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!

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.

Have you checked your online account? Sometimes there's a flag or issue that you can see there. It might give you a clue about why the second week is pending.

I've been through this exact situation! In my case, it turned out to be a random system audit that triggered after my first payment went through. What helped me was logging into my UI Online account and checking the "History" section - sometimes there are cryptic messages buried in there that give clues. Also, when you do get through to someone, ask them to check if there's a "stop payment indicator" on your account. That's the technical term they use internally. If there is one, they can usually remove it right away once they verify your identity. Don't let them tell you to "just wait" - ask for specific next steps and a timeline. You've got this! 💪

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.

UPDATE: I finally spoke with an EDD rep! I used Claimyr as suggested and got a callback within 40 minutes. The rep confirmed that two studios didn't report my wages correctly. I'm submitting the reconsideration form tomorrow with all my pay stubs. She said I should continue certifying at the lower benefit amount, and once they process my documentation (estimated 2-3 weeks), they'll issue retroactive payments for the difference. For anyone in the animation/film industry reading this thread later - ALWAYS check your award notice carefully to make sure all your employers are listed correctly! Thank you all for your help!

This is such a common issue for those of us in creative industries! I work in commercial production and had the exact same thing happen - my benefit amount dropped from $320 to $89 because EDD was only showing wages from one production company out of four I'd worked for that year. The entertainment payroll companies sometimes use different reporting methods or there are delays in when they submit wage data to EDD. I'm glad you got through to someone and are getting it sorted! For future reference, I now always request a wage and potential benefit estimate before filing my claim so I can catch these issues early. The form is DE 4320WS if anyone else wants to do this proactively.