I'm having this EXACT same issue right now! Got the EDD letter with pre-registration info yesterday and naturally, none of it works. The username format they provided just gives me "account doesn't exist" errors no matter how I format it. It's honestly insulting that they keep sending these letters with instructions they know don't work. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like creating a new CalJOBS account from scratch is the only reliable solution. I'm definitely going to try that and then call the CalJOBS technical support at 1-800-758-0398 like Sophia mentioned to get it properly linked to my EDD case. Thanks to everyone for sharing their workarounds - this community is literally more helpful than EDD's official support! It's crazy that we have to figure this stuff out ourselves when it should just work from the start.

This whole CalJOBS pre-registration mess is such a common problem! I went through the exact same thing about 6 weeks ago - got the EDD letter with the username format and password instructions, tried every possible combination, and nothing worked. It's honestly embarrassing that they keep sending out these broken instructions when they clearly know the system doesn't work for most people. What ended up working for me was exactly what others have suggested: create a brand new CalJOBS account from scratch, make sure all your information matches your EDD claim exactly, and then call the CalJOBS technical support line at 1-800-758-0398 to have them manually link it to your EDD case. The tech support folks there are way more competent than anyone I've talked to at EDD - they actually know how their system works! Just make sure you have your EDD customer account number ready when you call. Once you get set up, the system is actually pretty useful for job searching and documenting your work search activities. It's just getting past that initial broken setup that's the nightmare.

I feel ya, OP. The whole system is a mess. I've been trying to get answers about my claim for weeks. It's like they don't want us to understand our own benefits 🙄

I actually went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! From my experience, severance pay typically doesn't affect your PFL benefits because PFL is based on your wages from a specific base period (usually 5-18 months before your claim started). The severance is considered a one-time payment, not ongoing wages. However, you definitely want to report it to EDD when you file your weekly certifications just to be safe. I'd also recommend checking the DE 2515 form (PFL claim form) instructions - they usually have some guidance on what income to report. Hope this helps and good luck navigating the EDD maze! 🤞

Another angle to consider - if you're a homeowner, look into property tax postponement programs. California has a property tax postponement program for people facing financial hardship that can defer your property taxes until you're back on your feet. Also check with your mortgage lender about forbearance options - many still have COVID-era programs available or general hardship forbearance that can pause payments for 3-6 months. If you're a renter, some cities and counties have tenant protection programs that can help negotiate with landlords or provide mediation services if you're behind on rent. I was able to work out a payment plan with my landlord through my city's tenant services office when I was unemployed. The key is being proactive and reaching out before you're too far behind on payments. Most creditors and service providers are more willing to work with you if you contact them early rather than waiting until accounts are already delinquent.

I'm reading through this entire thread as someone who went through a very similar situation about a year ago, and I want to add one more perspective that might be helpful. After exploring many of the excellent resources everyone has mentioned here, I ended up using a combination approach that worked really well. I took a small 401k loan (about $2,000) which didn't affect my EDD benefits at all, then supplemented that with CalFresh, utility assistance through LIHEAP, and a one-time emergency grant from a local nonprofit. The 401k loan gave me immediate cash flow relief while I waited for the assistance programs to process (some took 2-3 weeks), and then I was able to pay the loan back faster once the other aid kicked in and reduced my monthly expenses. What really surprised me was how much help was actually available once I started looking - I ended up getting about $1,800 in various assistance over 3 months, which combined with the loan meant I never had to do a taxable withdrawal from my retirement accounts. The paperwork was a bit overwhelming at first, but I just tackled one application per day and kept a simple spreadsheet tracking what I'd applied for and the status. Emma, if you decide to go this route, I'd be happy to share the specific organizations and programs that helped me in California. Sometimes having a real example of how someone pieced it all together can make the process feel less daunting. Hang in there!

That's a common issue! If you have an existing Money Network card that hasn't expired, EDD automatically loads funds onto that card instead of sending a new one. However, there can be delays or issues with the funds actually appearing on your existing card. Here are a few things to check: 1. Call Bank of America EDD at 1-866-692-9374 to verify the funds were actually sent to your card 2. Check if your card has any holds or restrictions that might be blocking the deposit 3. Sometimes there's a 24-48 hour delay between when EDD says "paid" and when the money actually hits the card 4. Make sure your card hasn't been deactivated for inactivity (even if it hasn't expired) If the funds were sent but aren't showing up after a couple days, Bank of America can usually trace the payment and resolve any issues. They're generally more helpful than trying to reach EDD directly!

I'm in week 2 of waiting for my card and this thread has been a lifesaver! Got approved 8 business days ago and starting to get really anxious, but seeing everyone's consistent timelines helps me realize I'm still in the normal range. Called Bank of America this morning using that number everyone's been sharing (1-866-692-9374) and they confirmed my card was mailed 6 days ago to the correct address. The rep was actually super helpful and said with recent mail delays in my area, it could take up to 12 business days total. For anyone else waiting - definitely call to confirm your address is right! Turns out they had my apartment number slightly wrong (missing a letter) but the rep was able to update it in their system. She said if my card doesn't arrive by day 10, they can send an expedited replacement. The stress is real when bills are piling up, but this community support has kept me sane. Will definitely be setting up direct deposit the second I get this card! 🤞

As someone who just started the EDD process last month, I can confirm it's bi-weekly in California! One thing that really helped me during that nerve-wracking first payment wait was setting up notifications on my bank account so I'd know immediately when the direct deposit hit (once I got my card and set that up). Also, I found it helpful to create a simple spreadsheet tracking my certification dates and payment amounts - it made budgeting so much easier once I could see the pattern. The waiting period for that first payment is definitely stressful, but everyone here is right that it becomes very routine after a few cycles. Pro tip: if you're using a credit union, ask them about small emergency loans for people waiting on unemployment benefits - some offer short-term assistance specifically for this situation. The bi-weekly schedule actually works out well for budgeting once you adjust to it!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who's been navigating EDD for about 8 months now - the bi-weekly schedule really is the standard in California, and while that first payment wait is absolutely nerve-wracking, it does get so much easier! One thing I wish someone had told me early on is to take advantage of the "Contact EDD" feature in UI Online if you have specific questions about your claim - sometimes you can get answers through their messaging system faster than calling. Also, for budgeting purposes, I found it helpful to treat each bi-weekly payment as covering exactly 14 days of expenses, which made it easier to stretch the money between payments. The consistency of the bi-weekly schedule actually becomes a blessing once you're used to it - you always know exactly when your next payment is coming. Hang in there during that initial waiting period, it really does get more predictable!