Just went through this exact situation last month! Here's what worked for me - before calling, I made a simple checklist with my specific issue at the top, then listed all my account details, dates, and any error messages I was seeing. When I finally got through (took 3 days of trying), having everything organized made the call so much smoother. The rep was actually really helpful once I could clearly explain that my certification from 2 weeks ago was showing as "not paid" even though I'd submitted it on time. She was able to see exactly what was happening and fixed it during the call. My biggest tip: if you're not sure what your specific issue is yet, spend some time in your online account first and write down exactly what you're seeing vs. what you expected to see. That way when you do get through, you can say "I certified for benefits on [date] for the week ending [date], but it's showing as [status] instead of paid, and I haven't received any correspondence explaining why." So much better than just saying "my payments aren't working" - trust me on this one!

This thread is so helpful! I'm in a similar boat where I know I need to call EDD but wasn't sure how to prepare. Reading everyone's experiences really shows how important it is to be specific and organized before making that call. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone dealt with issues related to work search requirements? I'm getting conflicting information online about whether I need to be actively searching for work right now or if that requirement is still waived. When I do get through to EDD, I want to make sure I ask about this clearly since it affects whether I'm certifying correctly. Also, @Zainab Ahmed your tip about getting a reference number is something I never would have thought of but makes total sense. Definitely writing that down along with all the other great advice in this thread. It's reassuring to see that people are actually getting their issues resolved when they come prepared!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who works in theater tech with a very similar schedule pattern! I made this exact same mistake when I first started claiming UI between shows. The key insight that helped me was realizing that EDD expects you to treat unemployment benefits like an ongoing relationship, not a series of separate transactions. Once I filed my initial claim and started certifying continuously (every 2 weeks without fail), everything became so much smoother. Even during busy seasons when I'm working 60+ hour weeks, I still certify and just report my full earnings - this keeps my claim active for those inevitable gaps between productions. The hardest part is remembering to certify on time even when you're busy working, but it's worth it to avoid the headache you're dealing with now. Also, keep all your paystubs and work records organized - irregular work means more documentation if EDD ever needs to verify your earnings patterns.

I work in seasonal landscaping and had this exact same problem! What finally solved it for me was calling EDD and having them walk me through the correct process. The rep explained that when you file multiple claims throughout the year, each one triggers a new waiting period, which is why you keep losing that first week of benefits. The correct approach is: file ONE claim at the beginning of your benefit year, serve your ONE waiting period week, then certify every two weeks for the entire 12 months regardless of work status. During busy season when I'm working full time, I still certify and just report my full earnings (which means $0 benefits but keeps claim active). During slow periods, I report little to no earnings and receive benefits. The system is actually pretty flexible once you understand it's designed for continuous certification, not stop-and-start filing. I'd definitely recommend calling EDD to see if they can backdate certifications for the weeks you missed - they sometimes allow it if you can explain the misunderstanding. Good luck!

Oh that's rough! I double-checked and my address is correct in the system, so hopefully that won't happen to me.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My claim switched to paid 5 days ago and I've been refreshing my mailbox every day like it's going to magically make the card appear faster 😅 Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring though - sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty standard. The worst part is not knowing if it's even been mailed yet. I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned if I don't hear anything by early next week. Hang in there!

OMG i'm in the same boat!!! its been 3 months and i still cant get my claim sorted. this whole system is a joke tbh

I had a similar issue and it turned out my SSN was entered incorrectly on their end when I first applied. What helped me was going to the EDD office in person with all my documents - birth certificate, SSN card, driver's license, etc. I know it's a pain to take time off work, but sometimes face-to-face is the only way to get these data mismatches fixed. They were able to update my info on the spot and I could register online that same day. Check if your local office has walk-in hours!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR and has helped employees navigate EDD claims over the years - your EDD Customer Account Number is indeed permanent and tied to your Social Security Number. I've seen countless employees successfully use account numbers from claims filed 5, 7, even 10+ years ago without any issues. One thing I always tell people: if you're having trouble locating your old account number, check any tax documents from years you received unemployment benefits. The account number is often listed on the 1099-G forms that EDD sends for tax purposes. Those forms are usually easier to find than the original claim paperwork since people tend to keep tax documents longer. Also, don't worry about entering the "wrong" number and somehow damaging your new claim - the EDD system is pretty robust and won't let you accidentally mess up your claim status by trying to log in with incorrect information. At worst, you'll just get an error message and can try again. Best of luck with your claim!

This thread is incredibly reassuring! I'm in a similar boat - just got laid off from my nursing job and haven't filed since 2019. I was panicking about whether my old account number would still work, but seeing all these success stories from people who've used the same number across multiple years (and even decades!) is putting my mind at ease. The tip about checking old 1099-G forms is brilliant - I definitely have those filed away with my tax documents. And I love the idea of taking a screenshot once I'm logged back in. It's so frustrating how these gaps between claims can make you forget all the details you once knew by heart. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences! This community is such a lifesaver for navigating EDD's confusing processes. Going to dig out my old paperwork tonight and file my claim this weekend.