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.

Hey OP, don't forget to check if your employer offers any additional maternity benefits. Some companies have their own disability insurance that might be easier to deal with than EDD.

Been through this exact situation! A few additional tips that helped me: 1. If you have your marriage certificate or legal name change docs ready, you can sometimes upload them directly through the EDD portal which might be faster than mailing. 2. Consider calling EDD to confirm they received your documents before submitting your disability claim - saves you from potential delays later. 3. Keep your old name handy when you call/apply initially, since their system might still show your previous name until it's fully updated. Also, start gathering your medical documentation for the disability claim while you're waiting for the name change to process. That way you're ready to go once everything's updated! Good luck with everything! 🍀

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!

If you do end up needing to file a claim after another separation, make sure you're extremely precise when answering the question about why you're no longer working. The exact wording matters significantly for how your claim is processed. If you select "fired" or "discharged," EDD automatically flags your claim for an eligibility interview. Instead, if the employer told you it "wasn't a good fit" without citing specific policy violations, the most accurate selection would be "laid off/no work available" - because essentially they're saying your specific position is no longer available to you, not that you committed misconduct. Also, start keeping a work journal now. Document all interactions, feedback (positive and negative), and any strange vibes you're getting. This documentation can be invaluable if you need to explain your side during an eligibility interview.

I went through something similar about 2 years ago - had 3 different jobs in 8 months and was terrified EDD would deny my claim. What really helped me was understanding that EDD's main concern is whether YOU did something wrong, not whether you've had bad luck with employers. Here's what I learned from my experience: - Keep all your termination paperwork, even if it just says "not working out" - If possible, get your separation reason in writing via email - During any eligibility interview, focus on what you DID do right (showed up on time, completed tasks, followed policies) - Don't overthink the "pattern" - each job separation is evaluated separately My eligibility interview was actually pretty straightforward. The EDD rep asked basic questions like "What did your employer tell you about why you were being let go?" and "Were there any warnings or disciplinary actions?" Since I could honestly say no misconduct was involved, I got approved. The worst part was the waiting and uncertainty, but the actual process wasn't as scary as I'd built it up to be. Hang in there and try not to stress too much about something that might not even happen!

UPDATE: I finally got through! I took everyone's advice and tried at 1am using my phone data instead of WiFi, and it worked! The page loaded right away with no spinning circle. Just certified for both weeks. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!!

Congrats on getting through Andre! This is such a common problem that I've started keeping a list of backup times when the system usually works. For anyone else still struggling, I've found these times are usually reliable: weekday mornings 5-7am, Tuesday/Wednesday evenings after 11pm, and surprisingly Thursday afternoons around 2-4pm seem to work well too. The key is avoiding those peak Sunday rush hours when literally everyone is trying to certify at once. Also pro tip - if you're still having issues, try using a different device entirely (tablet, different phone, etc) sometimes that helps break through whatever cache/cookie issues might be happening.