Just wanted to add another success story to ease your mind! I was in almost the exact same situation - got a temp job after only receiving one unemployment payment and was super worried about the proper procedure. I just stopped certifying and had zero issues. The beauty of the system is that it's actually pretty straightforward - when you're working full-time, you simply don't certify. No payments get issued, and your claim stays dormant but active for the full benefit year. I ended up not needing to go back on unemployment (my temp job became permanent!), but it was such a relief knowing I could if needed. One thing that helped me feel more secure was logging into my UI Online account and noting down my claim balance and benefit year end date. That way I knew exactly where I stood if circumstances changed. The fact that your manager already mentioned potential for permanent work is a really good sign - sounds like you're in a great position! Don't overthink it, just focus on doing well at the new job.

I was in this exact situation about 8 months ago! Got a full-time temp position after just one unemployment payment and was so stressed about doing the right thing. I ended up just stopping my certifications like everyone else is suggesting, and it worked out perfectly fine. The thing that really put me at ease was realizing that the system is actually designed to handle this - when you're not unemployed, you don't certify. It's that simple. Your claim stays open for the full 52 weeks just in case things don't work out with the temp job. I'd definitely recommend taking a screenshot of your UI Online account showing your current claim status and benefit year end date for your records. Also, since your manager already mentioned the possibility of it becoming permanent, that's a really positive sign! Focus on doing great work and don't stress about the EDD stuff - you're handling it the right way by just stopping your certifications. Good luck with the new job!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you keep track of your benefit year end date! I made the mistake of assuming I had more time left on my claim than I actually did. When my seasonal job ended, I found out my benefit year had expired just two weeks earlier, so I had to file a completely new claim instead of reopening. The new claim used different base period wages and my weekly benefit amount was lower. Really wish I had paid closer attention to that original filing date. Good luck with your contract job - hopefully it leads to something permanent!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation twice! The first time I was nervous about reporting my return to work, but it's actually pretty straightforward. When you do your final certification before starting the job, there's a specific question asking if you've returned to work - just answer honestly with your start date. One tip that saved me headaches: screenshot or print your claim summary page before you stop certifying. It shows your remaining balance, benefit year dates, and weekly amount. That way when you're ready to reopen, you have all the key info handy and can verify everything matches up correctly. Also, don't stress too much about the "reopen claim" process - it's literally just clicking a button in your UI Online account and answering a few questions about your work period. The system is designed for exactly this scenario since temporary/seasonal work is so common. You've got this!

I've been following this thread as someone who went through a similar nightmare with EDD last year. After being disqualified for "voluntary quit" when I was actually laid off, I spent 6 weeks trying every free method imaginable - calling hundreds of times, messaging through UI Online, even showing up at the local office (they just told me to call). What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my assembly member AND used a paid service simultaneously. The assembly member's office got back to me after 8 business days, but by then the paid service had already gotten me through and my issue was resolved. For those worried about the ethics - I get it, I really do. But when you're facing homelessness because a government system is failing you, sometimes you have to do what you can to survive. The real problem isn't people using these services, it's that EDD has created a system so broken that these services can exist and thrive. @Amina Sow - if you do decide to use a service, make sure they guarantee you only pay if connected, and have your case details, ID, and any supporting documents ready before the call. Also ask specifically for a Tier 2 specialist right away - don't let them transfer you around. The whole situation is maddening, but don't let pride keep you from getting the help you need if free methods aren't working.

I've been in a similar boat and completely understand both your desperation and ethical concerns. After 4 weeks of trying to reach EDD about my pending disqualification, I finally broke down and used one of these services (ended up using EDD Caller after researching several options). Here's what I learned: - They do work, but they're essentially just sophisticated auto-dialers that keep calling until they get through the queue - Cost me $20 but saved probably 20+ hours of my time trying to redial constantly - Got connected to an actual EDD rep in about 45 minutes vs. weeks of failed attempts - The rep was able to see all my uploaded documents and resolve my issue in one call I felt conflicted about paying for what should be free government access, but when you're facing financial hardship and the system is this broken, sometimes pragmatism wins over principles. These services exist because EDD has failed to adequately staff their phone lines or improve their system. My advice: try the free methods others mentioned first (assembly member contact is surprisingly effective), but don't let ethics prevent you from getting help you desperately need. The system is broken - that's not your fault, and you shouldn't suffer because of it. Whatever you decide, make sure you're prepared with specific questions and all your documentation ready when you do get through!

This is absolutely terrifying - thank you so much for sharing this warning! I just started receiving EDD benefits last month and had no idea these Money Network security issues were so common. After reading through all these comments, I immediately logged into my account to check everything (thankfully it looks okay for now) and followed everyone's advice about setting up alerts and changing my password. The fact that they can change your bank details without any verification is absolutely ridiculous! I'm definitely going to switch to direct deposit ASAP - it sounds like that's the only way to really protect ourselves. It's so frustrating that we have to become cybersecurity experts just to safely receive the benefits we're entitled to. Has anyone heard if there are any class action lawsuits brewing over this? With so many people getting their money stolen due to poor security, it seems like there should be some legal accountability.

This is absolutely shocking but thank you for the heads up! I just got approved for unemployment last week and was planning to just use the Money Network card they send, but after reading all of this I'm going straight to direct deposit before I even activate the card. It's insane that people are losing their entire benefit payments with zero notification - that money is literally what keeps people housed and fed! I'm bookmarking this thread to share with other people I know who are dealing with unemployment. Everyone needs to know about this. Has anyone reported this to the state legislature or anything? This seems like a systemic failure that goes way beyond just individual fraud cases.

I'm in a similar situation where I had to navigate state programs for my elderly mother. One thing I learned is to also check if your grandmother has any VA benefits if she's a veteran or spouse of a veteran - those can sometimes bridge the gap during transitions between state programs. Also, make sure to request copies of ALL her medical records from her current California doctors before you move, not just recent ones. Arizona's programs often require extensive medical documentation going back years to establish ongoing care needs. The more complete your documentation package, the smoother the approval process will be. Wishing you the best with this challenging transition!

Ruby, I went through something very similar when I had to relocate with my disabled father last year. One thing that really helped my case was getting a letter from my grandmother's doctor stating that my continued care was medically necessary and that the move was in her best interest due to our housing instability. EDD seemed to take medical documentation more seriously than just personal statements. Also, when you file your claim, make sure to mention that you're actively seeking similar employment in Arizona - it shows you're not just quitting to stop working. I'd start gathering medical letters and housing documentation (hotel receipts, etc.) now while you're still in CA. The whole process is stressful but having everything organized ahead of time made a huge difference for me. Sending you both good vibes for this transition!