I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - it's so frustrating! One thing that helped me was sending a follow-up email to my doctor's office asking for confirmation that they sent the medical certificate, along with the date and method they used (fax, mail, etc.). Turns out my doctor's office had the wrong fax number on file for EDD! Once we got that corrected and they resent it, things moved much faster. Also, if you haven't already, try uploading a copy of the medical certificate directly to your UI Online account under the "Upload Documents" section. Even if your doctor already sent it, having it in multiple places seems to help expedite the process. The waiting is the worst part, especially when you're already dealing with medical issues. Keep pushing - you've got this! 💪

I went through something very similar earlier this year and I know how stressful it is! Here's what finally worked for me: I called my doctor's office first to confirm they actually sent the certificate and had the correct EDD fax number (turns out they were using an outdated one). Once that was sorted, I also uploaded my own copy through UI Online and sent a secure message explaining the timeline. The key thing is to keep certifying every two weeks no matter what - I made that mistake once and it caused even more delays. It took about 3 weeks total, but I eventually got all my back payments. Don't give up, the system is slow but it does work eventually! Also, if you can get a confirmation receipt from your doctor showing when/where they sent it, that really helps when you're talking to EDD reps.

As someone who works in EDD processing, I want to clarify a few things that might help everyone here. The CTB program is definitely your best bet for collecting benefits while in school, but there are some nuances people should know: 1. The "able and available" requirement still applies even with CTB approval - but it's interpreted more flexibly for students in approved programs. You just need to show you could accept suitable work that fits around your training schedule. 2. Processing times can vary wildly depending on your local office. Some get approved in 2-3 weeks, others can take 6-8 weeks. Submit your DE 2402 form immediately after answering "yes" to school attendance. 3. Make sure your program meets the minimum 20 hours per week requirement for CTB. Most nursing programs easily exceed this, but it's worth double-checking. 4. Keep detailed records of your class attendance and grades. EDD can request progress reports at any time, and poor attendance or failing grades can result in benefit termination. One pro tip: If your program has an internship or externship component, that actually strengthens your CTB application because it shows direct job preparation. Good luck to all the future healthcare workers here - your timing is perfect given the current demand!

I'm actually an EDD case worker and wanted to jump in with some additional guidance that might help. A few key points that haven't been fully covered: First, regarding the gap in benefits while your CTB application is processing - you should continue certifying as normal and keep doing your work search activities. If your CTB gets approved, it will be retroactive to when you first reported attending school, so you won't lose those weeks of benefits. Second, for nursing programs specifically, make sure your school is listed in EDD's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). Most accredited nursing programs are, but it's worth verifying on the CalJOBS website before you submit your application. Third, document everything related to your layoff from the medical assistant position. If it was due to healthcare industry changes or facility restructuring, that can actually work in your favor for CTB approval since you're retraining within the same industry. One thing I always tell claimants - when you fill out the DE 2402 form, attach a personal statement explaining how your nursing training directly relates to your previous work experience and current labor market conditions. EDD likes to see a clear career progression plan. Also, don't just rely on online submissions. If you can, drop off your CTB paperwork in person at your local office and ask for a receipt. This creates a paper trail and often speeds up processing. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions about the process!

Has anyone tried going to an actual EDD office in person? wondering if thats faster

@Dylan Cooper - I went through the exact same thing a few months ago! The key is persistence and having multiple backup plans. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Try the ID.me verification if you haven't already - sometimes it works better than EDD's own system 2. If that fails, gather EVERYTHING: driver's license, passport, utility bills, bank statements, tax returns - the more official docs the better 3. Call the technical support line (not the general number) - they're more equipped to handle verification issues specifically 4. Document everything - screenshot error messages, keep notes of who you talk to and when The whole process took me about 3 weeks, but I did get it resolved. Don't panic - this is unfortunately super common right now. You've got this! 💪

Thank you so much! I'll try faxing my documentation tomorrow. Really appreciate the specific advice!

I'm going through something very similar right now! Had my eligibility interview about 10 days ago for accidentally reporting wrong information on my claim, and I also have two certifications stuck in pending. It's incredibly stressful not knowing when this will get resolved, especially when bills are piling up. From what I've learned lurking in this community, the 14-day conditional payment rule exists but isn't automatic - you have to specifically ask for it when you call. The challenge is actually getting through to someone who knows about it. I've been trying the phone lines daily with no luck. @8629e7c18e98 Have you tried calling early in the morning right when they open? I heard that's sometimes the best time to get through, though I haven't had success yet myself. Also keeping my fingers crossed that both our situations get resolved soon - this waiting game is brutal!

I went through something similar about 6 months ago. The certification option disappeared from my UI Online account during my appeal process too. What worked for me was using the EDD mobile app - sometimes it shows the certification option even when the website doesn't. If that doesn't work, definitely keep trying to call. I know it's frustrating, but the phone reps can manually add certification weeks to your account retroactively once they resolve the issue. Make sure to document all your attempts to certify (screenshots, call logs, etc.) in case you need to prove you were trying to follow the rules during your appeal. One tip for calling: I had better luck getting through around 8:02 AM right when they open, or sometimes late in the day around 4:30 PM. Good luck with your appeal!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My certification disappeared about 2 weeks ago during my appeal process and I've been panicking about losing backpay. Reading through everyone's responses here is really helpful - it sounds like this is more common than I thought and there are actually multiple ways to try to fix it. I'm definitely going to try the phone certification system first since that seems like the quickest option. Has anyone had success with that method specifically? I'm also curious about the mobile app suggestion - I didn't even know EDD had an app! It's so frustrating that they don't send any notification when this happens. You'd think they would at least explain WHY the certification option disappears, especially during something as stressful as an appeal process. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it makes me feel less alone in dealing with this mess!