might sound dumb but have u checked ur spam folder?? EDD sent me an important email and it went to spam and i almost missed my phone interview cuz of it!! also i learned the hard way that if u get a letter from EDD with a time/date for a phone interview u HAVE to answer when they call or ur claim gets auto-denied and thats super hard to fix.

I went through something very similar last year and it took me 3 months to resolve. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. **Document everything** - Take screenshots of your UI Online account showing the processing status, keep copies of all forms you've sent, and write down the names/ID numbers of every rep you talk to. 2. **The "conditional payment" cycle Andre mentioned is spot on** - that's exactly what's happening. Your account has a flag that needs manual review before they'll release your most recent certification. 3. **Don't just ask IF they received your form** - ask them to tell you the EXACT DATE it was processed into their system. If they can't give you a date, it probably got lost and you'll need to resubmit. 4. **For the interview** - this is critical. Get the exact date/time and ask them to send you a confirmation letter or email. Write down the confirmation number. EDD interviews are often the key to unlocking stuck payments. 5. **Try calling the Paid Family Leave line** (1-877-238-4373) and ask them to transfer you to UI claims. Sometimes this gets you through faster than the main number. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease with EDD. Keep calling, be polite but persistent, and don't accept vague answers like "we'll escalate it." Demand specifics - dates, reference numbers, next steps. You've got this!

One additional tip: When you do get through to technical support, be sure to ask them to reset BOTH your password AND your security questions. Many representatives will only reset the password but not the security questions, which means you'll encounter the same problem next time you need to reset your password. Also, write down your exact security question answers somewhere secure. The system is very particular - if you use "Street" instead of "St." or vice versa, it will count it as incorrect.

That's such great news! I'm so glad you got through and were able to certify on time. Your experience gives me hope - I've been dealing with a similar lockout situation for the past week. Going to try the 1-833 number with option 1 then 4 first thing Monday morning. Thanks for updating us on what worked, it's really helpful to know there's light at the end of the tunnel with these account issues!

Update: I mailed my appeal form with all my timecards and screenshots today via certified mail. Still couldn't get through on the phone, but at least the appeal is on its way. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll post again when I hear something back.

Good for you on getting that appeal mailed out! I went through something similar last year - also in Riverside County. One thing I wish someone had told me: when you get your hearing date letter, READ IT CAREFULLY. They'll give you a specific time window when the judge will call, but sometimes they call early or late. I almost missed mine because I stepped away from my phone for 10 minutes. Also, during the hearing, speak clearly and stick to the facts. The judges are actually pretty fair if you have your documentation in order. Since you already included your timecards and screenshots, you're ahead of the game. Most people just submit the form with no supporting evidence. The wait is brutal but try to stay positive. I know it's scary not having benefits coming in, but if you reported your hours correctly like you said, you should win this. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm feeling a bit calmer now knowing this timeline is normal (even if it's frustratingly slow). I'm going to: 1. Try Claimyr to reach EDD and confirm they received my appeal 2. Start gathering ALL my documentation (screenshots, bank records, etc.) 3. Look into the waiver form as a backup option 4. Check if my county has legal aid for EDD issues I'll update this thread once I know more about my situation. Fingers crossed I can get this resolved without having to pay thousands I don't have!

Just wanted to add - if you do end up needing an attorney, look for one who specifically handles EDD cases rather than just general employment law. The EDD appeal process has its own quirks and procedures that regular employment attorneys might not be familiar with. Also, many EDD attorneys work on contingency or flat fee basis rather than hourly, which can make it more affordable. I've seen some charge around $1,500-2,500 for overpayment appeals, which might be worth it for a $5,800 case if you're not confident handling it yourself. One more tip - document EVERYTHING going forward. Keep records of every phone call attempt, every letter sent/received, and screenshot your online account regularly. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if things get more complicated.

Do u still have ur work search records from 2 years ago?? I lost all mine when my phone broke :

Great to hear you got it sorted out! For anyone else in a similar situation, it's worth noting that EDD is required by federal law to conduct these periodic audits to ensure program integrity. The random nature of these reviews can be scary when you get that notice out of the blue, but they're actually a normal part of the unemployment system. Most of the time, if you were following the rules during your benefit period, these interviews are just administrative checkboxes. The key is definitely not to ignore them - EDD has to follow due process, but only if you participate in that process.