I'm dealing with this EXACT same CalJOBS nightmare right now! Just received my EDD letter this morning with the pre-registration info and surprise - it's completely broken. The username format they provided (first initial + last name + last 4 of SSN) just gives me "account doesn't exist" errors no matter how I try it. It's absolutely ridiculous that EDD keeps sending out these instructions when they obviously know the system is fundamentally broken. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm convinced the pre-registration approach is a complete waste of time. I'm going to skip straight to creating a brand new CalJOBS account from scratch and then call that CalJOBS technical support line at 1-800-758-0398 that multiple people have mentioned to get it properly linked to my EDD case. This community has been incredibly more helpful than any official EDD support! It's honestly embarrassing that we have to crowdsource solutions for basic government system failures, but I'm so grateful everyone shares their workarounds and real experiences. I'll make sure to have my EDD customer account number ready when I call tech support and ensure all my personal information matches exactly between both systems. Thanks to everyone for turning what seemed like an impossible problem into a clear path forward!

Fairly sure CalJobs is confused and sending out the wrong info in their letter. I would try this Last Name + First Initial + Last 4 of social security number, ex. SMITHJ1234 - I tried this and used the password they sent in the email and it worked for me. Honestly though they really need to work on this garbage.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful for someone like me who's preparing for my first CalJOBS appointment! I'm in a similar boat - healthcare administration background with about 7 weeks of unemployment, and I was honestly dreading this appointment until I read all these responses. The advice about treating it as career coaching rather than compliance is such a game-changer for my mindset. I've been so focused on not "getting in trouble" that I wasn't thinking about all the resources and guidance I could actually get from this. A few questions for those who've been through it: How technical do they get about your job search methods? Like, do they ask about specific networking strategies or just focus on the CalJOBS platform activities? And for healthcare admin folks specifically - did your reps have good knowledge about our field, or did you need to explain a lot about what you do? I'm definitely going to spend this weekend uploading my resume, organizing my application records in CalJOBS, and preparing that "cheat sheet" someone mentioned with all my EMR systems and certifications. This community has been amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly!

I had my CalJOBS appointment about 6 weeks ago and can answer your questions! They don't get super technical about networking strategies - they mainly focus on how you're using the CalJOBS platform and your general approach to job searching. My rep asked about my job search methods but was more interested in helping me optimize my CalJOBS usage than critiquing what I was doing outside the system. Regarding healthcare admin knowledge - my rep actually knew quite a bit about our field! She understood the different types of healthcare admin roles and was familiar with common software like Epic and Cerner. She didn't need much explanation about what I do, which was a pleasant surprise. I think they get training on major industries since healthcare is such a big employer in California. The "cheat sheet" idea is brilliant - I wish I had done that! Having all your certifications and systems experience organized beforehand will definitely make you look prepared and professional. Your weekend prep plan sounds perfect. One more tip since you mentioned networking - if you're part of any healthcare admin professional groups on LinkedIn or have attended virtual industry events, mention those during your appointment. They count as work search activities and show you're staying engaged with your professional community. You're going to do great! The fact that you're preparing so thoroughly shows exactly the kind of professional approach that impresses both EDD reps and potential employers.

Wait, @Sam - I'm confused about the fax number you mentioned. You said the updated number is 916-449-1555, but then you mentioned 619-525-4830 being non-operational. I don't think anyone in this thread mentioned the 619 number though? Can you clarify which number you actually used successfully? I'm seeing 916-255-1277 mentioned multiple times in this thread as the general documentation fax, and that's different from the 916-449-1555 you just posted. I really don't want to send my documents to the wrong number and lose more time! Also, when you called EDD to verify, did they specifically say there's only ONE fax number total, or just one for general documents? Because others have mentioned different numbers for identity verification vs general docs. Thanks for any clarification - this is really important for everyone trying to get their paperwork in!

I'm a bit concerned about the conflicting fax numbers being shared here. As someone who just went through this process successfully last month, I can confirm that (916) 255-1277 is definitely the correct number for general documentation - I used it to submit my work search verification and it was processed within 6 business days. However, @Sam's mention of 916-449-1555 has me worried that there might be outdated information floating around. Before anyone sends important documents, I'd strongly recommend calling EDD's main line at (833) 978-2511 to verify the current fax number for your specific document type. Yes, the wait times are brutal, but it's better than risking your documents going to a disconnected fax line. Also want to echo what others have said about keeping detailed records - I photograph every page before faxing, keep the transmission receipt, and follow up with a phone call within a week. This whole process is stressful enough without wondering if your paperwork made it through! For what it's worth, the EDD website (edd.ca.gov) should have the most up-to-date contact information, though I know their site isn't always the most user-friendly to navigate.