EDD bank levy for overpayment - urgent help needed to release funds for rent

Man this exact same thing happened to me last year! EDD said I got overpaid like $3700 and froze my account right before rent was due. Total nightmare. You need to fax them form WG-007 (Claim of Exemption form) ASAP along with your pay stubs and bank statements to prove hardship. They actually released my levy within 48 hours after I sent that stuff in. Then I set up a $125/month payment plan which sucked but at least I could pay my bills.

They cant just take ALL ur money thats illegal!! you have rights!! Tell them ur gonna sue them

First, don't panic. The law does protect some of your funds from levy. Here's what you need to do: 1. Download form WG-007 (Claim of Exemption) from the CA courts website: https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/wg007.pdf 2. Fill it out completely, focusing on Section 5 where you detail your income and expenses to show hardship 3. Get copies of: recent pay stubs (last 2-3), bank statements showing your balance, and bills (especially rent) 4. Fax everything to EDD Collections at the number on your levy notice (usually 916-464-2994) 5. Call EDD Collections at 800-676-5737 after faxing to confirm receipt They should process hardship claims quickly. Most people with low income qualify for reduced payment plans ($100-200/month). Make sure to also request future bank levies be stopped while you're on the payment plan. Good luck!

been there and it SUCKS!!! edd took my money right before christmas last year can u believe that?? i had to borrow from family just to buy my kids presents

Try using Claimyr to get through to EDD directly. I was in a similar situation with a bank levy and couldn't get past the automated system for days. Used claimyr.com and got connected to an actual EDD rep in about 30 minutes who explained exactly what I needed to do. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Worth it because the rep was able to flag my account as hardship review which sped everything up.

I went through this nightmare last year. After sending in the WG-007 form with my financial documents, they released the levy within 3 business days and I set up a payment plan for $150/month. Make sure you accurately document ALL your expenses - rent, utilities, phone, food, transportation, medical, etc. The more detail you provide about your financial hardship, the better your chances of getting a lower monthly payment. One thing to watch for - they might try to set up automatic withdrawals from your account for the monthly payments. I refused this and insisted on making manual payments each month because I didn't trust them not to take extra. Haven't had any issues since. P.S. You CAN still dispute the overpayment itself through the appeal process even after setting up payments. The two processes are separate.

Quick update - I called the number on my levy notice after faxing my WG-007 and documents this morning. They confirmed receipt and said they should make a decision within 48-72 hours! The representative was actually pretty helpful and said based on my income level, I would likely qualify for a reduced payment plan. Fingers crossed they release my funds before rent is due on Friday!

why dont u just withdraw all ur money before they can take it??? thats wat i did lol

After you get this immediate crisis resolved, you should also look into filing for an overpayment waiver if the overpayment wasn't your fault. EDD form DE 1446W lets you request to have the overpayment waived if it would cause extraordinary hardship AND you didn't cause the overpayment through false statements or withholding information. Worth looking into once you get your bank account unfrozen!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - bank levies are absolutely terrifying when you're already struggling financially. I went through something similar about 6 months ago with a different state agency and the stress was overwhelming. A few things that helped me that others haven't mentioned yet: 1. Document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your frozen account, save copies of all forms you send, and keep a log of every phone call with dates/times/who you spoke with 2. If you have any direct deposits coming (like your paycheck), contact your employer immediately to see if they can issue a paper check instead until this is resolved 3. Contact your landlord ASAP to explain the situation - many will work with you if you're proactive about communicating, especially if you can show proof of the levy 4. Check if your local community has emergency rental assistance programs - some can help bridge the gap while you sort this out The advice others gave about the WG-007 form is spot on. I'd also suggest visiting your local legal aid office if you have one - they sometimes have staff who specialize in these kinds of collection issues and can review your paperwork before you submit it. Hang in there - this will get resolved, even though it feels impossible right now. The system is designed to be intimidating but there ARE protections for people in your situation.

Just wanted to add - if you're having trouble getting through to EDD by phone (which is basically guaranteed), try calling first thing in the morning at exactly 8:00 AM when they open. Set multiple alarms and start dialing at 7:59. I've found Tuesday-Thursday mornings have slightly better success rates than Mondays or Fridays. Also, while you're waiting for the levy to be resolved, see if your bank has any emergency hardship programs. Some banks will advance you a small amount (like $100-200) even with a frozen account if you can prove you need it for essentials like food or medication. It's not much but might help with immediate survival needs. One more thing - if this overpayment is from 2023 and you moved during that time, there's a good chance some of their notices went to your old address. Keep that documentation of your move (lease agreements, postal forwarding receipts, etc.) because it could be relevant for your appeal later. EDD has specific procedures for when people don't receive notices due to address changes. Stay strong - the hardest part is the waiting and not knowing, but everyone here who's been through this has come out the other side!

I'm going through this exact situation right now too! EDD levied my account last week for a supposed $3,800 overpayment and I'm freaking out. Reading through everyone's advice here has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the WG-007 form or that there were specific fax numbers for different departments. One thing I wanted to add that might help - if you have a credit union instead of a regular bank, they're sometimes more willing to work with you during situations like this. My credit union actually called me when they received the levy notice to explain what was happening and gave me contact info for their member advocacy department. They can't release the funds without EDD's approval, but they've been way more supportive than I expected. Also, make sure to keep checking your EDD online account portal if you can access it. Sometimes they update the status there before you hear anything by phone. I noticed my account showed "under review" status about 12 hours before I got the call confirming they received my hardship paperwork. Katherine, I really hope you get this resolved before your rent is due! The stress is unreal but it sounds like you're taking all the right steps. Please update us when you hear something!

I work for a nonprofit that helps people with EDD issues and see levy cases weekly. A few additional tips that might help: 1. When you fax the WG-007, also include a cover letter explaining your situation in plain English - sometimes this helps the reviewer understand the urgency 2. If you have ANY medical conditions or disabilities that create additional expenses, make sure to document those on the form - it strengthens your hardship claim 3. Ask your bank for a "levy exemption worksheet" - many banks have internal forms that can help you calculate what portion of your funds should be protected under CA exemption laws 4. Once you get a payment plan set up, you can request to modify it if your income changes - don't feel locked into whatever they initially offer 5. Keep copies of EVERYTHING and send important documents via certified mail in addition to fax when possible The system is definitely stacked against working people, but there are protections built in if you know how to access them. The fact that you're being proactive about this puts you ahead of the game. Most people who follow the hardship exemption process properly do get some relief within a few business days. Stay persistent and don't let them intimidate you - you have rights in this situation!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this Katherine - bank levies are absolutely devastating when you're already struggling financially. I went through something similar with EDD about 8 months ago and the panic is real. The advice everyone's given about the WG-007 form is spot on, but I wanted to add a couple things that helped me specifically: 1. When you call EDD Collections (800-676-5737), ask them to put a "verbal hardship hold" on your account while they review your paperwork. This doesn't guarantee anything but sometimes buys you a few extra days. 2. If you have any regular medications, include those costs in your monthly expenses on the form - even a $10/month prescription can help demonstrate ongoing financial obligations. 3. Consider reaching out to 211 (dial 2-1-1) for emergency assistance resources in your area. They often know about local programs that can help with rent or utilities while you get this sorted. I ended up getting my levy released within 4 days and set up a $100/month payment plan. The key was being very detailed about my expenses and providing bank statements showing I literally had no extra money. Also, once this immediate crisis passes, definitely look into appealing the overpayment itself if you believe it was EDD's error. Even if you start payments, you can still challenge whether you actually owe the money. Hang in there - this will get resolved!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - EDD bank levies are one of the most stressful financial emergencies you can face. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the WG-007 form, which is absolutely your best bet for getting quick relief. A couple additional things that might help while you're waiting for the levy to be resolved: 1. Contact your utility companies (gas, electric, phone) and explain the situation - many have emergency hardship programs that can defer payments for 30-60 days while you sort this out. 2. If you have any friends or family who could help with groceries this week, don't be too proud to ask. Food banks are also an option if needed. 3. Document the exact date your account was frozen and calculate the daily fees your bank might be charging for insufficient funds or overdrafts - you may be able to get these waived later by explaining the circumstances. 4. Keep a detailed timeline of everything you do to resolve this (calls made, forms sent, etc.) - it could be helpful if you need to escalate or appeal later. The most important thing is getting that WG-007 faxed ASAP with all your financial documentation. Most people in your income bracket do qualify for hardship relief. You're taking all the right steps - just stay persistent and don't give up. This will get resolved!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this Katherine - the panic of having your account frozen right before rent is due is absolutely terrifying. I went through a similar EDD levy situation about a year ago and the stress was overwhelming. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the WG-007 form, which is definitely your fastest path to relief. I just wanted to add a few things that helped me specifically: 1. When you fax your WG-007, also send it via email if possible to multiple EDD departments - sometimes one processes faster than another. I sent mine to both the collections fax number and emailed it to their general correspondence address. 2. If you have any childcare costs, car payments, or student loans, make sure those are prominently listed in your monthly expenses - EDD tends to recognize these as "necessary" expenses more readily. 3. Ask your landlord TODAY if they have any emergency hardship policies or can work with you on a payment extension. Many property management companies have procedures for situations like this, especially if you can show documentation of the levy. 4. Check if your employer has an emergency assistance program - some companies have small loan or advance programs for employees facing financial crises. I was able to get my levy released in 3 business days and set up a $75/month payment plan based on my income. The key was being very thorough with the expense documentation and following up persistently but politely. You're going to get through this - stay strong and keep advocating for yourself!

I'm so sorry you're going through this Katherine - EDD bank levies are absolutely brutal, especially when you're already struggling financially. The panic of having your account frozen right before rent is due is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. All the advice here about the WG-007 form is spot on, and I wanted to add one thing that really helped me when I went through this last year: when you're filling out the expense section, don't forget to include things like laundry costs, transportation to/from work (gas, bus passes), phone bill, and even small things like household supplies. Every legitimate expense helps paint the picture of your financial situation. Also, if you have any automatic payments set up (Netflix, gym membership, etc.) that might try to process while your account is frozen, try to cancel or pause those ASAP to avoid additional overdraft fees piling up. The hardest part is the waiting and feeling helpless, but you're taking all the right steps. Most people in your situation do get relief within a few days of submitting the hardship paperwork. Keep us posted on how it goes - this community is rooting for you!

I'm so sorry you're going through this Katherine - bank levies are absolutely devastating when you're already living paycheck to paycheck. I went through a similar situation with EDD about 6 months ago and the terror of seeing your account frozen is something I'll never forget. Everyone here has given you excellent advice about the WG-007 form, which is definitely your fastest path to relief. I wanted to add a few things that helped me get through the immediate crisis while waiting for the levy to be processed: 1. Contact your bank's customer service and ask if they can provide you with a detailed breakdown of exactly how much was levied vs. how much remains frozen - sometimes there's a small amount still accessible for basic necessities. 2. If you have any cash back rewards on credit cards or apps like Rakuten, now's the time to cash those out for immediate funds. 3. Consider reaching out to local churches or community centers - many have emergency assistance funds specifically for situations like this, even if you're not a member. 4. Some food delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats) offer daily cash-out options if you can do a few hours of delivery work to get some immediate cash flow. I was able to get my levy released in 5 business days with a $125/month payment plan. The key was being incredibly detailed about every expense and following up daily until it was resolved. You're going to get through this - the system is scary but there are protections in place for people in your exact situation. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself!