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.

Hey, did you end up getting through to EDD? Just curious which method worked for you. I had a similar situation last month (though mine was a phone interview not video) and it took me forever to cancel it properly.

Great to hear you got it sorted out! For future reference for anyone else in this situation, you can also try calling the EDD Employer Services line at 1-888-745-3886 - they sometimes transfer you to the right department and the hold times are often shorter than the main number. Also worth noting that if you have a CalJOBS account, you can update your employment status there too which helps keep everything synchronized across their systems.

I switched to paper checks after my Money Network card got compromised twice in two months - never again! The timing is definitely inconsistent though. I've been tracking mine since January and here's what I've noticed: first payments of the month tend to take longer (maybe EDD processes more volume?), while mid-month payments usually arrive faster. My longest wait was 12 days, shortest was 4 days. One tip - if you have informed delivery through USPS, you can at least see when the check is coming that day instead of obsessively checking your mailbox. The peace of mind of avoiding debit card issues is worth the wait for me, but I totally understand the frustration with the unpredictability.

I've been on paper checks since February after hearing too many Money Network horror stories from friends. The wait times are definitely frustrating - mine have ranged from 5 days to almost 2 weeks with no clear pattern. What really helped me was setting up a small emergency buffer from my first few payments so I'm not desperately waiting for each check to cover immediate expenses. The reliability is actually pretty good once you account for the delay - I've only had one check go missing in 3 months, and the replacement process through UI Online was straightforward (though it did add another 10 days). If you can handle the uncertainty and have some financial cushion, paper checks are definitely safer than the debit card nightmare stories I keep seeing here.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you're certifying during the shutdown weeks, pay close attention to the work search requirement questions. Even though you're technically still employed, you still need to be conducting work searches to maintain eligibility. Some people think they can skip this step during temporary shutdowns, but EDD still requires it. Keep a record of your job search activities (even if it's just updating your resume or checking job boards) because they can audit this at any time. Also, if your temp agency has other positions available during the closure, you might be expected to accept suitable work through them. Good luck with everything - the holiday closure situation is super stressful when you're already tight on money!

Hey! I work at the EDD regional office (not giving advice just sharing what I see come through) and this type of situation is super common during the holidays. You're absolutely on the right track with what everyone's saying here. Just wanted to emphasize a few things that trip people up: 1. Keep screenshots of your certification submissions - if there's ever a question later, having proof of what you reported is invaluable 2. The "temporary shutdown" option is sometimes buried in the dropdown menus, so look carefully 3. If you get any weird automated messages or letters from EDD during this time, don't panic - the system sometimes flags unusual patterns even when everything is correct Also, pro tip: certify as early as possible on your certification day. The system gets overloaded during holiday periods and you don't want technical issues to delay your payment when rent is due. The fact that you're planning ahead and asking these questions shows you're being responsible about it. Most people in your situation qualify for benefits during temporary shutdowns as long as they report everything accurately.