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! 🍀

Yes, in that specific situation - with his benefit year ending only 3 weeks after his job ends - it might be more advantageous to wait and file a new claim instead of reopening the old one. Here's why: 1. With only 3 weeks left on his old claim, he'd have to file a new claim very soon anyway 2. If his earnings were higher during this construction job, a new claim would likely give him a higher weekly benefit amount 3. Filing a new claim would give him a fresh 12-month benefit year However, there is a trade-off: waiting those extra 3 weeks means no benefits during that period. He needs to decide if potentially getting a higher weekly benefit amount for a full year is worth missing 3 weeks of payments now. One strategy could be to reopen his current claim for those 3 weeks, then immediately file a new claim when the benefit year ends. This way he doesn't miss any payments, though it does mean dealing with EDD twice in a short period.

Just wanted to add a quick tip based on my own experience - when your boyfriend reopens his claim, make sure he has his Social Security card and ID ready. Sometimes the system will ask him to verify his identity again, especially if it's been several months since he last certified. Also, if he changed his address or phone number while working, he should update that information in his profile BEFORE starting the reopening process. It can cause delays if there's conflicting contact info. Good luck to both of you!

I went through almost the exact same situation in late 2024! Got hit with penalty weeks for "misreporting" my part-time hours (it was honestly just confusion about how to report tips vs wages) and EDD initially refused to backdate my claim. Here's what finally worked: I had to escalate beyond the regular phone reps. My local legal aid society helped me draft a formal complaint that referenced specific EDD policies about backdating. The key was citing EDD Directive PL 15-01 which outlines when backdating is required for "good cause." Within 2 weeks of submitting that formal complaint through their appeals process, they not only approved my backdate request but also reduced my penalty from 12 weeks to 6 weeks after reviewing all my documentation. The breakthrough moment was when I got connected to an actual claims specialist (not just a phone rep) who understood that backdating and penalty weeks are completely separate issues that can coexist. Most phone reps seem to think you can't have both, which is totally wrong. Don't give up! The system is confusing and the reps often give incorrect information, but there are people there who know the actual policies. Your assemblywoman's office should definitely push back - EDD does this kind of backdating all the time once you get to the right person.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in week 8 of penalty weeks for what was basically a paperwork error on my part (didn't report a small consulting payment correctly), and EDD initially told me backdating "wasn't possible" with active penalties. After reading everyone's experiences here, I submitted a formal backdate request through UI Online yesterday, making sure to keep it completely separate from my penalty appeal. I referenced EDD Directive PL 15-01 that Kelsey mentioned and cited "good cause" due to confusion about eligibility requirements as a first-time filer. One thing I want to add for anyone else in this situation: I also reached out to my local One-Stop Career Center, and they have an EDD liaison who can sometimes help escalate these cases. The counselor there told me she's seen this exact scenario resolved successfully multiple times in the past few months. CosmicCommander, definitely push your assemblywoman's office to reference the specific policies people have mentioned here - especially the Field Office Manual "BDC 5" guideline and California UI Code Section 1253(c). Having those concrete policy references seems to make a huge difference in getting EDD to take the request seriously. Fingers crossed for both of us! Will update if I hear back on my backdate request.

Ugh, I've been there. The EDD system is a nightmare. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call them ASAP. Don't worry about giving your SSN - it's standard procedure. 2. Ask them to resend the form or submit it online if possible. 3. Keep a record of who you talked to and when. 4. Follow up relentlessly until it's resolved. Good luck, and don't give up!

I had the exact same issue last month! The continued claim certificate never showed up in my mail or online account. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Call the SDI line directly (not the UI line) - they have separate phone systems 2. When you get through, explain that you never received the form and your payments stopped 3. They can email you a link to submit it online or mail a new one immediately 4. Ask them to note in your file that there was a delivery issue so your payments can be backdated The wait times suck, but don't let that stop you from calling. You earned those benefits! Also, definitely don't worry about giving your SSN - they need it to verify your identity and access your claim. Just make sure you're calling the official number from the EDD website. Hang in there - you'll get this sorted out! 💪

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know our card arrived today! It took exactly 9 business days from when the payment showed as 'paid' in the system. Everything was correct and the full amount was on the card. We've already set up direct deposit for future payments through the Money Network website. Thanks to everyone for your helpful advice and support!

Congrats on getting your card! That 9-day timeline matches what I experienced too. For anyone still waiting, one thing I wish I'd known is that you can actually call Money Network and ask them to send you a text notification when your card ships - they don't advertise this feature but it's available. Just call 866-692-9374 and ask them to add SMS alerts to your account. It would have saved me a lot of stress checking the mailbox every day! Also, once you activate the card, download their app right away - it's way easier to manage than the website.