Update: I mailed my appeal form with all my timecards and screenshots today via certified mail. Still couldn't get through on the phone, but at least the appeal is on its way. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll post again when I hear something back.

Good for you on getting that appeal mailed out! I went through something similar last year - also in Riverside County. One thing I wish someone had told me: when you get your hearing date letter, READ IT CAREFULLY. They'll give you a specific time window when the judge will call, but sometimes they call early or late. I almost missed mine because I stepped away from my phone for 10 minutes. Also, during the hearing, speak clearly and stick to the facts. The judges are actually pretty fair if you have your documentation in order. Since you already included your timecards and screenshots, you're ahead of the game. Most people just submit the form with no supporting evidence. The wait is brutal but try to stay positive. I know it's scary not having benefits coming in, but if you reported your hours correctly like you said, you should win this. Keep us posted on how it goes!

i got ANOTHER one of these fake emails last week but it was for overpayment this time. said i owed $6800 and needed to click a link to setup a payment plan!! These ppl are VULTURES!!!!

As someone who recently went through the legitimate EDD identity verification process, I can confirm that it's ONLY done through ID.me and accessed through your UI Online account. The process involves uploading documents (license, passport, etc.) and taking a selfie for facial recognition - no video calls with agents whatsoever. The fact that the email domain ended in @ca-edd-verify.net is a dead giveaway it's a scam since EDD only uses @edd.ca.gov. Really glad you asked here first! These scammers are getting more sophisticated by including personal details like claim numbers, but the verification process itself never changes. Always go directly to UI Online when you need to check anything about your claim status.

Great to hear you got it sorted out! For anyone else in a similar situation, it's worth noting that EDD is required by federal law to conduct these periodic audits to ensure program integrity. The random nature of these reviews can be scary when you get that notice out of the blue, but they're actually a normal part of the unemployment system. Most of the time, if you were following the rules during your benefit period, these interviews are just administrative checkboxes. The key is definitely not to ignore them - EDD has to follow due process, but only if you participate in that process.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm glad Omar got his situation resolved. For anyone else dealing with EDD interviews after being off benefits, I'd also suggest checking your UI Online account if you still have access - sometimes there are messages or documents posted there that give more context about why the interview was scheduled. Also, if you're like me and terrible at keeping records, try searching your email for job board notifications (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.) from that time period. Even automated "your application was submitted" emails can help jog your memory about your job search activities. The interviewers really do understand that most people don't keep perfect documentation from years ago - they just want to verify you were making a good faith effort to find work during your benefit period.

Hey Gabe! Just to add to what others have shared - the "pending medical form from provider" status essentially means your disability claim is on hold while EDD waits for your doctor to complete their portion. Make sure you gave your doctor the correct receipt number when you submitted Part A online. Sometimes doctors' offices can be slow with these forms, so it's worth calling them to check if they need any additional information from you. Also, keep in mind that once your doctor submits the medical form, it can still take EDD a few days to process and update your claim status. Stay on top of it and don't hesitate to follow up with both your doctor and EDD if it's taking too long!

Hi Gabe! I went through this exact same situation a few months ago. The "pending medical form from provider" status means EDD is waiting for your doctor to submit the medical certification (Part B) that goes with your disability claim. Here's what helped me speed up the process: 1) Call your doctor's office and confirm they have your receipt number, 2) Ask them specifically when they plan to submit it (some offices batch these weekly), and 3) Request they fax it directly to EDD rather than mail it to avoid delays. In my case, once my doctor faxed the form, it took about 3-4 business days for my status to update online. Don't be afraid to be persistent with follow-ups - your benefits depend on it! Good luck!

If you already submitted your application without mentioning your teaching job, don't panic but DO call EDD ASAP! When I was in your situation, I waited until certification to mention my part-time work, and my claim got flagged for an eligibility interview - which meant weeks of no payments while waiting. The quarterly income stuff is annoying but honestly not a huge deal - they'll verify with your employer records. But misrepresenting your current employment status can trigger fraud investigations, which is the last thing you want!

Hey Mateo! I'm a teacher too and went through this exact same situation when I got laid off from my main job but kept my adjunct classes. The key thing is you absolutely MUST report your teaching job on the initial application - there's a section where it asks about all employers in your "base period" (usually last 12-18 months) and then specifically asks if you're still working for any of them. If you already submitted without mentioning the teaching, call EDD immediately to update it. I know everyone says calling is impossible, but try early morning (8am sharp) or use one of those callback services if you're desperate. Not reporting current employment can cause major headaches later - they might think you're hiding income or got a new job. Don't stress about the quarterly numbers being perfect - they verify everything with employer records anyway. Just get as close as you can with your pay stubs. The main thing is being upfront about ALL your work situations from the start. Good luck!