I'm reading through all these responses and feeling so much more confident about my situation! As someone who's been in limbo for almost a month trying to figure out the right timing, it's incredibly reassuring to see so many people who've successfully navigated this exact scenario. The consensus seems crystal clear: file immediately using my actual last work day (April 15th), be completely transparent about severance during weekly certifications, and keep detailed documentation of everything. I was really worried about making a mistake that could mess up my claim, but it sounds like EDD is well-equipped to handle severance situations and the biggest mistake would be continuing to wait. I'm going to stop overthinking this and get my claim filed today. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community has been a lifesaver for understanding what felt like an impossibly confusing process!

I just wanted to add something that might be helpful - make sure you have your employer's state unemployment insurance account number handy when you file. It's usually on your termination paperwork or final paystub. Having this ready can speed up the initial filing process and helps EDD verify your employment history more quickly. Also, since you mentioned you're in tech, be prepared that if your severance includes any equity acceleration or bonus payments, those might be treated differently than your regular severance wages. When in doubt, report everything and let EDD sort it out - it's much better to over-report than under-report. The key thing everyone's saying is absolutely right though: get your claim started now! I waited too long when I was in a similar situation and it just caused unnecessary stress. You'll feel so much better once you get the process rolling.

glad it workd out! EDD can be a pain but sometimes they do things right lol

That's awesome that it's showing as processing! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - make sure to keep screenshots of that payment processing status in case there are any issues later. I've learned the hard way with EDD that documentation is everything. Also, the prorated amount should be roughly your daily benefit rate multiplied by 5 days (since it's covering Mon-Fri that week). Hope it hits your account smoothly!

I'm new here but dealing with a similar situation. Your brother should also know that during penalty weeks, any work he does needs to be reported accurately when he certifies - even though he's not getting UI benefits, incorrect reporting during penalty weeks can lead to additional penalties later. I learned this the hard way. Also, if he's considering taking temporary work during the penalty period, he should still report those earnings on his certifications. The penalty weeks will still count down as long as he's certifying, regardless of whether he's working or not.

I'm going through penalty weeks right now too, so I feel for your brother. One thing that helped me was understanding that this isn't forever - it just feels overwhelming when you're in the middle of it. Make sure he saves all his penalty week certifications and any correspondence from EDD in case there are issues later. Also, if he has a caseworker or job counselor through any workforce development programs, they might be able to connect him with emergency resources while he's serving the penalty weeks. The waiting is the hardest part, but keeping up with the certifications is absolutely critical.

I went through almost the exact same thing last month - 5 weeks pending with no explanation and rent breathing down my neck. Here's what actually worked for me: **Assembly member route is 100% the way to go!** I contacted my assembly member's office and they had my claim moving within 6 business days. They have direct communication channels with EDD that we don't have access to as regular claimants. **What I learned:** - Fill out their constituent services form with EVERY detail - Customer Account Number, exact timeline, financial hardship specifics - They prioritize cases with urgent financial needs (rent due, eviction threats, etc.) - Don't wait - submit the form immediately while also trying other approaches **Skip the AJCC offices entirely** - I made that mistake and wasted a whole day. They can help with job search stuff but cannot access your actual claim details or fix pending issues. Complete dead end. **For phone attempts:** The 7:59 AM strategy mentioned here is spot on. I finally got through using that timing on a Wednesday morning. When you do connect, immediately ask for a "Tier 2 specialist" - the regular customer service reps often can't see the backend flags causing pending status. The stress of this situation is absolutely brutal when you're facing eviction. But these strategies really do work - you just have to know the right approach. Stay persistent and try multiple methods simultaneously. You've got this!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now - 4 weeks pending with zero explanation and getting absolutely nowhere with the phone system. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! The assembly member route sounds like a complete game changer. I had no idea they could submit direct inquiries to EDD on our behalf - that should honestly be advertised way more widely for people stuck in this situation. Just looked up my representative and they have a specific EDD assistance form on their website that I'm filling out right now. Also planning to try that 7:59 AM calling strategy starting tomorrow - the logic of getting in queue before the 8 AM rush makes perfect sense. And the tip about specifically asking for Tier 2 specialists is huge since it sounds like regular reps can't actually see whatever's causing these mysterious pending flags. I'm even considering Claimyr despite not wanting to pay for something that should be free. But after weeks of failed attempts, if it actually connects me to someone who can see my account details, it might be worth it to avoid losing my place. Diego, thank you for starting this discussion! The collective knowledge here is way more helpful than anything I've found on EDD's official resources. This community proving that there ARE ways to beat this broken system if you know the right strategies. Really hoping one of these approaches works for you before rent is due - we're all rooting for you!

I've been using the Money Network card for about 6 weeks now after getting it when my BofA card expired. Can confirm the $1,000 daily ATM withdrawal limit that everyone's mentioned, but I learned through trial and error that you really need to be strategic about which ATMs you use. The first few times I tried random ATMs at gas stations and only got $300-400 max, which was super frustrating when I needed more for bills. What finally worked for me was going to actual bank branch ATMs during business hours - Chase and Wells Fargo consistently let me withdraw $800-900 in one transaction. Also discovered that you can get cash back at most grocery stores (usually $100-200) and it doesn't count against your ATM limit since it processes as a purchase transaction. The Money Network app's ATM locator has been a game changer for finding fee-free locations too - those $3-5 surcharge fees really add up when you're already stretching unemployment benefits. For your rent situation, I'd definitely recommend trying a major bank branch ATM first. Good luck getting it sorted!

I've been using the Money Network card for about 3 months now and can definitely help answer your question! The daily ATM withdrawal limit is $1,000, but like you discovered, individual ATMs often have their own lower limits that override the card's limit. I had the exact same problem when I first got my card - tried a gas station ATM and could only get $300 out when I needed way more for rent. Here's what I learned works best: Go to ATMs at major bank branches (Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America) during business hours. These consistently let me withdraw $800-1000 in a single transaction. The standalone ATMs at convenience stores, grocery stores, and gas stations usually cap out around $300-500 no matter what your card allows. If you need even more flexibility, you can also do a teller withdrawal at most banks with your Money Network card and photo ID - that limit is $10,000 per transaction. And here's a pro tip: you can get cash back at grocery stores (usually $100-200) which counts as a purchase transaction, not an ATM withdrawal, so it doesn't eat into your daily limit. Definitely download the Money Network mobile app too - it has an ATM locator that shows you fee-free locations in your area. Those $3-5 surcharge fees really add up when money's already tight on unemployment benefits. Hope this helps you get your rent money without multiple trips!