my sister works at a bank and she says ACH transfers always take 2-3 business days no matter what anyone tells you. edd processes the payment but then it has to go thru the federal reserve and then to money network. the money isnt actually moving instantly its just computer entries.

I had the exact same situation happen to me back in December! Payment showed processed on a Tuesday afternoon and I was panicking because I needed it for bills. It ended up hitting my Money Network card Thursday morning - so about 36 hours later. The waiting is definitely stressful, especially when you have rent due. One thing that helped me was setting up the Money Network mobile app notifications so I'd get an alert as soon as any deposit came through. Also, if you're really tight on the timing for rent, some landlords will accept a screenshot of the "processed" payment from UI Online as proof that it's coming - mine did when I explained the delay. Hang in there, it should show up by Thursday!

I went to the Santa Ana EDD office just yesterday and can confirm everything people are saying here is accurate! The new check-in process on the first floor is definitely in place - they gave me a number and I waited about 20 minutes before being called up to the 3rd floor. The staff was really helpful and professional. One thing I'd add is that they now have a digital display board that shows which numbers are being called, so you don't have to worry about missing your turn. Also, bring a pen - they don't provide them anymore and I saw several people having to ask around to borrow one. The whole process took about an hour from check-in to completion, which wasn't too bad considering how backed up everything has been lately.

I've been to this office several times over the past year for various disability-related issues, and I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help others. First, if you're driving there, I'd recommend using the Waze app because the MacArthur area can have some confusing construction detours that aren't always well-marked. Second, they have a small waiting area on the first floor with limited seating, so if you have mobility issues or expect a long wait, you might want to bring a portable chair or be prepared to stand. Third, I've noticed they tend to be less busy on Wednesdays and Thursdays compared to Mondays and Fridays. The staff really does try to help, but they're working with a system that has a lot of constraints, so patience goes a long way. Overall, despite the bureaucratic challenges, I've found the Santa Ana office to be one of the more functional EDD locations in Orange County.

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with severe burnout and anxiety that's affecting my work performance, and I was also considering quitting without really understanding the implications for benefits. Reading about the SDI option is eye-opening - I had no idea that was even a possibility. I'm definitely going to talk to my doctor about medical leave instead of just quitting outright. It's so reassuring to see that there are people who've successfully navigated this process. Mental health struggles are hard enough without having to worry about losing income and benefits. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice!

This thread has been so valuable to read through! I'm currently dealing with workplace-related anxiety that's been escalating for months, and like many others here, I was only considering the quit-and-apply-for-unemployment route. The SDI information completely changed my perspective - I had no idea medical leave was an option for mental health conditions. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned: has anyone here had experience with partial disability through SDI? My therapist thinks I might benefit from reduced hours rather than complete time off, but I'm not sure if that's something SDI covers or if it's all-or-nothing. Also really appreciate the HR perspective from @Emma Wilson about EAP programs - I just checked and my company does offer one. Sometimes the resources are right there but we don't know to look for them when we're struggling. Thanks everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!

Welcome to the community, Amara! I've been reading through this thread and it's amazing to see how many people have shared their experiences to help you out. I went through something very similar about 18 months ago when I started working part-time at a small tech startup while still on partial unemployment benefits. I can add my voice to the chorus confirming that EDD does NOT automatically notify your new employer about your claim status. I worked part-time for almost a year while collecting partial benefits, and my employer never received any communication from EDD about my unemployment claim. The privacy protections are actually pretty strong on this. Since you're working 25 hours/week, you'll likely still qualify for partial benefits assuming your weekly earnings are below your weekly benefit amount. Just remember: - Report gross earnings (before taxes) when you certify - Report based on the week you actually work, not when you get paid - Keep detailed records (I used a simple Google Sheet that I'd update weekly) Given that you've already been through the penalty weeks situation, you clearly understand the importance of accurate reporting now. That experience, while stressful, has probably made you more conscientious about following the rules than most people would be naturally. You're absolutely doing the right thing by being proactive about understanding the requirements. Focus on excelling at your new job - that's the most important thing right now. The EDD reporting will become routine once you get into the habit. Congratulations on landing the position, and don't let the unemployment bureaucracy stress overshadow what should be an exciting new opportunity!

Hey Amara! I just wanted to chime in as someone who's been working part-time while on partial unemployment for about 9 months now. I can absolutely confirm what everyone else has been saying - EDD does NOT automatically notify your new employer about your unemployment claim status. I work at a small family-owned restaurant and my boss has never mentioned receiving any communication from EDD. A few things that have really helped me stay organized: - I set a weekly phone reminder to update a simple spreadsheet with my hours and gross wages - I always report based on the week I actually worked, not when I got paid - I keep screenshots of my online certifications just in case I ever need to reference them later Since you're working 25 hours/week, you'll probably still qualify for partial benefits as long as your weekly earnings are under your benefit amount. The reduction is typically around 75% of your gross pay, but you'll still get something which definitely helps! The penalty weeks experience you went through actually puts you ahead of most people - you now understand how critical accurate reporting is, so you're going to be extra careful about doing everything right. That's honestly a good thing even though it was stressful at the time. You have absolutely no obligation to tell your new employer about your unemployment situation. That's completely private information and totally your choice whether to share it or not. Congratulations on landing the new job! Focus on doing awesome work there and don't let the EDD stuff stress you out. You've got all the knowledge you need to handle it properly. This is such a positive step forward - you should be proud!

Military spouse here who just went through this exact process in February 2025 when we PCS'd from Camp Pendleton to Fort Stewart! You absolutely qualify for California UI benefits under the military spouse relocation provision - it's specifically covered as "good cause" for voluntary separation. A few additional tips that really helped me: **Documentation organization**: Create a simple folder (physical or digital) with all your docs - PCS orders, marriage certificate, final pay stub, and any employer letters. Having everything in one place made the application process so much smoother. **EDD online portal**: Once you file your claim, bookmark the EDD portal and check it regularly. They sometimes post updates or requests for additional information there before calling you. I almost missed an important notice that way! **Moving logistics**: If you're driving cross-country like we did, you can still do your bi-weekly certifications from the road using the mobile site. Just make sure you have reliable internet access during your certification window. **Fort Liberty connections**: Start following some of the military spouse Facebook groups for the area now! I found tons of helpful PCS tips and even got some job leads before we arrived. The community there is incredibly welcoming. My timeline was about 3 weeks from application to first payment, which really helped with moving expenses and getting settled. California's system works well for military families - just stay organized and patient with the process. You're going to love Fort Liberty! The spouse community there is amazing and there are lots of great job opportunities in the area. Best of luck with everything! 💪✨

Military spouse here! I went through this exact situation in 2023 when my husband got orders from Monterey to Fort Bliss. You absolutely qualify for California UI benefits - military spouse PCS relocations are specifically covered under their "good cause" provisions. Here's what made my process smooth: **Critical timing**: File your claim immediately after your last day of work but BEFORE you physically leave California. This ensures you're under CA's system rather than having to navigate North Carolina's rules. **Essential documents**: PCS orders (showing both names), marriage certificate, final pay stub. I also got a brief letter from my supervisor confirming my resignation was due to military orders - not required but seemed to help with processing speed. **Phone interview prep**: They scheduled mine about 2 weeks after I applied. Questions were straightforward - timeline verification, whether I explored remote work options, reporting date details. Having all dates written out beforehand made the 12-minute call much easier. **Work search strategy**: You can apply to remote positions and jobs in the Fort Liberty area while receiving benefits. I started networking in military spouse employment groups about 3 weeks before our move, which gave me great leads! My entire process took about 3.5 weeks from application to first payment. That financial cushion made our PCS so much less stressful! California really is one of the more military-family-friendly states for unemployment benefits. You're being super smart researching this ahead of time. Fort Liberty has an incredible military spouse community - you're going to thrive there! 🎖️