I'm in the same boat with DSS. Been trying to update my address for weeks and can't get anyone on the phone. It's ridiculous how underfunded and understaffed these agencies are. We need to put pressure on our representatives to fix this mess!

I went through this exact same situation last month! For DSS, try their online portal first if you haven't already - sometimes you can get things done there without having to call. For EDD, definitely try the early morning calling strategy that others mentioned, but also check if there's a "contact us" form on their website. I submitted one of those and actually got a callback within a week. Also, make sure you're checking your EDD account online regularly - sometimes the status changes but they don't always send notifications. Hang in there, I know how stressful this is! 💪

Great to see this got resolved! Just wanted to add for anyone else dealing with this - if you're switching to direct deposit in the future, you can actually keep both payment methods active temporarily. Just don't close your Money Network card right away when you switch. Let a few direct deposit payments come through successfully first, then call Money Network to close the card account once you're sure everything is working. This way you avoid the access issues and can transfer any remaining balance smoothly. I learned this the hard way after switching last year!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation about 3 months ago. The frustrating part is that EDD doesn't give you any warning about this when you make the switch! I had about $650 stuck on my Money Network card and panicked thinking I'd lost it forever. Like others mentioned, calling 1-888-233-5916 is definitely the way to go - they were actually pretty helpful once I got through. The whole verification process took maybe 10 minutes and I was back in my account. Pro tip: if you're planning to make this switch in the future, definitely spend down your card balance first or transfer it out through the app. Would have saved me a lot of unnecessary stress!

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

This is a really frustrating situation, and I'm sorry you're dealing with fraud on top of the already stressful unemployment process. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. **Report the fraud immediately** - Contact EDD's fraud hotline and file a report online through their fraud reporting system. You'll want to document that someone fraudulently claimed benefits in your name from 4/21 to 8/21. 2. **Get everything in writing** - When you have your interview, bring documentation proving you were employed during that period (pay stubs, W-2s, employment verification letters). This will help clear up the fraudulent claims. 3. **Contact your bank** - If your EDD debit card was compromised, report it to Bank of America immediately and request a new card. 4. **Keep detailed records** - Document every call, every conversation, and every piece of correspondence. Note names, dates, and reference numbers. 5. **Be persistent** - Unfortunately, resolving EDD issues often requires multiple calls and follow-ups. Don't give up on those 20+ weeks of legitimate benefits you're owed. The good news is that since you have employment records proving you were working when the fraudulent claims were made, you should be able to clear this up. It's just going to take patience and persistence with the system. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for the amazing advice! I've taken notes and will definitely be more careful with my certifications. I'm going to look into both the Claimyr service to speak with an EDD rep directly and the IHSS program someone mentioned. I'm relieved to hear I'm not the only one navigating this complicated situation. I'll update this thread after I talk to EDD and get more clarification on my specific case.

I'm in a very similar situation - caring for my elderly father with dementia after quitting my job last year. One thing that really helped me was setting up a dedicated email account just for job applications and EDD correspondence. This way I could easily track and document all my work search activities in one place. Also, when you do your bi-weekly certifications, be very specific about your availability constraints. I always write something like "Available for part-time remote or flexible evening work that accommodates caregiving schedule" rather than just checking "yes" to availability. This shows EDD that you're being honest about your limitations while still being genuinely available for appropriate work. The stress of worrying about losing benefits on top of caregiving is overwhelming, but documenting everything and being transparent with EDD has worked well for me so far. Hang in there - you're doing an incredible thing for your mother.

I'm going through almost the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim in late February, got approved mid-March, and have been certifying religiously but haven't seen a penny. Just checked my account yesterday and three of my weeks that were pending are now showing disqualification with zero explanation. I've been calling EDD nonstop but it's impossible to get through. Reading through these comments is giving me some hope though - sounds like a lot of people have had this resolved through their assembly reps. I'm going to contact mine today. This whole system is such a nightmare! Please keep us updated on what your assembly person finds out, and I'll do the same if I hear anything helpful. We're all in this together!

I'm dealing with something very similar right now! Filed in early March, got approved, been certifying every two weeks but zero payments. Then last week - boom - suddenly all my certified weeks switched to "disqualification" with absolutely no explanation or warning. It's like they're playing games with people's livelihoods! The assembly rep route seems to be the way to go based on what I'm reading here. I contacted mine two days ago and they said it could take 3-5 business days to get a response from EDD on my behalf. The waiting is killing me though - I've got bills piling up and was counting on that backpay. One thing I noticed is that my UI Online account still shows my weekly benefit amount and claim balance as if everything is normal, but then all the individual weeks say disqualified. It's so confusing and frustrating that they don't give you any real information about what triggered this. Really hoping your assembly person comes through quickly! Please update us when you hear something - stories like yours and the others here are the only thing keeping me sane right now knowing this can actually get resolved.