I'm really sorry you're going through this - the EDD system during the pandemic was an absolute disaster and your situation is unfortunately all too common. What really stands out about your case is that you were initially APPROVED but then never received payments, which is different from being denied outright. That suggests there was a serious administrative error somewhere in the process. A few thoughts based on what others have shared: definitely pursue the assembly member route as your main strategy, but also consider filing a Public Records Act request for your complete claim file - this will show you every internal decision and note EDD made about your case. Sometimes these files reveal calculation errors or procedural mistakes that weren't obvious at the time. Also, since your restaurant closure was COVID-related, make sure you emphasize that when contacting your assembly member's office. Many people who were initially denied regular UI were later found eligible for PUA when the COVID connection was properly documented. The fact that you never got ANY payments despite initial approval makes this look like a clear administrative failure rather than just an eligibility dispute. Don't give up - $4,750 is serious money and you deserve answers about what happened. The assembly member route has worked for people even years later when there's clear evidence of EDD screwing up the process.

I'm really encouraged to see all the detailed advice and support you're getting here! As someone who's dealt with similar bureaucratic nightmares, I wanted to add one more angle that might help. When you contact your assembly member's office, consider asking if they have any experience with cases involving the specific transition period when EDD was switching people between regular UI and PUA programs. Your situation - being initially approved for regular UI by your restaurant manager's advice, then having it overturned at a hearing, but potentially being eligible for PUA due to COVID closure - sounds like you got caught in the bureaucratic gap between these programs during a chaotic time. Also, don't forget to check if your state has any pandemic-related relief funds or settlement programs that might still be accepting claims for people who were wrongly denied benefits. Some states have created special remedy programs years later specifically for cases like yours where administrative errors during the pandemic caused people to lose benefits they should have received. The fact that you're still fighting for this after all these years shows real determination, and honestly, $4,750 is absolutely worth pursuing through every avenue available. You've got a solid plan now with the assembly member route, Public Records Act request, and all that documentation gathering. Don't let anyone convince you to just walk away from money you were legitimately owed!

Hey Diego! Welcome to the unemployment journey - it's definitely nerve-wracking at first, but you'll get through it. I filed about 8 weeks ago and finally got my first payment last week, so there is light at the end of the tunnel! A few things that helped me: make sure your contact info is up to date in the system (I had an old phone number that delayed things), be ready with your previous employer's info including their UI account number if you have it, and don't panic if you get requests for additional documents - it's pretty normal. The job separation questions are straightforward - just be honest about why you left. Also, bookmark the EDD portal because you'll be checking it A LOT! This community has been amazing for support and tips, so you're in the right place. Hang in there! 🤞

Hey Diego! I totally understand the nerves - I just went through this process myself about 3 months ago. Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: First, don't stress too much about the timeline - mine took about 4 weeks to get fully processed, but I know people who got approved faster and others who waited longer. They will definitely ask about your last job, so have your employment dates, supervisor's name, and reason for leaving ready. The phone interview (if you get one) is actually pretty straightforward - they're just verifying the info you provided. One thing that really helped me was setting up the EDD Debit Card as soon as I could, even before I was approved, because once payments start, they go there automatically. Also, make sure to check your online account regularly for any requests for additional info - missing those can really slow things down. This community has been a lifesaver for tips and moral support, so you're definitely in the right place! You've got this! 💪

This thread is such a perfect example of how much more helpful real community experiences are compared to official EDD resources! Nina, your willingness to document every step of your journey - from that initial panic when you saw the interview notice to the huge relief when everything got resolved - is exactly what people in similar situations need to see. What really stands out to me is how your story shows that even when things seem scary (like your employer incorrectly reporting the separation reason), having proper documentation and staying calm can resolve issues quickly. The fact that the EDD interviewer was understanding and professional, and that she mentioned seeing several others from your company, really reinforces that these are often just routine verification processes rather than adversarial investigations. For anyone else reading this who might be facing a similar situation: this thread is a masterclass in how to handle EDD interviews. Keep your documentation organized, reach out to former colleagues/managers if needed, prepare a clear explanation of your separation, and remember that these interviews are usually much less scary than they seem. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences here - this is community support at its finest!

This thread has been an absolute treasure trove of information and emotional support! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but never posted, Nina's detailed documentation of her EDD interview experience finally motivated me to create an account and contribute. What I find most valuable about this discussion is how it debunks so many of the horror stories you read online about EDD interviews. Seeing real people with real positive outcomes - Nina, Jason, Kiara, Luca, Diego, and others - really shows that these interviews are often just procedural rather than punitive. The pattern is so clear: proper documentation + honest communication = successful resolution. I'm currently in my third week of receiving benefits after being laid off from a nonprofit that lost major funding, and while I haven't gotten an interview notice yet, reading this thread has me feeling much more prepared if/when that happens. Already have my reduction-in-force letter organized along with the board meeting minutes that documented the budget cuts. Nina, thank you for taking the time to update us throughout your entire process - from panic to relief. Your transparency about the employer coding error is particularly valuable because it shows these discrepancies happen but can be resolved. This is exactly the kind of peer support that makes navigating unemployment benefits feel less isolating and overwhelming!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Filed my paper application about a week and a half ago when my laptop died and I couldn't get online access. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the certified mail thing or the specific 8:01 AM calling strategy that everyone's mentioned. Reading through all these timelines, it sounds like I should expect around 4-6 weeks total processing time, which is longer than I hoped but at least gives me realistic expectations. I'm definitely going to start calling EDD next week using that 8:01 timing to confirm they received my application. One thing I'm wondering - should I be setting up a UI Online account now even though my paper application hasn't been processed yet? A few people mentioned being able to check for updates there before getting mail, but I'm not sure if I can create an account without having my customer account number first. Don't want to mess anything up by trying to register too early! Also starting my job search documentation today based on everyone's advice. Better to be over-prepared than scramble later when certification time comes around. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - makes this whole process feel much less overwhelming!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just submitted my paper application about 5 days ago after my internet was out for over a week due to a storm in my area. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both incredibly helpful and honestly a bit anxiety-inducing - sounds like I'm in for quite a wait! I'm definitely kicking myself for not sending it certified mail after reading all these stories about applications getting "lost" in the system. That seems to be a recurring theme that I wish I had known about beforehand. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to start calling EDD next week using that 8:01 AM strategy that literally everyone is recommending. It's amazing how consistent that tip is across different people's experiences! I'm also going to start documenting my job search activities right away, even though my claim isn't processed yet. One question for those who've successfully gotten through to EDD - when they confirm they have your application, do they typically give you any kind of reference number or tracking info? I'm hoping to have something concrete to reference in future calls, especially after reading about people whose applications mysteriously disappeared from the system. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and hard-learned lessons. This thread is honestly a lifesaver when dealing with all the uncertainty of the EDD process!

This happend to me too where I was worried bout the holidy. Turns out the money showed up anyway! EDD computers dont take holidays lol

I've been on EDD for about 8 months now and here's what I've learned about holiday timing: EDD's system processes certifications automatically regardless of holidays, but the actual money transfer can get delayed depending on your bank and payment method. Since you already got the "PAID" status this morning, you're in great shape! With Money Network, I usually see funds available within 2-4 hours during weekdays. The holiday might add some delay to bank processing, but since it's electronic transfer to the card, it's usually not as affected as traditional bank transfers. Keep checking the Money Network app throughout the day - I bet you'll have your funds by this afternoon! Really glad it worked out for your rent situation 🙌