I'm going through this exact same registration nightmare right now! Been stuck for 6 days with that "information doesn't match our records" error and I was honestly starting to think my claim was completely broken. This thread has been such a lifesaver though - the level of detail everyone has shared about specific formatting issues is incredible. Reading @Cole Roush's technical explanation about exact string matching really helped me understand why the system is so unforgiving. I never would have thought about case sensitivity or leading spaces causing problems. And @57258824db9c's apartment number solution has me wondering if that's my issue too since I also live in an apartment complex. I'm going to try the systematic approach tonight: check case sensitivity (maybe try all caps), verify no extra spaces, spell out "Street" instead of "St.", and go through every field character by character against my original paperwork. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become forensic data analysts just to access our own benefits when we're already stressed about unemployment, but this community has turned a nightmare into an actionable troubleshooting guide. If the manual checking doesn't work, I'm definitely trying Claimyr based on all the success stories here. Thanks everyone for sharing these specific solutions - this gives me real hope instead of just endlessly guessing!

This thread is absolutely amazing! I'm currently stuck in the exact same registration hell - been trying for 4 days now with that dreaded "information doesn't match our records" error. Reading through everyone's detailed solutions has been so incredibly helpful, especially the technical insights from @Cole Roush about exact string matching and @57258824db9c's apartment number discovery. I never would have thought to check things like case sensitivity, leading/trailing spaces, or how apartment numbers are formatted in different address fields. It's mind-blowing that such tiny formatting differences can completely block access to benefits when we're already stressed about unemployment. I'm definitely going to try the systematic approach everyone's outlined: check all caps vs regular case, spell out "Street" instead of "St.", verify apartment number placement, make sure middle name vs initial matches exactly, and go through every single field character by character. If that doesn't work, Claimyr seems like the proven solution based on all the success stories here. Thank you everyone for turning this nightmare experience into an actual actionable troubleshooting guide! This community support means everything when dealing with EDD's broken system.

That's great news! I'm so happy the online reopening process worked smoothly for you. Just a heads up - when you do certify next Sunday, make sure you have documentation ready for any weeks where you had contract income, even if it was minimal. EDD sometimes asks for proof of earnings during the certification process, especially after reopening a claim. Also, since you mentioned your finances are tight, remember that even if you made some money from freelance work during those 12 weeks, you might still qualify for partial benefits for weeks where your earnings were below your weekly benefit amount. Don't assume you won't get anything just because you had some income! Keep us posted on how the certification goes. Your experience will definitely help others in similar situations!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through almost the exact same situation! I was laid off from my marketing job and had been doing freelance social media work on and off. The reopening process can feel overwhelming but you're definitely on the right track. One thing I learned the hard way - when they ask about work search activities during the reopening questions, make sure you count ANY legitimate job-seeking efforts, including updating your LinkedIn, reaching out to former colleagues, or even researching potential clients for your freelance work. I initially thought it only meant formal job applications and almost got dinged for "insufficient work search." Also, once you start certifying again, be prepared that they might ask for additional documentation about your self-employment. I had to provide bank statements showing my freelance payments and a brief explanation of my work situation. Having everything organized beforehand made the process much smoother. The good news is that California is generally pretty understanding about mixed employment situations like ours where you're doing contract work while looking for full-time employment. Just be honest and thorough in all your responses!

To sum everything up for clarity: 1. Unemployment (UI) and Disability (SDI) come from separate funding sources 2. UI is employer-funded, SDI is employee-funded through payroll deductions 3. You cannot collect both simultaneously 4. UI requires you to be able and available for full-time work 5. SDI requires a medical certification that you cannot work 6. Benefit calculations are different for each program 7. Both have separate one-week waiting periods If your condition worsens, you would stop certifying for UI and apply for SDI with your doctor's certification.

Just wanted to add one more important point that might help you - if you do end up needing to switch from UI to SDI, make sure to stop certifying for unemployment benefits immediately once your doctor says you can't work. I've seen people get into trouble because they continued certifying for UI while unable to work, which EDD considers fraud. The key is being honest about your work capacity on each certification. Also, keep all your medical documentation - you'll need it for the SDI application and it helps if there's ever a question about the timeline of when you became unable to work.

I just successfully got my claim backdated 7 weeks after being in your exact situation! Lost my job at a small family restaurant in mid-January but didn't file until two weeks ago because I was absolutely convinced I'd find something quickly in the food service industry. The process was frustrating but totally worth it - I ended up getting about $3,800 in back benefits that saved me from eviction. Here's what worked: I called 1-800-300-5616 every single morning at exactly 8:00 AM for 5 straight days. Finally connected on day 5 after roughly 75 attempts total. The key was being completely honest with the rep - I explained that I genuinely didn't understand how critical it was to file immediately and had been actively job searching thinking something would come through soon. She was surprisingly understanding and said this situation happens all the time, especially in the restaurant industry where people often expect to bounce back quickly. She submitted my backdate request during that same call and I got approved in exactly 10 days. When you call, have your last day of work written down, your final paycheck date, and any job search activities you can remember (even informal ones help). Don't let those busy signals discourage you - I almost gave up on day 4 but I'm so glad I kept going. Your situation is totally valid and commonly accepted. Start calling tomorrow at 8 AM sharp and keep at it!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Lost my job at a local deli in late January but just filed last week because I kept thinking I'd land something quickly. Reading through everyone's success stories here has given me so much hope - it's incredible to see how many people have actually gotten their claims backdated despite all the horror stories you hear online. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to start calling 1-800-300-5616 tomorrow morning at exactly 8:00 AM and keep at it until I get through. My situation sounds identical to so many others - I genuinely had no idea how important it was to file immediately and was actively job searching, convinced I'd find work within a few weeks. For those who've been successful, did you find that mentioning specific places you applied to helped your case, or was it enough to just say you were actively job searching? I have some email confirmations and applications saved but they're not super organized. Also, has anyone had luck getting through later in the day, or is the 8 AM strategy really the most effective? The thought of potentially getting 6+ weeks of back benefits would be absolutely life-changing for my rent situation right now. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread is giving me the motivation to push through what I know will be a marathon of calling!

Hey Emma! Just wanted to chime in since I went through this exact same confusion when I first applied. The waiting period is definitely one of those things they should explain better upfront! One tip that helped me - when you certify this Sunday, double-check that you're answering all the questions correctly, especially about availability for work and any job search activities. Sometimes people accidentally trigger issues that can delay payments. Also, if you haven't already, make sure your direct deposit info is set up correctly in your UI Online account - that'll help ensure your payments come through smoothly once they start processing. The good news is that after this initial confusion, the process becomes pretty routine!

Yes, you absolutely need to meet all eligibility requirements during the waiting period week, including being available for work and conducting job search activities if required. The waiting period isn't a "free pass" week - you still have to be actively seeking employment and meet all the same criteria as any other week you're claiming benefits. The only difference is you don't get paid for that first week. California typically requires 3 job search activities per week (though this can vary), so make sure you're documenting your applications, interviews, or other qualifying activities. When you certify, you'll be asked about your job search efforts for both weeks, including that waiting period week.