btw if ur applying for unemployment make sure u mention the late final paycheck issue when they ask about why u left ur job... doesnt hurt ur case at all

I went through something very similar last year and definitely keep your wage claim active! Even though you got paid, the waiting time penalties can be substantial - in your case at $21/hour for 38 hours weekly, that's about $159/day in penalties for each day they were late (up to 30 days max). Also document everything about those unexplained deductions - employers can't just randomly deduct money from your final paycheck without proper authorization. The $180 "merchandise" deduction sounds questionable unless you signed something specifically agreeing to it. One tip: when you eventually get your settlement conference or hearing scheduled, bring printed copies of all your emails, texts, and records of when you visited the store trying to get your check. This documentation really helps your case. The whole process is worth it - I ended up getting almost $3,000 in penalties on top of my wages.

i had my interview last week and the lady was actually super nice! wasnt scary at all. just be honest

Hey Sofia! I went through a similar situation a few months ago with temp work and an EDD interview. Just wanted to add that when they ask about your job search efforts since leaving those temp positions, definitely mention those 20+ applications you've been submitting - it shows you're actively seeking work which is a requirement for benefits. Also, if you have any email confirmations from job applications or responses from employers, keep those handy. Sometimes they ask for proof of your job search activity during the interview. The fact that you've been consistently looking for work since the temp jobs ended really supports your case. One more tip - write down a timeline of events before your interview (dates you started/left each temp job, when you reported the hostile environment, etc.). Having everything organized will help you stay focused during the call. You've got this!

Update: I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended here, and it actually worked! Got through to an EDD rep this morning. Turns out my claim was flagged for an eligibility review because my last employer contested it (even though I was laid off, not fired). The rep scheduled me for a phone interview next week and said my payments should release after that. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Congratulations on finally getting through! That's such a relief. Your situation with the employer contest is actually pretty common - a lot of people don't realize that employers can dispute claims even for legitimate layoffs, which automatically triggers a review. The good news is that if you were truly laid off and have documentation (like a layoff notice or termination letter stating "lack of work"), the eligibility interview should go smoothly. Just make sure to have all your paperwork ready and be clear about the circumstances of your separation. The whole process is frustrating but at least now you're in the system and moving forward!

is the bofa card the one with the picture of the bear on it? i got one of those but thought it was fake lol

This thread has been really helpful! I'm actually in a similar situation - just received what looks like a legitimate BofA EDD card but was expecting Money Network. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like if you had a previous claim with a BofA card that's still valid, EDD's system automatically reuses it instead of issuing the new Money Network cards. For anyone else dealing with this: check your card's expiration date first - if it's from a previous claim and still valid, that's probably why you got BofA instead of Money Network. You can use it safely as long as your UI Online account shows "Debit Card" as your payment method. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

btw what did u do to get the penalty? just curious cuz im paranoid about making mistakes

Just went through something similar recently! One thing I'd add is to make sure you have your bank account info updated and verified in your UI Online account before you certify. Sometimes after penalty periods, EDD will randomly flag accounts for additional identity verification or banking verification, which can delay payments even after you've served your time. Also, keep screenshots of your certification confirmations and payment history showing you completed all 10 penalty weeks. If there are any issues with your first payment, having that documentation ready can help speed up resolution. The EDD system isn't always great at tracking penalty completion automatically. Good luck getting back to regular payments - you've definitely earned it after 10 weeks of that nonsense!