California Employment Development Department (EDD) Customer Service Issues

I contacted the claims department yesterday (Saturday) and spoke with a representative at EDD after a nearly three-hour hold. The representative verified my information and I explained how I certified online on Sunday (4/11/21) as usual for weeks ending 4/3/21 & 4/10/21. When I only received payment for one week on Monday, the representative checked and released the payment for the held weeks. Although I did not see the money on my BofA Prepaid App immediately, I expected it to appear after midnight. However, it hasn't posted yet. I am eager to receive the funds to cover my bills. Thank you for your assistance! Email: [redacted] - E.C.

Hello, I am reaching out to Tier #2 and above. I am experiencing issues with payments not being received despite medical stating that payments were made and marked as "paid" in March and February. I kindly request assistance in locating or releasing these payments. The delay of 3 months is causing financial strain as it impacts my ability to secure employment due to COVID-related responsibilities caring for my family. For further assistance, please contact me at [redacted]. I acknowledge the challenges the department faces but urge the focus to shift towards helping individuals like me who diligently adhere to reporting job-hunting activities and earnings as per guidelines. Thank you for addressing this matter diligently.

I submitted a claim in June [redacted]. After about three weeks, I received a letter stating there were no records of my employment, and I needed to certify to receive $0 per week. I called the after-hours number multiple times before reaching someone who said they would call me back within three business days. Three weeks passed with no communication. Frustrated, I continued calling without success. In September, I attempted again with no luck. Upon reviewing my paperwork, I discovered my claim was filed under the wrong social security number. I tried to correct it online but couldn't find how. Others had similar issues. Today, I am still trying to reach someone to reopen my account and update my social security number to receive my benefits correctly.

Good evening, my name is Eric Johann. I recently started receiving my unemployment benefits. In March, the first week was fine with my debit card. Starting from the second week, I faced issues where my purchases got declined. Bank of America fixed it initially, but two days ago, they mentioned a card error on their app and over the phone, advising me to contact EDD, my sponsor. The money I rely on is on this card, and due to ongoing work at my apartment, I had to sleep in my vehicle without any funds for a hotel. I have already been verified by ID me, so I don't understand why Bank of America disabled my card. My birthdate is 02/29/80, and I'm eager to have this matter resolved promptly. Although I can't connect with the call center, I'm hoping for a quick solution. Thank you.

Since March [redacted], I have been unemployed due to COVID-19, working at a special events venue selling event spaces. Events in California are just starting to resume. I was on the FED-ED extension until March 15, [redacted], the last date I received payment. After certifying my weeks, I realized I needed to file a new claim as my year was up, which I did on March 29. I received the File Claim Letter and Award Letter on April 5. However, as of April 21, everything still shows as pending on the website. This delay worries me as I may not be able to pay my rent on May 1, having depleted my savings over the past year without any other access to funds for essential bills. Despite the challenges the EDD staff faces, I am anxious about the pending claims not being processed. I have been attempting to follow the correct procedures but have not made any progress. I appreciate any guidance you can provide. Thank you for your assistance. Michael K.

I submitted a new claim in February [redacted], completed the verification process with I'd.me, and now I'm stuck. I have been unable to reach anyone over the phone, despite multiple attempts. I have also sent numerous emails through California's online portal and reached out to a California Assemblyman for assistance. However, I have not received any updates or explanations for the delays. Last year, I faced a similar situation where my benefits were suddenly stopped for four months without any reasons provided, leading to financial hardship that forced me out of my home to live with family. It's been two months since I last received any benefits, and I feel like the EDD might be repeating the same issue. I have exhausted all avenues for help, dedicating countless hours to no avail. If there's any further step I can take, I am willing to do so. I am sincerely seeking assistance and would appreciate any help available. Thank you. Best regards, Cathy F.

I have exhausted my regular unemployment claim and attempted to activate my federal extension by calling 1-[redacted] without success. Each time I call, I receive a message stating that my call cannot be completed at this time. I have also tried to activate the extension online at edd.ca.gov/ui/online multiple times, providing all required information, but have not received any response. Repeatedly visiting the website and reattempting has yielded no results. Additionally, my calls to 1-[redacted] have been met with the same uncompleted call message. I am in need of assistance to activate my federal extension promptly.

In early September of last year, I filed a PUA claim. I was informed that no new claims were being accepted at that time due to a significant backlog, and the EDD would contact me once they caught up. Unfortunately, that never happened. Despite numerous attempts to reach them by phone, I received no response. This year, when I tried to reopen my PUA claim, I was told there was already an open claim but needed my account number to access it. I never received a number or any communication from the EDD. I've lost 14 months' worth of benefits because of the inability to get through for assistance. I've even reported the issue to the fraud department and provided updates with no reply. It's frustrating, and I feel neglected in this process. I hope this message reaches someone who can assist me. Thank you in advance.

I believe my benefit claim year has ended, and I need to file a new claim. However, I am encountering issues with the id.me verification process on my iPhone 11. I have uploaded my identification, but I am stuck at the stage where I need to upload a selfie, and I am unsure of where to upload it on the id.me website. My plan is to contact a representative to explain that I am not eligible for a new claim due to being unemployed for the entire year. Once the representative understands my situation, they should be able to expedite the new claim process and continue my FED ex extension since there are funds in that account. Unfortunately, I have been unable to reach a representative. I suggest having the programmers expedite cases like mine. Thank you, Breck H. Auten.

Hello, my unemployment payments have been pending for the last three cycles. I am on regular unemployment, with my program type listed as Extension Tier 2 (Augmentation). I recently received a notice in my inbox dated April 10, [redacted], regarding the additional 29 weeks of unemployment benefits added to the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) extension. According to the notice, the fastest way to certify for benefits and check on claim status is through UI Online. However, I cannot file a new claim online as I lack any form of identification currently. Unable to get through on the phone, I am seeking assistance. My name is Maile A. Sumandal, can be reached at [redacted] or texted at [redacted], and my email is [redacted] I appreciate any help. Thank you.

On 05/03/[redacted], I sent money via Western Union to two different family members I owed money to. Later the same day, I tried to send money to my daughter since I'm currently in Nevada for my sister's services after her passing. Unfortunately, the transaction failed, prompting me to realize I might have input the wrong CVC due to the card numbers fading. I suspect my card may have been locked due to this suspicious activity. The transfer to my daughter was crucial to pay my rent on time while I'm away, and I urgently need to resolve this issue to avoid any late fees.

I applied for regular unemployment in March [redacted] when I was furloughed due to COVID-19. Initially, I received $[redacted] weekly benefits, and when they ended, I transitioned to PEUC. Upon the expiration of my benefit year, I filed a new claim, completed the ID verification, and was granted an additional 11 weeks. I managed to certify for five weeks after finally speaking to an EDD representative. However, my claim balance depleted, and my UI online account now states "NOT PAID" for five weeks. Facing eviction with my three-month-old puppy in Desert Hot Springs with scorching temperatures of [redacted]°F, we have nowhere to go. It's too unbearable to live in the car. Despite my efforts since March, I haven't been able to get through to a live person at EDD to resolve this issue. A tragic incident with a coworker adds to my urgency. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

It seems that a fraudulent claim has been opened in my name, and payments have been made by your company on it. I have reported this fraud twice since March. Somehow, someone used my ID for California, which I can't verify as I live in Georgia. This has caused an issue where benefits are being paid out using this fraudulent ID. I need the case to be closed, and my ID unlinked from Georgia so I can use it correctly. I urge you to investigate these fraudulent claims seriously rather than just assigning a case number and not taking action. I have been without my unemployment benefits for seven weeks due to this fraudulent activity. I had already reported identity theft before this incident. It is crucial that we find a resolution to this matter promptly.

In October [redacted], I was disqualified due to identity verification issues. Despite submitting all required documents on 10/01/20 and confirming with EDD multiple times, my disqualification remained. After completing the ID verification with IDMe and having EDD verify my identity successfully, my status still shows disqualified due to an undisclosed issue. I have been awarded additional weeks, and my claim balance is over $10,[redacted].

I recently experienced issues with my EDD account. After being locked out for two attempts, I waited for a "forgot password" reset link in my email, only to find the link expired when I clicked on it later. Repeated attempts to reset the password resulted in further lockouts. Due to these problems, I cannot recertify my identity to access benefits programs, causing me to miss out on a whole year of benefits. Despite opening claims in March [redacted] and April [redacted], I have had limited success in receiving payments. I am now seeking assistance from the EDD in California to resolve these issues and gain access to my UI online account.

I am experiencing trouble with my online EDD account after my benefits were stolen. Bank of America has cleared me of any wrongdoing and issued a credit. Now I am waiting for EDD to unlock my account. I believe someone tried to change my password and email, so I don't know which phone number or email is associated with my account. I need EDD to reset my account with new contact information so I can certify for benefits. It has been nearly a year since I received any support, and I am eager to resolve this. My name is Michael Peterson, and I live at [redacted] South Spring Street Apartment [redacted], Los Angeles, California [redacted]. Please update my address. I am also requesting paper copies to certify for benefits, as I am struggling financially and really need assistance. Thank you for your help.

I have faced issues with fraudulent activity on my online account. Despite reporting it to Bank of America and filing claims, I am currently waiting for EDD to unlock my account after sending identity verification documents. I previously faxed these documents to EDD at [redacted] on 1/12/[redacted]. My details are as follows: last four of my social are to [redacted], and my date of birth is 1/9/[redacted]. I can be contacted at my new address, [redacted] South Spring Street Apartment [redacted], Los Angeles, California [redacted]. Please assist me in resolving this matter as I am unsure of the next steps to take.

During the COVID-19 pandemic from April to July [redacted], my employer placed me on unpaid leave and suggested I apply for unemployment benefits. In September [redacted], I was informed of my termination due to workforce reduction. Initially, my unemployment claim was valid from April [redacted] to April [redacted]. Later, I received an extension offer of 28 to 29 weeks. Since my benefit year ended, I filed a new claim. Both an invalid claim notification and a claim award amount were sent to me. Presently, my account status remains pending after certifying three times. Feeling perplexed, I took steps to address this by sending an appeal and detailed documentation by mail to the Buena Park and San Bernardino offices. Despite multiple attempts, I have been unable to reach them by phone. I am seeking assistance to resolve this matter promptly.

I had applied for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) due to being on disability from contracting Covid-19 in early March [redacted]. I later realized that I may not have met the disability criteria but should have been eligible for PEUC since my doctor advised me to resign from my job as a high-risk individual without access to a vaccine at that time. Despite learning that I cannot receive State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Unemployment Insurance (UI) simultaneously, I had followed the advice given to me during a call to the Pandemic UI hotline where I was instructed to apply for PEUC. I was then put on reduced benefits with no further guidance, leading to confusion about my case handling by the EDD. Following a phone interview and a lengthy appeal process, the judge's decision contradicted what she verbally agreed upon in my case. Despite my efforts to seek employment post-vaccination, the challenging circumstances of the lockdown and being high-risk have impacted my job search prospects. I am urgently in need of financial support and assistance in expediting the processing of my new claim. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Since the beginning of April, I have been attempting to transfer my extension as I no longer work for Fresno Unified but for Pardini's. Due to our business being closed, I have not received payments for both April and May. Despite speaking to several representatives and specialists claiming to have fixed the issue, I continue facing the same problem. I have reached out to my county representative but to no avail. I am actively seeking employment and awaiting the reopening of my other job. I need assistance to pay my bills promptly. The automated responses from the EDD keep suggesting I file a new claim, which the specialists assure me is unnecessary. This issue has persisted since April.