This thread is a goldmine of info! I'm dealing with the exact same Cal Jobs 2FA issue and my deadline is in 4 days. Reading through all the solutions here has given me hope. My plan of attack based on everyone's suggestions: 1. Try the new Gmail account method first (seems to have the highest success rate) 2. If that fails, use Claimyr to get through to EDD for the bypass code 3. Document everything with screenshots like @Anastasia Kozlov suggested One thing I wanted to add - for anyone else reading this who's panicking like I was, it sounds like there ARE solutions and people DO get through this successfully. The system is definitely broken but it's not impossible to work around. Will update with my results in case it helps others! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences 🙏

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact nightmare about 6 months ago! The Cal Jobs 2FA issue is SO frustrating and you're absolutely right that it feels intentionally designed to trip people up. What finally worked for me was a combination of things mentioned here: - Created a new email specifically for government stuff (used ProtonMail instead of Gmail) - Cleared ALL browser data, not just cache - Used incognito/private browsing mode for the registration The key thing I learned is that Cal Jobs has some weird conflicts with certain browser extensions and saved login data. Starting completely fresh seemed to be what broke through for me. Also, if you do end up having to go to the EDD office, call ahead to see if they have specific "tech support" hours. Some locations have staff who actually know the Cal Jobs system better than others. Saved me from sitting there all day only to be told to "try again later" 🙄 Fingers crossed the Gmail trick works for you - sounds like that's been the winner for most people lately!

One final important note: If your DoorDash earnings reduce your weekly benefit amount, that's actually a good thing in the long run. Each week you receive partial benefits extends your claim duration, effectively stretching your maximum benefit amount over a longer period of time. Many people don't realize this advantage of reporting partial earnings properly.

Just wanted to add something that helped me a lot when I started gig work while on UI - download a mileage tracking app like MileIQ or Everlance. Even though you can't deduct expenses on your EDD certification, you'll still need those records for tax time when you file your 1099. DoorDash only tracks your "online" miles, not the miles you drive TO your first pickup or back home after your last delivery. Those extra miles add up and can save you hundreds on taxes. I wish someone had told me this when I first started!

One more important tip: When you mail your appeals, send them by certified mail with return receipt requested. This gives you proof of when you submitted each appeal, which is crucial if there's ever a question about whether you met the deadlines. Keep copies of everything you send as well as your certified mail receipts. Also, after submitting your appeals, watch your mail carefully for hearing notices. Sometimes these can be scheduled with relatively short notice, and missing a hearing typically results in losing your appeal by default.

I went through this exact same nightmare situation! Got 5 different determination letters over 2 weeks with overlapping but slightly different accusations. Here's what I learned the hard way: 1. Appeal EVERY SINGLE LETTER separately - don't assume the redetermination replaces anything unless it explicitly states that in writing 2. Use certified mail for each appeal and keep tracking numbers 3. Write specific responses addressing the exact allegations in each letter (don't just copy/paste the same response) 4. Include all determination letter numbers and dates in your appeals even if they seem related The EDD's computer system is ancient and treats each determination as a separate case. I made the mistake of only appealing 3 out of 5 letters thinking some were duplicates, and those 2 became final determinations that I'm still fighting today. Also pro tip - if you can't get through to EDD by phone (and you probably can't), document EVERYTHING you tried to do to contact them. Print screenshots of busy signals, keep call logs, etc. This can help in your appeal if they claim you didn't try to resolve issues before the deadline. Don't let the multiple forms intimidate you - it's better to be over-thorough than to miss something and regret it later!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar ID verification issue right now and was about to mail my documents like the rep told me to. Thank you everyone for mentioning ID.me - I had no idea that was even an option! It's ridiculous that EDD reps aren't consistently telling people about the faster online verification method. Going to check my UI Online account right now to look for that ID.me link. Hopefully I can get this sorted out quickly like you did Maxwell!

Just went through this exact same frustrating experience last month! The first EDD rep I spoke with also only mentioned mailing documents and made it sound like that was my only option. I was so stressed about sending my original ID through the mail. Thankfully I found out about ID.me through this community - completed the verification in about 20 minutes and my claim was approved within 48 hours. It's honestly inexcusable that some reps aren't informing people about the faster digital option. For anyone still dealing with this - definitely try the ID.me route first before resorting to mailing anything. And if you need to call EDD again, don't be afraid to ask specifically about digital verification options if they only mention mail-in documents.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in almost the exact same situation - I have a small monthly pension distribution ($475) from my former job and was completely unsure about how to handle it during certification. I made the mistake of not mentioning it when I first filed my claim over the phone because I honestly didn't think about it at the time. After reading through everyone's experiences and advice, it's crystal clear that I need to report it and mark "yes" during certification. The explanation about EDD being more concerned with intentional fraud rather than honest mistakes from people genuinely trying to comply is really reassuring. I was terrified about potential penalties, but it sounds like being transparent going forward is the best approach. I'm definitely going to start keeping detailed records like Jessica suggested - a simple spreadsheet with payment dates and amounts seems like the smart way to stay organized. It's frustrating that the system is so confusing for regular people, but I'm grateful for communities like this where we can help each other figure things out. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - you've really helped ease my anxiety about this whole process!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! I have a monthly pension payment of $525 from my old job and was completely panicked about whether to report it. Like many others here, I didn't mention it during my initial phone application because I honestly didn't think about it in the moment - the whole process happened so fast and I was focused on getting through all the employment history questions. After reading through everyone's experiences, it's absolutely clear that I need to report it during certification and check "yes" for receiving income. What really helped was understanding that EDD is primarily concerned with intentional fraud, not honest mistakes from people genuinely trying to follow the rules. The detailed explanations about the benefit reduction formula were super helpful too - it sounds like most of us will still receive some unemployment benefits even with retirement income. I'm definitely going to implement the spreadsheet tracking system that Jessica mentioned. Having detailed records with exact dates and amounts seems like the smart way to stay organized and avoid any potential issues down the road. It's both frustrating and comforting to know that so many of us are navigating this same confusion. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experiences - this community support makes such a difference when dealing with such a stressful and confusing system!