Remember that when you file, you'll need to report any income you've had since leaving that job. If you've done any freelance work or part-time jobs, even cash work, you need to report it. False reporting can lead to penalties and overpayment issues down the road. Also, once you start certifying (if approved), you'll need to list 3+ job contacts each week and be able to provide details if they audit your work search. This includes company name, position, date applied, contact method, and contact person if available. My final advice - keep extremely detailed records of everything from this point forward. Save screenshots of job applications, confirmation emails, and any correspondence with EDD. The system is often frustrating and documentation is your best protection.

Just wanted to add some encouragement here - I was in a similar situation with my employer violating lactation laws (though I filed sooner than you did). The key thing that helped me was being very specific about how the violations made my working conditions impossible, not just difficult. In your case, being interrupted during pumping sessions and having to use an inappropriate space like a storage closet are clear violations of Labor Code 1030. The supervisor's comments about "extra breaks" show they fundamentally misunderstood your legal rights - pumping time isn't a "break," it's a legally required accommodation. When you do your eligibility interview, frame it as "my employer's failure to provide legally required lactation accommodations made continued employment untenable." Don't apologize for waiting to file - you're still within the window and you're taking action now. Also, make sure to mention that you've been actively job searching (200+ applications shows good faith effort). The combination of valid legal grounds for quitting plus demonstrated work search activity should work in your favor. You've got this!

Just to clarify something important here: Make sure when you do get through to EDD that you specifically ask them to check if you qualify for a new claim based on your most recent 3 months of employment. They'll need to look at your base period wages. If you worked only 3 months total in the last 18 months, you might not qualify for a regular UI claim yet. In that case, you'd need to ask about alternative programs or wait until you have sufficient wages in your base period. A trained EDD specialist should be able to evaluate your specific situation and give you options.

hey how did this turn out for u? were u able to get thru to edd? my cousin just got laid off and has the same problem with an old claim

Just wanted to add another success story to ease your mind! I was in almost the exact same situation - got a temp job after only receiving one unemployment payment and was super worried about the proper procedure. I just stopped certifying and had zero issues. The beauty of the system is that it's actually pretty straightforward - when you're working full-time, you simply don't certify. No payments get issued, and your claim stays dormant but active for the full benefit year. I ended up not needing to go back on unemployment (my temp job became permanent!), but it was such a relief knowing I could if needed. One thing that helped me feel more secure was logging into my UI Online account and noting down my claim balance and benefit year end date. That way I knew exactly where I stood if circumstances changed. The fact that your manager already mentioned potential for permanent work is a really good sign - sounds like you're in a great position! Don't overthink it, just focus on doing well at the new job.

I was in this exact situation about 8 months ago! Got a full-time temp position after just one unemployment payment and was so stressed about doing the right thing. I ended up just stopping my certifications like everyone else is suggesting, and it worked out perfectly fine. The thing that really put me at ease was realizing that the system is actually designed to handle this - when you're not unemployed, you don't certify. It's that simple. Your claim stays open for the full 52 weeks just in case things don't work out with the temp job. I'd definitely recommend taking a screenshot of your UI Online account showing your current claim status and benefit year end date for your records. Also, since your manager already mentioned the possibility of it becoming permanent, that's a really positive sign! Focus on doing great work and don't stress about the EDD stuff - you're handling it the right way by just stopping your certifications. Good luck with the new job!

I'm experiencing the exact same issue! Been trying for over a week now with the same pattern - call at 8am, get the "too busy" message or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. It's incredibly frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops just to talk to someone about our own benefits. Reading through all these comments has been eye-opening though. The tip about avoiding lunch hours (12pm-1:30pm) and the fact that they stop taking calls after 4pm despite being "open" until 5pm is information that should be public knowledge. I'm seriously considering trying Claimyr after seeing so many success stories here - it seems like the only reliable way people are actually getting through. This whole situation is a perfect example of how broken the system is when we have to pay third-party services just to access basic government assistance.

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I've been stuck in the same calling nightmare for almost 3 weeks now. Like so many others here, I get either the "too busy" message or sit on hold for 2+ hours just to have the call drop. My claim got flagged for some reason and I desperately need to speak with someone to resolve it. The tips about avoiding 12pm-1:30pm (lunch blackout) and not calling after 4pm are game-changers - I wish EDD would actually publish this information instead of making us figure it out through trial and error. Based on all the Claimyr success stories I'm reading here, I think I'm going to give it a try. It's frustrating that we have to pay a third-party service just to access our own state benefits, but when people are consistently getting through in 20-40 minutes versus our weeks of failed attempts, it seems like the only realistic solution. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - at least we can help each other navigate this broken system!

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - make sure you keep track of your benefit year end date! I made the mistake of assuming I had more time left on my claim than I actually did. When my seasonal job ended, I found out my benefit year had expired just two weeks earlier, so I had to file a completely new claim instead of reopening. The new claim used different base period wages and my weekly benefit amount was lower. Really wish I had paid closer attention to that original filing date. Good luck with your contract job - hopefully it leads to something permanent!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation twice! The first time I was nervous about reporting my return to work, but it's actually pretty straightforward. When you do your final certification before starting the job, there's a specific question asking if you've returned to work - just answer honestly with your start date. One tip that saved me headaches: screenshot or print your claim summary page before you stop certifying. It shows your remaining balance, benefit year dates, and weekly amount. That way when you're ready to reopen, you have all the key info handy and can verify everything matches up correctly. Also, don't stress too much about the "reopen claim" process - it's literally just clicking a button in your UI Online account and answering a few questions about your work period. The system is designed for exactly this scenario since temporary/seasonal work is so common. You've got this!