I'm reading through all these comments and my heart is breaking for everyone going through this nightmare. I've been trying to call EDD for 3 weeks now and I'm completely exhausted - both mentally and financially. The fact that we're all here sharing "pro tips" for reaching our own government is absolutely dystopian. What really gets me is seeing people talk about taking time off work just to call EDD, or switching phone plans because of the call volume, or tracking attempts in spreadsheets like we're running some kind of scientific experiment. This isn't normal! No government service should be this inaccessible to the people who need it most. I'm seriously considering one of those paid calling services everyone keeps mentioning because at this point I'm spending more on phone bills and lost wages than those services would cost anyway. It's infuriating that we're being forced into this situation, but I can't keep living in this constant state of stress and uncertainty. Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences - knowing I'm not alone in this insanity is the only thing keeping me sane right now.

I'm so sorry you're going through this Diego. Your frustration is completely valid - the EDD phone system is genuinely broken and it's causing real harm to people who are already in vulnerable situations. After reading through all these comments, it's clear that the manual calling approach has become basically impossible for most people. The statistics people are sharing here (1 in 85 success rate, 50% call drops, etc.) show this isn't just bad luck - it's systematic failure. I know it goes against every principle of how government services should work, but based on what everyone is saying about those paid calling services, it might be worth considering if you're facing immediate financial crisis. Your housing situation is too important to gamble on a system with a 1% success rate. The fact that we even have to have this conversation is absolutely infuriating, but sometimes you have to work within the broken system while hoping someone eventually fixes it. Hang in there - you're not alone in this nightmare.

I'm so glad I found this thread! Just started collecting unemployment last week and certified for the first time yesterday around 11pm. Seeing "pending" immediately made my stomach drop - I thought I had somehow messed up my certification or that there was an issue with my claim. I spent way too much time refreshing the page and googling "EDD pending payment" at 2am! Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief. The timeline breakdown that several people shared (pending at midnight, batch processing overnight, paid by 8am) is incredibly helpful and something I wish EDD would just post clearly on their website. It's crazy that we all have to learn this through community forums instead of official communication from EDD. The screenshot tip is brilliant too - definitely doing that for my next certification. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the other newcomers who went through the same midnight panic. It's comforting to know this anxiety is totally normal and that the system, while confusing, is actually pretty reliable once you understand the timing!

As someone who just went through their second certification last week, I can totally relate to this anxiety! The first time I certified, I did the exact same thing - stayed up until 3am refreshing the page and convinced myself something was wrong when it showed "pending." Now I know it's just EDD's weird way of doing things. What helped me was realizing that "pending" basically means "we got your certification and it's in line to be processed" - not that there's a problem. The system runs overnight batch processing between 2-6am (kind of like how banks process deposits), then updates to "paid" by morning. Your future weeks will show up once the current payment fully processes. One thing that gave me peace of mind was setting up text alerts through my bank for deposits. That way I get notified the moment the money hits my account, usually before EDD even updates their website! The whole process is definitely confusing for newcomers, but once you've been through it a few times, you start to trust that it works (even if it's slow and clunky). You should be all set by tomorrow morning!

OK, here's what I've learned after dealing with this for 3 months: 1. Keep trying the website at odd hours. Like 2 AM or 6 AM. 2. If you get an error, screenshot it and note the time/date. 3. Call right when they open (usually 8 AM) and be prepared to redial for an hour. 4. If you get through, explain the online errors. They might be able to override. 5. Check your spam folder for emails from them. 6. Make sure all your info matches exactly what's on your W-2. 7. If all else fails, try the claimyr service someone mentioned or contact your state rep. Hang in there, it's a nightmare but you'll get through eventually!

I'm dealing with the same exact issue! The website crashes every single time I try to submit my claim. I've been unemployed for 2 weeks now and still can't get through the system. Has anyone tried filing by mail as a backup option? I'm wondering if that might be more reliable than the online portal right now. Also, does anyone know if there are specific browser requirements that might help? I've tried Chrome and Safari with no luck.

I've been dealing with EDD Money Network transfers for about 8 months now and wanted to share some additional insights that might help you and others in similar situations. First, regarding timing - I've found that transfers initiated before 2 PM Pacific Time on business days tend to process faster than those started later in the day. It seems like Money Network processes transfers in batches, so getting in that earlier batch can sometimes save you a few hours. Second, if you're really cutting it close with rent timing, consider asking your landlord if they'd accept a partial payment now (using ATM withdrawal cash) with the remainder coming in a day or two once your transfer clears. Many landlords are understanding about unemployment situations, especially if you communicate proactively rather than just being late. Also, a heads up for future payments - Money Network sometimes does maintenance on their system late Sunday nights/early Monday mornings, which can delay transfers initiated during those times. I learned this the hard way when a transfer I thought I'd started on Sunday night didn't actually go through until Tuesday. One last tip: if you end up doing regular bi-weekly transfers like most of us, set up calendar reminders for yourself. I transfer every other Friday morning right after I get the payment notification, so I never have to stress about timing again. Sounds like you're handling this situation really well though - electronic transfer plus ATM backup is exactly the right approach!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this exact situation multiple times! The Money Network to Chase transfer process is actually pretty reliable once you understand how it works. A few key points based on my experience: - 2-3 business days is the standard timeframe (weekends don't count) - You MUST initiate from the Money Network side - Chase can't pull the funds - The mobile app is your friend for tracking transfer status - ATM withdrawal as backup is smart, even with the $3 fee Since you have 5 days and are starting the transfer today, you should be fine! But definitely do the ATM withdrawal backup plan that others suggested. I've found that Chase ATMs often have higher daily limits too, so you can get more cash in fewer transactions. One thing I'd add - if this becomes a regular thing (bi-weekly EDD payments), consider setting up automatic transfers through Money Network. It saves you from having to remember to do it manually each time and eliminates the timing stress. You've got this! The system works, it's just a matter of knowing the process. Sounds like you're all set with a solid backup plan too.

I've been getting EDD payments to Bank of America for about 8 months now, and I can confirm what others are saying about the first payment taking longer. Mine took almost 4 business days the very first time, but now my regular payments usually hit within 24-48 hours after showing paid. One thing I learned that might help - if you have the BofA mobile app, go to "Manage Alerts" in settings and set up a custom alert for deposits over $100 (or whatever amount your payment is). That way you'll get notified immediately when it hits, even if it's at like 3 AM. Also, EDD typically processes their batch payments overnight Monday through Friday, so weekend "paid" status usually means you won't see the deposit until Tuesday at the earliest. The system is slow but it's reliable - your money will definitely come through!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My payment just showed as "paid" this morning and I'm also using Bank of America for direct deposit. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - sounds like 2-3 business days is pretty standard for first payments. I love all the practical tips people shared, especially about setting up the BofA deposit alerts and checking the Account Activity section online instead of just the mobile app. Going to try calling that automated BofA line someone mentioned too. It's nerve-wracking when you're waiting for that first payment and have bills coming up, but it sounds like the system really does work, just takes some patience. Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines - this thread is incredibly helpful for us newcomers to the EDD process!