just a heads up the whole process is waaaaay slower now than before covid. i filed in jan and it took almost 2 months to get everything sorted out!! make sure ur brother has some $ to live on while waiting

I work at a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities navigate government services. A few additional tips for your brother's situation: 1. EDD has a disability services unit that can provide extra support during the application process. You can request this when you call or note it in the application. 2. For someone with a learning disability who's working reduced hours, make sure to emphasize that the hour reduction was involuntary (employer decision, not his choice). This is crucial for eligibility. 3. Keep detailed records of his work schedule before and after the reduction - pay stubs, schedule screenshots, anything that shows the change wasn't voluntary. 4. The ID.me verification can be challenging, but they do have live video agents who can walk him through it step by step. The accessibility accommodations mentioned earlier are real and helpful. 5. Consider applying for CalFresh (food stamps) as well if he's not already receiving it - reduced income from work hours often qualifies someone, and it can help bridge the gap while waiting for EDD approval. Good luck helping your brother navigate this! The system isn't easy but there are people and resources to help.

just wondering have u been certifying still while waiting 4 the appeal? My friends was told to keep certifying even tho she was disqualified just in case she wins

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress must be overwhelming! I'm a substitute teacher in the San Diego area and have been watching this issue affect colleagues all over the state. A few things that might help while you're preparing your appeal: 1. Contact your local union rep if you have one - many teacher unions are tracking this issue and may have resources or even legal support for appeals. 2. Document EVERYTHING about your work pattern - not just that it's variable, but show periods where you had NO work available (like when schools were closed for COVID, during testing weeks, etc.). This proves you can't rely on consistent income. 3. If your district sent you that "anticipation" letter, see if you can get clarification in writing about what exactly they're guaranteeing. Often they'll admit it's just a general statement, not a specific job offer. The financial stress is real - have you looked into local food banks or emergency assistance programs while you're fighting this? Some communities have specific funds for teachers facing hardship. You shouldn't have to choose between rent and food while bureaucrats figure out their own rules. Hang in there - from what others are saying, you have a really strong case if you prepare properly!

UPDATE: Finally got through to EDD this morning! Turns out there was a "payment verification hold" on my account because I reported some part-time income on my last certification. The rep released the hold and said funds should be available within 24-48 hours. For anyone else experiencing this issue, definitely call EDD directly - the Money Network support can't help with these kinds of holds.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been dealing with EDD for almost two years now. The Money Network delays have definitely gotten worse since they switched systems in late 2024. I've noticed a pattern where payments that include any kind of earnings reporting (even just a few dollars from odd jobs) seem to trigger these verification holds more frequently than they used to. It's frustrating because the old system would just process everything automatically. One thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of all my part-time work and earnings - when I call EDD now, I can quickly provide them with exact dates and amounts, which seems to speed up the hold release process. Also, if you're going to switch to direct deposit like others mentioned, wait until this current payment clears first. I made the mistake of changing payment methods while I had a pending payment and it caused even more delays.

Update to my previous comment: I just used the 1-800-300-5616 number yesterday and the wait time was over 4 hours! The only reason I got through was because of Claimyr. For new claims specifically, some people have better luck with the alternative number: 1-866-333-4606, but that's mostly for already-filed claim questions.

Hey! I went through this exact same frustration last month. The 1-800-300-5616 number everyone's mentioning is definitely the right one for new claims, but here's what actually worked for me: I used a phone tree bypass trick where you press 1-3-4 really quickly as soon as the automated system starts talking. It skips some of the menus and gets you to the queue faster. Also, Monday mornings are surprisingly better than calling mid-week - I think fewer people think to call then. Have your DD-214 ready too if you're a veteran, and write down your confirmation number when you finally get through! The whole process took about 45 minutes on the phone once I actually reached someone. Don't give up!

Pro tip: if you do get through, ask for a callback number in case you get disconnected. Saved my butt when the call dropped after 2 hours on hold.

I've been dealing with this nightmare for weeks too! What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies - I called at exactly 8:00 AM (not 8:01, but right when they opened), had multiple phones going at once, and when I got the busy signal I immediately hung up and redialed. It took about 45 minutes of constant redialing but I finally got into the queue. Once you're in, DO NOT hang up no matter how long it takes. I waited 3.5 hours but it was worth it. Also, have all your paperwork ready because they move fast once you get someone on the line. Stay strong everyone - persistence really does pay off! 💪