Update for anyone finding this thread later: I called EDD (finally got through after trying at exactly 8:01 AM) and confirmed that plasma donation money DOES need to be reported as "Other" income. Report it for the week you RECEIVE payment, not when you donate. The rep also said to keep documentation of all payments in case they need to verify the income later. Thanks everyone for your help!

Thanks for sharing the update! This is super helpful for anyone else in the same situation. I'm curious - when you called EDD, did they give you any guidance on how to handle the partial unemployment calculation? Like @Alice Fleming mentioned, they deduct 75% over $25, but I'm wondering if there are any other considerations when it comes to plasma donation specifically. Also, did they mention anything about how this affects your work search requirements?

Thanks for the update! That's great that you finally got through to someone who could explain what's happening. The technical support line is definitely a good tip for others dealing with similar account issues. Just a heads up - make sure your phone is charged and you're in a quiet place during that 4-hour window on interview day. I've heard horror stories of people missing their call because they stepped away for 5 minutes or their phone died. Some people even set up call forwarding to a backup number just in case. Good luck with your interview! Based on what you've described about your termination being performance-related with no misconduct, it should go smoothly. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just went through this exact situation last month! The waiting is absolutely brutal, but hang in there. A few things that helped me: 1. Double-check that your phone number in UI Online is correct - they'll only call that number 2. Have a pen and paper ready during the interview to write down any reference numbers or next steps they give you 3. If they ask about job searches, be honest about what you've done so far (even if it's limited due to the short timeframe) The interviewer asked me pretty straightforward questions: why I was terminated, if I had any disciplinary actions, and about my work availability going forward. The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes. One thing that surprised me - they approved my claim during the call and I was able to certify for back weeks within an hour of hanging up. Payments hit my account 2 days later. So there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel! Also totally agree with others about applying for CalFresh ASAP if you haven't already. That bridge really helps while waiting for UI to sort itself out.

I'm in a similar situation with Uber Eats! Just wanted to add that if you do get called for an eligibility interview (which hopefully you won't), be prepared to explain your work search activities in detail. I had to show them my job applications, emails from employers, etc. to prove I was genuinely looking for full-time work and not just relying on gig income. Also, one thing that helped me was keeping a simple spreadsheet with columns for: date, gig earnings, job applications submitted that week, and any interviews. Makes it super easy to reference during certification or if they ever question your eligibility. The key is showing you're treating the gig work as temporary income while actively pursuing permanent employment.

I'm currently in the same boat with Amazon Flex and was really stressed about how to handle the EDD certification. This thread has been incredibly helpful! Just to add my experience - I called EDD last week using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and was able to get through to an agent who confirmed a few key things: 1. For gig work like Amazon Flex, you report it as self-employment income 2. You can put "Amazon Flex - Self Employed" for employer and your SSN for the employer number 3. The agent specifically said that inconsistent availability of gig work blocks doesn't affect eligibility as long as you're actively seeking full-time employment One thing the agent emphasized that I hadn't seen mentioned yet - make sure you're reporting earnings for the actual work week (when you did the deliveries), not when Amazon processes the payment. Sometimes there's a delay between when you work and when you get paid, so keep track of earnings by the actual delivery dates. I've been keeping a simple Google doc with three columns: Date of Work, Gross Earnings (including tips), and Notes (like how many blocks I completed). This way I can easily total up earnings for each certification period. The peace of mind from having everything organized is worth the few minutes it takes each week!

Just wanted to update you - I checked with a friend who works as an EDD contractor. She said that if you update your bank info and the status already says "paid," you should see the deposit within 7-10 business days total (including the time for the rejected payment to be returned and reprocessed). If you don't see it by then, definitely call EDD directly. Hope this helps ease your mind a bit!

Hey Daniel! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. The good news is that since your bank confirmed the incorrect account number doesn't exist, you won't have to worry about your money going to someone else. In my case, it took exactly 5 business days from when the status showed "paid" to when I actually received the money in my correct account. The payment bounced back to EDD after 2 days, and then they reprocessed it to my updated bank info which took another 3 days. One thing that helped me was setting up account alerts with my bank so I'd get a text the moment any deposit hit my account - saved me from constantly checking! Also, if you're really stressed about rent, you might want to reach out to your landlord now and explain the situation. Most are understanding about unemployment payment delays, especially if you give them a heads up. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just to add a bit more clarity: when you certify, EDD asks if you worked or earned wages. You'll answer YES for both weeks. For the partial week (Sep 3-9), report the actual hours worked and the wages you WILL earn (even though you haven't received payment yet). The system will calculate if you qualify for partial benefits. For the full week, you'll report all hours worked, and likely won't receive benefits for that week. It's all about when the work was performed, not when you're paid. I know it creates a financial gap, but reporting correctly now prevents problems later. Good luck with the new job!

Hey Oscar, congrats on landing the job! I went through something very similar last year. The financial gap between starting work and getting that first paycheck is brutal, but definitely report everything accurately. A few suggestions that helped me get through those tough weeks: check if your local 211 has emergency rent assistance programs, many food pantries don't require income verification, and some utility companies have hardship programs that can give you a payment extension. Also, if you have any gig work options (DoorDash, Uber, etc.) you could pick up a few hours on weekends to bridge the gap - just make sure to report those earnings too if you do. The transition period sucks but you're doing the right thing by being honest with EDD. That new steady paycheck will be worth the short-term struggle!