Congratulations on the new job, Maya! 🎉 I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - you definitely just report it through your regular Sunday certification, no special forms or immediate notifications needed. One thing I wish someone had told me is to keep a simple log of your work schedule for the first month or so. I used a basic notes app on my phone to track which days I worked and for how many hours. This was super helpful not just for certification, but also for getting used to my new routine and making sure I didn't accidentally miss reporting any work days. Also, don't be surprised if the EDD system seems to "lag" a bit behind your actual work status. Even after I was earning well above my weekly benefit amount, my claim stayed technically active for several certification periods before they officially closed it. This is totally normal - just keep certifying honestly until you get that final closure notice. The whole process really is much simpler than it seems when you're overthinking it (which I definitely did!). You're asking all the right questions and clearly want to do everything properly, which is exactly the right approach. Best of luck with your new position - it sounds like you're going to handle this transition perfectly! 😊

Congratulations on your new job, Maya! 🎉 This is such exciting news after 4 months of searching! Everyone here has given you fantastic advice already, but I wanted to add one quick thing that helped me when I was in your exact situation last year. Since you're starting Thursday, you might want to double-check what time your certification window opens on Sunday. Mine opened at midnight, but I always waited until Sunday morning to make sure I had my thoughts together. Also, when you're reporting your Thursday-Saturday work for this first certification, remember that even orientation or training days count as work days that need to be reported with hours and estimated earnings. The transition can feel overwhelming, but you're clearly approaching it the right way by asking questions and wanting to do everything properly. The fact that you're being proactive about understanding the process shows you're going to handle this perfectly. Just stay honest with your reporting and you'll be all set! Welcome to the employed club - hoping this new position is everything you're looking for! This community is always here if any other questions come up during your transition. Best of luck! 😊

This is such valuable information! I've been on EDD benefits for about 6 weeks now after getting laid off from my accounting position, and I've been encountering these WOTC surveys constantly. Like many others here, I was initially worried about checking "yes" for unemployment benefits, thinking it would signal that I'm desperate or somehow less desirable as a candidate. Reading through all these responses has completely changed my perspective - especially learning that employers can get up to $2,400 in tax credits for hiring someone who's been on unemployment for at least 4 weeks. That actually makes me feel more confident about my job search prospects! I've been meticulously tracking all my applications for my EDD work search requirements (applying to 3+ jobs per week as required), but I never realized these surveys could potentially be working in my favor. Moving forward, I'm definitely going to answer them honestly instead of trying to rush through them. Thanks to everyone who shared their HR insights and personal experiences - it's reassuring to know that these programs are designed to encourage hiring rather than create barriers. This community really helps navigate all the confusing aspects of the job search process while on unemployment benefits!

This thread has been incredibly enlightening! I've been on EDD benefits for about 2 months after being laid off from my HR coordinator position (ironic, I know!), and I've been seeing these WOTC surveys everywhere but had no idea what they were really for. From my HR background, I should have known better, but honestly we never dealt with the WOTC program at my previous company. Reading everyone's explanations about the tax incentives has been eye-opening - I can't believe I've been skipping these surveys thinking they were just invasive data collection! What really strikes me is how this program is actually designed to combat unemployment discrimination rather than create it. The fact that employers get financial incentives to hire people receiving benefits is brilliant policy design. I'm definitely going to start completing these surveys honestly moving forward. For anyone still worried about discrimination - from an HR perspective, most legitimate companies have strict protocols to keep hiring decisions separate from tax credit eligibility information. The legal liability of using this info to discriminate would be huge, so most employers are very careful about maintaining that separation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here. Time to update my job search strategy and start viewing these surveys as a potential advantage!

Just to follow up - I checked with an EDD representative today and they officially recommend against using Cash App, Venmo, or similar payment apps for unemployment direct deposit. They specifically mentioned that these can trigger their fraud detection systems and cause payment delays or holds on your account. Best options in order of reliability: 1) Traditional bank accounts, 2) Credit union accounts, 3) Online banks with FDIC insurance (Chime, Ally, etc.), or 4) EDD Debit Card if none of the above are options.

I had a similar situation last year - couldn't get a traditional bank account due to ChexSystems issues. I ended up going with a local credit union (Navy Federal) and they were super helpful. They have a fresh start program that doesn't require ChexSystems approval. Got approved same day and my EDD payments have been coming through perfectly with no delays. The difference in customer service compared to big banks is night and day too. Definitely recommend the credit union route over trying to make Cash App work - not worth the stress!

I had my RESEA appointment about 5 weeks ago and wanted to share my experience since yours is tomorrow! I was really nervous beforehand too, but it ended up being one of the most helpful conversations I've had during my job search. My counselor was incredibly knowledgeable and spent about 50 minutes with me. We quickly reviewed my job search activities (I kept mine in a simple Google Sheets document with dates, companies, positions, and application methods), but most of our time was focused on strategy improvement. What really impressed me was how she helped me reframe my experience for different types of roles. She pointed out transferable skills I hadn't been highlighting and suggested some job titles I hadn't been searching for that were actually a perfect fit for my background. She also shared some insider knowledge about local employers - which ones were growing, which had high turnover (meaning more opportunities), and even which ones to avoid due to poor company culture. This kind of market intelligence was invaluable. My follow-up assignment was to complete a virtual workshop on professional networking, which actually taught me some techniques I've been using successfully since then. One practical tip: have a glass of water nearby during the call. I got a bit nervous talking and my mouth got dry halfway through! Also, I'd suggest jotting down 2-3 specific challenges you're facing in your search to ask about. You're clearly well-prepared and proactive - exactly what they want to see. Think of it as getting an hour of free career coaching from someone who really knows the local job market. You've got this! Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

I had my RESEA appointment about a month ago and wanted to share my experience to help calm your nerves! I was super anxious beforehand too, but it turned out to be genuinely helpful rather than intimidating. The counselor was really professional and knowledgeable about the local job market. We spent maybe 15 minutes going through my job search records (I had them in a simple spreadsheet organized by date), then the rest of the 45-minute session was focused on improving my search strategy. What really stood out was how she helped me identify some remote opportunities I hadn't considered and gave me specific tips for following up on applications. She also connected me with a virtual job fair happening next month that focuses on my industry. My follow-up assignment was to complete an online workshop about using professional social media effectively, which was actually pretty useful and took about 2 hours to complete. A couple practical tips: definitely test your video connection beforehand, have your job search records easily accessible on your computer, and maybe prepare 1-2 specific questions about challenges you're facing. They really do have great resources and market knowledge to share. You sound like you're already doing everything right with your consistent applications and good record-keeping. Try to think of it as getting free career counseling rather than being evaluated. You've got this! Good luck tomorrow and let us know how it goes.

I just went through this exact situation two months ago and wanted to share what worked for me! I missed 5 weeks of certifications after a temp warehouse job ended in January. I was absolutely terrified I'd lose all that money. Here's my step-by-step process that got me ALL 5 weeks back: 1. Reopened my claim online immediately (processed in 2 days) 2. Called EDD at exactly 8:00 AM on a Wednesday using the 2-1-1 method 3. Got through on my second attempt and spoke with a really helpful rep 4. Explained I was "confused about when to resume my certification schedule after my temporary employment concluded" 5. Had all my documentation ready: temp job dates (Jan 15-Feb 8), specific missed weeks, and proof of continued job searching The rep was super understanding and said temp work transitions are genuinely confusing for claimants. She released all 5 weeks for immediate certification that same day, and I had my payments within a week! What really helped my case was emphasizing that I had properly reported my temp work ending and continued actively job searching during those missed weeks. The rep said this showed "good faith effort" on my part. Your situation sounds nearly identical to mine - you properly reported your temp work, no unreported income during missed weeks, and it's only been 5 weeks. You're in a really strong position! Don't give up - this is absolutely fixable with the right approach and persistence. Pro tip: If you don't get through on your first few calls, keep trying. The phone system can be glitchy but persistence pays off. Good luck!

I've been reading through all these responses and I'm really impressed by how supportive this community is! As someone who's dealt with EDD issues before, I wanted to add one more piece of advice that might help. When you call EDD, try to stay calm and patient even if you're on hold for a long time or if the first rep you speak with isn't helpful. I've found that being polite and understanding goes a long way with these representatives - they deal with frustrated people all day, so a calm, respectful approach can make you stand out in a positive way. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions if something isn't clear. If the rep tells you something that doesn't match what you've read here or elsewhere, politely ask them to clarify or explain the policy. Sometimes there are nuances to individual cases that affect the outcome. Based on everything you've shared and all the success stories in this thread, you're in a really good position to get this resolved. The fact that you properly reported your temp work and have been actively job searching during those missed weeks shows you've been acting in good faith throughout this process. That matters a lot to EDD. Keep us posted on how it goes - I think we'd all love to hear another success story added to this thread!