Based on the information you've provided, it sounds like you're facing a non-fraud overpayment situation. Here's the likely process you'll go through: 1. You'll receive a Notice of Potential Overpayment explaining the discrepancy 2. You'll be scheduled for a phone interview (this is why getting through to EDD is critical) 3. After the interview, you'll receive a Notice of Overpayment with the exact amount and any assessed penalties 4. You'll have options to: - Pay in full - Request a payment plan - File an appeal if you disagree - Request a waiver (difficult to get approved) For gig workers, I recommend keeping a detailed log of all work performed going forward - date of work, company, amount earned, and date paid. This helps tremendously with accurate reporting.

I went through something very similar with DoorDash, Instacart, and TaskRabbit income. The thing that saved me was creating a detailed timeline showing when I actually worked vs when payments were processed. Some of those apps have weird payment schedules - like DoorDash would sometimes hold payments for "quality review" or whatever. Here's what helped me during my audit: - Downloaded ALL transaction histories from each app (not just the 1099s) - Showed screenshots of the apps' payment policies explaining delays - Created a week-by-week breakdown showing the reporting confusion The EDD rep actually acknowledged that their system doesn't account for how gig payments work. I still had to pay back some money and got 4 penalty weeks, but they reduced the penalty amount by 50% because I could prove it was an honest mistake due to the complexity. Don't panic - just be super organized with your documentation. The fact that you were reporting SOME income shows you weren't trying to hide everything.

To follow up on my earlier comment - one thing to be aware of is that there are strict timelines for everything in the appeals process. If you don't hear back within 2 business days of emailing, I highly recommend either physically going to the Appeals office if one is near you, or sending a certified letter detailing what happened. Also, review California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1334, which covers the grounds for missing a hearing. Your situation should qualify under this provision, especially if you document your attempts to participate and the clerk's conduct prevented your participation.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! That clerk's behavior was completely unprofessional and inexcusable. I went through a similar situation last year where I had technical difficulties during my hearing, and here's what worked for me: First, call the Appeals Board office first thing tomorrow morning at 8am sharp - they're usually less busy then. Ask to speak with a supervisor and explain exactly what happened. Be calm but firm about how the clerk's conduct prevented you from participating in your scheduled hearing. Second, write down everything you remember about the conversation - exact times, what was said, how long you waited, etc. This documentation will be crucial. Third, if you don't get satisfaction from the supervisor, you can file a formal complaint about the clerk's conduct through the EDD website. Poor customer service like this needs to be reported. The good news is that situations like this are considered "good cause" for missing a hearing, especially when it's due to staff misconduct. Don't panic - this is fixable, but you need to act quickly. Keep us updated on how it goes!

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

When writing your appeal, be clear and specific about why the overpayment notice is inaccurate. Include: 1. State clearly that you disagree with the overpayment determination 2. Explain the specific facts that make the notice incorrect (dates, amounts, circumstances) 3. Attach any supporting documentation (pay stubs, work records, correspondence) 4. Request a hearing if you want to present your case in person 5. Submit within the deadline (usually 30 days from the notice date) Keep it factual and professional. Focus on the facts that prove the overpayment determination is wrong rather than emotional appeals. The key is providing evidence that contradicts their findings. Good luck with your appeal!

One important thing to note - if he's able to contact EDD before the interview, make sure they document this contact in his case notes. Ask them specifically to add a note about the phone service issue and any alternative arrangements. This creates a paper trail protecting his claim if there are any issues later. If he does end up missing the interview despite your best efforts, he should file an appeal immediately citing these circumstances.

I work at a community center and we get people in this situation all the time. Here are a few more resources that might help: most Starbucks and McDonald's locations have free WiFi if you need to use the UI Online messaging system from your phone. Also, many churches and community centers will let you use their phones for important calls like this - just explain your situation. If you're in a big city, some unemployment offices have walk-in hours where you can speak to someone in person about rescheduling. Don't give up - there are always options even when it feels hopeless!

Have you checked if your browser is up to date? Sometimes outdated browsers don't work properly with government sites. Also make sure you're not using any auto-fill features as those can cause conflicts with the EDD site's security features. I've been on unemployment twice in the past three years and both times had technical issues that were resolved by updating my browser and disabling browser extensions. Also worth noting - if you can't get it working online, you can request a paper application by mail, though obviously that will take longer to process.

UPDATE: You all are amazing! I tried a combination of suggestions - disabled my VPN, cleared all cookies, turned off browser extensions, and waited until 1am to try again. It finally worked! Got all the way through the application process and received my confirmation number. Now fingers crossed the claim gets processed quickly. Thanks to everyone for the help!