Glad to hear you took action and applied! That was definitely the right move. One thing to keep in mind - when you do your bi-weekly certifications, make sure you're reporting the severance income in the correct week it's actually paid to you, not spread out over multiple weeks. For example, if you get paid monthly severance, report the full amount in the certification period when you actually receive it. This can affect which weeks show $0 benefits vs reduced benefits. Also, save all your severance documentation in case EDD ever requests proof of the amounts you're reporting. The system can be finicky about income verification later on.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds so similar to yours! I was laid off in January with severance through April, and I'm really glad I applied right away like everyone here suggested. The key things that helped me: 1. I kept detailed records of every severance payment (date, amount, pay stub) - EDD actually did request documentation during my claim review 2. During the severance period, I treated the job search like a full-time job since I knew I'd need those work search logs later 3. When my severance ended in April, my EDD payments started automatically the following week with no additional paperwork needed The hardest part was getting $0 from EDD for months while job searching, but having that claim established meant I didn't lose any potential benefit weeks. Also, make sure you understand exactly how your company is paying the severance (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) so you report it in the right certification periods. Good luck with everything!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Hey Adam, I'm so glad to hear you got this resolved! I'm actually going through a similar situation right now with my PFL claim - submitted weeks ago and stuck waiting after the Notice of Computation. Your experience gives me hope that a phone call might be the key to getting things moving. Did you use Claimyr to get through, or were you able to reach them directly? Thanks for sharing the update - it's really helpful to know there's light at the end of the tunnel! 🙏

Great thread! Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - when you're working part-time while on UI, it's really helpful to keep detailed records of your work days and earnings. I made a simple spreadsheet with dates worked, hours, and gross pay. This made certifying so much easier and helped me catch a mistake I almost made where I reported earnings for the wrong week. Also, if you ever get audited or have questions later, having everything documented saves you a lot of headaches. Good luck with the work - sounds like you've got all the info you need to handle it properly!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is what happens if you work irregular hours across the two-week certification period. For example, if you work 3 days one week and 1 day the next week, you'll need to report earnings separately for each week when you certify. EDD calculates benefits on a weekly basis, not bi-weekly, so each week gets its own calculation using the formula others described. This was confusing for me at first because I thought I had to average my earnings across both weeks, but that's not how it works. Each week stands alone in terms of how much you worked and earned, which then determines your benefit amount for that specific week.

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I went through a similar situation recently. When they remove the disqualification, you'll typically receive a determination letter explaining the decision and a notice about any back payments owed to you. The "time sensitive" letter is probably the official determination, and the other might be related to payment processing or additional documentation they need. Make sure to respond to any requests quickly - usually within 30 days. Also, check your EDD online account as it should update to reflect the changes. The process can take a few weeks for payments to actually start flowing, so be patient but stay on top of any correspondence they send.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The stress is totally understandable, but you're going to be fine. Here's what worked for me: 1. Answer YES to being available for work when you certify - jury duty doesn't disqualify you from benefits 2. In the comments, write something like "Fulfilled jury duty obligation on [date]" 3. Keep your summons and any jury service documentation For your interview, definitely mention it to the jury clerk first thing when you arrive. I told them I had a job interview later that week and they actually dismissed our entire panel early that day because the case settled. Even if that doesn't happen, most courts will work with you on scheduling conflicts for employment opportunities. One tip: bring a folder with copies of your interview confirmation email, your resume, and any other job search materials. If you do get stuck waiting around, you can use that time productively for interview prep. I actually practiced answering common interview questions in my head while sitting in the jury assembly room! The whole thing ended up being way less stressful than I expected. You've got this!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you're definitely overthinking this! I had jury duty while on EDD about 8 months ago and it was totally fine. The key things are: answer YES to being available (jury duty counts as civic obligation, not unavailability), document everything, and explain in the comments section. For your interview situation, here's a pro tip: when you check in tomorrow morning, ask to speak directly with the jury coordinator, not just the front desk clerk. Tell them you have a job interview Friday that could lead to employment. They have more authority to excuse you or work around your schedule. I've seen them excuse people for way less important things than job interviews! Also, don't forget that even if you do get selected for a jury, you can still mention the interview to the judge during voir dire (jury selection). Judges almost always excuse people with legitimate employment conflicts because they want focused jurors, not people worried about missing job opportunities. Bring your phone charger, some snacks, and maybe print out some company research for your Friday interview. You might end up with several hours of unexpected prep time! Good luck with both the jury duty and the interview - you've got this! 🍀