I'm dealing with something similar right now! Just filed my claim last week and have been second-guessing every number I entered. It's such a relief to see so many people confirming that EDD will use the actual employer-reported wages rather than what we estimate on the application. One thing that's been helpful for me is checking my most recent paystub to see the year-to-date totals - that way I at least have a ballpark figure to compare against when I eventually get my determination letter. But honestly, after reading all these responses, I'm feeling way less anxious about the whole thing. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! It really helps to know that honest mistakes with wage calculations are common and won't torpedo our claims.

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed my first unemployment claim yesterday and I've been anxiously refreshing my email waiting for some kind of confirmation or rejection notice. The wage reporting section was so confusing - I had overlapping pay periods too and felt like I was just making educated guesses about the amounts. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief. I had no idea that EDD already has access to our actual wage data through employer tax reports. I was imagining some poor EDD worker manually checking every single number we entered and flagging us for fraud if we were off by even a few dollars! It sounds like the key takeaway is that as long as we reported everything honestly (which we did), the system will sort out the details. I'm definitely going to stop obsessing over whether I calculated that one tricky pay period correctly and just wait for the official determination. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for first-time filers like us!

I'm so sorry this happened to you after nearly four decades of loyal service - what a shocking and unfair way to be treated! But I'm glad you found this community because everyone here has given you excellent advice. I just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who works in HR: definitely document everything about your termination while it's fresh in your memory. Write down exactly what was said, who was present, any reasons given, and details about the "restructuring" they mentioned. If you received any written communications about the termination, keep copies. This documentation could be valuable not just for your unemployment claim, but also if you decide to explore the age discrimination angle that Emma mentioned. Also, don't feel embarrassed about needing help with the EDD website or job searching after so many years - that's completely normal! The job market and application processes have changed dramatically. Consider it a learning adventure rather than a setback. You have decades of valuable experience that many employers would appreciate, even if the initial search feels daunting. You've clearly built a strong work ethic over 39 years, and that same determination will serve you well in navigating this transition. Wishing you the best of luck with your unemployment claim and whatever comes next!

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation after 39 years of dedicated service - that's absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating. But I'm so glad you found this supportive community! Everyone here has given you fantastic advice about filing for unemployment (which you absolutely should do immediately), but I wanted to share something that might help with the overwhelming feeling of starting over at 65. My father-in-law went through something very similar at 63 after 35 years with his company. He was devastated at first, but it actually ended up being one of the best things that happened to him. While collecting unemployment, he took time to really think about what he wanted to do next instead of just jumping into the first opportunity. He ended up finding a part-time consulting role in his field that paid better per hour than his old job, gave him flexible scheduling, and let him travel to interesting projects. He's been happier and less stressed than he was in his final years at the old company. The key is not to rush into anything just because you feel pressure. You've earned these unemployment benefits - use them as breathing room to explore options you might never have considered before. Sometimes what feels like an ending is actually a new beginning in disguise. Stay strong, and don't let them push you around after all those years of loyal service. You've got this! 💪

UPDATE: You guys were right! Just checked my UI Online account this morning and I have an award letter in my inbox! They approved my claim without needing the interview. Now I just need to wait for my first certification period. Thanks for all the help and reassurance!

Congratulations Teresa! That's such great news and a huge relief! This is exactly why I always tell people not to panic when EDD cancels interviews - more often than not it means they have what they need to approve your claim. Thanks for coming back to update us with the good news. It really helps other people in similar situations to see these positive outcomes. Now you can focus on getting those certifications done on time!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Ugh, that's so frustrating! I've been in the same situation before. Unfortunately, they do drop calls at closing time (8pm), so you'll likely get disconnected if you haven't already. Your best bet is to try calling again tomorrow morning right when they open. Some people have luck with the callback option if it's available, or you could try calling different EDD numbers. The wait times are brutal but don't give up - you'll eventually get through!

I went through almost the identical situation about 8 months ago! Took a 7-week marketing contract while on unemployment and everything worked exactly as people described here. One thing I'd add is to double-check that your contract employer won't try to classify you as a regular employee for those 6 weeks - some companies get confused about temp vs contract work and that can create complications with EDD. Also, if you're in marketing like me, make sure the contract work doesn't have a non-compete clause that might affect your job search afterward. Overall though, taking that contract was one of the best decisions I made - it kept my skills sharp, gave me recent experience to talk about in interviews, and I was able to return to benefits seamlessly when it ended. The extra income during those weeks was also really helpful for my finances. You're making a smart move!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been a goldmine of information! I was just offered a 8-week contract in graphic design while on unemployment and was terrified about messing up my benefits. Reading everyone's experiences has given me so much confidence to accept the position. One question though - has anyone dealt with a contract that might require occasional work on weekends? I'm wondering how to handle the certification if my work schedule isn't strictly Monday-Friday. Do I still report earnings for the full week regardless of which specific days I worked, or does the day-of-week matter for reporting purposes? Thanks in advance - this community has been incredibly helpful!