According to California’s Employment Development Department, more than a million unemployed people who have been locked out of receiving benefits while the state worked to root out fraudulent claims should have received an identity verification link via email by Thursday.
Any remaining claimants who don’t get emailed guidance should receive details through postal mail instead. About 1.4 million people total had their accounts suspended in the “New Year’s Eve freeze.”
Many recipients have been frustrated the agency didnât provide the information earlier, but EDD staggered rollout of the guidance to keep from overloading its already fragile verification platform.
Even if the unemployment agency does meet todayâs deadline, it could still be weeks before payments come through.
From January 6 – January 14, ID verification messages are going out to suspended claimants. Watch your email for further instructions on how to verify your identity. Continue to certify for benefit weeks available while your verification issue is being resolved.
— EDD (@CA_EDD) January 10, 2021
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