Update: I called the number and was able to certify! For anyone who needs it in the future, you need your SSN and PIN, and you have to answer all the same questions as online. It took about 10 minutes to go through everything. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to hear you got through @Layla Mendes! For future reference, I've found the phone system works best early morning (around 6-7 AM) or late evening (after 8 PM) when fewer people are calling. Also, if you ever need to check if your certification went through properly, you can call the same number and use option 2 to verify your last certification date - really helpful for peace of mind when you don't get that online confirmation.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been stuck on the driver's license verification step for over a week despite having a valid license and successful ID.me verification. Based on all the great advice here, I'm planning to: 1. Check my DMV records online first to see if there are any discrepancies 2. Call the technical support line at 1-800-480-3287 that @Santiago Martinez shared 3. Ask specifically about name formatting (ALL CAPS vs proper case) and middle name/initial differences like @Danielle Mays and @Charlee Coleman mentioned It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops, but at least now I have a clear action plan instead of just repeatedly trying the same thing. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - this community support makes dealing with EDD so much more manageable! 🙏

This thread is an absolute goldmine of information! I'm currently stuck in the same driver's license verification nightmare and was starting to think I was losing my mind. Seeing @Sophia Gabriel's success story and all the detailed troubleshooting steps everyone has shared gives me so much hope. I'm particularly grateful for the specific phone number (1-800-480-3287) for technical support that @Santiago Martinez shared - I had no idea there was a separate line for these verification issues! And the insights about DMV records potentially being outdated despite having a current license, plus all the name formatting quirks, are things I never would have thought to check. Going to start with the DMV records check tomorrow, then work through the systematic approach that @Liam O'Reilly outlined. It's incredible how this community has basically created the troubleshooting guide that EDD should have provided in the first place! Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your experiences in such detail - you're all lifesavers! 🙏✨

I've been getting paper checks from EDD for over a year now and wanted to share what I've learned about the timing. Once your payment shows "paid" in UI Online, it typically takes 4-7 business days for the check to arrive, but there are a few factors that affect this: 1. EDD processes checks in batches, usually 2-3 times per week, so there can be 1-2 days between "paid" status and actual mailing 2. Your location in California matters - if you're closer to Sacramento where they mail from, it arrives faster 3. USPS delivery times vary, especially during holidays or weather delays Since yours showed paid on Tuesday and you're in San Diego, I'd expect it by Friday or Monday at the latest. If you're worried about rent timing, definitely contact your landlord now to give them a heads up - most are understanding about EDD delays when you communicate proactively. Also highly recommend signing up for USPS Informed Delivery (free on their website) - you'll get an email every morning showing what mail is coming that day, including your EDD check. It eliminates the anxiety of wondering if it's coming and saves you multiple trips to the mailbox!

I've been dealing with EDD paper checks for about 9 months now after switching from direct deposit due to banking issues. Here's what I've consistently experienced: Once your payment shows "paid" in UI Online, you're typically looking at 5-7 business days for the actual check to arrive. Since yours showed paid on Tuesday, you should realistically expect it between this coming Monday and Wednesday. The timing depends on a few factors: - EDD processes checks in batches (usually Mon/Wed/Fri) so there's often a 1-2 day gap between "paid" status and actual mailing - Your distance from Sacramento affects USPS delivery time - Mail processing delays can add extra days, especially during busy periods A few tips that have helped me: 1. Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery (free) - you'll get email previews of incoming mail each morning 2. Contact your landlord NOW to explain the situation - most are understanding if you're proactive 3. Consider switching back to direct deposit once your bank issues are resolved, as those payments post within 1-2 days of "paid" status Don't panic yet - based on your timeline, you're still well within the normal window. The check should arrive early next week!

This thread has been such an incredible resource! I just went through a very similar situation last month - my first payment was stuck on pending for 12 days and I was absolutely panicking. Like @Hailey O'Leary, I had no idea that employers could essentially rewrite the story of your termination to protect their own costs. Turns out my former employer reported that I "abandoned my job" when I was actually let go during a company downsizing. It took one call with a tier 2 specialist to clear it up, but those 12 days of not knowing what was wrong were torture. The worst part is that EDD gives you absolutely no indication of what the actual problem is - just that vague "pending" status that tells you nothing. Reading everyone's tips about calling early, asking for tier 2 immediately, and having documentation ready would have saved me so much stress if I'd known them earlier. This community is honestly doing EDD's job better than EDD does!

This entire thread should honestly be required reading for anyone filing for unemployment in California! As someone who just started my claim process this week, I'm blown away by how much more I learned here than from EDD's actual website or representatives. @Hailey O'Leary, your journey from that initial panic to getting everything resolved is so inspiring and shows exactly why we can't just passively wait for the system to work. The employer misreporting issue is absolutely mind-blowing - I had no idea they could basically rewrite history to protect their insurance rates while leaving us hanging in limbo with no explanation. The practical advice everyone shared (8:01am calls, tier 2 specialists, documentation prep, even that Claimyr service) is gold. It's honestly sad that we have to crowdsource basic information about how to navigate a system designed to help unemployed people, but I'm so grateful this community exists. Saving this thread as my EDD bible!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - I completely understand the panic you're feeling right now. I went through almost the exact same situation 8 months ago when I received an overpayment notice for $24K in PUA benefits from 2021. Like you, I had to leave my job due to childcare disruptions when my daughter's preschool kept shutting down for COVID exposures and outbreaks. I was completely honest during my phone interview and provided all the documentation they requested at the time. The good news is that I successfully appealed and WON! Reading through all these amazing success stories from @AstroAlpha, @Madison Allen, @Maya Jackson and others gives me so much hope for your case too. Here's what worked for me during my appeal: - I gathered every single email from the preschool about closures and COVID cases - Created a detailed timeline showing exactly when closures happened and how they made work impossible - Included all text messages with my supervisor explaining my childcare situation - Emphasized that I had been completely transparent from day one My hearing was over the phone, lasted about 45 minutes, and the judge was actually very fair and understanding. When I presented my organized documentation and explained my honest situation, they completely reversed the overpayment determination. Regarding criminal charges - that fear kept me up at night too, but everyone here is right that it's extremely rare for honest cases like ours. They focus criminal prosecution on clear fraud, not legitimate parents who needed help during the pandemic. You were eligible for those benefits under PUA guidelines, you were honest throughout the process, and you have every right to appeal this unfair determination. Start gathering your documentation ASAP and get that appeal filed before the deadline. Stay strong - you've absolutely got this! We're all rooting for you.

I'm so sorry you're going through this terrifying experience - I can completely relate to the panic and sleepless nights you're having right now. I just went through something almost identical about 6 months ago when I received an overpayment notice for $21K in PUA benefits from 2021. Like you, I had to quit my job due to childcare disruptions when my twin daughters' daycare kept shutting down for COVID exposures. I was completely honest during my phone interview and explained everything in detail, just like you did. The stress was absolutely overwhelming - I kept imagining worst-case scenarios and couldn't focus on anything else. But I want to give you hope: I successfully appealed and WON my case! The overpayment was completely reversed. Reading through all these incredible success stories from @AstroAlpha, @Madison Allen, @Maya Jackson, @Emily Sanjay and others shows that when we have proper documentation and were honest from the beginning, these appeals can absolutely be won. Here's what worked for me: - Gathered every email from the daycare about closures and COVID cases - Created a chronological timeline of all disruptions and how they affected my work - Included text messages with my manager explaining my situation - Wrote a detailed statement emphasizing my transparency throughout the process My hearing was over the phone, lasted about 50 minutes, and the judge was actually very reasonable and fair. When I presented my organized evidence and explained my honest situation, they ruled completely in my favor. You were following the rules, you qualified under PUA guidelines, and you deserve to have your case heard fairly. Don't let them intimidate you - file that appeal ASAP and fight for what you're entitled to. You've absolutely got this!