Has anyone tried contacting their local assembly member for help? I've heard they can sometimes intervene on your behalf with EDD issues.

I actually managed to change my email with EDD about 3 months ago! Here's what finally worked for me after trying everything else: I kept getting stuck in the online system, so I ended up faxing them a written request with my SSN, claim number, old email, new email, and a copy of my ID. Sent it to their general fax line: (916) 319-5760. Took about 10 business days, but they actually processed it! Got a confirmation letter in the mail saying the change was complete. Sometimes the old-school approach works better than their glitchy website. Make sure to include ALL your info clearly - SSN, claim number, both email addresses, phone number, and sign it. Good luck! 🤞

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are running low too and the job market in tech is brutal right now. One thing I discovered that might help: check if your county has any emergency rental assistance or utility assistance programs. Even if you're not behind on bills yet, some programs offer preventative assistance when you can show proof of income loss. Also, don't overlook temp agencies - even short-term work can help bridge the gap and potentially lead to permanent positions. The psychological benefit of having some income coming in, even if it's less than your UI benefits, can be huge for maintaining momentum in your job search. Hang in there!

One option that hasn't been mentioned yet is contacting your local WorkSource or American Job Center - they often have additional resources and programs specifically for people whose UI benefits are about to expire. Some locations offer rapid reemployment services, job clubs, or even emergency assistance funds. Also, if you're open to it, consider gig work or freelancing in your field while you continue searching for full-time employment. I know it's not ideal, but platforms like Upwork or even local consulting can provide some income flow and keep your skills sharp. The key is to start exploring all these options NOW while you still have a couple months of benefits left, rather than waiting until they're completely exhausted. Stay persistent - the job market is tough but not impossible!

I see a lot of confusion in this thread. Let me clarify the EXACT process: 1. Log into UI Online at https://portal.edd.ca.gov/ 2. Select "UI Online" 3. Click on "History" 4. Select "Payment History" 5. Look for the button that says "View Printable Payment History" 6. The PDF it generates is an official document with your name, claim ID, benefit amounts, and EDD letterhead This document works for LIHEAP, CARE/FERA utility discount programs, housing assistance, CalFresh verification, and pretty much any program that needs proof of unemployment income. I've helped dozens of people navigate this exact process. If for some reason the website method doesn't work, THEN you can try calling, but expect long wait times. The EDD Contact Center opens at 8:00 AM and that's the best time to call if you need to get through.

Great to see you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add that if anyone else is reading this thread and still having trouble with the UI Online method, you can also request an official "Award Letter" or "Monetary Determination" letter through your account. Go to UI Online > Correspondence > View All Correspondence and look for documents with those titles. These show your full claim details including weekly benefit amount and are often preferred by some agencies over payment history. Also, pro tip: if you're applying for multiple assistance programs, download everything at once while you're logged in - the payment history PDF, any award letters, and your claim summary. Having all these documents ready saved me tons of time when I was applying for different programs last year. Hope your utility situation gets resolved quickly! Most assistance programs are pretty good about fast-tracking cases when there's a disconnection threat, so make sure to mention that urgency in your application.

I went through something similar a few months ago with my ex-wife's military pension that I receive through our divorce decree. Initially I was confused too, but after speaking with an EDD rep (took forever to get through!), here's what I learned: You DO need to report it as "other income" when you certify - even though it's not wages from work. The fact that you didn't work for the employer or contribute to the pension yourself means EDD likely won't reduce your benefits because of it, but they still need to know about it for their records. For the certification you already submitted without reporting it, definitely contact EDD to correct that. I had to do the same thing and they just made a note in my file - no penalties since it was an honest mistake and I reported it promptly. The weekly amount calculation is easy: just divide your monthly $1,250 by 4.33 (average weeks per month) which gives you about $288 per week to report. Good luck getting through to them on the phone!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! I receive about $900 monthly from my ex-husband's teacher's pension through our divorce settlement. After reading all these responses, I called EDD yesterday (it took 47 attempts over 3 days to get through - seriously!). The rep confirmed that I DO need to report it as "other income" even though I never worked for the school district. She explained that while they probably won't reduce my benefits since I didn't contribute to the pension, they still need it reported for proper record keeping. She also said that NOT reporting it could definitely lead to overpayment issues later, especially if they audit claims. For anyone in this boat - definitely bite the bullet and call EDD directly. Each situation is slightly different and they need to make the determination based on your specific circumstances. And yes, you should correct any previous certifications where you didn't report it. The rep told me it's much better to proactively correct it than to have them discover it later. The whole system is frustrating but it's better to be safe than sorry with these things!

Has anyone had success appealing without a lawyer? I'm worried about the cost...

I've been through the EDD appeal process for mental health reasons and want to share what worked for me. The key thing is building a comprehensive timeline that shows how your mental health condition directly impacted your work situation. Here's what I gathered: - Complete medical records from all providers (therapist, psychiatrist, primary care) - Employment history showing any work disruptions due to symptoms - Pharmacy records for any medications - Personal statement detailing specific incidents where mental health affected work performance - Letters from family/friends who witnessed your struggles (these carry more weight than you'd think) Don't worry too much about minor inaccuracies in documentation - focus on the overall picture. EDD wants to see that your condition genuinely prevented you from meeting work requirements. Be prepared to explain any gaps or inconsistencies honestly. Also, consider requesting accommodations during the appeal process if needed - they're required to provide reasonable accommodations for mental health conditions. Good luck! 💪