I work in a similar irregular W2 situation and want to add something important - make sure you understand how your employer handles your status during gaps between assignments. Some companies automatically terminate employees after X days of no work, while others keep you active indefinitely. I learned this the hard way when my employer told EDD I was "separated" even though I thought I was just waiting for my next assignment. Now I always confirm with my supervisor before each certification period whether I'm still considered an active employee or not. It's worth that awkward conversation to avoid potential overpayment issues later!

I've been dealing with this exact same situation for over a year now! I work as a substitute teacher (W2) and sometimes go weeks without any assignments. Here's what I learned after making some mistakes early on: 1. Always report as "still employed" unless your employer formally terminates you or tells you there's no more work available 2. On weeks you work, report every penny earned - EDD cross-references with employer records 3. Keep detailed records of all communication with your employer about your status 4. Most importantly - ask your employer directly how they classify employees during gaps between assignments I made the mistake of assuming I was "terminated" after 3 weeks without work and marked it that way on my certification. Then when I got another assignment, EDD flagged it as a discrepancy because my employer never reported me as terminated. It took months to sort out! The key is understanding YOUR specific employer's policies. Some consider you active for 30 days, some for 90 days, and some keep you active indefinitely as long as you're willing to accept assignments. Get this in writing if possible - it'll save you so much headache later.

I went through this exact same thing! I'm a freelance videographer and had a client fly me to Portland for a 3-day shoot last year. I was so confused about the out-of-state question too. I ended up calling EDD (took forever to get through) and the rep told me the same thing everyone here is saying - it's about where your wages are reported, not where you physically worked. Since my client was based in LA and sent me a 1099 from California, I answered "No" to the out-of-state work question and had zero issues with my claim. The physical location of temporary work assignments doesn't matter as long as the employer/client is reporting your wages to California. You're overthinking it - just answer "No" and you'll be fine!

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in tech and travels frequently for client meetings. I've had similar confusion with EDD questions in the past. The key thing that helped me understand it was thinking about it from the tax perspective - if your employer is withholding California state taxes from your paycheck and reporting your wages to California, then as far as unemployment is concerned, you "worked in California" even if you were physically somewhere else. It's kind of like how remote workers who live in one state but work for a company in another state - what matters for UI purposes is where the employer is based and reporting wages, not where you're sitting at your computer. Hope that helps clarify things from another angle!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same confusion! You're good with the card you have - no need to worry about another one coming. I made the mistake of calling EDD three times asking about this because I was so paranoid about missing payments. The customer service rep finally explained that they use the same Money Network card for your entire claim period unless you specifically request a replacement or it gets lost/stolen. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - you can set up text alerts through the Money Network app to get notified immediately when funds are deposited. Really helps with the anxiety of wondering if your payment went through!

Hey Arjun! I went through this exact same worry when I first got on unemployment benefits. You're absolutely fine with the card you just activated - that's the one and only card you'll need for your entire claim period. EDD doesn't send different cards for waiting periods vs regular benefits, they just load everything onto the same Money Network card once it's active. When you certify on the 10th and get approved, those funds will show up on the card you already have within 1-2 business days. Pro tip: download the Money Network mobile app if you haven't already - it makes checking your balance and transaction history so much easier than calling that annoying automated phone line!

I'm in a similar situation - got approved 2 weeks ago and still waiting for my card! Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and terrifying lol. The USPS Informed Delivery tip is genius, definitely signing up for that today. Has anyone tried contacting their local EDD office directly about card delays, or is Bank of America the only option once the payment is issued? Really hoping mine shows up soon because like the OP, I've got bills piling up!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got approved about 9 days ago and have been obsessively checking my mailbox every day. It's such a stressful waiting game when you really need the money. Reading through all these experiences is actually really helpful - sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty normal, so I'm trying to stay patient. The USPS Informed Delivery suggestion is brilliant, definitely signing up for that right now! Also good to know about the BofA app for managing the card once it arrives. Hopefully both our cards show up soon - this whole process has been way more complicated than I expected for something so essential!

This happened to me too! I got certification links 4 days after my appeal hearing and was so confused because my account still showed disqualified. Turns out I won! The official letter came about 10 days later. What really helped me was calling the 1-833-978-2511 number around 8:02 AM (right after they open) to get confirmation. The rep was able to tell me that my appeal decision had been entered as "favorable" even though the letter hadn't been mailed yet. Definitely certify for all those weeks - EDD won't send certification links unless they're planning to pay you. Just make sure you answer all the questions accurately since you're certifying for such a long period. Take your time with each week and don't rush through it. The backpay processing took about 3 weeks after I certified, but when it hit, it was life-changing. Sounds like you're looking at a substantial amount given that timeframe. Fingers crossed for you!

I'm going through something similar right now! Had my appeal hearing 3 weeks ago and just got certification links yesterday for about 8 months of back weeks. My UI Online still shows the old status too, so I totally understand the confusion and anxiety you're feeling. From everything I've read here and in other forums, it really does seem like a positive sign when they send those certification links. I've been hesitant to get my hopes up, but seeing all these success stories from people who went through the exact same sequence of events is really encouraging. I started certifying yesterday and took everyone's advice about screenshots - definitely recommend doing that for your peace of mind. I'm also planning to call that number someone mentioned to see if I can get any confirmation about my appeal status. The waiting game is absolutely brutal, but it sounds like we're both probably looking at good news based on everyone's experiences here. Keeping my fingers crossed for both of us! Please update us when you get your official decision - I'll do the same. It's so helpful to have this community to share these experiences with since the whole process is so stressful and confusing.