For anyone still experiencing pending payments: if your certification remains pending for more than 72 hours (3 business days), there may be an issue specific to your claim rather than the system-wide delay. At that point, I'd recommend contacting EDD directly. When you do reach a representative, ask them to check for any 'stop payment alerts' or 'eligibility issues' on your claim. Sometimes they can resolve these on the spot if they're minor verification issues.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone still dealing with this - I had the same pending issue last week and it took exactly 4 days to resolve. What helped me was logging into UI Online multiple times throughout the day to check status. I noticed mine switched from pending to paid around 2 AM on a Wednesday, so they seem to be processing these updates at odd hours. Don't lose hope if you're still waiting! Also, make sure you're not missing any messages in your UI Online inbox - sometimes they send notices about why payments are delayed that are easy to overlook.

This is such a stressful situation but it sounds like you're handling it really well! I went through a similar reopened appeal last year and the key thing that helped me was organizing all my documentation chronologically. Make sure you have printed copies of everything - the restructuring announcement, the job offer with the distant location and pay cut, any emails about your position being eliminated, etc. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple timeline document showing: 1) when the restructuring was announced, 2) when your specific position was eliminated, 3) when they made the unreasonable job offer, and 4) when your employment ended. Having it all laid out clearly made it much easier to explain to the judge. You're going to do great - sounds like you have all the evidence you need!

Just wanted to add - if your employer does show up this time, don't let them intimidate you! I had a similar reopened case where they brought their HR manager and she tried to twist the facts about my "resignation." Stay calm, stick to your documented facts, and remember that the burden is on THEM to prove you quit voluntarily. The judge will ask you direct questions, so just answer honestly about the restructuring and why that 90-mile commute job wasn't reasonable. You've got solid documentation and the EDD rep already said your case looks strong - that's a really good sign!

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me when I had the same issue a few months ago - if you have a local Assembly member's office, they often have caseworkers who can help with EDD issues. I called my Assembly member's district office and they were able to get my account unlocked within 48 hours. They have a direct line to EDD that bypasses all the phone tree nonsense. You can find your Assembly member by zip code on the CA legislature website. It's worth a shot if the phone numbers aren't working!

I went through this exact nightmare situation about 6 months ago and it was absolutely maddening! What finally worked for me was a combination of persistence and timing. I called the 1-833-978-2511 number exactly at 8:00 AM (not 8:01, not 7:59 - exactly at 8:00) and selected option 1, then option 4 for tech support like Diego mentioned. It took me 4 days of trying but I finally got through on a Wednesday morning. The rep told me that security question lockouts are super common because the system is ridiculously sensitive - even extra spaces or different capitalization can cause it to reject your answers. She reset both my password AND security questions, which was crucial because I would have just gotten locked out again otherwise. Pro tip: when you set up new security questions, write down EXACTLY how you type the answers including punctuation and capitalization. I learned that lesson the hard way! Also, don't give up on calling - that 8 AM window really does seem to be the sweet spot for getting through.

might sound dumb but have u checked ur spam folder?? EDD sent me an important email and it went to spam and i almost missed my phone interview cuz of it!! also i learned the hard way that if u get a letter from EDD with a time/date for a phone interview u HAVE to answer when they call or ur claim gets auto-denied and thats super hard to fix.

I went through something very similar last year and it took me 3 months to resolve. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. **Document everything** - Take screenshots of your UI Online account showing the processing status, keep copies of all forms you've sent, and write down the names/ID numbers of every rep you talk to. 2. **The "conditional payment" cycle Andre mentioned is spot on** - that's exactly what's happening. Your account has a flag that needs manual review before they'll release your most recent certification. 3. **Don't just ask IF they received your form** - ask them to tell you the EXACT DATE it was processed into their system. If they can't give you a date, it probably got lost and you'll need to resubmit. 4. **For the interview** - this is critical. Get the exact date/time and ask them to send you a confirmation letter or email. Write down the confirmation number. EDD interviews are often the key to unlocking stuck payments. 5. **Try calling the Paid Family Leave line** (1-877-238-4373) and ask them to transfer you to UI claims. Sometimes this gets you through faster than the main number. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease with EDD. Keep calling, be polite but persistent, and don't accept vague answers like "we'll escalate it." Demand specifics - dates, reference numbers, next steps. You've got this!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm feeling a bit calmer now knowing this timeline is normal (even if it's frustratingly slow). I'm going to: 1. Try Claimyr to reach EDD and confirm they received my appeal 2. Start gathering ALL my documentation (screenshots, bank records, etc.) 3. Look into the waiver form as a backup option 4. Check if my county has legal aid for EDD issues I'll update this thread once I know more about my situation. Fingers crossed I can get this resolved without having to pay thousands I don't have!

Just wanted to add - if you do end up needing an attorney, look for one who specifically handles EDD cases rather than just general employment law. The EDD appeal process has its own quirks and procedures that regular employment attorneys might not be familiar with. Also, many EDD attorneys work on contingency or flat fee basis rather than hourly, which can make it more affordable. I've seen some charge around $1,500-2,500 for overpayment appeals, which might be worth it for a $5,800 case if you're not confident handling it yourself. One more tip - document EVERYTHING going forward. Keep records of every phone call attempt, every letter sent/received, and screenshot your online account regularly. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if things get more complicated.