Glad you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else dealing with this - when you get your replacement card, make sure to update any automatic payments or subscriptions that were linked to your old card number. I forgot to do this after my fraud incident and had a few payments bounce before I realized. Also, keep that paper check in a safe place until your new card arrives and is working properly, just in case there are any issues with the replacement card activation.

Just want to emphasize what others have said about being proactive with fraud protection going forward. I work in banking and see this stuff daily - EDD cards are unfortunately prime targets because scammers know they have guaranteed monthly deposits. A few tips: never use your card at standalone ATMs (especially at gas stations or convenience stores), cover your PIN when entering it, and check your balance frequently through the app or by calling the automated line. If you notice ANY transaction you don't recognize, even small ones like $1-2, report it immediately - fraudsters often test cards with tiny amounts first before draining the account. Stay vigilant!

Just want to add my experience - I was in a similar situation where I delayed filing for about 6 weeks after my layoff due to family circumstances. When I finally filed, the EDD rep asked about the gap during my phone interview but it was no big deal once I explained the situation. One thing that really helped was having my severance paperwork ready that showed my exact last day of work. They cross-referenced that with when I filed and just made a note in my file about the reason for the delay. Also, make sure you understand that once you do file and start your claim, you'll need to certify every two weeks consistently. Missing certifications can cause your claim to go inactive, which creates more paperwork headaches later. Since you're planning to be available and looking for work starting in May, the timing sounds perfect for your situation.

I went through something very similar when my mom got sick overseas and I had to delay filing. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you do file in May, make sure you have your employment history from the past 18 months ready to go. EDD will ask for employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation for each job during your base period. Since you've been at the same company for 23 years, this should be straightforward for you, but it's good to have your final paystub, any severance documentation, and your employer's contact info organized beforehand. The online application can time out if you're searching for information, and having to start over is frustrating. Also, don't stress about the gap - family medical emergencies are completely understandable reasons for delaying. Just be honest when they ask. Hope everything goes well with your parents! 🙏

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My sister filed her claim weeks ago, has her award letter with the CAN#, even got her first payment, but absolutely cannot register for UI Online. Every time she enters her information it says "does not match our records" which is insane since she obviously filed successfully. What's even more frustrating is that she needs to update her address and can't do it without online access. I've tried calling with her multiple times but we just get stuck in the automated system that doesn't recognize her info. This thread is a goldmine of solutions - going to try the password recovery trick first, then the 2am registration attempt, and if those don't work we'll use the 1-2-4 phone menu sequence at 8am sharp. It's ridiculous that EDD makes this so complicated, but I'm grateful for everyone sharing their workarounds. Will definitely update if we find success!

This is such a comprehensive thread with so many helpful solutions! I'm currently helping my neighbor with this exact same issue - he has his CAN# from the award letter but can't register for UI Online. The system keeps saying his information doesn't match even though he clearly filed successfully and received payments. We've been going in circles for days trying to reach someone at EDD. I'm going to have him try the strategies mentioned here in order: first the password recovery trick, then attempting registration at 2am when servers are less loaded, making sure to use his exact Social Security card name formatting, and if those don't work, calling the technical support line at 1-833-978-2511 using the 1-2-4 menu sequence right at 8am and pressing # when prompted for SSN. It's incredible that we need all these workarounds for such a basic function, but I'm so grateful everyone has shared what actually works! Will definitely report back with results.

I went through this same headache a few weeks ago! One thing that really helped me was checking my old calendar entries - I used to jot down payment amounts when they came in so I could plan my budget. Also, if you've ever applied for any financial assistance programs (like food stamps, rental assistance, etc.), you might have saved documentation that includes your EDD payment amounts as proof of income. I found mine in an old application I submitted to my city's rental assistance program. Another random place to check - if you use any expense tracking apps or even just your phone's notes app, you might have recorded the amount when budgeting. It's worth doing a quick search through all your apps for "EDD" or the dollar amount if you have a rough idea. The password reset system is absolutely broken, but don't lose hope! 🙏

I just went through this exact same situation! Here's another place to check that saved me - if you have any old job search or unemployment tracking spreadsheets on your computer, you might have logged payment amounts there. I keep a simple Excel sheet to track my job applications and benefits, and I had noted down several payment amounts for reference. Also check your browser's download folder - sometimes we download payment confirmations or benefit summaries as PDFs and forget about them. Another tip: if you've ever had to provide income verification for anything recent (credit applications, insurance, etc.), you might have saved EDD screenshots or documents in a dedicated folder. I found mine in a "Documents for Apartment Application" folder I had completely forgotten about! The whole system is frustrating but there are so many random places this info could be hiding. Keep digging! 🔍

Update: I tried calling today using the tips from this thread (calling right at 8:01am) and actually got through after 45 minutes on hold! The rep confirmed my claim IS approved and the message to certify next week is legitimate. They said they'll take 25% of each payment for the overpayment like many of you mentioned. They also said my claim balance and weekly benefit amount will show up after my first certification processes. Thanks everyone for the help!

Congrats on getting through and getting confirmation! That's such a relief. The 8:01am calling tip is gold - I've had success with that timing too. It's great that they were upfront about the 25% deduction, at least now you can budget accordingly. Thanks for updating the thread, this will definitely help other people in similar situations!