I'm a construction worker who went through this same process about 6 months ago after being laid off from a bridge repair project. Just wanted to add my voice to all the reassuring responses you've gotten - this questionnaire is absolutely routine for our industry! The key thing that helped me was understanding that EDD sees construction layoffs due to project completion literally every single day. When I called to ask about the timing (I was also confused since I'd been approved and certifying for weeks), the rep told me it's actually more unusual for construction claims NOT to get these questionnaires. Your situation sounds textbook - laid off after 3 years when the project ended, already approved and certifying successfully. That termination letter stating "end of project" is golden. When I filled mine out, I made sure to be really clear about the temporary nature of construction work and that the layoff was purely due to lack of available projects. One small tip: if your questionnaire asks about "availability for work," make sure to emphasize that you're actively seeking new construction projects/positions. Sometimes they want to confirm you're not just waiting for your old job to call you back. The whole thing was way less scary than I built it up to be. Filled it out, sent it back with tracking, and never had another issue. Since you've got legitimate documentation and a clear-cut layoff situation, you're going to be absolutely fine. Construction workers stick together - you've got this!

As someone who's been in the construction industry for over a decade and has dealt with multiple unemployment claims, I can tell you that what you're experiencing is completely normal. These eligibility questionnaires are basically EDD's standard operating procedure for verifying construction layoffs, especially in the first few months of a claim. The timing you mentioned - getting it after 4 weeks of successful certifications - is actually perfect timing from EDD's perspective. They've processed your initial claim, started your benefits, and now they're doing their routine verification to make sure everything matches up between your account and what your employer reported. Here's what I always tell fellow construction workers going through this: 1. Your "end of project" termination letter is exactly what EDD wants to see - keep a copy for your records and include one with the questionnaire 2. Be specific about the project details (name, location, dates) if you have them 3. Make it clear this was a legitimate layoff due to lack of work, not a quit or termination for cause 4. Don't overthink the questions - they're designed to be straightforward Construction project layoffs are one of the most common unemployment scenarios EDD handles. The fact that you worked for the same company for 3 years before being laid off actually strengthens your case - it shows stability and that this wasn't a pattern of job-hopping. Fill it out thoroughly, send it back quickly with tracking, and try not to stress. You've already done the hard part by getting approved. This is just paperwork to confirm what they already know. You've got this!

I just went through this same process a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: 1. Download the official Money Network app (look for the blue/white logo by Money Network Financial, LLC) 2. Create your online account using your card number and the temporary PIN they mailed with the card 3. Go to "Transfer Money" and add your credit union account - you'll need your routing number and account number 4. Start with a small test transfer ($25-50) to make sure everything connects properly 5. Once that goes through (usually 1-2 business days), you can transfer the rest The whole process was surprisingly smooth once I found the right app. I was worried it would be complicated but it's actually pretty straightforward. The Money Network customer service line (number on the back of your card) is also much more helpful than regular EDD phone support if you run into any issues. One heads up - there's a daily transfer limit of $5,000, so if you have more than that you'll need to do it over multiple days. But for most people that shouldn't be an issue. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions about the process.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! The Money Network app method is definitely the way to go - so much easier than I expected. Just make sure when you download the app that you get the official one (Money Network Financial, LLC with the blue/white logo). One thing that saved me a lot of headache: have your credit union routing and account numbers ready before you start the setup process. You can usually find these on a check or by logging into your credit union's online banking. The whole linking process took me about 5 minutes once I had all the info ready. Also, don't panic if the first transfer takes a full 3 business days - that's normal for the initial one. After that, mine usually went through in 1-2 days. I've moved probably $8,000 total over the past few months with zero issues or fees. The peace of mind of having your money in your regular account is totally worth the small hassle of setting it up!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I just joined this community specifically because I'm dealing with the exact same terrifying situation - got my award letter yesterday showing $0 wages even though I worked at a pharmacy for 16 months before getting laid off due to corporate restructuring. I was completely devastated when I opened that letter, thinking I'd somehow ruined my entire claim or wouldn't qualify for any benefits. But reading Emma's success story and everyone else's experiences has given me so much hope! It's both shocking and reassuring to see how common this issue actually is across so many different industries. I completed my ID.me verification about 7 days ago, so based on all the timelines people have shared here, I'm right in that window where I should probably start being proactive about calling EDD. After seeing how much faster direct contact seems to work compared to just waiting for the system to fix itself, I think I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning. The advice about continuing to certify even with a $0 award is crucial - I definitely would have skipped that thinking it was pointless! And all the tips about asking specifically for a tier 2 specialist and being prepared for potential employer reporting errors (wrong SSN digits, name variations, etc.) are incredibly valuable. Thank you to everyone who has shared their stories and kept this thread updated with such helpful information. You've all transformed what felt like an impossible nightmare into something manageable with clear action steps. I'll definitely post an update once I get mine resolved to help keep this amazing resource going for others!

This thread is absolutely amazing! I just got my award letter today showing $0 wages and was having a complete meltdown until I found this discussion. I worked at a grocery store for 18 months before getting laid off last month, and seeing those zeros made me think I'd never get any benefits. Emma's success story is so encouraging - the fact that it was just a simple SSN error that got fixed in one phone call gives me hope! I did my ID.me verification about 4 days ago, so based on everyone's timelines here, I might still be in that window where it could resolve automatically. But honestly, after reading how much faster calling seems to work, I think I'll be proactive and try calling EDD in a couple days if I don't hear anything. The advice about continuing to certify even with a $0 award is gold - I was literally about to skip my certification this week thinking it was pointless! And all the tips about asking for a tier 2 specialist and potential employer reporting errors are so helpful. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences here. This thread has turned what felt like the end of the world into something that actually has hope and clear solutions. I'll definitely update once I get mine resolved!

Just went through the backdating process myself a few months ago! One thing that really helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when they open (8am). The wait times are usually shorter then. Also, when you do get through, be super polite and patient with the rep - they deal with frustrated people all day and being nice can really make a difference in how helpful they are. Good luck with your claim!

I actually just completed my backdating process last month and wanted to share what worked for me! The most important thing is having a clear, honest reason for why you didn't file immediately. In my case, I was dealing with a family emergency and couldn't focus on filing right away. I gathered all my documentation (termination letter, medical records, etc.) and called exactly at 8:01am on a Tuesday - got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was actually really understanding once I explained my situation calmly. The whole process took about 3 weeks from when I made the call to when I saw the backdated payments in my account. Don't get discouraged if it takes a few tries - persistence really does pay off! Also definitely keep certifying for your regular weeks while you wait for the backdated ones to process.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation - it's one of the most confusing and poorly explained aspects of the unemployment system. Unfortunately, what others have confirmed is correct: once your claim balance reaches $0, you've exhausted your benefits regardless of when your benefit year ends. The "benefit year" is essentially just the timeframe during which you can collect your predetermined maximum benefit amount, not a guarantee of benefits for the entire year. Your total benefit amount was calculated when you first filed based on your earnings history, and it's typically designed to last about 26 weeks if you certify every week. Here are some immediate steps that can help: - Apply for CalFresh (SNAP) food assistance right away - the process is much faster now - Contact 211 (just dial 2-1-1) for local assistance programs - Look into your county's General Relief or emergency assistance programs - Check with local food banks - many operate no-questions-asked policies now - Consider gig work (delivery apps, etc.) to bridge the gap while job hunting Even though your balance is $0, continue certifying for benefits. If you pick up any part-time work that doesn't exceed the weekly earning limits, you might still receive small partial payments. The good news is that once you work again and earn enough wages (typically $1,300+ in a calendar quarter), you can file a new claim. I know this feels overwhelming right now, but you're asking the right questions and taking the right steps. You'll get through this!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the confusion around benefit years vs. actual benefit amounts is unfortunately very common and EDD does a terrible job explaining the distinction upfront. What everyone else has said is accurate: your benefit year (ending Sept 2025) is just the window during which you can collect benefits, but your actual benefit amount was predetermined when you filed based on your wage history. Once that's exhausted, you're done until you qualify for a new claim. A few additional resources that might help while you're navigating this: - Many counties have emergency rental assistance programs still available from COVID relief funds - Check if your area has a "Coordinated Entry" system for housing assistance - even if you're not homeless yet, they sometimes have prevention programs - Local churches and community centers often have emergency funds for utilities/rent, regardless of membership - Some credit unions offer small emergency loans with very low interest rates The gig work suggestions are solid - even earning $50-100/week can help tremendously, and every bit counts toward qualifying for a new claim later. Most importantly, don't feel ashamed about needing help right now. The unemployment system is designed poorly and leaves people in exactly your situation through no fault of their own. You're being proactive by asking questions and looking for resources - that's exactly what you should be doing. Hang in there - this is temporary even though it doesn't feel like it right now.