EDD says I'm not eligible after 2+ years - facing overpayment for benefits from 2025?

This is definitely an overpayment notice. Unfortunately, EDD can determine overpayments for up to 6 years after benefits were paid. The statute of limitations is only for collecting the debt, not for determining it existed. You need to look closely at why they determined you weren't eligible - it should be explained somewhere in the notice. Common reasons include: not being available for work, unreported income, quit instead of layoff, etc. You have 30 days from the date on the notice to appeal if you disagree with their determination.

omg i got the same thing last month!!! i had to payback like 6k from benefits in 2025 they said i was working while collecting which is NOT TRUE i even appealed it and lost because i didnt have all my old pay stubs

The key is to figure out EXACTLY why they're saying you weren't eligible. Then you can build your appeal case. If it's saying your employer provided contradicting information, you need to get documentation from your former boss confirming the layoff. Get a written statement if possible. Also, check if your notice says 'with fault' or 'without fault' - makes a big difference. 'Without fault' means you won't face penalties and may qualify for a waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship.

Im going through this right now too. Sucks how EDD takes FOREVER to process claims when we need help but they're super efficient when they want money back!!!! 😡

If you need to talk to an EDD representative about this (which I HIGHLY recommend), good luck getting through on the phone. I spent 3 weeks trying before I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that connects you to EDD without the endless redial game. They got me through to an agent in under an hour after I'd spent days trying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Getting a real agent on the phone helped me understand exactly why I was flagged for overpayment and what documentation I needed for my appeal. Made a huge difference in my case.

Just be careful - if you appeal and lose, you might end up with penalties added. Sometimes it's better to just set up a payment plan. EDD usually lets you pay as little as $25 a month if your income is low.

I successfully appealed an overpayment notice last year. Here's what worked for me: 1. I requested all records EDD had on my claim through a formal records request (took about 3 weeks) 2. Found the exact issue they were citing (in my case, they claimed I wasn't available for work during certain weeks) 3. Gathered evidence proving their determination was wrong 4. Filed a formal appeal with ALL documentation attached 5. Attended my hearing prepared with extra copies of everything The judge ruled in my favor and the entire overpayment was dismissed. It's definitely worth fighting if you believe you were eligible! The system makes errors all the time.

One more thing to check - look at the date they're claiming you became ineligible. Is it for your entire claim period or just certain weeks? Sometimes it's just a portion of your benefits they're trying to recoup, not the entire amount. The notice should break this down somewhere.

dont forget to keep certifying if ur still on unemployment!!! even while appealing u need to keep doing ur weekly stuff or ull lose current benefits too

After you've filed your appeal, call your local state representative's office. Many have staff dedicated to helping constituents with EDD issues. They can sometimes get answers and move things along faster than you can on your own. It's a free service that most people don't know about!

I went through something similar last year and want to share a few practical tips that helped me: First, document EVERYTHING from this point forward - take photos of all notices, keep records of every phone call attempt, save all emails. Second, while you're gathering evidence for your appeal, also start collecting your financial documents (pay stubs, bank statements, bills) in case you need to apply for a hardship waiver later. Third, if your former restaurant is still closed, try to find any former coworkers or managers who can provide witness statements about the layoff. Even text messages or social media posts from that time period showing the restaurant closure can be helpful evidence. The most important thing is don't let the 30-day appeal deadline pass! Even if you don't have all your documentation yet, file the appeal on time and mention you're still gathering supporting evidence. You can usually submit additional documents later. Stay strong - these determinations get overturned all the time when people fight them properly!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - it's absolutely infuriating when EDD drops these bombshells years later! But reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you actually have a really strong case for appeal. The "without fault" designation is huge, and the fact that it's only questioning 2 months rather than your entire claim suggests this could very well be a simple paperwork error. Here's what I'd prioritize if I were in your shoes: 1) File that appeal TODAY - don't wait for perfect documentation, just get it submitted within the 30-day window, 2) Log into your EDD online account and look for the detailed determination letter to see exactly what your employer reported, 3) Start reaching out to former coworkers who can confirm the layoff situation, and 4) Dig through your old files for that final paycheck stub or any termination paperwork. I also want to echo what others said about contacting your state representative's office - they have staff specifically for EDD issues and can sometimes work miracles. And definitely consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you need to actually talk to an EDD rep. The most important thing is don't let them intimidate you into just accepting this. These determinations get overturned all the time when people fight them with proper documentation. You were legitimately laid off and deserve those benefits. Fight for yourself - you've got this!