FINAL UPDATE: All my pending payments were released yesterday! The EDD specialist I spoke with must have expedited my case. Received all 3 weeks of back payments via direct deposit. Such a relief. For anyone else facing this issue - don't wait around hoping it resolves itself. Getting through to an actual human at EDD is absolutely necessary with the "more info needed" status.

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this entire journey from start to resolution! As someone who's currently dealing with a similar "more info needed" status (going on week 2 now), your experience gives me hope that there IS a solution. The fact that your employer contested the claim without EDD properly notifying you is infuriating but unfortunately not surprising based on what I've been reading here. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service you mentioned - at this point the phone system seems completely impossible to navigate on your own. Quick question - when you spoke with the EDD rep, did they mention anything about whether this kind of employer contest is common? I'm wondering if my former company might have done something similar since my situation sounds almost identical to yours. Thanks again for taking the time to update everyone. Posts like this are exactly what people in our situation need to see!

Just wanted to add my experience to help ease your mind. I missed an eligibility interview back in February because I was in the hospital (didn't even know about it until after). I called EDD as soon as I found out, explained the situation, and they rescheduled me without any penalties. The key was contacting them right away and having a legitimate reason. Working to pay back an overpayment is definitely a legitimate reason! Document all your call attempts and keep trying to reach them before the interview date. Best of luck!

I've been in a similar situation and here's what worked for me: Try calling EDD at exactly 8:01 AM (not 8:00) - sometimes there's a tiny window where the system isn't completely overloaded yet. Also, if you have a smartphone, try using the "redial" feature repeatedly while doing other things. I got through after about 200 redials one morning. Another tip - if you can't reschedule and absolutely have to take the call during work, prepare a one-page summary of your overpayment situation beforehand. Having all your dates, amounts, and explanations ready can cut the interview time down to under 10 minutes. I know it's stressful, but don't panic - EDD deals with scheduling conflicts all the time and most reps are understanding if you're proactive about communicating.

When I broke my ankle last year I found that my city has a temporary disability assistance program thru the social services dept. It wasn't much $ but helped with rent for 2 months while I healed. Maybe check if your area has something similar? Just google "[your county] emergency assistance program" or call 211.

I'm sorry to hear about your accident and the difficult situation you're in. Since you've already confirmed you don't qualify for UI or SDI, here are a few additional resources that might help bridge the gap while you recover: 1. Check if either of your delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.) have any emergency assistance programs for drivers - some companies started offering these during COVID 2. Look into your county's General Relief/General Assistance program - it's designed for people who don't qualify for other benefits 3. Contact The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or other local faith-based organizations - they often have emergency rent assistance funds 4. If you have a credit union account, many offer emergency hardship loans with low interest rates Also, once you're healed, consider enrolling in DIEC (Disability Insurance Elective Coverage) for future protection - it's only about 1% of your income but could save you in situations like this. Hope your wrist heals quickly!

Update: Got my decision in the mail today! That's 13 days after the hearing. The judge ruled in my favor and found that I had correctly reported all my income! They're cancelling the overpayment and will refund the money they've been deducting from my payments. So relieved this nightmare is over. Thanks everyone for your help and support!

Congratulations Nia! That's such fantastic news! 🎉 It's so encouraging to see someone win their appeal, especially when they clearly had their documentation together like you did. Your timeline of 13 days is really helpful for others going through this process too. Definitely keep multiple copies of that decision letter - scan it and save digital copies just in case. Hope the refund process goes smoothly and you can finally breathe easy knowing this is behind you!

Hey OP! It sounds like you're dealing with a very common EDD issue. Here’s a comprehensive approach: You should try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) as a quick alternative for reaching EDD. While it is a paid service, many people have found it to be a time-saver. However, consider it as just one part of your strategy. Always start with the online portal and the 'Contact Us' forms as an initial step. Certified mail remains a reliable option even if it takes longer. Document all interactions and attempts as they are crucial if you need to escalate the issue to higher authorities like your local government officials. Remember, persistency is key. Keep your information secure and protect your personal data no matter which method you choose. Good luck!

I went through this exact same nightmare a few months ago! Here's what finally worked for me: I had to call EDD multiple times (like 15+ attempts) but eventually got through to someone who could update my email on the spot. The key is calling right at 8am when they open - set multiple alarms and start dialing exactly at 8:00. Also, make sure you have your Social Security number, claim number, and the new email address ready to go. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes once I actually got through to a person. Don't give up - it's frustrating but definitely solvable!