Just found this thread after dealing with the same EDD nightmare for the past two weeks! My UI claim has been stuck in "pending review" since I transitioned from state disability, and I was starting to lose hope. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been incredibly helpful - it's both frustrating and reassuring to know this is such a widespread issue. I'm definitely going to try the 8AM sharp strategy with the 1-1-2-4 button sequence first thing tomorrow morning. If that doesn't work after a few attempts, I'll look into Claimyr since so many people here have had success with it. The tip about the disability claim potentially blocking the UI claim is huge - I had no idea that could be the issue! Thank you all for sharing real strategies that actually work. This community support means everything when the official system completely fails us.

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I've been dealing with the exact same issue - my disability claim ended last month and my UI claim has been stuck in "pending" for almost 3 weeks now. Like everyone else, I've been getting nowhere with the phone system. It's honestly shocking how broken this whole system is, but reading through all these real strategies gives me hope that there's actually a way through this nightmare. I'm going to start tomorrow with the 8AM sharp approach using the 1-1-2-4 sequence that so many people have had success with. If that doesn't work after a few days, I'll definitely try Claimyr since multiple people here have confirmed it works. The disability-to-UI transition issue seems to be such a common blind spot in their system - you'd think after all this time they'd have a better process in place! Thank you everyone for sharing what actually works instead of just complaining. This community knowledge is literally more helpful than anything on EDD's official website.

I'm so grateful this thread exists! I've been locked out for 4 days and was completely lost until I found all these detailed solutions. The combination of specific timing (8:02 AM), exact phone sequences (833-978-2511 then 1-2-4), and asking immediately for "Tier 2 technical specialist" seems like the winning formula based on everyone's success stories. What really helped me prepare was reading about having ALL the verification info ready - SSN, email on file, old bank account digits, and previous employer details. I never would have thought to dig up those old bank account numbers without Diego Rojas's tip! The Assembly member contact option that Lucas shared is absolutely brilliant - I had no idea that was even possible. It's amazing how this community has figured out every possible workaround for EDD's broken system. Going to try the phone strategy first thing tomorrow morning, but knowing I have multiple backup plans (Claimyr, Assembly member contact, in-person office visit) makes this feel so much more manageable. This thread is seriously like having a complete roadmap through the EDD nightmare! Will definitely update with my results. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share such detailed, practical advice - you're all lifesavers! 🙏

This thread is incredible! I'm currently on day 2 of my lockout and was starting to spiral into panic mode about my upcoming certification. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has completely transformed my anxiety into actual hope with a concrete action plan. The systematic approach that's emerged from everyone's shared experiences is brilliant - 8:02 AM timing, 833-978-2511 with 1-2-4 sequence, immediate request for "Tier 2 technical specialist," and having all verification ready (SSN, email, old bank digits, employer history). It's like this community has created the definitive playbook for beating EDD's broken system! I'm particularly blown away by Lucas's Assembly member contact strategy - that's such an innovative workaround that I bet 99% of people don't know about. And knowing that this February system update is causing legitimate users to get falsely flagged makes me feel less crazy about the whole situation. Planning to execute the phone strategy tomorrow morning, but having multiple backup options (Claimyr, Assembly member, in-person visit) makes this feel totally manageable now instead of hopeless. You all have literally turned what felt like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into a solvable problem with clear steps. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes all the difference when dealing with government agencies that seem designed to frustrate people! Will definitely report back with results. Thank you everyone! 🙏

I've been in your exact situation and can definitely confirm that working part-time while collecting unemployment is completely legitimate! I worked at a local cafe (about 10-15 hours/week) while receiving benefits from my previous full-time job for several months. The most important advice I can give you is to start tracking everything immediately - and I mean EVERYTHING. I created a simple note in my phone where I recorded my exact hours and gross earnings every single day I worked. This made certification so much less stressful because I had all the numbers ready. Here's what really helped me understand the process: EDD wants to encourage part-time work, so the formula is designed to make you better off working than not working. With your $315 weekly benefit and approximately $180 coffee shop earnings, you'd likely end up with around $315-340 total income versus just $315 from unemployment alone. The key points that tripped me up initially: - Report earnings for the week you WORKED, not when you got your paycheck - Always use gross earnings (before any deductions) - Don't panic if your hours vary week to week - just report accurately - Save every pay stub as backup documentation Your first certification will feel overwhelming, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you do it. You'll check that you worked, enter your hours and gross pay for each week, and EDD automatically calculates everything. You're absolutely doing the right thing keeping that job - it shows you're actively working and helps with your job search requirements too. Just stay organized and be completely honest with your reporting!

I've been working part-time at a small restaurant (about 12-15 hours/week) while collecting unemployment for the past 2 months, and I can confirm that the EDD rep gave you accurate information! You absolutely can continue working at your coffee shop and still receive partial benefits. Here's what I wish I had known from the beginning: Set up a tracking system RIGHT NOW before you even do your first certification. I use a simple Google Sheet where I log my hours worked and gross pay for each day. When certification time comes, I just total up each week - it takes literally 2 minutes and eliminates all the stress. The partial benefit calculation works really well. My weekly benefit amount is $340, and when I earn about $195 at the restaurant, I still get around $193 in unemployment benefits. That's $388 total income versus just $340 from unemployment alone - so keeping the part-time job is definitely worth it! Key things that have kept me out of trouble: - Always report GROSS earnings (before taxes) for the week you actually WORKED (not when paid) - Keep every single pay stub as backup documentation - Don't worry about hour variations - some weeks I work 8 hours, others 20 hours, just report accurately - The certification process asks for both hours AND earnings, so track both Your coffee shop job is actually helping you in multiple ways - extra income, staying connected to work, and it counts toward your work search activities. Just be meticulous with record-keeping and completely honest with your reporting. You've got this!

Your employer is absolutely wrong and what they're doing could actually be illegal interference! You have every right to file for partial unemployment benefits when your hours are cut by 50% due to lack of work - that's exactly what these benefits were designed for. Here's the truth your boss doesn't want you to know: - Employers cannot "approve" or "disapprove" unemployment claims - only EDD makes that determination - What she said about "not approving" your claim shows she doesn't understand how the system works - You've been paying into unemployment insurance with every paycheck - these are YOUR benefits - Her real concern is that successful claims can increase their UI tax rates, but that's a normal business cost File your claim online at edd.ca.gov immediately. When you certify bi-weekly, you'll report your reduced hours and any wages earned. Make sure to document everything your boss said about blocking your claim - employer retaliation for filing unemployment can violate California labor law. Don't let her intimidate you out of benefits you've earned and desperately need. Your financial obligations don't disappear just because your employer doesn't like the unemployment system. This is exactly the temporary support UI was created to provide!

Your employer is completely wrong and has absolutely no legal authority to prevent you from filing for unemployment benefits! What she's doing could actually constitute illegal interference with your worker rights. When your hours are reduced by 50% due to lack of work (not your fault), you're exactly the type of situation partial unemployment benefits were created for in California. Here's what you need to know: - Your employer cannot "approve" or "disapprove" UI claims - only EDD makes that determination - File immediately at edd.ca.gov - ignore her intimidation completely - You'll report your reduced hours and wages when certifying bi-weekly - Keep documentation of your old schedule vs new reduced schedule as proof - Document everything she said about "not approving" claims - this could be illegal retaliation The real reason she's upset is because successful unemployment claims can increase their UI tax rates, but that's a standard business expense they need to handle - NOT your financial crisis to absorb. You've been paying into this system with every single paycheck, so these are benefits you've already earned and are legally entitled to claim. Don't let her guilt trips stop you from getting support you desperately need. Your rent and car payments don't magically disappear just because your boss doesn't understand how unemployment insurance works. File that claim tonight and get the temporary income support this system was designed to provide!

I'm on day 11 of waiting for my Money Network card after my first payment showed as paid. This thread has been incredibly helpful - way better info than anything on the EDD website! Based on everyone's experiences, it sounds like I'm still in the normal range but getting close to when I should start getting concerned. I've been religiously checking my mail every day and nearly threw away what looked like junk mail twice already after reading about the plain envelope situation. One thing I'm curious about - for those who had to call Money Network, what information did they ask for to verify your identity? Want to make sure I have everything ready if I need to call next week. Also planning to double-check my address in UI Online one more time just to be absolutely sure. The waiting is brutal when you have rent due, but at least knowing other people went through the same thing and eventually got their cards helps with the anxiety!

I'm on day 8 waiting for my Money Network card and this thread has been a lifesaver! Way more useful than calling EDD directly. It's reassuring to see that most people eventually get their cards, even if it takes longer than expected. I've already started checking every piece of mail super carefully after reading about the plain envelope situation - almost opened my neighbor's mail by mistake yesterday because I was so paranoid about missing it! Quick tip I discovered: if you create an account on the Money Network website using your SSN, sometimes you can see if a card has been issued even before it arrives in the mail. It won't show tracking info, but at least you'll know it's in the system. Might help ease some anxiety while waiting. Planning to give it until day 15 before calling Money Network directly. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines and experiences - this community support makes such a difference when you're stressed about money!