UPDATE: Money just hit my account this morning! So it took exactly 3 business days from 'paid' status to bank deposit. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance! For anyone finding this thread later with the same question - the process seems pretty reliable once your claim is approved and certified correctly.

Awesome that it worked out for you! This is super helpful info for other first-time claimants. The 3 business day timeline from 'paid' status to actual deposit seems to be pretty standard for most banks with direct deposit. Definitely bookmark this process for your future certifications - it gets way less stressful once you know what to expect!

how long does it takes a certification to process if it been pending? Finally went through because the lady processed it for me but I didn’t ask when I would receive the payments

I went through a similar situation last year - pending for months! What finally worked for me was calling first thing in the morning right when they opened (8am) and staying persistent. Also, if you have any documentation of financial hardship (like past due bills or notices), that can help expedite the interview process. Don't give up - I know it's frustrating but keep calling and documenting every conversation. You might also want to try reaching out through the "Contact Us" feature on the EDD website in addition to calling. Hang in there!

I've been struggling with this same certification loop issue for over a week now! It's maddening - I'll complete everything perfectly, hit submit, and then get bounced right back to the start with no explanation. Reading through all these comments gives me hope though. I'm definitely going to try the Microsoft Edge browser at 4am approach that worked for Khalil, and also make sure all my browser extensions are disabled. The tip about writing down answers on paper first is brilliant too - I'm tired of re-entering the same information over and over. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through these hoops just to access benefits we're entitled to. Really grateful for this community sharing solutions!

I'm having this EXACT same issue! Been trying to certify for 3 weeks now and it's the most frustrating thing ever. I fill out everything correctly, get to the final submit button, click it, and then it just dumps me back to the beginning like I never even started. No error message, no explanation, nothing! I've tried Chrome, Safari, Firefox, cleared my cache multiple times, tried different times of day - absolutely nothing works. Based on all the suggestions here, I'm definitely going to try Microsoft Edge at 4am tomorrow morning with all extensions disabled. Really hoping that works because I'm behind on my car payment and desperately need this to go through. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not losing my mind and it's actually a system issue!

I'm really sorry to hear about losing such a major client - that's every consultant's nightmare. Based on what you've shared, you're probably not going to qualify for regular UI benefits since you were taking owner's draws rather than formal payroll, but definitely pursue that W-2 contract work from last summer. Even if it was just 2 months, it could qualify you for some benefits. A few immediate suggestions while you sort out the EDD situation: 1. Contact your mortgage lender NOW, before you miss any payments. Most have hardship programs that can give you a few months of breathing room. 2. Reach out to every former client and professional contact. Let them know you have immediate availability - people often have projects sitting on the back burner waiting for the right person. 3. Consider interim work while rebuilding - even part-time contract roles can help with cash flow. For the future, definitely look into electing S-corp status so you can put yourself on payroll and access these safety nets. It's more paperwork but worth it for the protection. You mentioned 3 years in business - that shows you have the skills to rebuild. This is a setback, not the end. Focus on diversifying your client base so you're never again dependent on one source for 75% of your income. You've got this!

I feel for you - losing 75% of your income with no warning is absolutely terrifying. While others have covered the UI eligibility issues well, I want to emphasize something important: don't let this situation make you feel like you failed as a business owner. Having one client represent that much of your revenue is extremely common in consulting, especially in the early years when you're grateful for steady income. A few things that might help immediately: 1. Draft a professional email to send to your entire network announcing your increased availability. Don't mention the client loss - just position it as expanding capacity for new projects. 2. Consider offering a "new client discount" for Q2 to incentivize quick starts. Sometimes a lower rate that starts immediately is better than full rate that starts in 3 months. 3. Look into your state's small business emergency assistance programs - many states have grant programs specifically for situations like this. The silver lining is that this forced diversification will make your business much more resilient. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but many consultants who've been through this say it was ultimately the best thing that happened to their business structure. You clearly have the skills since you built this once already - now you'll build it back stronger and more stable.

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

Hi Tina! Based on what you've described, that February payment does sound like it could be a conditional payment. EDD started issuing these in July 2021 for people who had been waiting on pending certifications for more than two weeks. Since you had to wait 7 months for your phone interview, you definitely qualify for this program. You should have received (or will receive) a DE 5400 notice in the mail explaining that this was a conditional payment while they review your eligibility. After your interview in January, they'll make a final determination - if everything checks out, you'll keep the payment. If not, you might need to pay it back unless you qualify for an overpayment waiver. The good news is that getting any payment usually means they're processing your case. Have you heard anything back since your January interview about the final decision on your eligibility?