To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Hi Tina! Based on what you've described, that February payment does sound like it could be a conditional payment. EDD started issuing these in July 2021 for people who had been waiting on pending certifications for more than two weeks. Since you had to wait 7 months for your phone interview, you definitely qualify for this program. You should have received (or will receive) a DE 5400 notice in the mail explaining that this was a conditional payment while they review your eligibility. After your interview in January, they'll make a final determination - if everything checks out, you'll keep the payment. If not, you might need to pay it back unless you qualify for an overpayment waiver. The good news is that getting any payment usually means they're processing your case. Have you heard anything back since your January interview about the final decision on your eligibility?

Has he tried certifying for benefits yet? Just wondering if the system is already showing the wrong name when he logs in. Sometimes seeing the error on screen makes it more urgent to fix!

Don't beat yourself up too much about this - mistakes happen! I work in HR and I've seen this type of error before. The good news is that name corrections are actually pretty routine for EDD, they deal with this stuff all the time. Here's what I'd suggest: have your boyfriend try calling right when they open at 8 AM. The wait times are usually shorter first thing in the morning. He could also try calling from his car before work starts if he gets to the job site early. Also, make sure he has his Social Security card, driver's license, and the confirmation number from when you filed the claim. The rep will need to verify his identity before making any changes. Once it's corrected, they'll usually send an updated confirmation letter within a few days. The most important thing is getting this fixed before he starts certifying for benefits. You caught it early which is actually great timing!

This exact thing happened to my sister about 6 months ago! EDD intercepted her tax refunds for a $800 overpayment but took around $1,050 total. She was worried they'd keep the extra money forever, but she actually did get a refund check for the difference after about 6 weeks. The check came from the State Controller's Office like others mentioned, and it was pretty basic - just said "EDD overpayment refund" or something like that. She almost threw it away thinking it was some kind of scam mail at first! My advice would be to wait the 6-8 weeks that seems to be normal, but definitely keep checking your UI Online account to make sure that credit balance doesn't mysteriously disappear. If you don't see the check by then, the Collections Division route that others suggested seems to be the way to go. Good luck!

This is actually pretty common when EDD intercepts multiple refunds for overpayments. I'm a tax advisor and see this frequently - when they grab both state and federal refunds through the Treasury Offset Program, the amounts don't always align perfectly with what you owe. The $268 credit balance you're seeing is legitimate money owed back to you. From what I've observed with clients, EDD typically processes these refunds within 4-8 weeks through their monthly reconciliation cycle. The refund will come as a paper check from the State Controller's Office (not EDD directly) to whatever address you have on file in UI Online. Two important things: 1) Double-check that your mailing address is current in your account, and 2) Keep a screenshot of that credit balance showing the $268 - you'll want that documentation if you need to follow up later. If you don't receive anything after 8 weeks, call and specifically ask for the "Benefit Payment Control" unit when you get through. They handle overpayment reconciliations and can track exactly when your refund was processed and mailed. The regular UI reps often can't access this information. You should definitely get your money back - it's just a matter of waiting for their slow bureaucratic process to catch up!

Update: I called my doctor and they're filling out the SDI form today. I also started my UI application for the reduced hours period before I got sick. Thanks everyone for the help! I'll update again once I know if everything got approved.

Great to hear you're making progress with both applications! Just a heads up - when you transition back from SDI to UI after you recover, you might need to reopen your UI claim rather than filing a brand new one. The system should recognize your existing claim and just reactivate it. Also, keep all your medical documentation from your doctor handy in case EDD requests additional verification for your SDI claim. The transition between programs can sometimes trigger additional reviews, but as long as your dates and documentation are clear, you should be fine. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Any luck getting through to EDD? One thing to keep in mind - when they do call for your interview, they'll likely ask detailed questions about your separation. Be honest but concise. If it truly was a workforce reduction, they'll want to know why you specifically were selected, whether there was a seniority system, if others were also laid off (even if in different departments), etc. Having clear, factual answers ready will help your case.

This is exactly why the EDD system is so broken - employers can just claim "misconduct" to avoid paying into the unemployment fund, and then workers have to wait weeks to defend themselves while bills pile up. I went through something similar last year where my employer tried to claim I was fired for cause when they really just wanted to avoid a layoff designation. A few things that helped me prepare for the interview: 1) Get any written communication about your termination (emails, texts, letters), 2) Document the timeline of events leading up to your layoff, 3) If you have any coworkers who can verify it was presented as a workforce reduction (even if they can't officially testify), note their names and contact info, and 4) Review your employee handbook about their progressive discipline policy - if they claim misconduct but didn't follow their own procedures, that's huge. The good news is that if your employer is falsely claiming misconduct, the interviewer will usually be able to tell. They deal with these disputes all the time and know the difference between legitimate misconduct and employers trying to game the system. Stay calm, stick to facts, and don't let them intimidate you. You got this!