told ya! tuesday morning like clockwork! glad u got paid

Congrats on getting your first payment! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading - if you're ever in a situation where your direct deposit seems delayed, you can also check if there are any holds on your claim by looking at the "Claim Summary" page in UI Online. Sometimes there are eligibility reviews or other issues that can delay payments even after certification is submitted. The system will usually show a message if there's a hold, but it's not always super obvious. Also, some banks (especially smaller credit unions) can take an extra day to process EDD deposits compared to major banks, so factor that in too!

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I've decided to take the layoff with severance since it seems like I should qualify for benefits - the pay cut is definitely substantial enough. I'll make sure to get everything in writing, be completely honest on my application, and properly report the severance payment. I'm feeling a lot better about the decision now. I'll update after I apply to let you know how it goes in case anyone else runs into this situation in the future.

Smart decision Miguel! You're absolutely making the right call - a $5/hour pay cut plus a demotion is definitely unreasonable, and the fact that they're offering severance shows they recognize this is essentially a layoff situation. Just wanted to add one more tip: when you file your claim, consider using the exact language that this was a "substantial reduction in wages and job duties" - those specific terms can help strengthen your case. Also keep copies of all communications about the restructuring and your two options. The job market is definitely competitive right now, so like others mentioned, start networking and applying early. Your experience with this company should still be valuable even with the restructuring. Wishing you the best with both the EDD process and job search!

As a newcomer to both this community and the EDD system, I can't express how helpful this entire discussion has been! I'm currently in my first few weeks of dealing with unemployment benefits and was absolutely terrified about making any mistakes on the forms. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and advice has completely transformed my anxiety into confidence. The unanimous guidance about proper correction technique is so clear now - single line cross-out with initials, never white-out, same pen throughout the form, and keep corrections neat. I especially appreciate hearing from actual EDD processors and government form specialists who confirmed these corrections are processed routinely every day. Knowing that what feels catastrophic to us newcomers is actually standard paperwork really helps put things in perspective! I'm definitely implementing all the practical tips shared here: taking photos before mailing, using certified mail for tracking, including brief explanatory notes on separate paper, and using dark ink for visibility during scanning. These are exactly the kinds of real-world details you don't get from official instructions. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their personal success stories and professional insights. This supportive community approach to helping newcomers navigate the EDD system is invaluable - it's so much more reassuring than trying to decode government websites alone. You've all made what initially seemed like an overwhelming process feel completely manageable!

As a newcomer to this community and the EDD system, I just wanted to add my voice to say how incredibly reassuring this entire thread has been! I'm currently dealing with my first unemployment claim and was absolutely panicking about potentially making any mistakes on these forms. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief - it's amazing to see how what feels like a catastrophic error to newcomers like us is actually just routine paperwork that EDD handles smoothly every single day. The consistent advice about single line cross-outs with initials (and absolutely never using white-out) is crystal clear now. I especially appreciate the professional insights from people who actually work with government forms and EDD processors - knowing that these corrections are processed thousands of times weekly really puts our newcomer anxiety into proper perspective! The practical tips about using the same pen throughout, taking photos before mailing, and using certified mail are going straight into my EDD reference toolkit. What really stands out to me is how supportive this community is. Everyone took time to share detailed personal experiences and professional knowledge to help someone who was clearly stressed about what turned out to be a very manageable situation. As someone brand new to unemployment benefits, having access to this kind of real-world guidance makes navigating the EDD system so much less overwhelming. Thank you all for creating such an invaluable resource for newcomers like me!

I'm sorry to hear about your situation! Getting fired from a job is stressful enough without worrying about unemployment benefits. I went through something similar a few years ago when I worked for a small nonprofit that also didn't pay UI taxes. It's definitely worth applying even if you're not sure you'll qualify - the EDD will review all your work history during the base period. From what others have shared, that holiday retail work you mentioned could be key! Also, don't forget to look into other resources while you're job hunting - food banks, utility assistance programs, and local churches (ironically) often have emergency assistance funds for people in tough spots. Wishing you the best of luck with your application!

Hey Kolton! I went through almost the exact same thing when I got laid off from a religious school in 2021. The church exemption is so frustrating when you're on the receiving end! One thing I learned that might help - even if your regular UI claim gets denied due to the church employment, you can sometimes qualify for federal programs like Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (though that's expired now) or other special assistance programs during economic hardships. Also, while you're waiting to hear back from EDD, definitely check with your local workforce development office. They often have emergency funds or can connect you with temporary work opportunities that pay immediately. Many of them also offer free resume help and job placement services. The waiting period for EDD can be brutal, so having multiple irons in the fire really helps. Keep us posted on how your application goes!

I'm also dealing with a backlog of claim forms that need to be mailed in! This thread has been so helpful - it's reassuring to see so many people have successfully used that same mailing address. I was really stressed about potentially losing those benefit weeks, but reading everyone's experiences with the 4-6 week processing time and backdated payments gives me hope. I'm definitely going to follow all the great advice shared here: certified mail with tracking, cover letter with SSN and week details, copies of everything, and patience during the waiting period. It's also good to know that the online account might show confusing status updates during processing - I'll try not to panic if I see weird information while they're reviewing my forms. Anna, I hope your forms get processed smoothly! Please keep us posted on how it goes. Thanks to everyone else who shared their experiences - this community is such a lifesaver for navigating these EDD challenges. The detailed tips and encouragement really help reduce the anxiety of dealing with this system!

I'm currently in a similar situation and getting ready to mail my claim forms to that same address! Reading through everyone's experiences in this thread has been incredibly valuable - it's amazing how many people have successfully navigated this process. The consistent advice about certified mail, keeping detailed records, and the 4-6 week processing timeline really helps set expectations. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful: I called EDD customer service before mailing my forms and they confirmed that address is still the correct one to use. They also mentioned that including "UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM FORMS" written clearly on the outside of the envelope can help with sorting and potentially speed up processing. Anna, it sounds like you're taking all the right steps! The combination of mailing your backlog while staying current with online certifications when the system is available seems to be the best approach based on everyone's shared experiences. For anyone else in this situation, this community has shown that persistence pays off - the system does work, it just requires patience. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and tips!