This is such helpful information! I'm actually in a similar situation - my benefit year ended in January and I had to file a new claim in February. I was really confused when my first week showed as PAID instead of the usual waiting period. I've been worried for weeks that EDD made a mistake and would eventually ask for the money back, but reading all these responses makes me feel so much better. It sounds like this temporary policy change is helping a lot of people who are transitioning between claims. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is so valuable for figuring out EDD's confusing processes!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! Filed a new claim in early March after my previous one expired, and just like you, my first week went straight to PAID status instead of the usual waiting period. I've been checking my account obsessively wondering if this was some kind of system error. Reading through all these comments is such a relief - sounds like EDD is actually doing this intentionally for people in our situation. I guess the lesson here is that EDD changes policies all the time without making big announcements about it. Thanks for posting this question because I never would have known this was happening to other people too!

This is such a relief to read! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got denied for "job abandonment" even though I was actually terminated for attendance issues (which should still qualify for benefits). Like you, I suddenly got certification emails last week even though my denial letter is only 3 weeks old. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like this happens pretty frequently when employers contest claims but then don't follow through with proper documentation. The fact that your status changed to "Active" in the History tab is huge - that's basically EDD's system telling you that your claim is valid now. I'm definitely going to check my own History tab after reading this thread! I've been scared to certify because of the overpayment warnings, but it seems like if the system is allowing it AND your status shows active, you're probably in the clear. Thanks for posting this - it's helping a lot of us who are dealing with EDD's confusing mixed signals! One question for the group: Has anyone here ever had their claim status flip back to denied after it showed active? I'm worried about certifying and then having EDD change their mind again.

I went through almost this exact situation last year! Got denied for "voluntary quit" after being laid off in a company restructuring, then about a month later started getting certification emails out of nowhere. Turns out my employer never submitted the required documentation to support their contest within EDD's deadline. The key thing that helped me was calling EDD and specifically asking to speak with a Tier 2 specialist who could access my claim notes. The regular customer service reps often can't see the detailed history of why decisions get reversed. The Tier 2 rep was able to tell me exactly what happened - my employer contested the claim initially but then failed to provide any evidence that I actually quit voluntarily. Since your claim status is showing "Active" in the History tab, that's a really strong indicator that your disqualification has been properly reversed in their system. I'd recommend going ahead and certifying, but also try to get through to EDD for official confirmation. In my case, I did eventually receive a reversal letter about 5 weeks after my status changed online, but the payments started coming through within days of certifying. Just make sure to keep detailed records of your work search activities and any part-time work/earnings to report accurately. The last thing you want is to give them a reason to question your eligibility again!

Just to clarify some information here: When you report a bonus, the EDD needs to determine: 1) If the bonus was allocated to the week you reported it (correct) or if it should have been allocated to when it was earned (which could affect prior weeks) 2) Whether the bonus affects your eligibility for that week based on your weekly benefit amount and the partial benefit formula The holiday might add a small delay, but as others have mentioned, the main issue is the manual review triggered by reporting additional income. Speaking with a representative is definitely your best option to expedite this. When you do reach someone, ask them specifically to review the bonus income you reported and request that they release the pending payments if everything is in order. Be polite but persistent.

UPDATE: I managed to get through to EDD this morning! The representative confirmed that reporting the bonus triggered an automatic review. She verified the information and released both weeks of payments! They should be on my card within 24-48 hours. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

@1e0e05271c72 Hey Ally! I just went through this process last month so it's still fresh in my mind. One thing that really helped me was setting aside a full afternoon to do the application - don't try to rush through it during a lunch break or something. The forms can be pretty detailed and you'll want to double-check everything. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, definitely have all those W-2s or pay stubs handy because they'll ask for specific dates and wages. The worst part is honestly just the waiting after you submit, but once you get through the initial application it gets easier. Feel free to ask if you get stuck on any specific part!

@1e0e05271c72 Hey Ally! Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this whole process. One thing I wish I'd known upfront is to apply as soon as possible after your last day of work - there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so the sooner you file the better. Also, keep a notebook or document where you track all the important dates and confirmation numbers - trust me, you'll need to reference them later! The process definitely feels overwhelming at first but everyone here has given you amazing advice. You're not alone in this and the community here is super supportive. Take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to come back with questions as you go through it! 🤗

Thank you everyone for the helpful information! I appreciate all the explanations. It makes sense now why the claim starts on April 14th - the 2 weeks of vacation pay essentially pushed the start date. Frustrating, but at least we understand the system now. We'll adjust our budget accordingly and look forward to the regular payments starting after the waiting week.

I'm new here but going through something similar right now. My company laid me off last week and I also got vacation payout, so this thread is really helpful! One question - does the vacation payout delay apply even if your employer pays it out as a lump sum rather than allocating it to specific weeks? My HR said they're just putting it all on my final paycheck without specifying dates. Will EDD still push back my claim start date?