Just want to add one more important point that might help others - if you're in that gray area where you're not sure if you're truly "disabled" enough for SDI, err on the side of caution and don't certify for UI. I made the mistake of thinking my condition wasn't "serious enough" for SDI and kept certifying for UI while my claim was pending. Turns out my doctor's note was sufficient for SDI approval, but I ended up with a $1,800 overpayment because I certified for UI during weeks I was technically disabled. The stress of dealing with that overpayment was worse than just waiting for the SDI decision in the first place. Better to be safe than sorry!

I went through something similar last year and learned the hard way that timing is everything with these claims. The key thing to understand is that your SDI claim has an "onset date" - the date your doctor says you became unable to work. From that date forward, you legally cannot certify for UI because you'd be stating you're "able and available" for work when medically you're not. I made the mistake of continuing to certify for UI "just until my SDI got approved" and ended up with a mess to clean up later. Even though it seems logical to keep getting UI payments while waiting, the system sees it as you claiming two conflicting things - that you can work (UI) and can't work (SDI) for the same time period. My advice: stop certifying for UI immediately if your disability onset date has passed. Yes, waiting for SDI approval while bills pile up is stressful, but dealing with overpayment demands later is way worse. SDI will pay you retroactively once approved, so you won't lose those benefits - you'll just get them as a lump sum instead of weekly payments. If you've already certified for weeks that overlap with your disability period, call EDD ASAP to report it. They're usually more lenient about fixing honest mistakes than discovering fraudulent claims later.

Great question and glad to see you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add one more tip for anyone else in this situation - when you're starting a new part-time job while on UI, it's really helpful to let your new employer know you're on unemployment benefits. Most employers understand this situation and some will even help by giving you a written confirmation of your start date, hours, and pay rate that you can reference when certifying. Also, if your work schedule varies week to week (which is common in retail), keep a simple log of your actual hours worked each day. I learned this the hard way when I couldn't remember if I worked 6 or 8 hours on a particular Tuesday three weeks later! The EDD certification questions are very specific about which days you worked during their certification period (Sunday through Saturday), so having that daily record makes certification much less stressful.

Hey @NebulaNinja! Congrats on starting your new job! I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago when I started a part-time warehouse job while on UI. The advice everyone gave you is spot on - definitely report the work when you performed it, not when you get paid. One thing that helped me a lot was creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything: date worked, hours, estimated earnings, and then later the actual earnings from my paystub. This made certifying so much easier and gave me peace of mind that I was being accurate. Also, don't be surprised if EDD takes a bit longer to process your payments now that you're working - it's totally normal for them to review claims more carefully when work is first reported. Mine was pending for about 4-5 days the first couple times, but then it got back to normal processing speed. You're doing everything right by being honest and reporting accurately!

This thread is exactly what I needed to read today! I'm scheduled for my own EDD phone interview next week and have been so anxious about the whole process. Seeing @Luca Russo successfully reschedule and all the amazing tips everyone shared (especially about checking the interview notice for specific numbers - who knew?!) has really eased my nerves. The advice about documenting everything and being prepared with all your paperwork is spot on too. It's so refreshing to find a community where people actually help each other navigate this confusing system instead of just venting. I'm bookmarking this thread for sure and will definitely pay it forward when I can help someone else. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The stress is absolutely real when you're trying to reschedule last minute. I'm so glad you found the specific number on your interview notice - that's such a game changer that I wish more people knew about. For anyone else reading this, I'd also recommend having your Social Security number, claim confirmation number, and a quiet space ready when you call. The representatives often ask for verification right away and it helps speed up the process. Also, if you do get disconnected (which happened to me twice), don't panic - just call back with the same number. They usually have notes in the system about your previous call attempts. This thread is such a perfect example of how this community can really help people through these stressful EDD situations!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the EDD paper certification process multiple times. The 13-day timeline you experienced is pretty typical - I've had it range anywhere from 10-18 days depending on how busy they are. One thing I learned the hard way: always make copies of your paper certification forms before mailing them! EDD has lost my forms twice over the years, and having copies made it much easier when I had to call and get things sorted out. Also, I started using certified mail with tracking after the first time they "lost" my paperwork - costs a few extra bucks but gives you proof they received it. For anyone still reading this thread who might be dealing with similar issues, another option is faxing your certification forms if you have access to a fax machine. It's faster than regular mail but still slower than online/phone certification. Some UPS stores and libraries offer fax services if you don't have access to one at home. Glad everything worked out for you in the end!

As someone who works in government benefits administration (not EDD but similar state agency), I can confirm that paper processing is always the slowest option across all unemployment systems. The 13-day timeline you experienced is actually quite reasonable - I've seen paper certifications take 3-4 weeks during peak periods. A few additional tips for anyone who might end up in this situation: 1) Always date your paper forms clearly and legibly - unclear dates can cause processing delays, 2) Use black ink only (blue ink sometimes doesn't scan well in their systems), and 3) If you're ever unsure whether your form was received, you can request a "proof of mailing" receipt at the post office for regular mail, or upgrade to certified mail like others mentioned. The good news is that once EDD processes your certification, the payment timeline for checks is pretty consistent at 3-5 business days. Your check should definitely arrive before your next certification period begins.

I'm really glad to see you're getting such great advice here! As someone who went through a similar situation a few years ago, I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me during the EDD process. When you have your eligibility interview, they might ask you something like "Did you consider any other options before quitting?" Be prepared to explain what you tried - like reporting to HR, talking to your manager directly (if you did), or even looking into transfers within the company. The key is showing that quitting was truly your last resort. Also, if you haven't already, try to get a copy of your company's harassment policy from the employee handbook. If they failed to follow their own procedures after you reported the harassment, that can actually strengthen your case for good cause. The emotional toll of dealing with workplace harassment is real, and it sounds like you made the right choice for your health and wellbeing. The unemployment process can feel overwhelming, but you're clearly being thorough and proactive about documenting everything. That preparation will really pay off during your interview. Best of luck - you've got this!

I'm so sorry you had to endure that kind of workplace harassment - it's incredibly brave of you to prioritize your mental health and leave that toxic environment. From what you've described, you absolutely have a valid case for "good cause" unemployment benefits. A few additional tips that might help strengthen your claim: 1. **Medical documentation is key** - When you get that updated doctor's note, ask them to specifically link your health issues (anxiety, insomnia) to the workplace harassment. The more medically detailed, the better. 2. **Prepare for the employer pushback** - Your former employer will likely contest your claim and may try to frame this as a performance issue. Having your detailed documentation will be crucial to counter their narrative. 3. **Be ready for specific questions** - During your eligibility interview, they'll want to know exactly what steps you took before quitting. Walk them through your reports to HR, any conversations with management, and why those efforts failed to resolve the situation. 4. **Save everything** - Keep all your documentation organized and easily accessible. Include emails, text messages, your journal entries with dates, medical records, and any witness information. The process can be lengthy and EDD often denies legitimate claims initially, but don't let that discourage you. Many people win on appeal with proper documentation. You're already doing everything right by being so thorough with your record-keeping. Stay strong - you made the right choice for your health, and you deserve those benefits while you look for a better work environment!