Remember that when you file, you'll need to report any income you've had since leaving that job. If you've done any freelance work or part-time jobs, even cash work, you need to report it. False reporting can lead to penalties and overpayment issues down the road. Also, once you start certifying (if approved), you'll need to list 3+ job contacts each week and be able to provide details if they audit your work search. This includes company name, position, date applied, contact method, and contact person if available. My final advice - keep extremely detailed records of everything from this point forward. Save screenshots of job applications, confirmation emails, and any correspondence with EDD. The system is often frustrating and documentation is your best protection.

Just wanted to add some encouragement here - I was in a similar situation with my employer violating lactation laws (though I filed sooner than you did). The key thing that helped me was being very specific about how the violations made my working conditions impossible, not just difficult. In your case, being interrupted during pumping sessions and having to use an inappropriate space like a storage closet are clear violations of Labor Code 1030. The supervisor's comments about "extra breaks" show they fundamentally misunderstood your legal rights - pumping time isn't a "break," it's a legally required accommodation. When you do your eligibility interview, frame it as "my employer's failure to provide legally required lactation accommodations made continued employment untenable." Don't apologize for waiting to file - you're still within the window and you're taking action now. Also, make sure to mention that you've been actively job searching (200+ applications shows good faith effort). The combination of valid legal grounds for quitting plus demonstrated work search activity should work in your favor. You've got this!

I know everyone's already given you great advice, but I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me when I went through this - bring a pen and paper to take notes during the call! The interviewer told me some specific things I needed to follow up on, and I was so nervous I almost forgot the details afterward. Also, if they do find an issue and ask you to repay anything, don't panic. They usually set up payment plans that are very reasonable. In my case, I had accidentally double-reported some part-time income and owed back about $800, but they let me pay it back over 6 months with no interest or penalties since it was an honest mistake. You sound super prepared and responsible, and from all your responses it's clear you've been trying to do everything correctly. The vast majority of these interviews end up being simple clarifications. Try to get some rest the night before your call - being well-rested will help you think clearly and answer their questions confidently. You've got a whole community here supporting you!

Hey Kayla! I just wanted to add one more reassuring perspective - I had my EDD interview about 2 months ago and was absolutely terrified beforehand, but it ended up being one of the most straightforward government calls I've ever been on. The interviewer introduced herself, explained that they just needed to verify some information, and then asked very specific, factual questions. In my case, the issue was that I had reported my separation reason as "laid off" but my employer had told EDD it was a "workforce reduction" - same thing, just different terminology. The whole call took maybe 12 minutes and she was actually quite nice about it. One thing I wish someone had told me: they might ask you to verify your identity at the beginning with your SSN and birthdate, so have that ready. Also, they may reference specific weeks or dates, so having your original claim paperwork in front of you is super helpful. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like you're incredibly well-prepared. The fact that you care this much about getting it right tells me you're going to be just fine. This community has your back, and we'd love to hear how it goes! Wishing you the best of luck with your interview.

Just to clarify something important here: Make sure when you do get through to EDD that you specifically ask them to check if you qualify for a new claim based on your most recent 3 months of employment. They'll need to look at your base period wages. If you worked only 3 months total in the last 18 months, you might not qualify for a regular UI claim yet. In that case, you'd need to ask about alternative programs or wait until you have sufficient wages in your base period. A trained EDD specialist should be able to evaluate your specific situation and give you options.

hey how did this turn out for u? were u able to get thru to edd? my cousin just got laid off and has the same problem with an old claim

I'm new to this situation too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just started doing Uber Eats after losing my retail job and was completely lost on how to handle the unemployment certification. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has given me a much clearer picture of what I need to do. I'm definitely going to set up that spreadsheet system and tracking routine that several people mentioned. Quick question though - for those of you who've been doing this for a while, about how long does it typically take to get through to EDD when you need to speak to someone? I want to set realistic expectations for when I try to call them. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge - this community is amazing!

Wow, this thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm in almost the exact same boat - lost my office job a few weeks ago and started doing Instacart while job hunting. I was making the same mistake with reporting net instead of gross earnings, so I really dodged a bullet reading everyone's advice here. The part about EDD potentially having access to detailed platform data honestly shocked me - I had no idea they could cross-reference that stuff. Definitely calling Monday morning to correct my previous certifications and going to set up that spreadsheet tracking system this weekend. Thanks to everyone who shared their hard-learned lessons - you've probably saved me thousands in overpayment issues! This is exactly why communities like this are so valuable.

Congratulations on the new job! I just want to add one more tip that helped me when I was in your situation - keep records of when you certify and what you report, just in case. I took screenshots of my final certification where I reported my new job earnings. It gave me peace of mind knowing I had documentation showing I was honest about my employment status. Also, don't be surprised if it takes a week or two for your UI Online account to reflect the inactive status - the system isn't always instant with updates. But like everyone said, you're doing everything right by certifying for your final eligible weeks and then stopping. Enjoy the new job and the steady paycheck!

Congratulations on the new job! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and can confirm what everyone is saying here. You absolutely don't need to formally close your claim - just certify for any weeks you're entitled to (including partial weeks before starting full-time) and report all your new earnings accurately. Once your weekly earnings exceed your benefit amount, you'll get $0 and can simply stop certifying. The claim will automatically go inactive after you skip two consecutive certification periods. I was also paranoid about doing something wrong, but the EDD system is actually designed to handle this transition smoothly. Keep documentation of your final certifications for your own records, and don't stress about it - focus on crushing it at your new manufacturing job! The steady paycheck after 4 months of uncertainty must feel amazing.