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Pro tip: if you cant find your EDDCAN, check your spam folder for emails from EDD. Sometimes their emails end up there and you might find your number in one of those messages.
Just went through this exact same situation last month! Here's what worked for me: I couldn't find my EDDCAN anywhere, so I had to call the 1-800-300-5616 number. After trying for days, I finally got through by calling right at 8:00 AM sharp. The rep was actually really helpful - they updated my address over the phone AND gave me my EDDCAN for future reference. The whole call took about 15 minutes once I got connected. Make sure you have your SSN, old address, new address, and any unemployment claim numbers ready. Also, don't worry about your benefits being interrupted - mine continued without any issues once the address was updated. Good luck, and don't give up! It's frustrating but definitely doable.
This is super helpful! Thanks for sharing your experience. The timing tip about calling exactly at 8 AM seems to be the key - several people have mentioned that. Did you have to wait long on hold even calling at that time? And it's reassuring to hear that your benefits weren't interrupted during the address change process!
I'm so sorry this happened to you! EDD card fraud is unfortunately really common. In addition to what others have said, make sure you also: - Change your PIN immediately if you haven't already - Check if there are any other unauthorized transactions you might have missed - Ask EDD about getting a replacement card sent to a secure address - Consider setting up account alerts if that's an option The key is to document EVERYTHING - dates, times, reference numbers from calls, names of representatives you speak with. This paper trail will be crucial if you need to escalate. Don't let them brush you off if they don't refund the full amount the first time. You have rights as a victim of fraud! Stay strong and keep pushing. It's frustrating but you will get through this. 💪
UPDATE: I ended up selecting Public Administration based on all your advice, and added a note explaining it was a charter school position. Just got notification that my claim was approved without any issues! Processing time was normal (about 10 days). Thanks everyone for your help!
Congrats on getting approved! This is such a helpful thread for anyone in education dealing with the same confusion. The EDD system really needs better category labels - "Public Administration" for schools is so non-intuitive. Your tip about adding explanatory notes in the comments section is gold. I'm bookmarking this whole discussion in case I ever need to file again. Thanks for taking the time to update us with the outcome!
Carmen Ruiz
I'm dealing with this exact nightmare right now too! Just got my overpayment notice two weeks ago for $4,800 from PUA in 2021. What really gets me is that I was a gig worker whose income completely dried up during COVID - I thought I was doing everything right when I applied. Now they're saying I didn't provide enough documentation to prove my work was affected by the pandemic. I immediately filed my appeal and requested the collection hold, but I'm still terrified they'll grab my tax refund before the appeal gets processed. Has anyone had success with the hardship waiver (DE 1446W)? I'm a single parent and there's no way I can pay back nearly $5K without it completely destroying my finances. The whole situation feels so unfair - they approved these claims initially, many of us relied on that money to survive during the worst of the pandemic, and now years later they're coming after us with aggressive collection tactics. I know mistakes happen, but the way they're handling this is causing so much stress and financial hardship for people who were already struggling. Stay strong everyone - it sounds like appeals are working for some people, especially for non-fraud cases!
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Admin_Masters
•I'm in a really similar situation as a gig worker too! Got my overpayment notice last month for $7,200 and I'm also a single parent barely making ends meet. I filed for the hardship waiver (DE 1446W) about 3 weeks ago but haven't heard back yet. From what I've read, they're supposed to respond within 30 days but with the backlog it's taking longer. I included bank statements showing my current financial situation and documentation of my dependent child. The stress of this whole thing is just overwhelming - like you said, we were just trying to survive during COVID and did what we thought was right. Have you been able to get through to anyone at EDD to confirm they received your appeal? I'm thinking about trying that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier since I can't get through on the phone either.
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Omar Fawzi
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Got hit with a $5,400 PUA overpayment notice just last week and I'm absolutely panicking about my tax refund. Like you, I've been trying to call EDD nonstop with no luck getting through. What's really frustrating is that I was a freelance photographer and my business completely dried up during COVID - I had contracts cancelled left and right. I provided what documentation I had when I originally applied, but now apparently it's not enough years later. Reading through these comments has been both terrifying and helpful. I'm definitely going to file my appeal today and request that collection hold. The fact that they can grab state refunds so quickly without much warning is really scary since I'm counting on that money for my rent next month. Has anyone had success getting through to EDD early in the morning? I've been trying afternoons but maybe I need to call right when they open. This whole situation is causing me so much anxiety - it feels like they're punishing us for trying to survive during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. Thanks for posting this OP, at least now I know I'm not alone in dealing with this mess!
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StarSurfer
•I totally feel your frustration about the freelance work documentation - I'm in a similar boat as a gig worker! For what it's worth, I've had better luck calling EDD right at 8am when they first open. The phone lines seem less jammed then. Also, if you're a freelance photographer, do you still have any of those contract cancellation emails or communications from clients from 2020/2021? Even screenshots or forwarded emails might help strengthen your appeal case. I know it's hard to dig up old records but anything showing the direct COVID impact on your business could be useful. The anxiety is so real - I've barely been sleeping since I got my notice. At least we're all figuring this out together!
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