New member here and experiencing this exact same nightmare! Just got my CalJOBS letter yesterday and the pre-generated password is completely broken - tried it dozens of times with no luck. I was really panicking thinking I'd mess up my unemployment claim somehow. This thread has been such a lifesaver! Reading everyone's experiences makes it clear this is a massive technical issue on EDD's end, not something we're doing wrong. The fact that so many people have successfully created their own accounts without any EDD issues is incredibly reassuring. I'm going to follow the advice here and create my own CalJOBS account today using the exact same personal info from my EDD paperwork. My certification isn't due for 6 days so I have time to get work searches documented. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've saved me so much stress! This community is amazing for navigating these bureaucratic headaches.

New member here and dealing with this exact same frustrating issue! Just received my CalJOBS letter 2 days ago and the pre-generated password they included is completely useless - keeps giving me "invalid credentials" no matter how many times I try it. I've double and triple-checked that I'm entering everything exactly as written, but it just won't work. This thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was genuinely worried that creating my own account instead of using their pre-generated one would somehow flag my claim or cause issues with my benefits. Reading everyone's experiences makes it clear this is a widespread technical problem on EDD's end, not something we're doing wrong. Based on all the great advice shared here, I'm going to stop wasting time trying to fix their broken system and just create my own CalJOBS account today. I'll make sure to use the exact same personal information and name spelling that's on my EDD paperwork so their systems can properly match everything up. My certification is due in 4 days, so I have enough time to get the account set up and start logging work search activities. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this community is amazing for helping navigate these bureaucratic nightmares! It's such a relief to know there's a straightforward solution to this common technical glitch.

I went through something very similar about two years ago with a chronic pain condition that made my warehouse job impossible during bad days. The whole process was honestly pretty stressful, but I did eventually get approved for UI benefits. A few things that really helped my case: First, I made sure to exhaust ALL accommodation options with my employer before making any moves. Even though some of their suggestions were unrealistic, having documentation that I tried everything they offered was crucial for EDD. Second, when I finally did have to leave, I was super careful about the language I used. Instead of saying I "quit," I framed it as the job becoming medically incompatible and my employer being unable to provide necessary accommodations. The EDD rep I spoke with said this distinction actually matters a lot in how they evaluate claims. The phone interview was nerve-wracking but having all my medical documentation and accommodation request emails organized beforehand made it go much smoother. They asked really specific questions about what accommodations I'd requested and why my employer's responses weren't sufficient. One last tip - when you're looking for new work while on UI (which you have to do), focus your search on positions that would work with your condition. EDD wants to see you're genuinely available for work, just not work that would harm your health. Good luck with everything! The system definitely isn't perfect but there are protections there if you document everything properly.

I'm actually dealing with a somewhat similar situation with a chronic autoimmune condition that causes unpredictable fatigue and joint pain. My employer has been "exploring options" for months but nothing concrete has materialized. One thing I learned from speaking with an employment attorney (many offer free consultations) is that you should document not just your accommodation requests, but also any instances where your condition has already impacted your work performance. This helps establish that the job truly is incompatible with your medical needs. Also, regarding your doctor situation - I had the same issue initially. What helped was explaining to my new doctor that I needed documentation specifically for potential unemployment benefits, not just general medical records. I brought a list of my job duties and explained exactly which tasks became impossible during flare-ups. This seemed to help them understand what kind of specific language would be most helpful. Another suggestion - consider reaching out to your local Independent Living Center or disability rights organization. They often have advocates who understand both the medical and employment sides of these situations and can help you strategize the best approach. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part. Hang in there, and definitely keep us posted on how your appointment with the new doctor goes!

Hey Keisha! I just went through a CA/NC interstate claim 3 months ago and wanted to share some specifics that might help. First, North Carolina WILL be the paying state since that's where your wages were earned - ignore the conflicting info above. Your benefits will be based on NC's benefit calculation (unfortunately the lower $450 max), but you'll file and certify through California's UI Online system. Here's what actually happened with my claim: After filing with EDD, it took exactly 8 days for them to transfer my info to NC DES. North Carolina then took 12 days to approve and calculate my benefits. The phone interview mentioned above is real - they called me on a Tuesday at 2pm without advance notice, so definitely keep your phone close! One NC-specific thing: they require your EXACT job title and a detailed reason for separation. "Laid off" isn't enough - they want specifics like "workforce reduction due to company restructuring" or similar. Also, NC is stricter about work search requirements (3 per week vs CA's typical waiver), so be prepared for that. The good news: once approved, my first payment came within 5 days, and all subsequent payments were on time. Total process was about 3.5 weeks from initial filing to first payment. Way better than some of the horror stories here! You've got this - just stay organized and patient with the process.

Hey Keisha! I'm going through a very similar situation right now - laid off from a remote job based in another state while living in California. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like your experience will largely depend on how well the systems between CA and NC communicate with each other. A few things I've learned that might help: First, gather ALL your employment documentation NOW - don't wait for them to ask. I'm talking about your offer letter, any employment contracts, pay stubs from every quarter you worked, and your termination/layoff notice. Having everything ready upfront can prevent delays when the states need to verify your information. Second, document every interaction you have with both EDD and NC DES. Write down dates, times, names of representatives you spoke with, and what they told you. I've found that different reps sometimes give conflicting information, so having a paper trail helps you stay consistent. Also, since you mentioned your rent is due in 3 weeks - look into your local emergency rental assistance programs just in case there are delays. Many cities in California have programs that can help while you're waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in. It's better to have a backup plan than to stress about timing. The Interstate Connection portal that Javier mentioned is definitely worth checking out. It at least gives you some visibility into where your claim stands in the process instead of being completely in the dark. Hang in there - it sounds scary but most people do eventually get their benefits sorted out!

awesome! glad u got it fixed. wish theyd update their system to not ask for info from like 5 years ago lol

Glad to hear you got it resolved! Your experience is really helpful for others dealing with the same issue. It's frustrating that EDD's system still prompts for outdated verification info from the old BofA system, but at least their phone reps have the ability to work around it. 45 minutes is actually pretty reasonable for EDD wait times - you got lucky calling right at 8 AM! Thanks for updating us on how it went.

I'm going through something very similar right now and wanted to add a few things that have helped me navigate this mess. First, if you're still within your appeal window, definitely pursue it - but also consider reaching out to your local legal aid society or workforce development office. Many have advocates who specialize in EDD appeals and can help you frame your case properly at no cost. Also, while you're waiting for the appeal process, look into your local church or community organizations. I know it sounds random, but several in my area have emergency childcare funds or know of family daycare providers who offer sliding scale rates that aren't listed anywhere online. Sometimes these informal networks are lifesavers. One more practical tip - if you do get called for any job interviews during this process, ask potential employers upfront about their family-friendly policies. Some companies have on-site childcare, backup care partnerships, or flexible scheduling that could solve your work-childcare dilemma entirely. I've found that being honest about my situation during interviews actually helped me find employers who value work-life balance. Hang in there - this system is frustrating but you're clearly a thoughtful parent making the best decisions for your family with the resources available. That has to count for something!

I'm a single mom who successfully appealed an EDD denial for childcare reasons about 18 months ago, and I wanted to share some specific things that made the difference in my case. The appeal hearing judge told me afterwards what really convinced them: 1. I had created a spreadsheet showing my actual take-home pay after taxes/deductions versus childcare costs, broken down by week. This made it crystal clear that I would have been paying $200+ per week just to work. 2. I included a timeline showing when I first realized the childcare issue, what steps I took each week to try to solve it, and when I finally gave notice. This proved it wasn't an impulsive decision. 3. Most importantly - I had documentation showing I asked my employer for accommodations (flexible schedule, remote work options) and was denied. Even though you mentioned you might not have kept that email, check your sent folder or ask HR for a copy of any requests you made. The whole appeal process took about 6 weeks from filing to decision, and I was approved retroactively from my original application date. During that time, CalWORKs emergency assistance helped bridge the gap - definitely apply for that ASAP. You're not alone in this struggle, and your situation sounds very similar to mine. The system is definitely not parent-friendly, but appeals DO work when you have the right documentation. Don't give up!