UPDATE: Just checked my UI Online account and my status changed from "pending" to "paid" this morning! Hopefully that means I'll have the money by tomorrow or Wednesday. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Great to see your status changed to "paid" so quickly! That's usually a good sign you'll see the funds by Tuesday/Wednesday. Just wanted to add - since you mentioned inconsistent timing between your first two payments, it's worth noting that the first payment in any benefit year often takes longer due to additional verification steps. Once you're in the regular certification cycle, timing tends to be more predictable. Also, if you do decide to switch to the Money Network card for faster processing, you can change your payment method in your UI Online account under "Profile" > "Payment Information." The card usually arrives within 7-10 business days after requesting it.

idk about yall but im so tired of jumping through hoops just to get whats owed to us. the whole system needs an overhaul fr 😫

From my experience, county babysitting work definitely needs to be reported to EDD. Since it's through the county, there's likely a paper trail anyway, so it's better to be upfront about it. When I had similar situation with part-time work, I found that being transparent from the start saved me a lot of headaches later. The EDD will calculate your partial benefits based on your total earnings, so you might still qualify for some unemployment while doing the babysitting work. Just make sure to report it consistently every time you certify!

Great to see you got everything resolved! Your experience really highlights how confusing the EDD system can be when you're dealing with multiple platforms. I'm going through something similar right now - filed my claim last week and got the ID.me verification email yesterday. Reading through this thread has been super helpful in understanding that these are two separate systems. I was about to panic thinking I'd need to remember payment details from 2020! Going to complete my ID.me verification today and bookmark that Claimyr service in case I need help with UI Online access later. Thanks for sharing your step-by-step resolution - it's exactly what people in this situation need to see.

Just wanted to add another perspective for anyone still struggling with this. I went through the exact same confusion last year and made it way more complicated than it needed to be. The key thing that finally clicked for me was realizing that ID.me is basically like a digital ID card that you show to EDD to prove you're really you - it has nothing to do with your old account login or payment history. Think of it like showing your driver's license at the DMV. Once I stopped trying to connect it to my old unemployment stuff and just treated it as a fresh identity verification, the whole process took maybe 20 minutes. The selfie part was a bit finicky (make sure you have good lighting!), but otherwise pretty smooth. Also, pro tip: have your phone ready for the mobile verification step - it goes much faster than trying to do everything on a computer.

One thing to keep in mind is that even though your contract is only 6 months, you'll still need to pay into the unemployment insurance system during that time (it gets deducted from your paychecks automatically). So you're literally paying into the system that you might need to use when the contract ends - there's nothing unethical about collecting benefits you've contributed to! Also, make sure you get a clear termination letter or email from your employer when the contract ends stating that it was due to the contract completion, not performance issues or you quitting. This documentation can be super helpful if EDD questions your eligibility later. The transition from freelancing to W-2 and potentially back again is becoming more common, especially in tech. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about using unemployment benefits during that transition period - that's literally what the system is for!

Just want to add another perspective as someone who's done multiple contract-to-unemployment transitions - the key thing EDD cares about is that you're "able, available, and actively seeking work." The beauty of W-2 contracts is that they establish you as a traditional employee in their system, which makes everything cleaner than trying to transition from pure 1099 work. One tip I learned the hard way: when you do your weekly certifications, be consistent in how you describe your work search. If you say you're looking for "similar employment" in week 1, don't suddenly switch to saying you're open to "any work" in week 3. EDD's system flags inconsistencies and can trigger reviews. Also, California has pretty generous unemployment benefits compared to other states, and with your $42/hour rate, you'll likely qualify for close to the maximum. Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so don't forget to set aside money for taxes or elect to have taxes withheld from your benefit payments. The timing might actually work out well for you - if this contract goes well, it could open doors to other similar W-2 contract opportunities, and having that unemployment safety net gives you negotiating power and breathing room between contracts.

One final note that might help your father: He should remember that at 65, he also has Medicare eligibility. If his previous employer was providing health insurance that's now ending, he should ensure he's enrolled in Medicare to avoid any gaps in coverage. There's a Special Enrollment Period when you lose employer coverage. Regarding his job search: There are programs specifically designed to help older workers find employment. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is one such program. Also, California has workforce centers that offer specialized assistance for older job seekers. Wishing your dad the best of luck navigating this transition. It's challenging at any age, but with 27 years of experience, he has valuable skills to offer employers.

I went through something similar with my mom when she was 64 and got laid off from her office job. She was so worried about the whole process, but it turned out to be much more straightforward than we expected. The key thing is to apply right away - don't wait! And make sure your dad keeps good records of his job search activities. I created a simple spreadsheet for my mom to track where she applied, when, and any follow-up. It made the biweekly certifications so much easier. Also, if he's not super comfortable with computers, many libraries offer free help with online applications. The librarians at our local branch were incredibly patient and helped my mom navigate the UI Online system. Hang in there - this is definitely manageable!