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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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I'm 56 and went through this exact situation last year after being laid off from a defense contractor. Got my pension ($1,875/month) and was terrified about the UI implications after hearing conflicting advice from everyone. The pension offset is real, but manageable if you handle it right. My weekly UI benefit went from $485 to about $52/week after the offset. Not much, but it kept me connected to EDD services and helped with small expenses during my 4-month job search. Two critical things I learned: 1) Call EDD BEFORE your first certification - I spent 2 days calling but finally got through and had them note my pension details properly. This saved me from the overpayment nightmares others experienced. 2) Save every pension document in a dedicated folder. EDD asked for my pension verification letter THREE different times during my claim. Also want to mention - don't overlook CalJOBS registration even if your UI amount is small. The career counseling services were actually really helpful for someone in their 50s transitioning industries. They connected me with employers who valued experienced workers rather than just focusing on age. The whole process is stressful but definitely doable. Just be transparent, keep good records, and don't let the reduced benefit amount discourage you from applying. Every bit helps when you're job hunting at our age!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really encouraging to hear from someone who successfully navigated this process and found a new job within 4 months. Your story gives me hope that this is all manageable with the right approach. The fact that you only got $52/week after the pension offset but still found it worthwhile is really helpful perspective. I was getting discouraged thinking about how small my benefit amount would be, but you're absolutely right that every bit helps, and staying connected to EDD services seems valuable. Your point about saving pension documents in a dedicated folder is great advice - I'm going to set that up right now. If they asked you for verification three different times, I definitely want to be prepared with organized documentation. I'm also really interested in what you said about CalJOBS and the career counseling services. I hadn't considered that they might have specific expertise helping older workers transition industries. That could be exactly what I need since manufacturing is getting so challenging with all these company relocations. Thanks for the encouragement about being transparent and keeping good records. Hearing from someone who went through the whole process successfully and came out the other side with a new job is exactly the motivation I needed to stop worrying and just get started with the process!
I'm 53 and just got laid off from my aerospace job after 19 years. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful as I'm facing the exact same pension dilemma! My company is offering me $1,650/month if I start my pension immediately. What really stands out to me from everyone's experiences is how crucial it is to be upfront with EDD from the very beginning. The horror stories about overpayments and months of delays are exactly what I want to avoid. I'm definitely going to call them before my first certification to get everything documented properly. The math makes sense now too - with my $1,650 monthly pension, I'd be looking at about a $380 weekly reduction from my UI benefits using the formula everyone mentioned. If I qualify for around $500/week, I'd end up with roughly $120/week after the offset. Not great, but better than nothing while I'm job searching. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone dealt with a situation where the pension amount changes during your UI claim period? My pension includes potential annual adjustments based on company performance, though they're not guaranteed. Should I mention this possibility when I call EDD, or just report changes if/when they happen? Also really appreciate all the advice about CalJOBS and workforce services. At this stage of my career, I definitely need all the help I can get navigating the job market. The aerospace industry has been pretty volatile lately with all the defense spending changes. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences. This community is invaluable for those of us trying to figure out these complicated situations!
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I'm absolutely devastated reading through all of these stories because I'm experiencing the exact same thing right now! I'm 7 weeks into my unemployment claim after being laid off from my office administration job, and I literally just found out about CTB training benefits from this thread. My initial EDD interview was a joke - they asked basic questions about my work history and that was it. When I specifically asked "Are there any other programs or benefits I should know about?" the rep said "Just make sure you do your weekly job searches and certifications." NOTHING about training programs that could actually help me build new skills! I've been struggling with the same soul-crushing job search routine, sending out dozens of applications for jobs that barely pay what I was making before. Meanwhile, I've been thinking about getting into medical coding or maybe some kind of healthcare administration certification - fields that actually have growth potential. The fact that I could have been working toward these goals while receiving benefits instead of just spinning my wheels is absolutely infuriating! I'm calling that CTB number (1-866-333-4606) first thing tomorrow morning. At 7 weeks in, I'm hoping I'm not too close to any deadlines. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread contains more valuable information than anything EDD has provided. It's criminal that we have to discover these life-changing benefits through random online forums instead of being properly informed by the people we're required to work with! For anyone else just finding out about this - don't wait like I did! Make those calls NOW and don't let them brush you off without exploring every option available to you.
Diego, I feel your pain and frustration - it's the same story so many of us have experienced! The fact that you specifically asked about other programs and were given such a dismissive response is exactly what's wrong with this system. At 7 weeks, you're definitely still well within that 16-week window, so don't panic - you have plenty of time to get this sorted out. Medical coding and healthcare administration are fantastic choices for CTB approval since they're in-demand fields with clear career paths. When you call tomorrow, emphasize that these are growing industries with strong job prospects. Many community colleges have accelerated programs in these areas that can be completed in 6-12 months. Don't be discouraged if the first rep you talk to seems clueless about CTB - unfortunately it seems to be a pattern. Ask specifically for a California Training Benefits specialist and be persistent. Have a few specific programs in mind when you call - like medical coding certification through AAPC or AHIMA, or healthcare administration programs at local community colleges. Your timeline is actually pretty good compared to those of us who found out at months 4-6. You've got this! Please update us on how the call goes - your experience transitioning from office admin to healthcare could really help others in similar situations who find this thread later.
I'm absolutely speechless after reading through this entire thread! I just filed my unemployment claim 4 days ago after being laid off from my retail supervisor position, and I had NO IDEA these training programs even existed. My EDD phone interview was literally 8 minutes long - they verified my employment history, calculated my benefits, and that was it. Zero mention of any additional programs or opportunities. I've been feeling pretty hopeless about my job prospects since retail management doesn't seem to be going anywhere positive, and I've been seriously considering a complete career change. I've always been interested in getting into IT or maybe dental assisting, but I assumed I'd have to figure out how to pay for training while living on unemployment benefits. The fact that I could potentially get certified in a new field WHILE receiving benefits is absolutely life-changing information! I'm calling that CTB number (1-866-333-4606) tomorrow morning and visiting my local America's Job Center this week. At only 4 days into my claim, I'm hoping I can be one of the success stories instead of another person discovering this too late. Thank you to EVERYONE who shared their experiences here - especially those who provided specific phone numbers, forms, and actionable steps. This thread should be pinned at the top of every unemployment-related forum in California. It's absolutely unacceptable that EDD doesn't clearly communicate these opportunities during the initial process. I'll definitely update everyone on what happens with my calls. Hopefully I can help other newcomers avoid the heartbreak of missing out on these programs!
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I'm dealing with EDD right now for a totally different issue (certification problems), but I've learned that persistence is key. The system is overwhelmed and understaffed. For updating phone numbers specifically, I found out they have a dedicated Identity Alert section you can call at 866-401-2849, which sometimes has shorter wait times than the main line. Might be worth trying that number too.
Thank you for that specific number! I'll add it to my list of options to try. Really appreciate everyone's suggestions - I feel like I have an actual game plan now!
Just checking back - were you able to get this resolved? The secure message option or the alternate phone number might be your best bets if you're still stuck.
glad u got it fixed!! now get ready for the next nightmare: certification issues 😂
@1617fc26d8e8 So happy to hear you got it resolved! I'm dealing with a similar phone verification issue right now and was getting nowhere with the regular EDD line. Definitely going to try the Claimyr service you mentioned - sounds like it's worth it just to save the headache of calling 50+ times. Quick question: do you remember roughly how much the Claimyr service cost? Want to make sure I budget for it if my secure message attempt doesn't work out.
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I'm really sorry you're dealing with this financial stress. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like you're getting good advice about the W-2 wage requirement for regular UI benefits. One thing I wanted to add that might help immediately - have you looked into your local food banks and community assistance programs? Many don't have strict eligibility requirements and can help with groceries while you're figuring out your next steps. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with emergency assistance in your area. Also, if you do decide to take on any temporary or part-time W-2 work to get back into the system, even a few months could potentially help you qualify for benefits later if needed. It's frustrating that the system doesn't recognize the reality of gig work, but at least now you know exactly where you stand and can plan accordingly. Wishing you the best - this community seems really supportive and knowledgeable about navigating these challenges.
This is such helpful advice about 211 and local resources! I completely forgot about food banks - that could really help stretch what little money I have left. I'm definitely going to call 211 today to see what's available in my area. And you're right about maybe taking some temporary W-2 work to get back in the system - even if it's not ideal, it might be worth it for the security of having UI eligibility again. Thanks for the encouragement and practical suggestions!
I went through something very similar a couple years ago - it's such a frustrating situation when you're caught between employment types. One thing that helped me while I was figuring out next steps was applying for emergency rental assistance through my county. Many counties have programs that can help with rent/utilities even if you don't qualify for regular benefits. Also, don't overlook temporary staffing agencies - they often have short-term assignments that could get you some W-2 income relatively quickly. Even a few weeks of temp work could help with immediate cash flow and potentially start building toward future UI eligibility if you need it again. The waiting lists for some assistance programs can be long, so I'd recommend applying for everything you might qualify for sooner rather than later. CalFresh especially can provide real relief while you're job hunting. Hang in there - this gap between gig work and traditional employment benefits is a real problem that hopefully will be addressed in the future.
This is really practical advice about temp agencies! I hadn't thought about that as a way to get some immediate W-2 income while also potentially building toward future UI eligibility. The emergency rental assistance tip is great too - I've been so focused on unemployment benefits that I didn't consider other county programs that might help with housing costs. Going to start making calls today to both temp agencies and my county office. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps to know others have navigated this successfully!
Ava Martinez
I'm new to this community but dealing with the exact same Money Network notification issues! Been on unemployment for about 3 weeks now and switched to their card thinking it would be more convenient than direct deposit - what a mistake that was. I've tried enabling notifications multiple times but never get any alerts when my benefits are deposited. Reading through all these responses is super helpful though - sounds like there are actually several different fixes to try. Going to start with the dual settings approach (@Omar's suggestion about Account > Communication Preferences AND Settings > Notifications) and if that doesn't work I'll try the simpler email address trick too. It's honestly insane that we have to become tech support experts just to get basic deposit notifications working. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions!
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GalacticGuru
•Welcome to the community! You're definitely not alone in this frustration - the Money Network notification system is honestly terrible. I'd recommend trying the dual settings fix first since that seems to work for most people, and if you're still having issues after that, definitely try switching to a simpler email address without any dots or special characters. Also don't feel bad about switching from direct deposit - I made the same choice thinking the card would be more convenient, but their system has so many bugs it's almost not worth it. At least with all the workarounds people have shared here, there's hope of getting it working eventually!
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Nia Harris
I'm dealing with this exact same issue and it's been driving me crazy! Just got on unemployment benefits last month and switched to the Money Network card thinking it would be simpler than setting up direct deposit. Big mistake - their notification system is completely broken. I've enabled every possible alert setting I can find in the app but still get absolutely nothing when my weekly payments post. Been having to set phone reminders to manually check the app every few days after certifying, which defeats the whole purpose. Reading through all these responses gives me hope though - going to try the dual settings fix first (enabling notifications in BOTH Account > Communication Preferences AND Settings > Notifications) and if that doesn't work I'll switch to a simpler email address without any dots. It's ridiculous that we have to become IT specialists just to get basic deposit alerts working, but at least this community has figured out the workarounds that Money Network's useless customer service couldn't provide. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions!
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