UPDATE: I tried the Claimyr service that was mentioned earlier, and I gotta say, it actually worked. Got connected to an EDD rep in about 45 minutes, and they updated my email on the spot. I was able to log in immediately after. Just wanted to follow up in case anyone else is dealing with this issue!

Pro tip for anyone else dealing with this - I had a similar situation last month and found out you can also try reaching out to your state assemblyperson's office! They often have dedicated EDD liaisons who can help expedite these kinds of account issues. I called my assemblyperson's constituent services and they were able to get my email updated within 2 business days. It's worth a shot if the other methods don't work out!

Just a heads up - I had this exact same issue and it turned out my license number was somehow duplicated in their system during a recent address change. The DMV rep told me this has been happening more frequently lately due to system updates they've been doing. When you call, specifically mention that you suspect a "duplicate license number assignment" - apparently using that exact phrase gets you transferred to a specialized team that deals with these technical glitches. Also, if you've moved or updated any info with the DMV in the past 6 months, definitely mention that too as it seems to be a common trigger for this bug. Hope this helps narrow down what might have caused it for you!

I went through this exact same thing last year and it was such a headache! In my case, it turned out that when I got married and changed my name, somehow the system created a duplicate account instead of updating my existing one. The DMV rep had to manually merge the accounts, which took about 45 minutes on the phone but they got it sorted out. One thing that really helped was having my old license number handy when I called - they could see both accounts and figure out what went wrong. Also, don't be afraid to ask them to escalate if the first person you talk to seems confused about the issue. Some reps are more familiar with these account conflicts than others. Definitely keep trying to call though - I know the wait times are brutal but it's really the fastest way to get it resolved. Good luck! 🤞

I'm really sorry you're going through this - getting fired over what was clearly an honest mistake must be so stressful, especially when you were just trying to take unpaid time off! After reading through all the great advice here, I wanted to add that you should also consider requesting your personnel file from Costco (you have the right to this in California). Having your complete employment record, including any performance reviews, attendance records, and documentation of the incident, could be really helpful during your EDD interview. It'll show the full picture of your employment history, not just their version of this one incident. Also, when you explain the time clock error during your phone interview, you might want to mention if there were other employees around who could have witnessed you immediately reporting the mistake to your supervisor. Having potential witnesses mentioned in your file could strengthen your case. Based on everyone's experiences shared here, it really sounds like you have a strong case. The fact that you were trying to use VTO (unpaid time off) makes it crystal clear this wasn't intentional time theft. Keep your head up - this sounds like it should work out in your favor once EDD hears the real story!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! What a stressful situation over what was clearly an honest mistake. After reading through all the excellent advice here, I think you have a really strong case for unemployment benefits. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - when you file your claim, consider mentioning that the time clock interface was confusing or poorly designed if that's the case. Sometimes these systems have buttons that are too close together or aren't clearly labeled, which makes accidental selections more likely. This helps reinforce that it was a genuine user error, not intentional misconduct. Also, the timing of when you tried to report the mistake could be important. If you told your supervisor immediately (like within minutes or hours), make sure to emphasize that timeline during your interview. It shows you weren't trying to hide anything and discovered the error quickly. From everything I've read here from people with experience, including the former EDD case worker, it sounds like your situation is exactly the type that should be approved. The combination of your clean record, immediate self-reporting, and the fact that you were trying to take UNPAID time off makes this a pretty clear case of an honest mistake rather than misconduct. Best of luck with your claim - keep us updated on how it goes!

One thing that really helped me when I reopened my claim was having my social security card and ID ready for verification. They might ask you to upload photos of these documents. Also, if you had any part-time work or gig work since your last claim, make sure you report it accurately - even small amounts. The system flags inconsistencies and it can delay your approval. The whole process took about 10 days for me from start to finish. Hang in there!

Just wanted to add - if you're having trouble with the online system, try using a different browser or clearing your cache. I was stuck on the same page for hours until I switched from Chrome to Firefox and everything worked smoothly. Also, try to do it during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) when the servers aren't as overwhelmed. The system tends to crash a lot during lunch hours and weekends when everyone is trying to access it at the same time.

I want to highlight something important that hasn't been mentioned yet: When you reopen your claim, make sure you're prepared to meet the current work search requirements. Unlike during the pandemic when these were relaxed, you now need to document at least 3 work search activities per week. These can include applying for jobs, networking, updating your resume, attending job fairs, etc. EDD has been conducting more eligibility interviews lately, especially for reopened claims, so keep good records of your work search efforts.

Update: I was finally able to reopen my claim! For anyone else dealing with this, I found the "Reopen Claim" button exactly where everyone said it would be - it really is small and easy to miss on the UI Online homepage. The process was pretty straightforward once I found it. I had to answer questions about my work during the period when I wasn't claiming benefits, verify my contact info, and confirm I was still able and available for work. The whole thing took maybe 10 minutes. One thing I wasn't expecting: they asked for detailed information about each freelance contract I had, including start/end dates and total earnings. Luckily I kept good records of all my gig work. After submitting everything, I was able to certify for the past two weeks within about 24 hours, and my payment showed up 2 days later. My remaining balance was exactly what I thought it was - $3,847. Thanks everyone for the help! This community is amazing. For anyone still struggling with this, definitely try during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening) as the system seems to work better then.