might sound dumb but have u checked ur spam folder?? EDD sent me an important email and it went to spam and i almost missed my phone interview cuz of it!! also i learned the hard way that if u get a letter from EDD with a time/date for a phone interview u HAVE to answer when they call or ur claim gets auto-denied and thats super hard to fix.

I went through something very similar last year and it took me 3 months to resolve. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. **Document everything** - Take screenshots of your UI Online account showing the processing status, keep copies of all forms you've sent, and write down the names/ID numbers of every rep you talk to. 2. **The "conditional payment" cycle Andre mentioned is spot on** - that's exactly what's happening. Your account has a flag that needs manual review before they'll release your most recent certification. 3. **Don't just ask IF they received your form** - ask them to tell you the EXACT DATE it was processed into their system. If they can't give you a date, it probably got lost and you'll need to resubmit. 4. **For the interview** - this is critical. Get the exact date/time and ask them to send you a confirmation letter or email. Write down the confirmation number. EDD interviews are often the key to unlocking stuck payments. 5. **Try calling the Paid Family Leave line** (1-877-238-4373) and ask them to transfer you to UI claims. Sometimes this gets you through faster than the main number. The squeaky wheel definitely gets the grease with EDD. Keep calling, be polite but persistent, and don't accept vague answers like "we'll escalate it." Demand specifics - dates, reference numbers, next steps. You've got this!

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me when I had the same issue a few months ago - if you have a local Assembly member's office, they often have caseworkers who can help with EDD issues. I called my Assembly member's district office and they were able to get my account unlocked within 48 hours. They have a direct line to EDD that bypasses all the phone tree nonsense. You can find your Assembly member by zip code on the CA legislature website. It's worth a shot if the phone numbers aren't working!

I went through this exact nightmare situation about 6 months ago and it was absolutely maddening! What finally worked for me was a combination of persistence and timing. I called the 1-833-978-2511 number exactly at 8:00 AM (not 8:01, not 7:59 - exactly at 8:00) and selected option 1, then option 4 for tech support like Diego mentioned. It took me 4 days of trying but I finally got through on a Wednesday morning. The rep told me that security question lockouts are super common because the system is ridiculously sensitive - even extra spaces or different capitalization can cause it to reject your answers. She reset both my password AND security questions, which was crucial because I would have just gotten locked out again otherwise. Pro tip: when you set up new security questions, write down EXACTLY how you type the answers including punctuation and capitalization. I learned that lesson the hard way! Also, don't give up on calling - that 8 AM window really does seem to be the sweet spot for getting through.

Update: I mailed my appeal form with all my timecards and screenshots today via certified mail. Still couldn't get through on the phone, but at least the appeal is on its way. Thanks everyone for your help! I'll post again when I hear something back.

Good for you on getting that appeal mailed out! I went through something similar last year - also in Riverside County. One thing I wish someone had told me: when you get your hearing date letter, READ IT CAREFULLY. They'll give you a specific time window when the judge will call, but sometimes they call early or late. I almost missed mine because I stepped away from my phone for 10 minutes. Also, during the hearing, speak clearly and stick to the facts. The judges are actually pretty fair if you have your documentation in order. Since you already included your timecards and screenshots, you're ahead of the game. Most people just submit the form with no supporting evidence. The wait is brutal but try to stay positive. I know it's scary not having benefits coming in, but if you reported your hours correctly like you said, you should win this. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm feeling a bit calmer now knowing this timeline is normal (even if it's frustratingly slow). I'm going to: 1. Try Claimyr to reach EDD and confirm they received my appeal 2. Start gathering ALL my documentation (screenshots, bank records, etc.) 3. Look into the waiver form as a backup option 4. Check if my county has legal aid for EDD issues I'll update this thread once I know more about my situation. Fingers crossed I can get this resolved without having to pay thousands I don't have!

Just wanted to add - if you do end up needing an attorney, look for one who specifically handles EDD cases rather than just general employment law. The EDD appeal process has its own quirks and procedures that regular employment attorneys might not be familiar with. Also, many EDD attorneys work on contingency or flat fee basis rather than hourly, which can make it more affordable. I've seen some charge around $1,500-2,500 for overpayment appeals, which might be worth it for a $5,800 case if you're not confident handling it yourself. One more tip - document EVERYTHING going forward. Keep records of every phone call attempt, every letter sent/received, and screenshot your online account regularly. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if things get more complicated.

Hey Gabe! Just to add to what others have shared - the "pending medical form from provider" status essentially means your disability claim is on hold while EDD waits for your doctor to complete their portion. Make sure you gave your doctor the correct receipt number when you submitted Part A online. Sometimes doctors' offices can be slow with these forms, so it's worth calling them to check if they need any additional information from you. Also, keep in mind that once your doctor submits the medical form, it can still take EDD a few days to process and update your claim status. Stay on top of it and don't hesitate to follow up with both your doctor and EDD if it's taking too long!

Hi Gabe! I went through this exact same situation a few months ago. The "pending medical form from provider" status means EDD is waiting for your doctor to submit the medical certification (Part B) that goes with your disability claim. Here's what helped me speed up the process: 1) Call your doctor's office and confirm they have your receipt number, 2) Ask them specifically when they plan to submit it (some offices batch these weekly), and 3) Request they fax it directly to EDD rather than mail it to avoid delays. In my case, once my doctor faxed the form, it took about 3-4 business days for my status to update online. Don't be afraid to be persistent with follow-ups - your benefits depend on it! Good luck!