CA Unemployment: Has anyone else stopped receiving payments for no reason?

[stopbush]

What is going on with CA EDD?

I certified for benefits today for the past two weeks, and once again the EDD site says no benefits were paid for those two weeks, even though there is almost $6,000 available to me for the weekly benefits. I got the same message when I certified two weeks ago. Note: it doesn't say benefits were denied, it says they weren't paid.

I am now looking at a full month where I have received no unemployment benefits. WTF?

In the meanwhile, I received a letter on Friday from EDD stating that my weekly benefit was being increased from $214 to $450. That $450 is based on my UI benefit from 2018-19. That $450 amount first showed up on the EDD website three weeks ago. But here's the thing: when I certified for benefits this morning, the site said my weekly benefit was back down to $214. Yesterday, it reflected the letter and said my benefit was $450, as it has said on the site for the past month. When I just now checked the site to see if the benefits were approved, the benefit amount was back to $450.

I know there is something going on with we independent contractors and the calculation of benefits, which includes an increase. But I do not understand why I am not receiving benefits. I'm guessing some computer glitch.

I plan to call early tomorrow am (good luck getting thru during their generous 4-hour window to call, from 8am-noon), but in the meanwhile it might be comforting to know I'm not the only one in this position, which sucks. I still have rent and bills to pay. SHEESH!

[RandySF]

1. Same thing happened to my wife.

The check eventually arrived.

[Backseat Driver]

2. Had you been unemployed in the past?

Instead of a continuing weekly claim, some processor/software may have used an old/past claim that did not match something else on your continuing new one, like your employer's name, or approved benefit amount figured on income, so no benefits were paid on your current weekly claim that may have been flagged. The error taken from that past claim period brought forward was caught, and your current claim for the missing week was corrected, though perhaps with what is called a "waiting week." so no check/direct deposit was made because it was processed as a brand new one instead of a continuing weekly in this benefit period - happened to my kid in Ohio where partial covid income protection benefits were approved (She took a 20% SALARY rollback as they sent personnel home to work).
She did eventually get it sorted out, but no word as to when or if that 20% will be restored at a future back to the office date which is still TBA, if ever...Does that make any sense at all???? SMH...

I hope you can get an early spot in the "holding" queue tomorrow morning!

[stopbush]

3. Impossible. I dialed and redialed from 7:45 to 8:30. Each attempt was met by

the message “we are unable to take your call at this time” I think 60+ attempts is enough for one hour. I get it - the line isn’t actually active.

I have sent emails to them thru their system, emails that are supposed to be answered within 5-7 days. Have received no responses. Earliest still-unanswered email was sent on 5/29.

[ailsagirl]

4. Don't even bother trying

You won't get through... I've tried dozens of times-- maybe hundreds-- with no luck.

You're right-- the line is inactive

[stopbush]

5. I got thru today at their alternate number.

For some reason they can't explain, a stop was put on my account. Has nothing to do with my eligibility. It looks like it has to do with the new PUEC benefits. The agent put me on hold and asked around the call center: no one knew what that stop on my account meant. They are bringing it to the higher ups. They'll call me back whenever. The best she could say is within two weeks. The agent also noticed two future days in August and October entered into my account - she never saw that before. She said their system deals with past dates and today, not the future. She was confused by this.

I have a feeling I am just the first canary in a warning about some bad programming, and that many others are also effected.

[ailsagirl]

6. At LEAST you were able to get through

Sounds like they're a bit flummoxed on their end-- good luck.

BTW, did you receive your stimulus check? When I checked on my status, it said it was paid (i.e., sent to my bank) on May 6 but I have not seen it.

[stopbush]

7. Yes. Got it in the second round on Apr 30.

[ailsagirl]

8. Thanks-- guess I'm playing the waiting game