I went through something very similar earlier this year. Got an overpayment notice for about $3,800 with that dreaded 30% penalty that screams "fraud." Like you, I panicked because I genuinely thought I was reporting everything correctly. The key things that helped me: 1. Don't wait - file your appeal immediately, even if you're still gathering documents 2. Focus on proving INTENT in your appeal letter. Show you were trying to comply but genuinely misunderstood the requirements 3. If you have any emails or messages where you asked questions about reporting, include those - shows good faith effort 4. Get everything in writing when you talk to EDD The good news is that many of these fraud determinations do get overturned when people can show it was an honest mistake rather than intentional deception. The process is stressful but worth fighting if you know you weren't trying to cheat the system. Hang in there!

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I received my notice two weeks ago with the 30% penalty (so definitely fraud classification) for $2,100. Like many of you, it was related to confusion about reporting gig work - I was doing Instacart and Uber Eats and honestly had no idea how to properly report the varying weekly amounts. Reading through everyone's experiences gives me hope that I can get this overturned. I'm gathering all my documentation now including my actual earnings records and screenshots of the confusing certification questions. The part about proving intent rather than just saying "I made a mistake" is really valuable advice. Question for those who successfully appealed: How detailed should the timeline be in the appeal letter? Should I go week by week or just highlight the main discrepancies? And did anyone have success with gig work specifically as the reason for confusion? Thanks to everyone sharing their stories - it makes this whole process feel less terrifying!

I've been dealing with EDD for over 2 months now and here's what I've learned from trial and error: The absolute best time I've found is calling at exactly 8:00:59 AM - literally watching the clock and hitting send right before 8:01. I got through 3 times using this method. Also, if you get the busy message, hang up immediately and redial - don't wait for it to finish the whole recording. Another thing that helped me was downloading an auto-redial app on my phone. I set it to redial every 30 seconds while I did other things, and it got through after about 45 minutes of auto-dialing around 10:45 AM. One more tip - if you're working with a pending claim like OP, make sure you have your Notice of Determination letter ready (if you received one) because they'll need those details to actually help resolve the issue. I wasted my first successful call because I didn't have the right paperwork with me. The system is absolutely broken but don't give up. Your persistence will pay off eventually!

I've been in the exact same boat - spent almost a month trying to get through to EDD about my pending claim! What finally worked for me was a combination of strategies from this thread. I used the 8:00:59 AM calling trick that Landon mentioned, but I also had backup times ready (10:30 AM and the pre-lunch 11:40 AM window that Camila suggested). The key was being prepared with EVERYTHING before I called - claim number, SSN, all my paperwork, and a list of specific questions. When I finally got through using the 1-2-4 menu path, the rep was able to release my pending payments in about 15 minutes because I had all the info ready. I also want to second the assembly member suggestion - I contacted mine as a backup plan and they actually responded within 2 days asking for my release form. It's worth doing both approaches simultaneously since you never know which one will come through first. Don't lose hope Victoria! I know it feels impossible but all these strategies really do work. The system is overwhelmed but there ARE people there who can help once you get through to them.

For anyone still trying manually: make sure you're calling M-F between 8am-5pm Pacific. Don't waste time calling weekends or outside business hours.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now. Been calling for 4 days straight and can't get through either. My unemployment got suspended and I have bills due next week. Reading all these comments about hundreds of calls just to maybe get on hold is terrifying. Starting to think I need to look into those callback services people are mentioning because this manual calling approach clearly isn't working for any of us.

I'm new to the unemployment system and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm still waiting on my initial claim to be approved, but I'm already stressing about which payment method to choose. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the Money Network card might be the way to go for faster access to funds. One question though - for those who switched to the card, are there any hidden fees I should know about? I've heard some prepaid cards have monthly maintenance fees or charge for balance inquiries. Also, can you transfer money from the card to your regular bank account easily if needed?

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been through the EDD system multiple times over the years. The timing differences between direct deposit and the Money Network card can vary significantly based on when you certify and what day of the week it falls on. I've noticed that if you certify on Sunday morning (like most people do), direct deposit payments often get processed by EDD on Monday but then sit in the ACH queue until Tuesday or Wednesday depending on your bank's processing schedule. The Money Network card seems to bypass some of that banking bureaucracy since it's EDD's direct payment partner. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually track your payment status more granularly with the card through the Money Network mobile app - it shows pending deposits before they're fully available, which can give you peace of mind about timing. The app also sends push notifications when funds are added, so you're not constantly checking your balance. For anyone considering the switch, I'd say the speed advantage is real, but make sure you understand the fee structure and have a plan for accessing your funds without getting hit with unnecessary charges.

they just called me!!! the interviewer apologized for being late - it's 3:15pm now. she said they're running behind today but they do try to call everyone on their list. my certification was for a voluntary quit so they had extra questions. what's your interview about? that might affect when they call you

good luck! let us know how it goessss