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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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In my experience, having clear documentation of the layoff is key. If you have a layoff notice that specifically mentions outsourcing or reduction in force, that's gold! Make several copies. Also, try to get written statements from those 15 other colleagues who were laid off with you - the more evidence, the better your chances. Administrative Law Judges appreciate organization and clear evidence.
the ALJ at my hearing was super nice actually!! way nicer than any edd employee ive talked to lol. she actually listened to my whole story and seemed to care
After reading all this thread, I have to chime in with something important: while you're waiting, make sure you keep checking your UI Online account AND your physical mail. EDD will sometimes send important documents about your appeal ONLY through mail, not through the online portal. I missed my hearing date because the notice went to my old address even though I'd updated it online.
Oh that's scary - thanks for the warning! I'll keep an eye on both my online account and physical mail. I've triple-checked that my address is current on all my EDD documents.
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UPDATE: I called EDD this morning and got confirmation that disaster assistance grants do NOT need to be reported when certifying. The representative said that disaster relief is considered emergency assistance, not income. Thanks everyone for your help! Just wanted to post this in case anyone else has the same question in the future.
Thanks for coming back and sharing the official word! This will definitely help others in similar situations.
how did u actually get through to someone at EDD?? ive been trying for days!
One final note on this topic: while disaster grants aren't reportable for UI purposes, remember that some types of assistance might have implications elsewhere. For example, while FEMA grants aren't taxable income, some other forms of disaster assistance might have different rules. Always good to document everything you receive and check with a tax professional if you're unsure about the broader implications beyond your UI claim.
That's a really good point. I'll make sure to keep all my documentation organized for tax season. This whole process is so confusing sometimes!
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Update to my previous comment: If you've been certifying regularly and have no income to report, when your claim is finally approved, the payment should process relatively quickly (2-3 business days). Make sure you've set up your payment preference in UI Online (direct deposit or BofA debit card). Also, when your interview finally happens, the EDD representative may ask if you've been looking for work during this time. Make sure you can provide at least 3 job search activities per week. This is a requirement that many people overlook, but it's essential for maintaining eligibility.
Just wanted to update everyone - I FINALLY got my eligibility interview letter in the mail today! Interview is scheduled for next Tuesday. I've been documenting my job search activities all along (thankfully) and have all my evidence ready about the scheduling issue. Thank you all for the advice and support during this frustrating wait. Will update after the interview on how it goes!
good luck dude! remember they record everything so just be honest and stick to facts
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Is anybody 100% sure the payments go on the same card? My cousin got UI then SDI and swears she got a separate card for SDI. This was in 2024 though, maybe they changed the system? Just don't want OP to miss any payments looking for money on the wrong card...
The standard procedure is to use the same Money Network card for both UI and SDI benefits. However, there are a few specific situations where a claimant might receive a second card: 1. If the first card was reported lost/stolen 2. If the first card expired 3. If there was a name change on the account 4. If there was a very long gap between benefit programs For most claimants transitioning directly from UI to SDI (or vice versa), payments will continue on the same card. Your cousin may have fallen into one of the exception categories.
That makes sense! She did have like a 6 month gap between UI ending and SDI starting, so probably why she got 2 cards.
Update: I want to thank everyone for the helpful advice! I called EDD this morning and confirmed what most of you said - I should continue certifying for the backdated UI weeks before June 15th, but not certify for any weeks after SDI started. They said the payments will all go to the same Money Network card, and my backdated UI should process within 10 days. The rep also mentioned I should apply for Paid Family Leave after my SDI pregnancy benefits end, which will give me additional time for baby bonding. I feel much less stressed now knowing what to do. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!
That's excellent news! So glad you were able to get confirmation directly from EDD. Make sure to mark your calendar for when to apply for PFL - typically you should submit that application about 1-2 weeks before your SDI benefits end to avoid any gap in payments. Wishing you a smooth delivery and healthy baby!
so glad u got thru to someone!!! good luck with the baby!!
Amina Sy
I've been on unemployment three times in the past five years, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that in-person filing is the SLOWEST method possible. The EDD offices are primarily for information and assistance, not actual claim processing. The fastest methods in order: 1. Online filing (using a reliable computer/internet) 2. Phone filing (if you can actually get through) 3. Mail filing (slow but reliable) 4. In-person (only for special circumstances) If your home internet is unreliable, you should go to the library as others have suggested. Most libraries give you at least an hour on their computers, which is more than enough time to complete an application if you have all your information ready. Also, make sure you're certifying on time once your claim is approved - that's where most people encounter delays in actually receiving payments!
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Yara Abboud
•And don't forget the ID.me verification mess! That alone can add WEEKS to getting your first payment if you don't do it right. Make sure your phone number matches EXACTLY what's on your ID or you'll get stuck in verification hell!!
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Connor Byrne
Just checking back - were you able to file your claim yet? The library computer suggestion works for most people. If you're still having trouble, remember that you can also request a callback from EDD instead of waiting on hold. When you call, select the option to file a new claim, then when prompted for a callback, enter your number. It could take a day or two, but they will usually call back.
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Zainab Ahmed
•Update: I went to the library yesterday and was able to complete my entire application! The computers there were way faster than mine at home. Now just waiting for EDD to process it. Thanks everyone for the help!
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