This is such a helpful thread! I just want to add that anyone who receives these unexpected payments should also check if they need to report this income to their current state's unemployment office, especially if they moved like the original poster did. I moved from California to Texas after my 2021 claim ended, and when I got a similar retroactive payment last year, Texas EDD wanted to know about it even though it was from California. It didn't affect my eligibility or anything, but they like to keep records updated. Also, definitely keep that check stub and any documentation you get from EDD about why you received the payment - you'll want it for your tax records and just in case any questions come up later. The IRS can be just as confusing as EDD sometimes!

This entire thread has been such a lifesaver! I received a $627 check from EDD three days ago for a claim that ended in September 2021, and I was absolutely convinced it was either a scam or some terrible mistake that would result in me owing them money later. Reading everyone's experiences with these pandemic-era audit payments has completely changed my perspective. It's amazing how many people are going through the exact same thing - getting unexpected legitimate payments years after their claims ended. I'm definitely going to use Claimyr to get through to EDD and confirm the details before depositing, but knowing that so many others have had positive outcomes gives me a lot more confidence. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and especially to the original poster for the detailed update about what EDD told them. This community is incredibly valuable for navigating EDD's confusing processes!

I'm a social worker and deal with this issue regularly when helping clients access their benefits. One method that's worked well is contacting your local Legal Aid office - many have EDD specialists who can help navigate these bureaucratic issues for free. They often have direct contacts at EDD offices and can sometimes get information requests processed faster than individual requests. Also, if your father is over 65, some Area Agency on Aging offices have benefit counselors who specialize in helping seniors with EDD problems. They're familiar with all the workarounds and can sometimes advocate directly with EDD on your behalf. It might be worth calling around to see what resources are available in your area. The system is definitely frustrating, but there are advocates out there who deal with this stuff daily and know how to get results.

I'm going through this exact same situation with my mom right now! Reading through all these suggestions has been incredibly helpful. We've been stuck for weeks trying to get her payment amount, but I didn't realize there were so many different approaches we could try. The notarized letter idea and contacting Legal Aid are things I never would have thought of. Has anyone had success with the Area Agency on Aging route that Maya mentioned? My mom is 71 and this whole process has been really stressful for her. It would be great to have an advocate who knows the EDD system help us navigate this mess.

That's great news! I'm so happy the online reopening process worked smoothly for you. Just a heads up - when you do certify next Sunday, make sure you have documentation ready for any weeks where you had contract income, even if it was minimal. EDD sometimes asks for proof of earnings during the certification process, especially after reopening a claim. Also, since you mentioned your finances are tight, remember that even if you made some money from freelance work during those 12 weeks, you might still qualify for partial benefits for weeks where your earnings were below your weekly benefit amount. Don't assume you won't get anything just because you had some income! Keep us posted on how the certification goes. Your experience will definitely help others in similar situations!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through almost the exact same situation! I was laid off from my marketing job and had been doing freelance social media work on and off. The reopening process can feel overwhelming but you're definitely on the right track. One thing I learned the hard way - when they ask about work search activities during the reopening questions, make sure you count ANY legitimate job-seeking efforts, including updating your LinkedIn, reaching out to former colleagues, or even researching potential clients for your freelance work. I initially thought it only meant formal job applications and almost got dinged for "insufficient work search." Also, once you start certifying again, be prepared that they might ask for additional documentation about your self-employment. I had to provide bank statements showing my freelance payments and a brief explanation of my work situation. Having everything organized beforehand made the process much smoother. The good news is that California is generally pretty understanding about mixed employment situations like ours where you're doing contract work while looking for full-time employment. Just be honest and thorough in all your responses!

Hey William! I just had my EDD interview last Tuesday and wanted to share what helped me get through it successfully. The biggest thing is to stay calm and remember that most of these interviews are just routine verification - they're not out to get you. Here's what actually happened during mine: - They called about 20 minutes late (so definitely keep your phone close!) - Asked for my full name and last 4 of SSN to verify identity - Confirmed my last day worked and final paycheck date - Asked me to explain in my own words why I'm no longer working - Wanted to know if I received any severance or vacation payout - Asked if I'm actively looking for work and available to start immediately The whole thing took maybe 10 minutes. I had all my paperwork spread out in front of me but honestly only needed to reference my termination letter once. For your situation with the job posting - if they ask about it, just say you were told there was no work available when you were laid off, and you only discovered the posting later while job searching. Don't overthink it! One last tip: speak slowly and clearly. I was so nervous I was talking super fast at first, but the interviewer was really patient and even said "take your time" when I stumbled over a date. You've got this! Let us know how it goes tomorrow 💪

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and I totally get why you're nervous! The anticipation is honestly the worst part. Here's what I wish someone had told me beforehand: bring a glass of water and have it nearby during the call. I got so anxious that my mouth went completely dry halfway through and I started stumbling over my words. The interviewer actually paused and asked if I needed a moment, which was really kind. Also, if you don't understand a question or need clarification, it's totally okay to ask them to repeat it or explain what they're looking for. I did this once when they asked about "work separation circumstances" and I wasn't sure if they meant the reason I left or something else. The interviewer was super helpful and rephrased it. Your situation with the job posting actually works in your favor because it shows your employer genuinely didn't have work available for YOU at the time of separation, even if they later decided to fill the role differently (maybe at lower pay, different hours, etc.). Just stick to what you were told when you were let go. The interview is really just about confirming you didn't quit voluntarily and that you're genuinely looking for work. Sounds like you clearly meet both criteria! You're going to do fine tomorrow. 👍

That's amazing news! So glad you got through and figured out what was causing the issue. The driver's license renewal discrepancy makes total sense - it's frustrating that such a minor thing can lock you out for months, but at least now you know what happened. Make sure to backdate those certifications for the weeks you were eligible before starting the canvassing job, and don't forget to report your canvassing earnings accurately when you get to those weeks. This is such a helpful update for anyone else dealing with similar ID verification nightmares - sometimes it really is just a data mismatch that needs manual review. Congrats on finally breaking through the EDD maze!

Wow, what a relief that you finally got through! Your update is incredibly valuable - I never would have thought that a driver's license renewal could cause an identity verification lockout. It's so frustrating that EDD's system can't handle something as routine as updating your license without flagging your account. The fact that you had to wait months and jump through so many hoops for what was essentially a data synchronization issue is ridiculous. Thanks for sharing the resolution - this thread is going to help so many people who are dealing with similar mysterious account locks. Make sure to save all your documentation from this process in case you run into any other issues during your back-certification!