I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Lost my job at a local deli in late January but just filed last week because I kept thinking I'd land something quickly. Reading through everyone's success stories here has given me so much hope - it's incredible to see how many people have actually gotten their claims backdated despite all the horror stories you hear online. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to start calling 1-800-300-5616 tomorrow morning at exactly 8:00 AM and keep at it until I get through. My situation sounds identical to so many others - I genuinely had no idea how important it was to file immediately and was actively job searching, convinced I'd find work within a few weeks. For those who've been successful, did you find that mentioning specific places you applied to helped your case, or was it enough to just say you were actively job searching? I have some email confirmations and applications saved but they're not super organized. Also, has anyone had luck getting through later in the day, or is the 8 AM strategy really the most effective? The thought of potentially getting 6+ weeks of back benefits would be absolutely life-changing for my rent situation right now. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread is giving me the motivation to push through what I know will be a marathon of calling!

I just went through this exact same process two weeks ago and wanted to share my experience to help others! Lost my job at a retail store in early February but didn't file until mid-March because I was convinced I'd find something quickly. I successfully got my claim backdated 6 weeks using the calling method. Here's what worked: Called 1-800-300-5616 every morning at exactly 8:00 AM for 4 days straight. Finally got through on day 4 after about 50 attempts that morning. The rep was understanding when I explained I didn't realize filing immediately was so critical and had been job searching the whole time. She submitted my backdate request during that call and I got approval in 12 days. The back payment of $3,200 was a lifesaver! Key tips: Have your last work date and final pay info ready, be honest about why you delayed, mention any job search activities (even if records aren't perfect), and don't give up on calling - persistence absolutely works. Your reason for waiting is totally valid and commonly accepted. Start calling right at 8 AM and keep trying back-to-back until you connect. It's frustrating but so worth it when that approval comes through!

Hey Emma! Just wanted to chime in since I went through this exact same confusion when I first applied. The waiting period is definitely one of those things they should explain better upfront! One tip that helped me - when you certify this Sunday, double-check that you're answering all the questions correctly, especially about availability for work and any job search activities. Sometimes people accidentally trigger issues that can delay payments. Also, if you haven't already, make sure your direct deposit info is set up correctly in your UI Online account - that'll help ensure your payments come through smoothly once they start processing. The good news is that after this initial confusion, the process becomes pretty routine!

Yes, you absolutely need to meet all eligibility requirements during the waiting period week, including being available for work and conducting job search activities if required. The waiting period isn't a "free pass" week - you still have to be actively seeking employment and meet all the same criteria as any other week you're claiming benefits. The only difference is you don't get paid for that first week. California typically requires 3 job search activities per week (though this can vary), so make sure you're documenting your applications, interviews, or other qualifying activities. When you certify, you'll be asked about your job search efforts for both weeks, including that waiting period week.

Wow, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in a very similar situation - just got laid off from my graphic design job here in LA and that $450/week is barely covering my rent, let alone food and other expenses. Reading through everyone's real experiences has completely changed my perspective on doing delivery work while on unemployment. I was initially terrified about potentially messing up my EDD claim, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated this with proper documentation and honest reporting is really encouraging. The specific tips about weekly routines, separate banking accounts for taxes, and using apps like Everlance for mileage tracking are exactly what I needed to hear. @Freya Johansen your $150-200 weekly target strategy sounds perfect for my situation. After reading everyone's math on the 75% benefit reduction, it seems like that range would give me meaningful extra income while keeping me in partial benefits territory. I'm planning to start with UberEats on Friday/Saturday evenings like several people suggested, get that Google Sheets tracking system set up, and be absolutely religious about those Sunday night screenshots. The flexibility to instantly turn on/off the app seems crucial since I never know when an interview opportunity might pop up. Thanks to everyone who shared their actual numbers and real-world experiences. This thread has turned what felt like a risky gamble into a manageable strategy with clear best practices. Time to get that background check started!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone in my exact situation! I got laid off from my software engineering job in Sacramento last month and have been really struggling to make my $425 weekly benefit cover everything. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences with delivery apps while on unemployment has given me the confidence to finally try this approach. I love how many people have shared their actual numbers and weekly routines - it makes this feel so much more manageable than when I was just reading the confusing EDD website. The Google Sheets tracking system, Sunday night screenshot ritual, and separate savings account for taxes are all going straight into my plan. One quick question for those who've been doing this: I'm seeing a lot of advice about staying under that weekly benefit threshold, but has anyone experimented with occasionally going over (like during a really busy weekend) and just accepting zero benefits for that week? I'm wondering if the math works out better some weeks to just maximize gig earnings and skip the partial benefits entirely, especially if there are good promotions running on the apps. Also planning to start with UberEats on weekends like so many have recommended. The instant on/off flexibility sounds perfect since I'm actively interviewing and never know when I might need to suddenly be available. Thanks to everyone for being so generous with sharing real experiences and numbers!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with my first certification being pending for 6 days now after being laid off from my job at a tech startup. I didn't mark yes to being sick, but I did report some severance pay that my employer gave me when they let me go. Reading everyone's experiences here has really helped calm my nerves - I was starting to think I had made some mistake in my application. It's so reassuring to know that first-time certifications commonly take longer due to manual review, and that being honest about things like severance or sick days is actually the correct approach even if it causes delays. The official EDD website really doesn't explain what "normal" processing looks like for different situations, so this community insight is invaluable. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's helping newcomers like me understand that this is just part of the process and not necessarily a sign that something went wrong!

Reading through this entire thread has been such an eye-opener! I'm currently in week 2 of my first unemployment claim after being laid off from my accounting firm, and I've been dreading my first certification because I wasn't sure what to expect. Seeing how common the "pending" status is for first-time filers, and understanding that the manual review process is actually designed to protect everyone involved, makes me feel so much more prepared. What really stands out to me is how everyone emphasizes being honest during certification - even if it means marking "yes" to things that might trigger a review. I have a dentist appointment scheduled during my first certification period and was worried about whether to report it, but now I understand it's much better to be upfront than risk issues later. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here. The official EDD guidance doesn't really capture what the day-to-day reality is like for new filers, so this community knowledge is incredibly valuable. It's reassuring to know that a few days of "pending" status is normal and not a sign that something went wrong with my claim!

Anyone else feel like were playing a game of chance with EDD? One day your fine, the next day BAM! mystery letter 😵‍💫

Hey Oliver! I totally get the stress of getting unexpected letters from EDD. A few things that might help while you're figuring this out: 1. Check if there's a "Notice Type" or code at the top of the letter - this can give you a clue about what it's regarding 2. Look for any dollar amounts mentioned - sometimes it's just a routine notice about benefit calculations 3. See if there's a "Response Required By" date - this will tell you how urgent it really is I've gotten a few confusing EDD letters over the years and most of the time they weren't as scary as they initially seemed. But definitely don't ignore it! If you can share what the subject line or notice type says (without any personal info), we might be able to help you decode it better. Hang in there! 🤞