I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Just got laid off from my software engineering job and started doing UX research studies while job hunting. Based on everything discussed here, it sounds like the reporting requirements are pretty clear, but I'm wondering about one specific scenario - what if you sign up for a longitudinal study that pays you monthly over several months, but you only do the actual "work" (surveys, interviews, etc.) sporadically throughout that period? Do you report the income when you receive the monthly payment, or try to allocate it across the specific weeks when you actually participated in study activities? Some of these studies have weird payment structures where they pay you a "participation fee" upfront and then "completion bonuses" later.

I've been on UI for about 6 weeks now and doing some paid user research studies too. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you screenshot or save the study details when you sign up, especially the dates and payment amounts. I had one study where the company took forever to send payment details and I couldn't remember exactly when I did the work vs when they sent follow-up surveys. EDD wants precision on the dates, so having that backup documentation saved me during my eligibility interview last month. Also, if you're doing studies through platforms like UserTesting or Respondent, they usually have good record-keeping in your account dashboard that you can reference later.

I'm really sorry this happened to you, and I'm glad you were able to get the temporary credit! This thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea Money Network fraud was such a widespread issue until reading everyone's experiences here. I wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I dealt with a similar situation last year: if you're still having any issues or delays with your case, try reaching out to your local EDD office or state representative's office. Sometimes they can escalate cases that are taking too long or not being handled properly. I know it sounds like overkill, but when you're facing rent deadlines, every option helps. Also, for future reference, some banks and credit unions offer "card controls" through their mobile apps where you can instantly freeze/unfreeze your card, set spending limits, or block certain types of transactions. Once you switch to direct deposit, it might be worth asking your bank if they offer these features - it's like having fraud protection in your pocket. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips in this thread. It's unfortunate that so many people have gone through this, but the collective knowledge here is really valuable for anyone dealing with EDD card fraud.

Wow, reading through all these responses really shows how widespread the Money Network fraud problem is! I'm new to this community and just got my EDD card last month. After seeing all these horror stories, I'm definitely going to be extra careful with it and probably switch to direct deposit ASAP. For anyone still dealing with fraud issues, it sounds like the key takeaways are: - Call the fraud-specific number (1-866-320-8699) not regular customer service - Reference the Electronic Fund Transfer Act for provisional credit rights - Document everything with case numbers and call logs - File police reports to strengthen your case - Don't give up - keep calling until you get resolution It's really frustrating that EDD continues using Money Network when there are clearly so many security issues. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this information could literally save someone's rent money like it did for Fiona!

I'm so glad I found this thread because I'm literally going through this exact same frustrating situation right now! I've been searching for my EDD account number for over an hour and was starting to feel like I was completely missing something obvious. It's absolutely mind-blowing that they don't display your own account number anywhere on the main UI Online dashboard - like what kind of backwards logic is that?? Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though! I'm going to start by checking my UI Online inbox for those "Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award" and "Monetary Determination Notice" documents that everyone keeps mentioning. The Gmail search trick for "Customer Account Number" is brilliant too - I never would have thought to search my regular email for EDD stuff since I assumed everything important would be locked away in the UI Online system. It's honestly so validating to see that literally everyone struggles with this same issue. The EDD system really does seem deliberately designed to make simple things as complicated as possible! Thanks to everyone who shared specific document names and search terms - you've probably saved me hours of additional frustration. Definitely going to screenshot and save my account number in multiple places once I finally track it down!

I'm going through this exact same issue right now and honestly feeling so relieved that it's not just me! I've been logged into UI Online for like 45 minutes clicking on every possible tab and section trying to find my account number. It's genuinely insane that they hide such basic information from your own account dashboard. I'm definitely going to try all the suggestions here - starting with checking my UI Online inbox for those "Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award" documents, then using the Gmail search for "Customer Account Number" if that doesn't work. The tip about looking for the XXX-XXXX-XXX format is super helpful too since I'll know exactly what pattern to scan for. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and making me feel less crazy about struggling with this! It's honestly ridiculous that in 2025 we have to play detective just to find our own account information, but at least now I know where to look. Definitely going to save it everywhere once I find it so I never have to deal with this nightmare again!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - it's absolutely infuriating when EDD drops these bombshells years later! But reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you actually have a really strong case for appeal. The "without fault" designation is huge, and the fact that it's only questioning 2 months rather than your entire claim suggests this could very well be a simple paperwork error. Here's what I'd prioritize if I were in your shoes: 1) File that appeal TODAY - don't wait for perfect documentation, just get it submitted within the 30-day window, 2) Log into your EDD online account and look for the detailed determination letter to see exactly what your employer reported, 3) Start reaching out to former coworkers who can confirm the layoff situation, and 4) Dig through your old files for that final paycheck stub or any termination paperwork. I also want to echo what others said about contacting your state representative's office - they have staff specifically for EDD issues and can sometimes work miracles. And definitely consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you need to actually talk to an EDD rep. The most important thing is don't let them intimidate you into just accepting this. These determinations get overturned all the time when people fight them with proper documentation. You were legitimately laid off and deserve those benefits. Fight for yourself - you've got this!

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now and wanted to share something that really helped me understand my case better. When I got my notice, I immediately called the EDD overpayment department (separate from the regular claims line) and they were actually able to explain the specific reason codes on my determination letter in plain English. The number is different from the main EDD line and sometimes has shorter wait times. In my case, they explained that my employer had submitted a "correction" to their original separation report nearly 2 years after I filed my claim, which triggered the overpayment review. It turned out to be a mistake on the employer's part - they had confused my separation with another employee's. Since your notice mentions "employment separation reason being redetermined after employer response," I'd bet money this is exactly what happened to you. Your former restaurant probably filed some kind of correction or responded to an EDD inquiry and accidentally provided incorrect information about your separation. The good news is that these employer-error cases are some of the easiest to win on appeal, especially when you have that "without fault" designation. I'd definitely recommend calling that overpayment line to get clarity on exactly what your employer told them. Armed with that specific information, you'll know exactly what evidence to gather for your appeal. Don't give up - employer reporting errors happen constantly and judges see right through them when you present the real facts!

Mason, you've received excellent advice here! As someone who went through a similar delayed start situation about a year ago, I wanted to add one more tip that really helped me: when you call EDD (or use Claimyr to get through), ask specifically about the timeline for your eligibility interview. In my case, I was initially told it would be 3-4 weeks, but when I explained that I had all my documentation ready and that my situation was straightforward (quit only due to confirmed employment that got delayed), they were able to expedite my interview to the following week. Sometimes being proactive and showing you're organized can help move things along faster. Also, don't be surprised if the EDD rep asks you detailed questions about why you didn't try to negotiate staying at your old job longer once you found out about the delay. Just be honest that you had already given proper notice and your previous employer had likely already made arrangements for your replacement. This is a common question they ask to make sure you explored all options. You're doing everything right by applying immediately and gathering all that documentation. This type of employer-caused delay is exactly what the good cause quit provision covers. Wishing you a smooth process!

Mason, I just wanted to jump in here as someone who works in employment law - your situation is actually a perfect example of why the "good cause quit" provision exists in the first place! Employers delaying start dates by 7+ weeks after someone has already resigned is unfortunately more common than it should be, and California law recognizes that employees shouldn't be penalized for these circumstances beyond their control. One thing I'd emphasize that others have touched on - when you file your claim, make it crystal clear that the delay was entirely unexpected and that you would never have quit your previous job if you had known about this timeline change. The fact that your original start date was September 6th and you quit on August 30th shows you were planning for immediate transition, which strengthens your case significantly. Also, since you mentioned this is your first time filing for unemployment, don't be intimidated by the process. EDD representatives are used to these types of cases and generally handle them fairly when the documentation is clear. Your situation has all the right elements: definite job offer, specific start date, unexpected employer-caused delay, and proper documentation. The community has given you excellent advice here - you're in great hands! Looking forward to hearing about your successful claim approval.