Congratulations on finally getting your refund! 11 weeks is still way too long, but at least the assembly member route worked. For anyone else dealing with this - I went through a similar situation last year and found that keeping detailed records of every phone call (date, time, rep name if they give it, what they told you) really helped when I escalated to my assembly member. Also, if your overpayment was related to work search requirements or reporting issues, make sure you understand exactly what caused it so you don't accidentally create another overpayment situation in the future. The EDD doesn't always explain the "why" clearly in their notices.

As someone who just went through this nightmare myself, I can confirm that the assembly member route is absolutely the way to go if you're past the 10-week mark. I waited 13 weeks for my $3,200 refund and got nowhere with regular EDD calls. Within 3 days of contacting my assembly member's office, I had a call back from their EDD liaison who could see exactly where my case was stuck in their system. Turns out my refund was sitting in a "manual review queue" that apparently no regular EDD rep can access or even see. The liaison was able to flag it for immediate processing and I got my check 8 days later. Don't waste more time calling the regular number - go straight to your elected representative. They deal with EDD issues all day and know exactly which buttons to push.

One more thing to add that I learned the hard way - make sure to check if you have any autopay discounts that might affect your final balance! When I closed my Mohela account, I had a 0.25% interest rate reduction for autopay that I totally forgot about. The payoff amount changed slightly when I cancelled autopay to make the final payment, which caused some confusion. It wasn't a huge deal, but it delayed things by a few days while we sorted it out. Just something to keep in mind when you're getting that payoff statement - ask them to factor in any autopay changes if you're currently enrolled in that program.

Wow, this thread is incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was feeling pretty overwhelmed about closing my Mohela account. Reading through everyone's experiences and step-by-step advice is giving me so much more confidence. I especially appreciate the tips about getting the zero balance letter, watching out for autopay discount changes, and using certified payment methods. Question for the group - has anyone dealt with closing an account that has multiple loan types bundled together? I have both subsidized and unsubsidized loans under the same servicer and I'm wondering if that complicates the process at all. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge! 🙏

This thread is gold! I'm starting my SDI claim next week after a back injury and was totally confused about the whole process. Reading through everyone's experiences really helped me understand what to expect. Quick question - does anyone know if there's a grace period if you're late submitting your certification? Like with UI you have a few days, but wasn't sure if SDI has the same flexibility. Don't want to mess up my first certification!

Just wanted to add something that might help others - if you're switching from UI to SDI (like if you were unemployed and then got injured), make sure to close your UI claim properly before starting SDI. I made the mistake of having both claims open at the same time and it created a huge mess with overpayments that took months to sort out. EDD doesn't automatically coordinate between the two programs even though they're the same agency. Also, keep all your medical documentation organized because SDI requires periodic medical reviews to continue benefits, unlike UI where you just need to show you're looking for work. The income replacement is definitely better with SDI but the medical requirements are much stricter.

I'm actually going through this exact same situation right now! I'm a school bus driver in Fresno and just finished my third year. Like you, I have a letter saying I'll "likely" return in August, but it doesn't guarantee my exact routes or hours. What I've learned from reading through all these responses is that our situation as bus drivers is actually more favorable than I initially thought. The fact that our hours and routes can change, plus we're considered support staff rather than instructional, seems to work in our favor. I decided to go ahead and apply last week. The online application was pretty straightforward - I was honest about having the reasonable assurance letter but also emphasized that my fall schedule isn't guaranteed to be the same. I'm still waiting to hear back, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed! One thing that's been helping me while I wait is that I also signed up to substitute drive for summer school programs in my district. It's only a few hours here and there, but every little bit helps with the bills. Plus, like someone mentioned earlier, it shows you're actively available and looking for work. Hang in there - sounds like we bus drivers have better odds than I originally feared! Let us know how your application goes.

I'm a school bus driver in Sacramento and went through this exact process last year. After reading all these responses, I wanted to add one more important point that might help you - make sure you understand the difference between "reasonable assurance" and what your letter actually says. My district gave me a letter that said I had "reasonable assurance of employment for the following school year," but when I read it carefully, it had language about being "subject to enrollment, budget constraints, and operational needs." That qualifier language actually worked in my favor because it showed my return wasn't truly guaranteed. When I applied, I highlighted those uncertainties in my application and was approved for benefits. The EDD rep I spoke with (after a very long hold time) explained that true "reasonable assurance" means you're virtually guaranteed the same job with the same hours and pay - but most school districts can't actually provide that level of certainty, especially for support staff like bus drivers. Also seconding what others have said about applying early and certifying consistently. Even if you get initially denied, you can appeal, and having those certification weeks documented from the start is crucial for getting backpay if you win your appeal. The process is definitely frustrating, but don't let the confusing language on EDD's website discourage you from trying. Good luck!

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.