I'm currently going through this exact same situation! Just filed my claim two weeks ago and certified for my first week 6 days ago - still showing pending. Reading through this entire thread has been such a huge relief because I was convinced something was wrong with my claim. The professional insight from Yara about the verification process really helps explain what's happening behind the scenes. It's so reassuring to know that 7-10 days is actually normal and not a sign that my claim has issues. I've already set up the text alerts that Isabella mentioned and sent a message through Contact Us like Anastasia suggested. This community is amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences and helping newcomers like me understand what to expect!

This entire thread has been incredibly valuable! I just wanted to add one more resource that helped me during my pending payment period - if you're really struggling financially while waiting, you can also contact 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) for information about local emergency assistance programs. Many counties in California have emergency rental assistance or utility help available while you're waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in. Also, for future reference, once your payments start coming regularly, it's worth keeping a small emergency fund if possible because even after that initial delay, there can occasionally be random processing hiccups that cause a week or two delay here and there. The EDD system has gotten better over the years, but it's still not perfect. Stay strong everyone - the money will come!

I'm so glad you got through and got it resolved! This thread is like a masterclass in dealing with EDD - between the comma trick, the 8am calling strategy, and checking for hidden messages in UI Online, there's so much helpful info here. I'm bookmarking this for future reference because let's be honest, with EDD you never know when you'll need these tips again. The fact that it was just an employer verification flag causing all that stress is both relieving and infuriating at the same time. Thanks for sharing your experience and updating us - it gives hope to others going through the same nightmare!

As someone who just went through a similar nightmare with EDD last month, I can't stress enough how valuable this thread is! The combination of strategies you all shared - the comma trick, 8am calling, checking for hidden messages in UI Online - is like a survival guide for dealing with EDD. @Zara Shah I'm so relieved you finally got through and it was just an employer verification flag! It's absolutely maddening that such a simple issue can cause weeks of stress and financial hardship. For anyone else reading this, I'd also suggest setting up text alerts in your UI Online account if you haven't already - sometimes you'll get notifications about required actions that don't show up prominently in the main interface. The fact that we even need these workarounds for a basic government service is ridiculous, but I'm grateful this community exists to help each other navigate the chaos!

I'm in a similar boat - just got my first payment approved two days ago and anxiously waiting for the card! Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring. It sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty standard, so I'm trying to be patient. I also reached out to my landlord proactively after seeing that suggestion here. One question though - for those who set up direct deposit after getting the card, how long did that take to go into effect? I'd love to avoid the card waiting game for future payments if possible. Thanks for starting this thread, it's exactly what I needed to read right now!

I went through this same waiting period about 3 months ago and totally understand the anxiety! My card took 9 days to arrive in the Bay Area, so Sacramento should be similar. One thing that really helped me was downloading the Money Network mobile app ahead of time and creating an account with just my SSN - that way when the card arrives, you can activate it and start using it immediately without having to wait for website setup. Also, most major grocery stores (Safeway, Target, etc.) will let you get cash back when you use the card for purchases, which can be super helpful if you need cash right away and want to avoid ATM fees. The hardest part really is just the waiting - but you're almost there!

UPDATE: Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice! I called Money Network again this morning, specifically asked for a provisional credit citing Regulation E, and they're processing it now (should be available in 2-3 business days). I've also filed the police report, submitted the EDD fraud form, and filed a CFPB complaint as backup. Going to try reaching EDD's fraud department tomorrow to see if they can help expedite things further. Will switch to direct deposit immediately once this is resolved. This has been such a nightmare but I'm feeling more hopeful now. Will update again when/if I get my money back!

So glad to see your update! You're doing everything right by being proactive and using the specific legal language. That Regulation E reference is powerful - I wish more people knew about it. Keep pushing if they try to delay the provisional credit beyond those 2-3 days they promised. And definitely document that conversation where they agreed to process it. You've got this! The fact that you're already seeing movement after just one day shows you're on the right track. Hope you get your full amount back quickly!

My benefits ran out last year and I had to wait until my benefit year ended before I could file again. During that time I picked up gig work doing DoorDash and Instacart - not great money but it helped bridge the gap. Just something to consider while you're waiting to qualify for a new claim.

I'm in a similar boat and just wanted to share what I learned after calling EDD multiple times. If your benefit year hasn't ended yet (sounds like yours runs until October), you generally can't file a new claim even if you have some recent work history. The 3 months you worked might help you qualify for a new claim once your benefit year expires, but EDD will need to calculate if those wages meet the minimum requirements. In the meantime, definitely apply for CalFresh and look into local emergency assistance programs - many counties have utility assistance and food programs that can help bridge the gap. Also check if your local workforce development office has any emergency financial assistance for job seekers. Hang in there!