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EDD Portal login failure led to claim termination - need appeal advice ASAP
I'm so frustrated right now! My husband successfully completed the ID.me verification step but then couldn't log into the actual EDD Portal afterward. The system kept giving him errors and kicking him out. Yesterday we received a TERMINATION NOTICE with an appeal form because he missed some 'time-sensitive' deadline that we couldn't even complete because the portal wouldn't let him in! We started this whole unemployment process on March 15th, and now his claim is terminated before he could even properly file it. The EDD website issues caused him to miss critical deadlines that HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER. Has anyone else dealt with this ridiculous technical glitch? Is filing an appeal even worth it? We're desperate for any advice on how to fix this mess - especially if anyone has successfully appealed a termination due to EDD's own technical issues.
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EDD mail application taking forever - worse than COVID times?
I mailed in my unemployment application on January 29th and it's now mid-February with ZERO response from EDD. Not even a confirmation letter! I've been trying to call every single day but can't get through - just constant busy signals or that automated message saying they're experiencing high call volume. This is somehow WORSE than during COVID when at least they had extra staff! Has anyone else filed by mail recently? How long did it take to get ANY response? I'm starting to worry my application got lost in the mail system. Should I just give up and try filing online instead? I'm getting desperate as rent is coming due soon.
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mail applications take FOREVER now!! my neighbor tried calling edd for 3 weeks straight couldnt get thru either. she ended up just going in person to the edd office and they helped her right there. maybe try that?
Just to clarify an important point - most EDD offices don't process unemployment claims on-site anymore. While you can visit an America's Job Center of California location for help, they typically can only assist with accessing the online system. They can't expedite paper applications that are already in the system. Your best options are either: 1) File online if possible, 2) Successfully reach EDD by phone, or 3) Wait for processing. The current official processing time for paper applications is 3-6 weeks, though it can sometimes take longer.
I had the same issue back in November when I applied by mail. Waited and waited... then I realized I had certification forms in my mailbox that were about to be late! Turns out they processed my application but never sent me the confirmation letter. When I finally got through to someone they said sometimes the notification letters get lost. Have you checked your mailbox carefully? Maybe they already processed it but the letter got lost.
Oh! I never thought of that. I'll double check my mail more carefully. Is there any way to check my status without getting through on the phone? I don't have an online account yet.
If you don't have an online account, not really. That's the frustrating part. Oh wait, do you have your EDD Customer Account Number? It would be on any paperwork they might have sent. If you have that, you can create an online account even if you applied by mail initially. Worth checking all your mail!
Can you get partial EDD benefits with reduced hours after store closure demotion?
My girlfriend's store is shutting down next month and she's been given two options: 1) take severance + regular unemployment OR 2) accept a demotion to assistant manager at another location with 15 fewer hours biweekly and a $2/hr pay cut. She's leaning toward the demotion to keep some income flowing, but I'm wondering if she'd qualify for partial unemployment to make up some of the difference? Has anyone successfully claimed partial benefits after taking a position with reduced hours/pay? How much would they actually pay her if she's making about $300 less per paycheck than before? The EDD website is so confusing about how they calculate this stuff!
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@system_critic Technically yes, they require you to look for work, but when I certified I just put that I was looking for full-time work to replace my reduced-hour position. They never questioned it or asked for details. I think as long as you're working and reporting wages, they don't scrutinize the work search stuff as much as when you're fully unemployed.
UPDATE: Thank you all for the helpful advice! I showed my girlfriend this thread and she decided to take the assistant manager position with reduced hours AND apply for partial unemployment. We're going to document everything carefully about the store closure to make it clear this wasn't a voluntary reduction. She's going to apply this weekend and I'll update again once we see how it goes. Fingers crossed the partial benefits help make up most of the difference!
EDD phone nightmare - need working number that doesn't hang up after 3 hours
I'm at my breaking point with EDD's phone system. I've been trying to reach someone for TWO WEEKS about my claim status showing 'pending' with no explanation. Every time I call the main number (1-800-300-5616), I get the same recorded message about 'high call volume' and then it hangs up! When I finally got through once last Thursday, I waited for 3.5 hours and the call disconnected right when an agent was supposed to pick up. I've tried calling at different times (early morning, lunch, late afternoon) and different days, but it's impossible to reach anyone. My rent is due next week and I haven't received any payments since filing 6 weeks ago. My claim status just shows 'pending' with no explanation or alerts. Does ANYONE have a direct number that actually works? A specific extension? Or some trick to get through? I'm totally desperate at this point and can't afford to keep wasting hours on failed calls.
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Another important thing: while you're trying to get through on the phone, make sure you're still certifying for benefits every two weeks on time. Even if your claim is pending, don't miss your certification dates. Many people focus so much on calling that they miss certification and that creates a whole new problem that can further delay payments.
Yes, I've been certifying every two weeks on time! That's what's so frustrating - I've done everything correctly, certified on time, answered all questions honestly, and still stuck in pending with no explanation and no way to talk to anyone.
Update for anyone still following: I called the technical support line that someone suggested above (1-833-978-2511) at exactly 8:00 AM this morning, went through the prompts, and after a 45-minute wait, I got through to a representative! They were able to see that my identity verification was flagged for a manual review, which was causing the pending status. The representative expedited the review, and they said my payments should be processed within 3-5 business days. For anyone else stuck in pending status - sometimes it's an identity verification issue that needs manual intervention. Keep trying the phone numbers early in the morning!
OMG THANK YOU for the update! I'm going to try this exactly as you described tomorrow morning. So happy you got through and got it resolved! Gives me hope!
congrats!! thats awesome news! gonna try this number tomorrow too!
EDD claim after layoff with pending appeal hearing - will severance affect my benefit amount?
Just found out I'm getting laid off next week (ugh, it's happening again). My last day is May 3rd, and I'll be getting a severance package around mid-May of about $6,500 before taxes. I've got some questions about timing my UI application...\n\nFirst, I know I need to report the severance when I certify, but I'm confused about how it affects my benefits:\n\n- If I apply right after my last day (like May 5th), and then get the severance two weeks later, will that just make me ineligible for payment during the week I receive it, or does it actually reduce my total claim balance?\n\n- Should I wait until after receiving the severance to even apply for UI? Or apply immediately?\n\nComplicating things further: I have an appeal hearing scheduled for May 19th for a previous EDD issue. Back in 2023, EDD somehow thought I was working while collecting benefits (I absolutely wasn't), and they're trying to disqualify me from benefits for 3 years plus pay back some money. I've sent all my documentation and have a hearing in 2 weeks.\n\nMy question is: Should I wait to file my new claim until after this appeal hearing? Or should I just file immediately after my last day regardless of the pending appeal? I don't want to mess anything up, but I also don't want to delay benefits if I don't have to.\n\nAnyone deal with filing a new claim while having an appeal pending? Or know how severance impacts the total benefit amount?
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Thank you so much for this insider perspective! This makes me feel much better about filing right away. One quick follow-up question - when I report the severance on my certification, do I report it as \
You report it as wages for the week you receive it. There isn't a separate category specifically for severance. When completing your certification, in the section asking about income, include the gross (pre-tax) amount of your severance as wages for that specific week.\n\nAlso, make sure to keep documentation of exactly when the severance was paid to you (like a bank statement or pay stub) in case there are questions later. EDD sometimes audits these reports, especially for larger amounts.
Benjamin Kim
Thank you everyone for all the advice! We've filed the appeal today and included all the specific information and regulations you suggested. We're also going to keep trying to call EDD directly. I'll update this thread if we get it resolved so it might help someone else dealing with the same issue.
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Samantha Howard
Good luck! Remember to check your UI Online account daily too - sometimes these technical issues spontaneously resolve and you might suddenly have access again. If that happens, immediately complete any pending tasks even if you've already filed the appeal.
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Ezra Bates
My brother had almost the identical problem last year with his claim. The appeal process actually worked surprisingly well for him. The judge instantly recognized it as a technical issue when they saw the login timestamp data compared to the ID.me verification completion time. They backdated everything and he got all the benefits he was entitled to. Just make sure you gather ALL documentation showing your attempts to comply with deadlines.
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Benjamin Kim
AuthorThat's really reassuring to hear! Did your brother have to wait for the full appeal hearing or did they resolve it earlier in the process?
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Ezra Bates
He did have to wait for the actual hearing, but they scheduled it pretty quickly - about 3 weeks after he filed the appeal. The judge made the decision on the spot and his account was fixed the next day. This was back in September though, not sure if they're more backed up now.
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