California Unemployment

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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!


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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!


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UPDATE: Finally got an answer! I took the advice here and sent a message through Contact EDD in UI Online. It took 6 days, but they responded with my exact penalty week count (5 weeks total) and told me I've already served 2 of them. They also mentioned they're working on adding this information to the UI Online dashboard in a future update. For anyone else with this issue - definitely use the Contact EDD messaging feature and specifically ask "How many total penalty weeks have been assessed on my claim and how many have I served so far?

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Great news! Thanks for updating the thread with what worked. This will definitely help others facing the same issue. And it's encouraging to hear they're planning to add this information to the dashboard in the future.

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This is such a common issue and it's crazy that EDD doesn't make this basic information easily accessible! I'm dealing with penalty weeks right now too after a similar overpayment situation. Based on what I've learned from this thread, I'm going to try the Contact EDD messaging approach since calling seems like a nightmare. It's really helpful to see that @Ravi got a response in 6 days with the exact count - that gives me hope! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions.

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@Javier, you're absolutely right that this should be basic information that's easily accessible! I went through this same frustrating process a few months ago. One tip that might help speed things up - when you message EDD, be very specific in your question like Ravi mentioned. I initially sent a vague message asking about my "penalty status" and got a generic response that didn't help. When I followed up with the exact wording about "total penalty weeks assessed and how many served," I got a much clearer answer. Also, try to message early in the week (Monday/Tuesday) as I noticed faster response times then. Good luck!

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This whole thread is such a lifesaver! I'm bookmarking it because I know I'll probably run into this issue again. The EDD website seems to break in new and creative ways every few months. One thing I wanted to add - if you're still having trouble after trying all these solutions, don't forget that you can also visit a local America's Job Center of California (AJCC) office if there's one near you. They have computers and staff who can help you log in and certify in person. I had to do this once when their system was down for days and I was about to miss my certification window. Not the most convenient option, but it's there as a last resort. Really appreciate everyone sharing their workarounds - this community is way more helpful than EDD's actual tech support!

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That's such a great point about the AJCC offices! I had no idea they could help with UI Online issues - that's definitely worth knowing as a backup option. It's honestly sad that we need so many workarounds just to access basic unemployment services, but I'm really grateful for threads like this where everyone shares what actually works. The fact that this community provides better tech support than EDD's official channels says everything about the state of their system. Thanks for mentioning the in-person option - I'm sure that could be a lifesaver for people who aren't as tech-savvy or don't have multiple devices to try!

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I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to log in for the past two days and it just sits on that loading screen forever. I've tried everything - different browsers, clearing cache, restarting my computer, even tried on my phone with mobile data. Nothing works! My certification deadline is this weekend and I'm starting to panic. Thank you everyone for sharing all these solutions - I'm going to try the early morning approach and incognito mode first thing tomorrow. It's so frustrating that we have to become IT experts just to access our benefits. Really appreciate this community for actually providing helpful solutions when EDD's own support is useless!

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Hey Luca! I just went through this same nightmare last week and I know exactly how stressful it is when you're running up against your deadline. One additional thing that worked for me that I haven't seen mentioned yet - try completely logging out of any other EDD services first (like if you have SDI or PFL accounts open in other tabs). Sometimes their system gets confused if you're logged into multiple EDD portals simultaneously. Also, if you have a VPN running, definitely turn that off - the EDD system really doesn't play well with VPNs. The early morning trick that worked for Nia is definitely your best bet though. I set my alarm for 5:30am and got right in on the first try. Hang in there - you'll get through this! And remember, even if you can't get in online, the TeleCert phone line is always there as backup.

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Don't panic, Luca! I've been there and it's incredibly stressful, but you have several good options. Since you mentioned trying mobile data already, here's something else that helped me - try switching to a completely different internet connection if possible (maybe a friend's wifi or a coffee shop). Sometimes EDD's system has issues with specific ISPs. Also, when you try the early morning approach tomorrow, make sure to wait the full 2 minutes that Andre mentioned even if it looks frozen - I almost gave up after 30 seconds but it eventually loaded. If all else fails and you're running out of time, definitely use TeleCert at 1-866-333-4606. The phone system is clunky but it works when the website doesn't. You've got multiple backup plans, so try not to stress too much!

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This thread has been an absolute game-changer! I just stumbled across it while researching severance and EDD benefits after getting laid off from my software development position two weeks ago. I've been anxiously waiting to hear about a potential severance package from my former employer, and honestly, I was losing sleep over how it might mess up my unemployment benefits. Reading through @Madison King's entire journey - from the initial worry to proactively calling EDD and getting official confirmation - has given me such a clear roadmap for how to handle this situation. The release agreement distinction is something I never would have even thought to consider, but it seems like that's the critical factor that determines everything. What really impressed me is how this evolved from one person's specific question into this comprehensive guide that covers every possible scenario. From success stories to temporary hiccups to more complex situations, the range of real experiences shared here shows that the system does generally work when you're honest and prepared with documentation. I'm definitely planning to follow Madison's approach and call EDD proactively if my severance comes through, rather than waiting and hoping for the best. Having them note the situation in my account ahead of time seems like such a smart preventative step. This thread should honestly be stickied as a reference - it's exactly the kind of practical, real-world guidance that makes navigating unemployment benefits so much less intimidating for newcomers like me!

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@Amun-Ra Azra This thread has honestly been a lifesaver for so many of us! I m'also pretty new to the unemployment system just (started my claim last month after my consulting firm had layoffs and) was completely clueless about how severance payments work with EDD benefits. The release agreement insight that everyone s'discussed is absolutely crucial - I had no idea that the specific structure of your severance could make such a huge difference in how it s'treated. What really stands out to me is how @Madison King turned what started as a personal concern into this amazing resource for the entire community. Getting that official EDD confirmation and sharing it back with everyone was incredibly generous and helpful. The proactive approach of calling ahead and getting everything documented in your account is brilliant advice that I m definitely'keeping in mind. This whole discussion has made me feel so much more confident about navigating the EDD system. Having real people share their actual experiences both smooth (and bumpy is worth) so much more than trying to decode those confusing official guidelines alone. If I end up in a severance situation, I now know exactly what steps to take thanks to everyone here!

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This thread has been absolutely incredible to follow! I just got laid off from my project management role three weeks ago and have been anxiously waiting to hear about a potential severance package. Reading through everyone's experiences here - especially @Madison King's thorough journey from initial concern to getting official EDD confirmation - has been such a huge relief. The release agreement distinction is completely new information to me and seems to be the critical factor in how EDD treats severance payments. I had no idea that the specific language and structure of your severance contract could make such a massive difference in whether it affects your unemployment benefits or not. What really impresses me about this discussion is how it evolved from one person's worried question into this comprehensive guide that covers pretty much every scenario you might encounter. The range of experiences shared - from smooth processes to temporary complications that eventually resolved correctly - really shows that being transparent and having proper documentation usually leads to the right outcome. I'm definitely planning to follow Madison's proactive approach and call EDD before my severance potentially arrives, rather than waiting and stressing about it afterward. Getting everything noted in my account ahead of time seems like such a smart move to avoid any unnecessary complications. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences and outcomes. This is exactly the kind of community knowledge that makes navigating unemployment benefits so much less scary for those of us who are new to the system. I'm bookmarking this thread as my go-to reference!

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@Lydia Bailey This whole thread really has become the definitive guide for severance and EDD benefits! As someone who just started my unemployment claim after getting laid off from my customer service management position, I was completely in the dark about how severance payments could impact benefits. The release agreement distinction that everyone s'highlighted is such crucial information - I never would have thought that the specific contract language could be the deciding factor. What s'really amazing is how @Madison King s proactive'approach created this step-by-step blueprint for the rest of us. Getting EDD to note everything in the account beforehand is such smart advice. Reading through all the different outcomes people had - from quick resolutions to temporary pending periods - has made me feel so much more prepared if I face a similar situation. This community knowledge is pure gold for navigating these confusing systems!

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As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how helpful everyone has been in this thread! I'm currently facing a similar situation where I need to reschedule my EDD interview that's coming up next week due to a family emergency. Reading through all these strategies and success stories gives me so much hope that I can actually get this resolved. I'm planning to try the early morning calling approach with the specific button sequence (1 for English, 6 for scheduled appointments, 7 for all other questions) that several people mentioned worked for them. I'll also look into my local EDD office number as a backup option - that tip about local offices being less congested is brilliant! One question for anyone who's been through this - when you finally get connected, approximately how long does the actual rescheduling conversation take with the rep? I want to make sure I have enough time blocked out and don't accidentally rush them when I finally get through after all those attempts. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here. This community is such a lifeline when dealing with EDD's impossible system!

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Welcome to the community! From my experience, once you actually get connected to a rep, the rescheduling conversation is pretty quick - usually 5-10 minutes max. They'll verify your identity with your claim number and some basic info, then look at available time slots and confirm your new appointment time. The longest part is usually waiting while they check their scheduling system for openings. Having your preferences ready (morning vs afternoon, specific days that work better) definitely speeds things up. Good luck with your family emergency situation - that definitely qualifies as a valid reason for rescheduling!

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As someone who just joined this community, I'm blown away by how supportive everyone is here! I'm currently dealing with my own EDD interview scheduling conflict (work training that can't be moved), and this thread has been absolutely invaluable. The detailed strategies everyone shared - from the specific button sequences to trying local offices to the auto-redial apps - are exactly the kind of insider knowledge you can't get anywhere else. What really stands out to me is how people keep coming back to update on their success and share new tips they discovered. It's like having a whole support network of people who actually understand how broken and frustrating EDD's system is. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy with the 1-6-7 button sequence, and I'll make sure to have multiple backup time slots ready. Thanks to Connor for starting this thread and to everyone who contributed their experiences. For anyone else dealing with this nightmare - don't give up! The persistence really does seem to pay off based on all these success stories.

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Welcome to the community, Chloe! You're absolutely right about how supportive everyone is here - it really makes dealing with EDD feel less isolating when you realize so many others have been through the same struggles. Your work training conflict definitely sounds like a valid reason for rescheduling, similar to all the medical appointments and family emergencies others have mentioned. One small addition to the great advice already shared - when you do get through to a rep, don't be afraid to ask if they have any cancellations for earlier dates too. Sometimes people reschedule or cancel their interviews, which opens up spots sooner than the standard scheduling. Good luck with your calls, and definitely come back to update us on how it goes! This thread has become such a great resource for anyone facing interview rescheduling issues.

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This thread has been incredibly helpful as someone who just started dealing with EDD a couple weeks ago! I had no idea these kinds of system glitches were so common - it's both reassuring to know solutions exist and terrifying that the system is this unreliable. @3889e6ce151f thank you for documenting your entire experience so thoroughly and keeping everyone updated! Reading through all the responses here has given me a complete playbook for handling similar issues. I'm definitely going to start taking screenshots before submitting certifications, keeping separate records of my work search activities, and trying to certify early in the morning like @f551a69736bb suggested. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these bureaucratic nightmares. I feel so much more prepared now for when (not if) I run into my own EDD technical issues!

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This entire thread has been such an incredible learning experience! As someone completely new to the EDD system (just filed my first claim last week), I was honestly terrified about all the things that could go wrong. Reading through @3889e6ce151f's detailed experience and seeing how the whole community rallied with advice and similar stories has made me feel so much more confident about navigating this process. The practical tips everyone shared - taking screenshots, certifying early morning, keeping separate work search records, clearing browser cache - are all going straight into my EDD survival toolkit! It's both comforting and scary to see how common these glitches are, but knowing there are solutions and such a supportive community here makes all the difference. Thank you everyone for creating such a comprehensive guide that will help so many people who face similar issues!

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This thread is absolutely incredible - what started as one person's frustrating EDD glitch turned into the most comprehensive troubleshooting guide I've ever seen! As someone who's been dealing with EDD for about a year now, I can confirm that @3889e6ce151f's experience is unfortunately pretty typical, but their thorough documentation and everyone's helpful responses have created something really valuable here. I've bookmarked this thread because it covers literally everything you need to know about handling certification glitches: what to check, who to call, how long to wait, and most importantly - that these scary error messages don't necessarily mean your certification failed. The community response has been amazing too, with people sharing practical tips like early morning certifications, screenshot strategies, and even third-party services to help get through to EDD. For anyone new to this system: save this post! The EDD technology is ancient and glitchy, but as this thread proves, almost every problem has a solution if you're persistent enough. Thanks everyone for turning a stressful situation into such a helpful resource for the whole community!

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