This thread should honestly be pinned to the top of this community! As someone who works in customer service for a different government agency, I can tell you that these special character database sync issues are unfortunately common across many older government systems. What Derek and others have experienced is a classic case of legacy databases that weren't designed to handle Unicode characters properly. The fact that ID.me uses modern character encoding but EDD's systems strip out or convert special characters during data transfer is a textbook example of poor system integration. For anyone still struggling with this, here are a few additional tips: 1) When you get through to an EDD rep, ask them to check not just how your name appears, but also ask them to verify the CHARACTER COUNT matches what's on your documents - sometimes invisible characters get added during transfers. 2) If possible, ask them to update your name in ALL their systems during the same call rather than just fixing one database. 3) Screenshot your successful login once you get it working - you'll want that exact format if you ever need to re-register. It's absolutely shameful that people have to become database troubleshooting experts just to access unemployment benefits, but this community knowledge-sharing is invaluable for navigating these broken systems!

This thread is an absolute goldmine for anyone dealing with EDD and special character issues! I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to EDD problems. My wife has a hyphenated maiden name (Chen-Williams) and we've been stuck in the exact same loop Derek described for almost 2 months now. The ID.me verification was "successful" according to their system, but we keep hitting that dreaded "information doesn't match our records" error when trying to register for UI Online. We've been using telecert for now, but it's so limited compared to what you can do online. Reading all these success stories with Claimyr is giving me hope that there's actually a light at the end of this tunnel. It's honestly criminal that in 2025 we still have government systems that can't handle basic name formatting, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share real solutions. The technical insights from Sara and Ryder about database sync issues really help explain why this keeps happening to so many people. Going to try Claimyr first thing Monday morning and will definitely ask them to check ALL their systems like everyone has recommended. Thanks Derek for sharing your detailed experience and thanks to everyone else for adding their solutions - you're all heroes for helping people navigate this broken system!

I'm in a similar boat - my company just announced they're closing in 6 weeks and I'm trying to wrap my head around all this too. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the main takeaway is to file immediately after your last day regardless of severance, but be prepared to report every severance payment which will likely zero out your benefits temporarily. One thing I'm still confused about - if we're getting severance paid out over multiple weeks, do we need to keep certifying every two weeks even though we know we won't get any UI benefits during that time? It seems like the answer is yes based on what everyone's saying, but I want to make sure I don't accidentally mess up my claim by not certifying during the severance period. Also, has anyone dealt with a situation where the company hasn't finalized the severance details yet? They keep saying "we'll let you know" but time is running out and I need to plan my finances. Should I be pushing HR harder for specifics?

I just went through this exact scenario when my retail job ended due to store closure in December. Here's what worked for me: File your UI claim the day after your last work day - don't wait! Your benefit year starts when you file, not when you receive payments. During the weeks you receive severance, you'll report it as "other income" and select "severance pay" from the dropdown during certification. This will likely result in $0 UI benefits for those weeks, but your claim stays active. The tricky part is the certification questions - they don't explicitly say "severance" so look for "Did you receive any other type of income?" and be sure to report only the amount you received during that specific 2-week certification period, not your total severance. Keep certifying every two weeks even when getting $0 benefits! I cannot stress this enough - skipping certifications can permanently mess up your claim. Once your severance payments end, your full UI benefits should automatically resume. Start documenting everything NOW: get your severance agreement in writing, keep records of payment amounts/dates, and clarify with HR whether it's true severance or "pay in lieu of notice" as this affects EDD processing. One last tip: continue your job search activities even during severance weeks. EDD still requires this and I've seen people get disqualified for not maintaining job search records during their severance period. The whole process was smoother than I expected once I understood the system. Good luck!

Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? They can sometimes help push things through with EDD.

Call 1-800-300-5616 - Answer No (2) to all answers. You'll get a live person, give them the address you have on file for EDD. Then tell them you need to reset your password - they will email you a link that gets you in. Took me 25 minutes after a week of failed attempts calling the other number.

One final important note: If your DoorDash earnings reduce your weekly benefit amount, that's actually a good thing in the long run. Each week you receive partial benefits extends your claim duration, effectively stretching your maximum benefit amount over a longer period of time. Many people don't realize this advantage of reporting partial earnings properly.

Just wanted to add something that helped me a lot when I started gig work while on UI - download a mileage tracking app like MileIQ or Everlance. Even though you can't deduct expenses on your EDD certification, you'll still need those records for tax time when you file your 1099. DoorDash only tracks your "online" miles, not the miles you drive TO your first pickup or back home after your last delivery. Those extra miles add up and can save you hundreds on taxes. I wish someone had told me this when I first started!

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing someone you've been caring for is heartbreaking, and dealing with the practical concerns while grieving makes everything so much harder. I haven't been through this exact situation myself, but I've been reading through all the responses here and I'm amazed by how much helpful information this community has shared. It's really clear that you absolutely do qualify for unemployment benefits as an IHSS provider - everyone who's been through this seems to confirm that IHSS providers are considered employees of the county/Public Authority for unemployment purposes, even when caring for family members. The advice about applying online immediately, listing your county's IHSS Public Authority as the employer (not your stepdad), and having your provider ID number and paystubs ready seems to be the consistent theme from people who've successfully navigated this process. It's also good to know that some EDD representatives might not understand IHSS employment status, so being prepared to ask for a supervisor if needed could save you time and frustration. What strikes me most about this thread is how many people have taken the time to share their personal experiences during what were obviously difficult periods in their own lives. The level of detail and practical advice here is incredible - from work search documentation to certification questions to potential processing delays. You're clearly taking all the right steps by applying quickly and being prepared with your documentation. I hope your claim process goes smoothly, and thank you for sharing your situation - it's helping educate others in the community about IHSS unemployment benefits.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Going through this situation myself right now - my grandmother passed away last month after I was her IHSS provider for over two years. The grief combined with sudden loss of income is overwhelming. I want to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely DO qualify for unemployment benefits! I just got approved last week. Here's what worked for me: - Applied online immediately (within days of her passing) - Listed my county's IHSS Public Authority as employer, NOT my grandmother - Put "lack of work due to recipient passing away" as separation reason - Had my IHSS provider ID and recent paystubs ready - Made sure to indicate I'm able and available for full-time work The hardest part emotionally was checking that "able and available" box when you're still processing the loss, but it's required. I started my work search by applying to other IHSS cases and senior care facilities - it felt like honoring the caregiving work while meeting requirements. One thing I learned - if your claim gets stuck in "pending" status, don't wait. Call EDD right away. Mine was flagged for manual review (apparently common for IHSS cases) but got resolved quickly once I spoke to someone who understood the employment relationship. You've been paying into the system and deserve these benefits. Don't let anyone tell you family caregivers don't qualify - that's completely wrong. This community has your back if you run into any issues. Take care of yourself during this difficult time.