Best way to send documents for EDD overpayment hearing - certified mail with signature?

Definitely use certified mail with return receipt requested AND tracking. I had an overpayment hearing last month and sent my documents regular priority mail with just tracking. Big mistake! The EDD claimed they never received my documents even though tracking showed delivered. The judge ended up postponing my hearing, which was frustrating. When I resent everything certified with signature, it went much smoother. Make sure you mail it at least 5-7 business days before your hearing date. Also, take pictures of EVERYTHING before you send it!

i had my overpayment hearing back in february and i used fedex with signature required worked perfectly. they tried to say i was overpaid $7,200 but i won my case!!! make sure you have ALL ur paystubs, any communication with EDD, and ur benefit payment history printed out. also write down exact dates when u certified and what u reported for work and earnings. the judge asked me super specific questions about dates i certified.

For EDD overpayment hearings, I always recommend using USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt AND electronic delivery confirmation. This provides three layers of proof: 1) Certified mail tracking, 2) Physical return receipt card, and 3) Email confirmation when delivered. Also important - call the Appeals office 2-3 days after sending to confirm they received your documents. Their number should be on your hearing notice. Make sure to write your case number ON EVERY PAGE you send them, and include a cover letter listing all documents included in your packet. Make copies of absolutely everything you send. Signature required is good, but sometimes causes delays if no one is available to sign. The return receipt provides signature proof without delaying delivery.

If you're having trouble getting through to the appeals office, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was in the same boat when preparing for my eligibility interview - couldn't get anyone on the phone to confirm they received my documents. Claimyr got me connected to an actual EDD rep in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. Definitely worth it for something as important as an overpayment hearing. Their website is claimyr.com.

ppl say certified mail but honestly EDD loses EVERYTHING!!!! i sent stuff certified AND faxed AND uploaded to my portal and they STILL said they never got it. bunch of LIARS if u ask me. appeal judges are better than regular EDD tho. good luck!!!!!

One more important tip - when you mail your documents, include a cover page with your name, case number, hearing date, and a detailed index of everything included in your packet. I'd also recommend numbering each page of your evidence (like "Page 1 of 15", "Page 2 of 15", etc). This makes it much easier during the phone hearing when the judge says "I'm looking at the document that shows...". Also, organize your evidence chronologically and separate with clear section dividers or paper clips. The more organized your submission is, the better impression you'll make on the judge.

To address your original question about whether requiring a signature might cause delays: Yes, it can sometimes delay delivery by 1-2 days if no one is available to sign. For EDD appeals offices, they typically have someone who can sign during business hours, but occasional staffing issues can happen. The safest approach is to use Certified Mail with Return Receipt (green card) but WITHOUT the signature required option. The return receipt provides signature proof after delivery without making the signature a requirement for delivery. This way, your documents get delivered even if no one can sign immediately, but you still get signature confirmation later. Send it no later than 7 business days before your hearing. If your hearing is next Wednesday or Thursday, you should send it tomorrow morning at the latest.

make sure u bring up at the beginning of ur hearing that u sent documents and confirm the judge has them!!! my friend had a hearing where the judge didnt even look at his evidence until halfway thru when he mentioned it and then the judge was like "oh i guess i do have those here somewhere" and had to take a break to find them.

dont 4get to fax a copy too if u can, always have a backup cuz EDD systems r garbage

The fax number should be on your hearing notice, usually at the bottom or on page 2. If not, call the Appeals Office using the phone number on the notice to get the correct fax number. When you fax, always include a cover sheet with your case information and keep the fax confirmation page as proof of transmission. Also important - on the day of your hearing, have all your documents in front of you, organized and ready to reference. Keep your emotions in check, stick to facts, and answer questions directly. If the judge asks about specific amounts or dates you don't recall, it's better to say "I don't recall the exact date, but it's shown on document #X that I submitted" rather than guessing.

Just wanted to add - if you're sending a large packet of documents, consider using a priority mail flat rate envelope instead of regular certified mail. It's faster (1-3 business days vs 2-5), includes tracking, and you can still add the return receipt service. I learned this the hard way when my regular certified mail took 6 days to arrive and almost missed my hearing deadline. Also, write "URGENT - APPEALS HEARING DOCUMENTS" clearly on the envelope so it gets proper attention when it arrives at the EDD office.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're mailing documents for an overpayment hearing, also consider taking photos or scanning everything before you send it, and having backup copies ready during your phone hearing. I had my hearing last year and the judge asked me to read specific sections from documents I'd submitted. Having digital copies on my computer made it so much easier to quickly search for information when they asked follow-up questions. Also, make sure your phone is fully charged and you're in a quiet location with good reception - I've heard horror stories of people losing their connection mid-hearing and having to reschedule. The whole process is stressful enough without technical difficulties!

I went through an overpayment hearing about 6 months ago and learned some hard lessons! Here's what worked for me: I used USPS Priority Mail Express with signature confirmation - yes it's more expensive but it's guaranteed overnight/2-day delivery and includes $100 insurance. For something this important, the extra cost was worth the peace of mind. But here's the key thing - I also emailed PDF copies of all my documents to the judge's clerk the same day I mailed the originals. The hearing notice had an email address for document submissions. This saved me because my mailed packet somehow got delayed by a day, but the judge already had the electronic copies to review. Always do both if possible! One more tip: create a simple timeline document that summarizes your case chronologically. The judges appreciate having a clear narrative to follow, especially for complex overpayment cases. It really helped during my hearing when the judge could reference my timeline while looking at the supporting documents. Good luck with your hearing - stay calm and stick to the facts!

Just to add another perspective - I had my overpayment hearing 3 months ago and used UPS with signature required. It worked great and was actually faster than USPS in my area. The key thing is whatever service you choose, make sure you can track it AND get proof of delivery with signature. Also, don't forget to keep detailed records of when you sent everything. I created a simple spreadsheet with dates, tracking numbers, and delivery confirmations. During my hearing, the judge asked when I had submitted my documents and I was able to give exact dates and tracking info. It really helped establish that I had followed all the proper procedures. One last tip - if you have any text messages, emails, or other electronic communications related to your case, print those out too and include them. I had some text exchanges with a former employer that helped clarify my work dates, and the judge found them very useful. Electronic evidence is just as valid as paper documents!

Based on everyone's experiences here, I'm going with Priority Mail Express with signature confirmation AND emailing PDF copies to the judge's clerk if that option is available on my hearing notice. The combination approach seems like the safest bet - fast delivery with tracking, plus electronic backup in case anything goes wrong with the mail. I'm also going to create that chronological timeline document with all my certification dates and reported earnings. My case involves several months of part-time work while collecting benefits, so having everything laid out clearly will definitely help. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was feeling really anxious about the process but now I feel much better prepared. I'll make sure to call and confirm they received everything a few days before my hearing. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly!