I'm in a similar situation - just filed my first claim this week and was terrified about the interview process everyone talks about! This thread is so helpful. It sounds like if you get the award letter without an interview notice, that's actually good news. I'm still waiting for my paperwork but now I'm feeling more hopeful. Quick question for those who've been through this - how long did it take from getting your award letter to your first certification becoming available? I want to make sure I don't miss anything important. Also, is there a specific day of the week they usually make certifications available or does it vary by person? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver for us newbies!

This is really encouraging to read! I'm also a first-time filer and was worried I'd done something wrong when I didn't get an interview notice with my other paperwork. It's such a relief to know that getting the award letter without an interview request is actually a positive sign. For those asking about certification timing - I just checked my UI Online account and my first certification period shows up there with specific dates. It looks like mine will be available this Sunday. The system seems to automatically assign you to either Sunday or every other week based on your claim. One thing I noticed is that they sent me a pamphlet about work search requirements with my award letter - definitely worth reading through that carefully since it sounds like documentation is really important. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, this community has been so helpful for navigating this whole process!

Anyone else feel like they need a PhD in bureaucracy just to navigate this system? 🎓🤯

I just went through this process last month and wanted to share some specific tips that helped me. Beyond the DE 2501 form, make sure your doctor includes specific functional limitations in the medical certification - like "cannot lift more than 10 lbs" or "cannot sit for more than 2 hours" rather than just listing your diagnosis. Also, if you're working reduced hours, keep detailed records of your schedule changes. The EDD loves documentation! And yes, definitely go with certified mail - I actually took photos of everything before mailing just in case. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me, but having everything perfectly documented made it go smoothly. Hang in there! 💪

Just an update - I logged into UI Online and checked my Money Network card. Turns out there WAS money on there! EDD had processed an adjustment for one of my earlier weeks where I reported partial earnings. They recalculated and added about $175 to my card that I never knew about. So thanks everyone for encouraging me to actually check instead of just ignoring those emails!

Wow, this thread is so helpful! I'm in a similar situation where I've been getting these statements for months after stopping my claim. Reading about everyone finding money they didn't know about has me nervous that I might have missed something important. Definitely going to check my UI Online and Money Network card today. It's crazy how EDD's system works - you'd think they'd send a specific notification when they make adjustments or add funds instead of burying it in regular statements. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially about the potential overpayment issues. Better safe than sorry!

Hey Diego! I went through this exact same situation last year when I was laid off from my job at Kaiser. Large healthcare systems can definitely be slow with their employer verification responses - they have up to 10 business days to respond to EDD's inquiry, and some take the full time. Since you mentioned rent is due next week, here are a few immediate suggestions: 1. Contact your landlord ASAP to explain the situation - many are understanding about EDD delays if you communicate proactively 2. Look into local emergency rental assistance programs in your area - many counties have funds specifically for people waiting on unemployment 3. Check if your former employer has any emergency hardship funds available for laid-off employees For the EDD situation, keep trying to call first thing in the morning (8 AM sharp). If you can't get through by early next week, consider using Claimyr or similar services - the $20-30 fee is worth it when you're facing eviction. The good news is that once your claim does get approved, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you've been eligible, so hang in there! The system is definitely overwhelmed right now but your claim will eventually process.

Hey Diego! I see you're getting some great advice here. Just wanted to add that for emergency rental assistance programs, you can start with 211.org - just enter your zip code and it'll show local programs. Also try searching "[your county name] emergency rental assistance" - most counties have COVID relief funds that are still active. One more tip: if you do get through to EDD and they say your employer hasn't responded yet, ask them to send a "second request" to your employer. Sometimes that speeds things up. Also ask for the specific timeline - they should be able to tell you exactly when the 10-day employer response period expires. The waiting is absolutely brutal but you're doing everything right. Keep checking UI Online daily and definitely try that 8 AM call strategy!

Thank you all for the helpful information! To make sure I understand correctly: 1. Mark "No" for being available for work during jury duty weeks 2. Explain it's for jury duty in the additional information box 3. Only report the jury duty pay as "other income" during the week I actually receive the check 4. Keep all documentation in case of questions I'll also try contacting EDD before my jury duty starts to get notes added to my account. I really appreciate everyone's help!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and want to share what worked for me. I was selected for a 3-week trial in Orange County. Here's what I did based on advice from an EDD rep I spoke with beforehand: - Weeks 1-3 (serving): Answered "No" to available for work, wrote "Serving mandatory jury duty" in the explanation box - Week 4 (when I got the check): Reported the jury duty payment as "other income" The key thing that saved me headaches was calling EDD BEFORE my service started. I used the technical issues line (1-800-300-5616) early in the morning and got through after about 45 minutes. The rep added notes to my account explaining the jury duty situation, which prevented my claim from getting flagged. Total jury pay was $195 for 3 weeks ($15/day after the first unpaid day), so it barely affected my benefits anyway. The whole process went smoothly because I was proactive about calling ahead. My advice: Don't wait until you're certifying to deal with this. Call now and get those protective notes added to your account!