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I just went through this process last month! The key is to check your SDI Online account first - log in and look under "Claim Information" or "Benefit Details." If you can't find the balance there, try sending a secure message through the portal asking for your remaining balance breakdown. This saved me from having to call. If you absolutely have to call, the number is 1-800-480-3287, but definitely try the online route first. Also keep in mind that SDI benefits have a maximum benefit period, so make sure you're still within your benefit year. Hope this helps!
This is super helpful! I didn't even know about the secure messaging option. That sounds way better than sitting on hold for hours. @e15b06f5c813 you should definitely try this approach first!
I had a similar issue a few months ago and found that logging into the SDI Online portal was the fastest solution. Look for a section called "Payment History" or "Benefit Summary" - that's where I found my remaining balance listed. If you can't locate it there, the secure messaging feature that @3a17ddee02c2 mentioned is definitely worth trying before calling. I sent a message asking for my balance breakdown and got a response within 2-3 business days. Way better than spending half a day on hold! Make sure you have your claim number handy when you log in.
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been dreading making that phone call, so knowing there are online options gives me hope. Going to try the SDI Online portal first thing tomorrow morning. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's so helpful to know the secure messaging actually works and gets responses in a reasonable timeframe!
One more thing to add - when I documented my agent submissions, I made sure to include: - The specific project name - The role I was submitted for - The production company - The date of submission - Any follow-up actions I took (like sending a thank you email after auditions) This level of detail made it clear to EDD that these were legitimate work search activities. The key is showing that you're actively engaged in the process, not just passively letting your agent do everything. Also, don't forget to mention any informal networking you did with industry contacts. Those count too!
I'm also navigating this as a freelance voice actor! From what I've learned through my own EDD experience, agent submissions absolutely do count, but I'd recommend mixing them with some direct outreach too. What really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking: - Agent submissions (with project names and dates) - Direct pitches I sent to production companies - Industry networking (even virtual events count!) - Skills development (like voice coaching sessions) The EDD rep I spoke with emphasized that they want to see you're making "reasonable efforts" specific to your industry. Since acting work primarily comes through agents and casting directors, those submissions are totally legitimate work search activities. Pro tip: Save any emails from your agent about submissions - even just a quick "submitted you for XYZ project" text counts as documentation. Good luck with your certification!
This is super helpful! I'm new to navigating unemployment as a creative professional and wasn't sure how to properly document industry-specific work search activities. Your spreadsheet idea is genius - I'm definitely going to set that up. Quick question: when you mention "direct pitches to production companies," do you mean cold emailing them with your reel/headshots, or more like responding to casting notices you found online? I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases for work search documentation.
I work for a nonprofit that helps people with unemployment claims, and your situation is exactly the type of constructive discharge case that EDD regularly approves. The fact that you have documentation of your payment requests AND successfully recovered wages through legal channels makes this a very strong case. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice already given - be prepared for the interviewer to ask about your work search efforts since filing. They sometimes use phone interviews to verify you're meeting all ongoing requirements, not just the reason you left your job. Also, don't be surprised if they ask whether you're receiving any settlement payments in installments, as this could affect your weekly benefit amount. The good news is that wage theft cases like yours are pretty clear-cut for EDD - they see these situations regularly and have specific procedures for handling them.
This is so reassuring to hear from someone who works directly with these cases! I've been diligent about my work search requirements - applying to 5+ jobs weekly and keeping detailed records. Regarding settlement payments, I received a lump sum settlement last month rather than installments, so hopefully that won't complicate things. It's good to know that EDD sees wage theft cases regularly and has procedures for them. Your comment about this being a "clear-cut" situation really helps calm my nerves about Friday's interview. Thank you for taking the time to share your professional perspective!
I'm a former EDD eligibility specialist and I can tell you that your case has all the hallmarks of a successful "good cause" determination. The fact that you documented your payment requests, waited 3 months giving them multiple opportunities to pay you, and ultimately recovered the wages through legal action shows you acted reasonably throughout the process. During your interview, emphasize these three points in this order: 1) You were never paid despite working 50+ hours weekly for 3 months, 2) You made multiple documented requests for payment before leaving, and 3) The state labor board and your attorney confirmed the employer was violating wage laws. This creates a clear narrative that you had no reasonable alternative but to leave. One small but important detail - if they ask about your last day, explain that you informed the employer you couldn't continue working without pay rather than saying you "quit" or "resigned." The language you use can influence how they categorize your separation. You've got excellent documentation and a strong legal foundation for your case. Don't stress too much about Friday - this type of wage theft situation is exactly what the good cause provisions were designed to protect.
This is exactly what I needed to hear from someone with insider knowledge! I really appreciate the specific guidance on framing my last day - saying I "informed them I couldn't continue working without pay" instead of using terms like "quit" or "resigned." That language distinction makes so much sense and I'll definitely use that phrasing during the interview. Having the three key points laid out in that specific order gives me a clear structure to follow. It's incredibly reassuring to know that someone who actually worked as an EDD eligibility specialist sees this as a strong case. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your professional expertise - this has really helped ease my anxiety about Friday's call!
I've been collecting CA unemployment while living in Texas for the past 6 months and it's been totally fine! The most important thing is being upfront about the move - I updated my address through UI Online as soon as I got to Texas and haven't had any issues. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: keep track of which state's jobs you're applying to in your work search log. During my phone interview (which happened about a month after updating my address), the EDD rep asked about this and seemed satisfied that I was applying to both CA remote positions and local TX jobs. They mainly wanted to confirm I was actively searching and would be available if offered suitable work. Also, make sure your new address can receive mail reliably - I almost missed an important notice because my mail forwarding expired. Overall though, don't stress too much about it. Thousands of people do this and as long as you're honest and follow the requirements, you should be fine!
This is really helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was nervous about the whole process. Quick question - when you had your phone interview, did they ask for specific proof of your job applications or was it more of a general conversation about your search activities? I've been keeping screenshots of all my applications but wasn't sure if I'd need to have them ready during the call.
I'm currently going through this exact situation! Just moved from Sacramento to Denver last week and was terrified about updating my address, but after reading all these responses I feel much better about it. I updated my info through UI Online yesterday and so far no issues. One thing I'd add that I learned from my research - make sure you understand what "suitable work" means for your situation. Since you mentioned you're applying in both states, EDD considers factors like your previous wage, commute distance/relocation requirements, and your skills when determining if a job offer is "suitable." If you get offered a job in Arizona that meets these criteria, you'd generally be expected to accept it or potentially lose benefits. Also, keep your LinkedIn and other job search profiles updated with your new location so there's consistency across all your job search activities. Good luck with the move and job search!
Great point about the "suitable work" criteria! I hadn't really thought through what would happen if I actually got a job offer in Arizona. That's definitely something I need to keep in mind as I'm applying. The LinkedIn tip is smart too - I should probably update that to show I'm open to opportunities in both states. Thanks for sharing your experience, it's really helpful to hear from someone who just went through this!
Aria Washington
Hey Emma! I just wanted to check in and see how things are going with your UI application? It sounds like you submitted it a few days ago based on the thread. Have you heard anything back yet or gotten any updates in your UI Online account? I know the waiting can be nerve-wracking, especially when you're dealing with financial stress. I went through a similar transition from SDI to UI about 18 months ago and remember that anxious feeling of waiting for approval. Just remember that no news is often good news at this stage - they're just processing your claim and verifying your eligibility. Keep doing what you're doing with the active job search and documentation. And don't forget what everyone mentioned about keeping your phone close for that interview call! Sending positive thoughts your way that you'll get good news soon and some financial relief while you continue your job hunt.
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Carmen Lopez
•Hi Aria! Thanks for checking in - it really means a lot to have this supportive community during such a stressful time. I submitted my application about 3 days ago and so far just have the basic confirmation that it was received. My UI Online account shows "Claim Under Review" status, which I'm hoping is normal at this stage. I've been obsessively checking it multiple times a day (probably not helping my anxiety!), but trying to stay patient since everyone here mentioned it takes time to process. I'm keeping my phone on me constantly and have been continuing my job search activities so I'll have fresh examples ready for that phone interview when it comes. The financial pressure is definitely intense right now, but reading everyone's success stories in this thread gives me hope that relief is coming soon. I'll definitely update here once I hear something - fingers crossed it's good news! Thanks again for the encouragement, it really helps to know others have been through this same transition successfully.
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Keisha Williams
Claim Under" Review is totally normal at this stage -'that s exactly what mine showed for the first week or so! I remember checking mine obsessively (too like every few hours)lol . The system is just doing all the background verification of your wages, work history, and SDI claim details. One thing that helped my anxiety during the waiting period was keeping busy with job applications and networking. Not only does it help distract from the stress, but'you re building up that job search activity log for when they ask about it during the phone interview. Also, if you'haven t already, make sure you have your Social Security Statement (handy you can get it online at) ssa.gov since they sometimes ask about your wage history during the interview to verify the information.'You re doing everything right though - just hang in there! The financial relief is comingsoon.
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Douglas Foster
•Thanks Keisha! It's so reassuring to hear that "Claim Under Review" is the normal status at this point. You're right about staying busy with job applications - it definitely helps with the anxiety and I'm building up a solid record of my search activities. I actually just applied to three more positions this morning and updated my spreadsheet with all the details. I hadn't thought about getting my Social Security Statement ready - that's a great tip! I'll log into ssa.gov today and download it so I have those wage records handy for the phone interview. It makes sense they'd want to cross-reference that information with what I provided in my application. I'm trying to stay patient and trust the process, but it's hard when bills are piling up! Reading everyone's experiences here really helps though - knowing that so many people have successfully made this transition from SDI to UI gives me hope. I'll keep checking my account (probably still obsessively lol) and will definitely update the thread when I hear something. Thanks for the encouragement!
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