Welcome to the unemployment journey! The biweekly schedule is definitely consistent once you get established. One thing I found really helpful was setting up text alerts through UI Online - go to "Contact Information" and enable SMS notifications for certification reminders and payment updates. This way you get a heads up when it's time to certify and confirmation when payments are processed. Also, since you mentioned budgeting carefully, consider opening a separate "benefits account" if possible to keep your unemployment payments separate from other income. This makes it easier to track and budget, especially if you end up doing any part-time work later (which you'll need to report during certification). The first few months feel overwhelming but you're already asking smart questions!

Just to add to all the great advice here - another helpful feature is setting up email notifications in addition to text alerts. Go to UI Online > Notification Preferences and enable both email and SMS for certification reminders and payment notifications. I like having the backup in case one system has issues. Also, if you ever move or change banks during your claim period, make sure to update your information BEFORE your next certification to avoid payment delays. I learned this the hard way when I moved apartments and forgot to update my address - caused a week-long delay in payments while they verified my new info. The biweekly schedule really does become second nature after a month or two, so hang in there!

I'm experiencing the exact same delay and anxiety! Submitted my DE 2593 on April 7th and it's been over 3 weeks with complete radio silence from EDD. Like everyone else here, my payments are continuing normally but the lack of any acknowledgment is really stressful. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I was starting to think I had somehow messed up my submission or that my form got lost in their system. Reading all these similar timelines and seeing that the 4-6 week processing delay is affecting so many people makes me feel much better about my situation. I'm definitely going to try the secure message approach through UI Online this week after seeing Faith's success getting confirmation within 3 days. It's really frustrating that EDD doesn't proactively communicate about these delays, but I'm so grateful we can all share our experiences here and support each other through this waiting process. Has anyone who sent secure messages recently gotten any updates on whether the processing times are getting better or if they're still looking at that 4-6 week timeline? I'll definitely post back here with any response I get!

I'm going through the exact same thing! Submitted my DE 2593 on April 13th and it's been about 2.5 weeks with zero confirmation from EDD. I was starting to panic thinking my form disappeared into the digital void, but reading everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief. It's actually reassuring to see that the 4-6 week processing delay is affecting literally everyone right now - not just my claim. What really helps is seeing that people's payments are continuing throughout the waiting period, which takes away some of that anxiety about suddenly losing benefits. I think I'm going to try the secure message route through UI Online next week if I still don't hear anything. Faith's experience getting confirmation within 3 days that way sounds much better than trying to battle through their phone system. It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't give us any heads up about these delays, but I'm grateful we can all support each other here. Will definitely update if I get any response from messaging them!

I'm currently in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was laid off from my office job last month and just got a part-time opportunity at a local bookstore (15-18 hours/week). I was really nervous about how it would affect my unemployment benefits, but after reading everyone's experiences, I feel much more confident about moving forward. The consistent advice about keeping detailed records really stands out - I'm definitely going to start tracking my hours immediately and take photos of my schedule like several people suggested. It's clear that being organized and completely accurate with reporting is the key to making this work smoothly. One thing I'm still a bit unclear on - when you're working part-time and certifying, do you still need to complete the same number of job search activities? Or does having part-time work count toward that requirement? I want to make sure I'm meeting all the requirements while balancing work and my full-time job search. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really encouraging to see so many success stories of people making this work financially and professionally!

I've been working part-time (about 20 hours/week) at a local grocery store while collecting partial unemployment for the past 2 months, and it's working out really well! The math definitely works in your favor - I'm making about $150 more per week combined than I was on full unemployment alone. A couple of practical tips that have saved me headaches: - Download a simple time-tracking app on your phone and clock in/out for each shift. Way more accurate than trying to remember hours later - Always double-check that your reported wages match your pay stub exactly - even small discrepancies can trigger reviews - Save screenshots of your EDD certification confirmations each time, just in case The cafe job sounds like a great opportunity! Customer-facing work is perfect for networking, and honestly, having a routine while job hunting helps with motivation. I've actually gotten more interviews since starting part-time work - I think it shows employers you're proactive rather than just sitting at home. Don't overthink the EDD reporting process - their system handles the benefit calculations automatically once you input accurate hours and wages. Focus on being meticulous with your record-keeping and you'll be fine. You're making the smart choice taking this job!

I went through penalty weeks myself about 6 months ago. The most important thing for your brother to understand is that he MUST keep certifying every two weeks during the penalty period - even though he won't get paid. Each certification counts as serving one penalty week. Also, if he's struggling financially, he should look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs. Many counties have rent assistance programs too. The penalty weeks will end eventually, but he needs to stay on top of the certifications or they'll just sit there forever.

I'm new here but dealing with a similar situation. Your brother should also know that during penalty weeks, any work he does needs to be reported accurately when he certifies - even though he's not getting UI benefits, incorrect reporting during penalty weeks can lead to additional penalties later. I learned this the hard way. Also, if he's considering taking temporary work during the penalty period, he should still report those earnings on his certifications. The penalty weeks will still count down as long as he's certifying, regardless of whether he's working or not.

I just want to echo what everyone else has been saying - you're going to do absolutely fine! I had my RESEA appointment about 6 weeks ago and was in the exact same panic mode when I first got that notification. One thing that really helped me was realizing that the counselors doing these appointments genuinely want to see you succeed. My counselor actually spent extra time with me because she could see I was nervous, and she walked me through some job search strategies I hadn't considered before. Don't worry too much about having perfect records - I had some gaps in my documentation and just explained honestly what I remembered. They understand that when you're dealing with unemployment stress, record-keeping isn't always your top priority. What matters most is that you can show you've been making consistent, genuine efforts to find work. Also, definitely take advantage of any resources they offer! I initially thought the "action plan" would just be busy work, but the workshops and tools they recommended actually turned out to be really helpful. One of the networking events they suggested led to a promising job lead. You've clearly been putting in the work with your job search, so just go in there with confidence and be yourself. The appointment will be over before you know it, and you'll probably wonder why you were so worried about it. Good luck on Wednesday - you've got this! 🙌

Hey there! I'm new to this community but have been following this thread because I'm in a similar situation - just got my RESEA notification yesterday and was completely freaking out until I read through everyone's experiences here. What really strikes me is how consistent everyone's feedback has been about the appointments being more supportive than scary. I've been unemployed for about 2.5 months and have been doing my work search activities, but like many of you, my documentation isn't perfect. Reading that the counselors are generally understanding about record-keeping gaps is such a relief. I'm planning to follow the advice here about going through my email confirmations and job site histories to fill in what I can remember. The tip about printing out records even for virtual appointments is genius - I never would have thought of that! Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences. This thread has completely changed my mindset from dreading the appointment to actually seeing it as an opportunity to get additional resources and support. It's amazing how much better I feel after reading all these positive outcomes. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating the EDD system!