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

I'm in a similar situation with weeks pending verification. From what I've seen in this community, the ID.me verification process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on their current backlog. After you complete ID.me, EDD still needs to review your case internally which can add more time. I'd recommend checking your EDD account daily for updates and maybe try calling using one of those methods Tom shared if you don't see progress after 2-3 weeks. Keep all your documentation handy in case they need additional verification. Hang in there - the waiting is frustrating but most people do get through eventually.

UPDATE: My payment finally hit the Money Network card this morning! So that's exactly 3 business days after it showed 'paid' on the EDD website. Definitely slower than the old Bank of America system, but at least it came through. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. I'm definitely setting up those text alerts and looking into the direct deposit option!

Glad your payment finally came through! I'm dealing with the same transition headache right now. Been waiting 2 days since my status changed to 'paid' and getting anxious. The BofA card was so reliable - this uncertainty is really stressful when you're depending on these payments for basic expenses. I'm curious - for those who've had the Money Network card for a while now, have you noticed if certain days of the week are better for timing? Like if you certify on different days, does it affect when the funds actually hit? Just trying to figure out if there's any pattern I can plan around. Also going to look into that direct deposit option mentioned earlier. Sounds like it might be worth the hassle of switching if it's more consistent.

The reality is there's no special San Bernardino number anymore. We're all in the same statewide queue competing with 20+ million other Californians. The math just doesn't work for manual calling.

Thanks everyone for all the info! This thread has been super helpful. I think I'm done torturing myself with manual calling - going to try Claimyr this week. The fact that so many people here have had success with it makes me feel better about spending the money. It's crazy that we have to pay a third party service just to reach our own state agency, but here we are. Will report back if it works!

Just an update on a recent policy change - the California EDD has actually been instructed to more carefully evaluate self-employment situations since 2023. They now look more closely at whether your business is "completely idle" versus "just not getting clients." In your case, since you're still actively marketing, they might consider you "still working but with reduced income" rather than unemployed. But again, each case is unique and they'll evaluate your specific circumstances. When you get to the phone interview (and you likely will), be prepared to discuss: 1. Your regular work hours before the slowdown 2. Your current activities related to the business 3. Whether you've taken definitive steps to close or suspend the business 4. Your willingness to accept full-time work elsewhere Document everything - your marketing efforts, lack of client inquiries, financial statements showing the business has no income, etc. This documentation will be crucial if there's any question about your eligibility.

I'm not an expert but I've been following similar situations in my area. One thing that might help is looking into the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program if it's still available, or any state programs specifically for self-employed individuals. Also, have you considered reaching out to your local Small Business Development Center? They sometimes have resources or emergency funding programs for small businesses going through tough times. Another thought - since you mentioned you're still actively marketing, you might want to document exactly what that entails and how many hours per week you're spending on it. If it's just a few hours of posting on social media vs. 40 hours a week of active prospecting, that could make a difference in how EDD views your situation. The more you can show that your business activity has significantly decreased from normal operations, the better your case might be. Good luck with whatever you decide!

The combined wage claim system is SO confusing. I had a similar issue last year but with California and Oregon. What I learned is that you should always file in the state with your highest wages first if you think you might need to file again later. Once they transfer the wages between states, you can't un-transfer them. The EDD should really explain this better before people file combined wage claims!

I'm dealing with something similar and wanted to share what I learned from my experience. When you file a combined wage claim, those wages essentially get "locked" into that claim and can't be used again in either state. It's frustrating because they don't make this clear upfront. One thing that might help - if you do manage to get through to EDD, ask specifically about whether you have any remaining balance on your current claim. Sometimes there can be small amounts left that people don't realize. Also, double-check that you've been certifying properly if you haven't already stopped. For finding work to qualify for a new claim, consider temporary staffing agencies or seasonal work. Even if it's not ideal, getting those wages on record now could make the difference when your benefit year ends in October. The job market is tough but having that cushion later might be worth taking whatever you can find now. Hang in there - this whole system is needlessly complicated but you'll get through it!