I'm also filing my first UI claim and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was stressed about this exact same question - whether to include sick leave in my wage calculations. After reading everyone's responses, it's clear that the rule is: include ALL compensation from your W-2, including sick leave that you actually USED during employment (like your 2-hour example). The key distinction everyone mentions about "used during employment" vs "paid out at termination" finally makes sense to me. I was overthinking it too, but it sounds like EDD wants the complete picture of your earnings. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it really helps to hear from people who've actually been through this process successfully!

I'm also filing my first UI claim and was so confused about this exact same thing! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring. It sounds like the consensus is crystal clear: include ALL compensation from your W-2, including any sick leave that you actually USED during employment. In your example, definitely report wages based on the full 40 hours (38 regular + 2 sick leave). The key distinction that everyone keeps emphasizing - "used during employment" vs "paid out at termination" - really helped me understand what counts. I was also overthinking this whole process, but seeing so many people successfully navigate it using this approach gives me confidence. Thanks to everyone for sharing their actual experiences rather than just guessing - this community support makes dealing with EDD so much less stressful for us first-timers!

As someone who just went through this process last month, I can tell you that the waiting is absolutely the worst part! I had my phone interview on February 12th and didn't get my determination until March 5th - so about 3 weeks total. What helped me stay sane was setting up a daily routine of checking my UI Online account at the same time each morning (around 9am) so I wasn't obsessively refreshing all day. The determination letter showed up in my inbox on a Wednesday morning with no warning, and my payments switched to paid that same afternoon. Hang in there - the system is slow but it does eventually work!

I just want to add that while you're waiting for your determination, it's also worth double-checking that all your documents were properly submitted during the interview process. Sometimes delays happen because they're waiting for additional verification or clarification on something that was discussed. If you took any notes during your phone interview about what documents they might need or any follow-up actions, now would be a good time to review those. Also, make sure your mailing address is current in your profile - I've heard of people missing important notices because their address wasn't updated after a recent move. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking, but based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like most people do get their decisions within that 2-3 week window.

If you're looking for your EDD Customer Account Number (ECN), here are a few reliable methods: 1. **Check your mail** - EDD typically sends your account number within 10 business days of enrollment 2. **Log into your EDD account** - If you can access UI Online, your account number should be visible in your profile or account settings 3. **Use Ask EDD** - Go to the Ask EDD portal, select "Unemployment Insurance Benefits" → "UI Online" → "EDD Customer Account Number" 4. **Call EDD directly** - Though wait times can be long, they can provide your account number over the phone If you're having trouble accessing your online account or haven't received anything in the mail after 2 weeks, calling EDD would be your best option. Make sure to have your SSN and other identifying information ready when you call. Good luck getting this sorted out!

I was in the same boat a few months ago - couldn't find my ECN anywhere! What worked for me was calling the EDD number early in the morning (around 8:02 AM right when they open) to avoid the crazy wait times. They were able to give me my account number right over the phone after verifying my identity with SSN and date of birth. One tip that helped me get through faster: when you call the main number, press 1 for English, then 2 for existing claims, then 1 again. Sometimes this bypasses some of the longer automated menus. Also, if you do end up waiting for the mail, make sure to check that your address is correct in your application - I had a friend who was waiting weeks only to find out there was a typo in his street address! Hope this helps and you get your ECN sorted out quickly!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I'm currently going through something very similar! I was laid off from my warehouse supervisor position in February after 8 years, and I've been encountering the exact same "not accepting applications" responses everywhere I go. Reading through this entire thread has been so incredibly reassuring - I had no idea that documenting these "not hiring" conversations was not only acceptable but actually what EDD expects to see. I was getting really anxious thinking I wasn't meeting the work search requirements properly. What's really helped me after reading everyone's advice is changing my mindset about these visits. Instead of seeing them as rejections, I now view them as market research opportunities. I've started asking questions like "What's your typical hiring timeline?" and "Do you expect staffing needs to change this year?" These conversations often provide valuable insights that strengthen my documentation. Your mother-in-law sounds like she's handling this perfectly! The fact that she's received consistent payments for 6 weeks with no issues is proof that EDD recognizes genuine effort even in this tough market. Her 17 years of manufacturing experience is exactly the kind of stability employers will value once hiring picks back up. This community has been such a lifeline for understanding that we're not alone in dealing with these challenging conditions. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed and encouraging advice!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I'm going through something very similar right now! I was laid off from my customer service role at a shipping company in January after 10 years, and I've been running into the exact same "not accepting applications" situation everywhere I go. Reading through this entire thread has been such a relief - I had no idea that documenting these "not hiring" conversations was actually what EDD expects and wants to see! I was starting to worry that I wasn't meeting the work search requirements properly since so many places keep telling me they're not processing applications right now. What's really helped me after reading everyone's advice is preparing a simple list of follow-up questions to ask when businesses say they're not hiring. Things like "When do you typically do your seasonal hiring?" or "What positions do you usually have available?" have turned those brief "no" responses into much more meaningful conversations that give me solid documentation material. Your mother-in-law is absolutely doing everything right! The fact that she's had consistent payments for 6 weeks with no flags or delays proves that EDD recognizes genuine effort even when the job market isn't cooperating. Her 17 years of manufacturing experience shows exactly the kind of reliability and work ethic that employers will value once hiring conditions improve. This community has been incredible for learning that so many of us are dealing with these same challenges. It's reassuring to know that sustained effort and detailed documentation matter more than immediate results. Keep encouraging her - she's handling this perfectly!

This thread has been a lifesaver for me! I'm dealing with this exact same SSN validation issue right now and was starting to panic that I'd never get my claim filed. I've been getting the "invalid SSN" error for over a week and like everyone else here, I kept thinking I must be doing something wrong even though I've had the same SSN my whole life. Reading through all these experiences really shows this is a widespread problem with EDD's database having incorrect or mismatched information. It's so reassuring to see that @Ava Kim and others got it resolved once they reached a live representative - gives me hope that there's actually a solution! I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service that @Aria Park recommended. At this point I'm willing to pay anything to avoid spending more weeks trying to get through on my own. The systematic approach @Javier Morales suggested about having the rep verify ALL personal information also sounds really smart. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and solutions. It makes such a difference knowing you're not alone when dealing with these frustrating EDD system glitches!

This thread is absolutely incredible and should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with EDD SSN validation issues! I'm going through this exact nightmare right now - been getting the "invalid SSN" error for 10 days straight and was convinced I was somehow entering my own Social Security number wrong (which is honestly insane when you think about it). What really strikes me about reading through everyone's experiences is how these errors seem to follow the same pattern every time - people spend weeks thinking they're doing something wrong, when it's actually just data entry mistakes or system glitches on EDD's end. The fact that @Ava Kim's issue was a single digit typo in her birthdate and @Paolo Rizzo's was an outdated address really shows how these validation systems can fail for the most random reasons. I'm definitely going to try Claimyr tomorrow based on all the recommendations here. The systematic approach @Javier Morales suggested about having the rep verify ALL personal information is brilliant too - I never would have thought to be that thorough but it makes perfect sense. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and solutions, especially those who came back to update with their resolutions. This community support makes navigating EDD's broken systems so much less isolating and stressful!