As someone who just went through this process last month, I can tell you that the waiting is absolutely the worst part! I had my phone interview on February 12th and didn't get my determination until March 5th - so about 3 weeks total. What helped me stay sane was setting up a daily routine of checking my UI Online account at the same time each morning (around 9am) so I wasn't obsessively refreshing all day. The determination letter showed up in my inbox on a Wednesday morning with no warning, and my payments switched to paid that same afternoon. Hang in there - the system is slow but it does eventually work!

I just want to add that while you're waiting for your determination, it's also worth double-checking that all your documents were properly submitted during the interview process. Sometimes delays happen because they're waiting for additional verification or clarification on something that was discussed. If you took any notes during your phone interview about what documents they might need or any follow-up actions, now would be a good time to review those. Also, make sure your mailing address is current in your profile - I've heard of people missing important notices because their address wasn't updated after a recent move. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, but based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like most people do get their decisions within that 2-3 week window.

Glad you got it sorted! Just a heads-up that it might take one payment cycle for the change to take effect, so keep an eye on your next payment to make sure it goes through correctly.

Just want to add another option for anyone still stuck with Money Network - you can also get cash back at most grocery stores and pharmacies when you make a purchase with the card. I usually buy something small like gum or a drink and get $20-40 cash back with no fees. Then I can deposit the cash into my regular bank account. It's not as convenient as direct transfer but way better than paying $25!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me during my military spouse claim - when you file online, there's sometimes a glitch where the "military relocation" option doesn't show up in the dropdown menu. If that happens, select "other" and then explain in the text box that you're quitting due to military spouse PCS relocation. I had to call EDD to get this corrected on my claim, but mentioning it upfront in the application helped speed things up. Also, if you're moving to a state with no income tax (like Texas or Florida), California may still be able to process your claim since you earned the wages here. Good luck with your move!

Just went through this exact situation when my husband got orders to Fort Hood last summer! You're absolutely fine to file immediately after your last day of work - the 3 week gap before his official detach date is totally normal and won't cause issues. EDD understands that PCS moves require advance planning and job transitions don't always line up perfectly with military dates. When I filed, they asked about the timing during my phone interview but it was approved without any problems once I explained it was all part of the same PCS move. Make sure you have those orders ready to upload - they'll definitely want to see them. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected!

This thread is absolutely amazing - it's like a masterclass in EDD survival strategies! I've been on unemployment for about 3 months and thought I knew all the tricks, but reading through these comments has opened my eyes to so many options I never considered. The library mobile hotspot lending program is genius - I just called my local branch and they have them available! I also had no idea that One-Stop Career Centers could provide hands-on help with certifications. That could be perfect for my elderly neighbor who's been struggling with the online system. One small addition to this incredible list: if you live near a university, many campus libraries are open to the public during certain hours and have excellent WiFi and computer access. I used this option when my apartment's internet was out for a week. Also, some credit unions offer free computer/internet access to members for exactly these kinds of situations. The screenshot/documentation advice cannot be overstated - I learned this lesson the hard way when EDD "lost" my certification last month and I had no proof. Now I screenshot everything and even take photos with my phone as backup. It's frustrating that we have to be this defensive, but better safe than sorry when it comes to keeping our benefits flowing. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread - you've created the ultimate EDD troubleshooting guide that should honestly be stickied for future reference!

As someone who's been dealing with EDD issues for over a year, I want to add a few more resources that have saved me in critical situations. If you're ever completely stuck without internet or phone access, many fire stations and police stations have free WiFi that extends to their parking lots - this has been a lifesaver during emergencies when I needed to certify at odd hours. Also, some UPS stores and FedEx locations offer computer rental by the hour if you absolutely need a reliable connection and private space to handle your certification. For those mentioning documentation, I'd also recommend emailing yourself a copy of your confirmation screenshots immediately after certifying - this creates a timestamp and backup that's harder to lose than just having it on your phone. I've had to provide this email evidence to EDD representatives multiple times when there were disputes about certification dates. One more tip: if you're using any of these public WiFi options, try to certify during off-peak hours when possible. I've noticed UI Online runs much slower during lunch hours and evenings when everyone is trying to access it. Early mornings (around 6-8 AM) usually give you the smoothest experience, even on public networks. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need this many backup plans just to access our own benefits, but this thread proves how incredible this community is at looking out for each other. Everyone's suggestions here could genuinely be the difference between someone making their rent payment or not!

I've been following this thread closely because I'm dealing with the same verification nightmare! Just wanted to add that if you're using a smartphone to take photos, try using the "document scan" mode in your camera app if you have it - it automatically adjusts contrast and removes shadows. Also, I discovered that if you have an Apple device, the Notes app has a really good document scanner built in that produces cleaner images than the regular camera. For Android users, Google Drive has a similar scan feature. These might be good alternatives if you can't get to a library or FedEx right away. The key seems to be getting that crisp, shadow-free image quality that the system can actually process. Still working on getting mine approved, but these phone scanning apps have definitely given me better image quality than my previous attempts!

I just went through this exact same thing last month and finally got through! Here's what worked for me after trying everything else: I downloaded the CamScanner app (free version) on my phone and used it to scan my ID. The app automatically crops, adjusts brightness, and removes shadows - way better than regular phone camera photos. Make sure you scan in a bright room but avoid direct overhead lighting that creates glare. I also cleared my browser completely (cache, cookies, everything) and used Chrome in incognito mode. Uploaded around 6 AM when the system wasn't busy. It went through on the first try after weeks of failed attempts! The whole system is incredibly frustrating but don't give up - these technical workarounds really do make a difference. Good luck! 🤞