Great advice from everyone here! I went through this exact same confusion when I transitioned off unemployment last year. One thing I'll add is to make sure you keep all your pay stubs and work records organized - EDD may ask for documentation later to verify the earnings you reported. Also, if your job has an irregular schedule or varying hours, consider setting up a simple calendar or note system to track exactly which days you worked each week. This becomes super important if you ever need to appeal an overpayment notice or if EDD audits your claim. The "report when you earn it, not when you're paid" rule applies to ALL types of work - freelance, contract, part-time, full-time, etc. Congrats on the new job and best of luck with the transition!

Another thing to keep in mind - if you're transitioning from unemployment to work, make sure to continue certifying for benefits even during weeks when your earnings might disqualify you from receiving a payment. Stopping your certifications entirely can close your claim, and if your hours get reduced later or you lose the job, you'd have to file a whole new claim instead of just resuming your existing one. I learned this the hard way when my "permanent" job turned out to be temporary! Keep that claim active by certifying honestly about your work and earnings, even if you don't receive benefits for those weeks.

Hey everyone, I'm new here but going through something similar! I just started a part-time gig at a local grocery store and was totally panicking about how to handle my first certification. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful - I had no idea about reporting when you EARN vs when you GET PAID. That seems like such an important distinction that EDD should make clearer on their forms! Also really glad someone mentioned the work search requirement because I definitely would have stopped doing job searches thinking "well I have a job now." Sounds like there are so many little details that can trip you up. Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone - this community is a lifesaver for navigating all the EDD confusion!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this whole process multiple times - you're definitely on the right track asking these questions! I made so many mistakes my first time around because I didn't understand the "when earned vs when paid" rule. One thing I learned the hard way is to keep really detailed records of your work schedule and hours, especially when you're just starting a new job and your schedule might be inconsistent. I use a simple notes app on my phone to track my daily hours so when certification time comes around, I don't have to try to remember what I worked two weeks ago. Also, don't stress too much about making small mistakes - EDD is usually pretty understanding if you're genuinely trying to report accurately and you catch any errors quickly. The main thing is being honest and reporting based on when you actually worked, not when the money hits your account. You've got this!

I'm currently going through this exact situation! Won my false statement appeal 11 days ago and just like everyone else here, my UI Online still shows everything as "disqualified" with zero indication that anything is happening behind the scenes. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the BAM unit and the fraud flag removal process that @Oliver Schulz explained. I tried calling the Appeals Division directly at (800) 300-5616 yesterday morning and actually got through to someone knowledgeable! They confirmed my judge's decision was received and is currently in the "penalty removal queue" waiting for supervisor review. The rep estimated another 5-8 business days before I should see my account flip from disqualified to paid. It's frustrating how the UI Online system gives absolutely no indication that this complex multi-step process is happening, but at least now I understand why false statement reversals take so much longer than regular appeals. For anyone else in this situation - that direct Appeals Division line is definitely worth trying since they can actually see where you are in the process unlike regular customer service. Hang in there Miguel and everyone else waiting - sounds like we're all in the normal timeline range and should see movement soon! 🤞

I'm literally in the same boat as you right now! Won my false statement appeal 5 days ago and my UI Online account looks exactly like yours - everything still showing "disqualified" and no sign anything is happening. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm feeling way more informed about what to expect. The whole BAM unit fraud flag removal process that people have explained really makes sense of why these cases take 10-21 business days compared to regular appeals. It's actually kind of reassuring to know that my UI Online showing zero progress is completely normal - I was starting to panic thinking my case got lost somewhere. I'm definitely going to try calling that Appeals Division direct line at (800) 300-5616 tomorrow morning (press 1 then 6) to see if I can get the same kind of update that @Kaitlyn Jenkins got about being in the "penalty removal queue." Even just knowing it's actively being processed would help with the anxiety of waiting. The 9-week appeal fight was definitely the hardest part - this is just EDD being their usual bureaucratic slow selves. Hang in there, sounds like we should both see movement in the next week or two based on everyone's timelines! 🤞

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 dealing with this exact same situation right now! I have about $18,000 in a high-yield savings account earning roughly $80 per month in interest. I've been on unemployment for about 3 weeks and have been reporting it each time I certify. What I do is check my bank account for the exact interest earned during each certification week and report that specific amount under "other income." Some weeks it's $18, other weeks it's $20 depending on how many days are in that period. My weekly benefit amount is $380 and so far the interest hasn't reduced my payments at all. I was really nervous about it at first too, but after reading the EDD guidelines and talking to a representative, it's definitely required to report ALL income including interest, dividends, rental income, etc. The rep told me that even small amounts need to be reported because it's about being compliant with the law, not just whether it affects your benefit amount. My advice is to just report it accurately and keep good records. I take screenshots of my banking app showing the daily interest postings for each week I certify, just in case I ever need proof. It's become routine now and honestly gives me peace of mind knowing I'm doing everything correctly. Better safe than sorry with EDD!

I'm actually an EDD caseworker and wanted to clear up some confusion I'm seeing in this thread. Yes, bank interest IS absolutely reportable income - this is correct. However, I want to clarify a few things: 1. You report income for the week it was RECEIVED, not when it was earned. So if your bank posts interest monthly, you'd report the full monthly amount during the week it was actually deposited to your account. 2. There IS an earnings disregard of $25 OR 25% of your weekly benefit amount (whichever is greater) before we start reducing benefits. So small amounts of interest often won't affect your payment, but you still must report it. 3. Keep documentation! Bank statements showing when interest was posted are perfect. We don't audit everyone, but when we do, we need to see that dates and amounts match what you reported. The penalties for unreported income can be severe - not just overpayment recovery, but potential disqualification from benefits. Always err on the side of reporting too much rather than too little. If you're ever unsure about whether something counts as income, report it and let us make the determination.