice: when you certify, definitely select "voluntarily quit" but use the explanation box to write something like "Quit retail job on [date] to accept office position with [company name]. New employer delayed start date from [original date] to January 15, 2025 due to budget constraints." The key is being upfront about everything. EDD will likely schedule an eligibility interview, but having documentation of your job offer and the delay notice will work in your favor. I had my interview about 3 weeks after my first certification and was approved because I could prove I quit for legitimate employment that fell through due to circumstances beyond my control. One tip: start your job search now and keep records of where you apply. EDD likes to see you're actively looking for work during the gap. Good luck!

I'm going through something similar right now - filed my appeal about 3 weeks ago and still waiting. Reading everyone's timelines here is both helpful and nerve-wracking! It sounds like 4-11 weeks is pretty typical which is a huge range. I've been keeping track of my certification weeks like others suggested, and I'm also documenting everything just in case. The financial stress is real - I had to ask family for help with groceries last week. Has anyone tried contacting their local assembly member's office for help? I heard they sometimes have constituent services that can help with EDD issues, but not sure if it actually speeds things up or just gives you better info on status.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got disqualified 3 weeks ago and filed my appeal immediately. The waiting is absolutely killing me financially. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like I need to brace myself for at least another month or two before seeing any resolution. I've been certifying every two weeks like suggested, but I'm worried about my rent situation too. Has anyone had success with getting expedited processing for appeals due to financial hardship? I know EDD has some provisions for urgent cases but not sure if that applies to appeals. Also wondering if there's a way to check the status of your appeal online or if you have to call every time? The uncertainty is almost worse than the financial stress at this point.

Thank you so much for this detailed response! This really helps. I think you're right that I probably didn't complete the direct deposit setup. I'll call EDD first thing tomorrow morning and see if I can either get confirmation or possibly switch to direct deposit if my payment hasn't processed yet.

Hey Peyton! I went through this exact same situation a few months ago and was pulling my hair out trying to figure it out. Here's what I learned: if you can't find the payment method info in UI Online (which seems to be the case for most people), the fastest way is definitely calling EDD. But here's a pro tip - try calling right when they open at 8 AM. I got through on my second try when I called at 8:02 AM on a Tuesday. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time filing, there's a good chance you're getting the Money Network card since that's the default. Most people I know who got direct deposit remember specifically entering their banking info because it was kind of a pain to dig up routing numbers and all that. Hope you get this sorted out quickly! The waiting game with EDD payments is stressful enough without not knowing where the money is going.

This is such a common issue and it's absolutely infuriating! I went through something similar last year with a $1,900 overpayment. The key thing I learned is that EDD's payment processing system is completely separate from their collections system - they literally don't talk to each other automatically. A few things that helped me: - When you call, specifically ask for "Overpayment Collections" not just regular UI claims - If you have online banking, print out the actual transaction details showing EDD as the recipient, not just your account statement - Ask the rep to email you a confirmation of the call and what they're doing to resolve it The most important thing is DON'T PANIC and don't pay twice! I know it's scary getting those collection notices, but once you have proof of payment, you're protected. Document everything and keep calling until someone actually looks at your account. The system is broken but there are people there who can fix it when you finally reach the right person. Hang in there - you WILL get this resolved!

This whole thread is giving me anxiety because I'm going through the EXACT same thing right now! I paid my $3,200 overpayment 10 days ago and just got a collection notice yesterday. Reading everyone's experiences here is both terrifying and reassuring - terrifying because it seems like this happens constantly, but reassuring because people DO get it resolved eventually. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service and the fax approach. Has anyone had luck with emailing EDD directly, or is phone/fax really the only way? I've been documenting everything but I'm getting so stressed about potential wage garnishment. Also, for anyone else dealing with this - I found it helpful to set up account alerts with my bank so I have immediate notifications of any transactions. That way if EDD tries to take money again (which apparently happens sometimes), I'll know right away. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and solutions. This community is literally saving my sanity right now!

anybody else notice how the edd website NEVER explains any of this stuff clearly?? feels intentional so people miss out on benefits tbh

This thread is incredibly helpful - I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Got laid off in early February but didn't file until mid-March because I honestly had no idea I needed to file immediately. My former company's HR department didn't mention anything about timing when they handed me my termination paperwork. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like I should definitely try to get my claim backdated. The fact that multiple people here have succeeded gives me hope. I'm going to try calling EDD first, and if that doesn't work out, I'll look into that Claimyr service someone mentioned. It's really frustrating that this isn't explained clearly anywhere. You'd think something this important would be front and center on the EDD website or mentioned during layoffs. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and advice - this community is way more helpful than any official EDD resources I've found!