Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you absolutely did NOT mess up by trying to work! I was in almost the exact same boat last summer. Got laid off from my marketing job, did Instacart for about 2 months to pay bills, then applied for unemployment when those gigs dried up too. The EDD rep actually complimented me for trying to stay employed instead of immediately going on benefits. Your benefit amount will be based on your W-2 wages from the base period, and any gig work you did just gets reported during weekly certification for those specific weeks. One tip that saved me headaches: when you certify for those gig work weeks, round UP to the nearest dollar if you have cents. The system doesn't handle partial dollars well and it can cause payment delays. Also make sure you report earnings for the week you actually worked, not when you got paid - this is SUPER important for gig work since there's often a delay between when you work and when the money hits your account. You should be fine going forward! The hardest part is usually just getting through to talk to someone if you have questions, but it sounds like you're on the right track.

Hey Emma! I'm dealing with a really similar situation right now - got laid off from my tech job in February and did food delivery for about 6 weeks before the orders basically disappeared. Just wanted to add that when I called EDD last week, they told me something that might help you: you can actually request to backdate your claim to your original layoff date since you had "good cause" for the delay (trying to find work/support yourself). The rep explained that doing gig work after a layoff actually shows you were "able and available" for work, which is one of the requirements they look for. So don't feel bad about working - it might actually strengthen your case! One thing I learned the hard way: make sure you have your 1099 forms or earnings statements from the gig apps ready. They might ask for them during the application process or later when you certify. I had to scramble to get my DoorDash tax documents because I hadn't downloaded them before my account got deactivated. Really hope your application goes smoothly! This whole process is stressful enough without having to worry about whether you did something wrong by trying to work.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The key thing that worked for me was calling EDD early in the morning (like 8:01 AM sharp when they open) and explaining that their system wasn't recognizing my new work history. The rep was able to manually override the system and let me file a new claim based on my recent wages. Make sure you have your last few pay stubs ready when you call - they'll likely ask for the exact dates and amounts. It took about 2 weeks after that call for everything to process, but I was able to get my benefits. Don't give up, the system is just slow to update sometimes! 💪

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! It's so frustrating when you know you've been working and earning wages but the system acts like you don't exist. I've been reading through all these suggestions and it seems like the common thread is that EDD's system is just really slow to update work history. I'm going to try the early morning call strategy that Sophia mentioned - calling right at 8:01 AM with all my pay stubs ready. Has anyone had luck with the UI Online mobile app vs the desktop site? Sometimes mobile interfaces work differently when there are glitches. Really hoping we can all get through this bureaucratic nightmare soon! 🤞

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually an employment counselor who works with people navigating layoffs and relocations, and I wanted to add a few professional insights that might help others in similar situations. @Dmitri Volkov - getting that written layoff classification from HR was absolutely the right move. That documentation eliminates almost all potential complications with your EDD claim. For anyone else facing company relocations, here are some additional considerations: 1. **Timing matters for tax purposes** - if you're laid off in January vs December, it can affect which tax year your unemployment benefits fall into. Something to discuss with a tax professional if you have flexibility. 2. **COBRA notifications** - make sure you understand exactly when your health insurance ends and when COBRA kicks in. There's usually an 18-month eligibility period, but you need to elect it within 60 days. 3. **401k/retirement accounts** - if your company has matching contributions that vest over time, check if staying through the layoff date affects your vesting schedule. 4. **Professional references** - secure written recommendations from supervisors and colleagues before the chaos of the actual move. People get busy and harder to reach once they've relocated. The advice throughout this thread about documentation is spot-on. I've seen too many cases where people had legitimate claims but struggled because they couldn't prove their circumstances. You're all handling this exactly right by getting everything in writing!

As someone who went through a similar company relocation to Texas in 2023, I can confirm that getting that layoff classification is absolutely the way to go! @Dmitri Volkov - you handled this perfectly by working with HR to get that written confirmation. I wanted to add one more tip that really helped me during my transition: if your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), they often provide free career counseling and job search resources that you can use even during your notice period. Mine included resume review, interview coaching, and even some networking event access. Also, don't underestimate the value of your current coworkers' networks. Many of my colleagues were in the same boat - couldn't relocate but had great industry connections. We actually formed an informal job-sharing group where we'd pass along opportunities that weren't right for us but might fit others. Several people found new positions through these connections. The stress of a company relocation is real, but this thread shows how much better the outcome can be when you approach it strategically with good information. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's created an amazing resource for anyone facing this situation!

Thanks for asking this question! I was also looking for the correct mailing address. Based on what Katie shared, the address appears to be: EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PO BOX 2530 RANCHO CORDOVA, CA 95741-2530 I'd also recommend calling EDD first to confirm this is the right address for your specific situation and to ask if they have any online submission options available. That way you can avoid potential delays if documents get lost in the mail. Good luck with your claim!

Just wanted to add that I recently had to submit documents to EDD and found that the address Katie mentioned is correct for most employment verification documents. However, I'd strongly recommend checking your specific notice or correspondence from EDD first, as they sometimes provide different addresses depending on the type of documentation or your claim type. Also, if you're in a time crunch, consider faxing the documents if that option is available - I was able to fax mine and got confirmation much faster than waiting for mail delivery. The fax number should be listed on any notices you received from EDD. Make sure to keep copies of everything you send and get that tracking number like others mentioned. EDD can be really slow to process things, so having proof of delivery is essential if you need to follow up later.

I'm so sorry you had to go through that terrible experience, Jessica. What that interviewer did was completely unacceptable and unprofessional - no one should be treated with such hostility during an already stressful time. Reading through this entire thread has been really eye-opening for me as someone who's new to the EDD process. I had no idea that some interviewers could be so inappropriate and hostile. Your courage in documenting everything right away and filing a formal complaint is admirable and will hopefully protect other claimants from similar treatment. I'm really encouraged to see from your update that the supervisor took your complaint seriously and reassured you about fair evaluation. It's good to know there are still people in the system who care about proper procedures and treating people with basic dignity. The advice shared in this thread is incredibly valuable - from using services like Claimyr to get through to EDD, to understanding that there's a review process beyond just the interviewer's recommendation. You've helped create such an important resource for this community. I hope your claim gets approved - leaving due to a toxic work environment with sudden schedule changes definitely sounds like it should qualify as good cause. Please keep us updated when you hear back. We're all rooting for you, and thank you for standing up for yourself and helping others navigate this challenging system!

Jessica, I'm absolutely appalled by how that interviewer treated you. What you described is completely unacceptable and goes far beyond any reasonable interview process. Making personal attacks like "If I was your employer, I would have fired you" is not only unprofessional but potentially discriminatory. I'm really glad you documented everything immediately and filed that complaint - that was exactly the right response. It takes courage to stand up for yourself when you're already in a vulnerable position, but you're not just helping yourself, you're helping protect future claimants from similar abuse. This thread has become such a valuable resource showing that hostile treatment from EDD interviewers is unfortunately more common than it should be, but also that there ARE steps we can take and people in the system who will listen when we speak up. Your situation with leaving due to a toxic work environment and schedule changes made without notice definitely sounds like it should qualify as good cause for separation. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your claim gets approved despite that awful interview experience. Thank you for sharing your story and showing all of us that we have rights and don't have to just accept mistreatment. Please keep us updated when you hear back on your decision - we're all rooting for you!