This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - worked in California for most of my base period but had a 6-month contract job in Oregon that I didn't initially report when I filed my UI claim. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like I should definitely call EDD to request a Combined Wage Claim to include those Oregon wages. One question I have that I haven't seen addressed yet: does anyone know if there are any situations where including out-of-state wages might actually hurt your claim or delay it beyond the typical 2-4 weeks? I'm just wondering if there are any downsides to be aware of before I call. My Oregon wages were decent but not huge, so I want to make sure the potential benefit increase is worth the processing delay. Has anyone run into any complications with the CWC process?

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else in a similar boat - I worked in both California and Texas during my base period and initially didn't report my Texas wages when I filed. After reading through this thread, I called EDD last week to request a Combined Wage Claim. The process was pretty straightforward once I got through to a rep (took about an hour of calling at 8 AM). They explained that Texas has actually been one of the faster states to respond with wage information - usually within 10-14 days. The rep also mentioned that I should receive an automated notification through my EDD online account once they receive my Texas wage data, and then a new award letter within a few days after that. One tip that helped me: when you call, have your Social Security number, claim number, and employment dates for ALL your jobs during the base period ready. The rep was able to process everything much faster when I had all that information at hand. Still waiting for my updated award letter, but feeling optimistic about the potential increase!

I've been getting EDD direct deposits for about 6 months now and wanted to share my experience to help ease any future anxiety! With Bank of America specifically, I've found they're incredibly consistent - usually 24-36 hours from when EDD shows "paid" to when funds appear in your account. The first payment definitely took longer (mine was about 48 hours) while they verified everything, but after that it's been like clockwork. One thing I learned is that BofA typically processes government deposits during their overnight cycle, usually between 3-6 AM, so I always check my account first thing in the morning rather than late at night. Also, pro tip: enable push notifications in the BofA app for any deposit activity - it's so much better than constantly refreshing your balance! The predictability really improves your budgeting once you get a feel for the timing. Glad you got your first payment and hope the rest go just as smoothly!

I've been receiving EDD direct deposits for about 4 months now and wanted to add my perspective on timing patterns I've noticed. With BofA (which you mentioned having), I typically see deposits within 24-48 hours of the "paid" status, but there are a few factors that can affect timing. If you certify and it shows "paid" early in the week (Monday-Wednesday), deposits usually hit faster than if it processes late in the week. Also, the time of day matters - EDD seems to send ACH transfers in batches overnight, so late evening "paid" statuses might not actually transmit until the next processing cycle. Your 36-hour timeline for the first payment sounds completely normal since they do extra verification on the initial setup. One thing that's been super helpful is setting up BofA's mobile alerts for deposits - I get a text the instant anything hits my account. The stress really decreases once you've been through a few cycles and know what to expect. Congrats on getting approved and getting that first payment sorted out!

I've been through several CalJOBS appointments over the past year and wanted to share something that really helped me prepare - creating a "cheat sheet" with all my key information before the appointment. Since you're in healthcare admin, I'd recommend having ready: - List of healthcare software/EMR systems you've used (Epic, Cerner, AllScripts, etc.) - Any relevant certifications (CMA, RHIA, etc.) with expiration dates - Brief summary of your most significant achievements (like process improvements or efficiency gains) - Your target salary range based on research you've done - Questions about local healthcare employers or training opportunities I found that having this information organized beforehand made me feel much more confident during the appointment and showed the rep that I was taking my job search seriously. They were actually impressed that I came prepared and spent extra time helping me optimize my search strategy. One more tip - if you have any concerns about specific requirements for healthcare admin roles in your area (like certain certifications or software experience you're missing), mention those during the appointment. The reps often know about free training programs or certification courses that can help fill those gaps while you're searching. The appointment really is designed to help you succeed, not to find fault with what you're doing. You're going to do great on Tuesday!

I just had my CalJOBS appointment yesterday and wanted to share my experience since I was in almost the exact same situation as you! Healthcare admin background, about 6 weeks unemployed, and absolutely terrified going into it. Honestly, it was SO much better than I expected. My rep was incredibly patient and helpful - we spent about 35 minutes together and most of it was genuinely useful career guidance. She walked me through features I had no idea existed, like how to set up custom job alerts for healthcare facilities and how to use the salary research tools to make sure I wasn't underselling myself. The biggest surprise was how much she focused on helping me succeed rather than checking up on me. When I mentioned I'd been selective about applications because I wanted to find the right fit in healthcare admin, she actually praised that approach and showed me how to use advanced filters to find higher-quality matches. One thing I wish I'd done differently - definitely upload your resume before the appointment if you haven't already! She spent some time helping me optimize mine with better keywords for healthcare admin roles, which was super valuable. For the ongoing requirements, it's really not as burdensome as I feared. I just log in every few days to check for new matches and record any activities. The job alert notifications have actually helped me find positions I wouldn't have discovered on regular job boards. You're going to do amazing on Tuesday! The fact that you're preparing and asking questions shows exactly the kind of professional attitude they love to see. Good luck!

This thread is absolutely amazing and has restored my faith in community support! As someone who just got hit with my own "Review Required" status yesterday (literally day 1 for me), reading through Lia's entire journey from panic to resolution has been incredibly reassuring. The fact that it turned out to be something as straightforward as a wage discrepancy with her commission check really shows how EDD creates unnecessary anxiety by providing zero transparency about what's actually causing delays. I'm taking notes on all the strategies shared here - the 8am sharp calling technique, asking specifically for tier 2 specialists, having all wage documentation ready beforehand. It's honestly ridiculous that we need to become tactical experts just to access unemployment benefits we've paid into, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share these hard-won insights. What really strikes me is how this transformed from a frustration post into a comprehensive guide for navigating EDD's broken system. The collective problem-solving here is incredible - from precise calling times to backup options like contacting assembly members. Thank you Lia for updating us throughout your process, and thank you everyone for proving that we can help each other succeed even when government systems fail us!

This thread has been such an incredible journey to follow! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but never posted, I had to finally jump in after seeing how this transformed from Lia's initial panic into this amazing collaborative problem-solving resource. Congratulations on getting your claim resolved, Lia! Your persistence really shows that the "Review Required" nightmare can be beaten. The wage discrepancy issue with your commission check seems to be such a common trap - it's infuriating that EDD's system flags these routine employment situations but then leaves people completely in the dark about what's wrong. For anyone else dealing with similar delays, this thread is now basically the ultimate EDD survival guide! The 8am calling strategy, asking for tier 2 specialists, having documentation ready, even the backup options like assembly member contacts - it's better guidance than anything EDD officially provides. What really gets me is how we've had to crowdsource solutions to basic government services that should just work properly in the first place. But seeing this community rally around each other and share hard-won knowledge gives me hope that we can navigate even the most broken bureaucratic systems when we support each other. Thank you everyone for turning frustration into actionable help!

I'm new to the unemployment system and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm still waiting on my initial claim to be approved, but I'm already stressing about which payment method to choose. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the Money Network card might be the way to go for faster access to funds. One question though - for those who switched to the card, are there any hidden fees I should know about? I've heard some prepaid cards have monthly maintenance fees or charge for balance inquiries. Also, can you transfer money from the card to your regular bank account easily if needed?

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been through the EDD system multiple times over the years. The timing differences between direct deposit and the Money Network card can vary significantly based on when you certify and what day of the week it falls on. I've noticed that if you certify on Sunday morning (like most people do), direct deposit payments often get processed by EDD on Monday but then sit in the ACH queue until Tuesday or Wednesday depending on your bank's processing schedule. The Money Network card seems to bypass some of that banking bureaucracy since it's EDD's direct payment partner. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually track your payment status more granularly with the card through the Money Network mobile app - it shows pending deposits before they're fully available, which can give you peace of mind about timing. The app also sends push notifications when funds are added, so you're not constantly checking your balance. For anyone considering the switch, I'd say the speed advantage is real, but make sure you understand the fee structure and have a plan for accessing your funds without getting hit with unnecessary charges.