I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Filed my reopen claim on May 4th (so 8 days ago) and my UI Online dashboard is still stuck showing "You may need to reopen your claim" like I never did anything. I'm also in construction and got laid off last month when our project wrapped up. What's really getting to me is that I had a similar issue when I first applied for unemployment about a year ago - spent weeks thinking my application disappeared only to find out it was processed but the system just never updated. You'd think they would have fixed these glitches by now! Based on all the advice here, I think I'm going to wait until Thursday (that'll be 2 weeks) and then try the Claimyr service that @Jay Lincoln and @Diego Rojas mentioned. It sounds way better than trying to get through on the phone myself. Has anyone tried calling EDD directly recently? Are the wait times still insane? Really hoping this gets resolved soon for all of us dealing with this. It's stressful enough being unemployed without having to wonder if your claim application even exists in their system!

I'm dealing with this EXACT same issue right now! Filed my reopen claim on May 8th (4 days ago) and my UI Online dashboard is still showing that same "You may need to reopen your claim" message like I never submitted anything. I'm also in construction and got laid off when my project ended last month. Reading through all these responses has been both helpful and stressful - it's reassuring to know this is a widespread glitch, but scary that some people waited weeks or had to call dozens of times. The fact that so many construction workers are experiencing this at the same time really seems to support what @Kendrick Webb said about the spike in reopen claims making this glitch worse. I think I'm going to follow the advice here and wait until next Tuesday (that'll be 10 days) and then try the Claimyr service that multiple people have had success with. @Diego Rojas's experience sounds exactly like what I need - getting connected to someone who can actually find and fix the stuck application instead of playing phone tag with EDD for hours. Has anyone who used Claimyr noticed any difference in how quickly their payments started coming through after getting the claim unstuck? I'm worried about potential delays even after the reopen gets processed. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this frustrating system!

Thanks everyone for the advice and sharing your experiences! I'm feeling much better about the interview now. I'm going to call again on Monday morning to specifically request the conditional payments and make sure they're noted in my file. I'll have all my documentation ready for the interview - lease agreement, utility bills, and proof of when I submitted my address change online. I appreciate knowing what to expect during the interview too - sounds like it should be pretty straightforward as long as I have everything prepared. I'll definitely check out Claimyr if I have trouble getting through on Monday. Will update after I get this resolved!

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago! The conditional payments are legit - I got mine on a Tuesday just like everyone said. The key thing is making sure you explicitly ask for them when you call Monday. Don't just assume they'll happen automatically. For the interview, I was super nervous too but it really was straightforward. They asked me to confirm my identity, explain why the mail was returned, and verify my current address. I had my lease agreement and a recent utility bill ready, which was exactly what they wanted to see. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes. One tip: when you call Monday, ask them to put a note in your file about exactly when you updated your address online. That helped show I was being proactive about keeping my info current. After my interview, everything went back to normal processing times. You've got this!

I'm so sorry this happened to you! I just went through the exact same thing two weeks ago - $540 stolen from ATMs in San Diego while I was home in Fresno. It's such a violation and the stress is unreal, especially when you're already dealing with unemployment. Here's what I learned from my experience: - Money Network took exactly 12 business days to return my funds (longer than I hoped but at least they did return everything) - They required me to fill out a detailed fraud affidavit and I faxed it back the same day I received it - NO temporary credit during investigation, which was brutal for my budget - I had to get a new card issued and change my PIN immediately The good news is that based on your description (ATM withdrawals in areas you've never been to), you have a very strong case. Geographic evidence like that usually makes their investigation pretty straightforward. I immediately switched to direct deposit after getting my money back and I wish I had done it from day one. These Money Network cards seem to be magnets for fraud. If you need help getting through to EDD to set up direct deposit, several people here have mentioned good strategies. Hang in there - I know the waiting is stressful but you should get your $630 back. Document everything and follow up with them regularly!

This is exactly why I always tell people to immediately transfer their EDD funds to their personal bank account! I've been fortunate enough to avoid card fraud myself, but seeing all these stories makes me so angry on behalf of everyone dealing with this. A few additional thoughts based on what I've read here: - The 10-15 day timeline seems pretty consistent, which is helpful for planning (though still way too long when you need that money) - Definitely document EVERYTHING - take photos of the fraud packet before you send it, keep confirmation numbers from phone calls, etc. - If you're really desperate and can't wait for the investigation, some credit unions offer small emergency loans to members who can show proof of pending unemployment benefits The whole system is broken when people who are already financially vulnerable have to become fraud investigation experts just to access their benefits. I really hope California eventually moves to a more secure payment system or at least partners with banks that have better fraud protection. Stay strong everyone - it sounds like most people do eventually get their money back, even if the process is unnecessarily stressful and slow.

This entire thread is gold! I'm dealing with a returned check situation right now and was about to lose my mind trying to get through to EDD. Seeing @862228b31263's success story and all the practical advice from everyone gives me hope. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service and that direct number (1-866-401-2849). Quick question - for those who've used Claimyr, how much does it typically cost? I'm already stressed about money so want to know what I'm looking at. Also planning to set up direct deposit immediately like everyone suggested. Thanks for sharing all these real-world solutions!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to dealing with EDD issues but currently waiting on a delayed payment myself (not a returned check situation, just general processing delays). Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions gives me so much confidence that there ARE ways to get through the system when you know the right steps. The specific phone number (1-866-401-2849), the Claimyr service recommendation, and all the practical tips about direct deposit setup and keeping detailed notes - this is the kind of real-world advice you can't find on official websites. Thanks to @862228b31263 for sharing the whole journey from problem to resolution, and to everyone else who added their own experiences and tips. This community is amazing for helping each other navigate these bureaucratic challenges. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference!

Pedro, I've been following this thread and wanted to add a few things that might help with your immediate situation: 1. **Emergency cash assistance**: Many counties have same-day emergency funds specifically for rent. In my county (Riverside), they have a "Crisis Intervention Program" that can provide up to $1,500 within 24-48 hours if you meet certain criteria. Call your county's Department of Public Social Services directly and ask about emergency/crisis assistance programs. 2. **Community action agencies**: These are federally funded programs in every county that often have faster processing times than larger state programs. Search "[your county] Community Action Agency" - they usually have emergency rental assistance with shorter wait times. 3. **Unemployment timing tip**: Since you mentioned your first payment won't cover rent, double-check when exactly it's being deposited. EDD payments sometimes hit accounts earlier than expected, especially if you're on direct deposit. You can check your payment status 24/7 on the EDD website. 4. **Immediate documentation**: Start gathering all your paperwork NOW while you're making calls. Having everything ready can literally cut days off processing time when you do get through to someone. The stress is real, but you're already doing the right things by reaching out early. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Pedro, I know this is an incredibly stressful situation, but you're taking all the right steps by reaching out early. I went through something similar when I lost my job during the pandemic, and the combination of strategies people have mentioned here really does work. One additional resource I haven't seen mentioned yet: check if your area has any "211 text services" - you can text your zip code to 898211 and sometimes get faster responses than calling. They'll text you back with local emergency assistance numbers and programs. Also, when you call these programs, ask specifically about "emergency/expedited processing for rent due within 7 days." Many programs have special tracks for imminent eviction situations that can cut processing time significantly. Another tip: if you're comfortable with it, consider posting in local Facebook community groups or Nextdoor for your area. Sometimes neighbors know about hyper-local assistance programs or community funds that aren't widely advertised. You mentioned your landlord gave you a 1-week extension - that was smart to communicate openly with them. When you follow up, you might mention specific program names you're applying to and estimated timelines. It shows you're being proactive and may help them be more patient. Hang in there - between your unemployment payments starting and the various assistance programs available, there are real solutions to bridge this gap!