I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! It's so confusing trying to figure out what documents they actually need. From what I've gathered from everyone's responses, it sounds like I should start with getting my driver's license updated first, then submit everything online rather than mailing it. Has anyone had luck with the online portal recently? I'm a bit worried about technical issues since everyone says their system is so outdated. Also, should I call ahead to let them know I'm submitting a name change request, or just submit everything and wait?

I just went through this process last month and wanted to share what worked for me! First, definitely get your driver's license updated at the DMV - they'll need to see that your ID matches your new name. Then I submitted everything through the online portal instead of mailing (way faster!). You'll need: 1) Legal document showing name change (marriage cert, divorce decree, etc.) 2) Updated ID with new name 3) Completed change of information form from their website. Make sure to scan everything in high quality and write a brief cover letter explaining what you're requesting. The whole thing took about 3 weeks for me. One heads up - my payments did get paused for about a week during the review, but they backdated everything once approved. Don't stress if that happens! The online system is actually pretty reliable now compared to a few years ago. Good luck! 🍀

I went through something very similar when I was temporarily staying with family in Oregon while collecting CA unemployment. Here's what worked for me: 1. **Report everything accurately** - Yes, report your Florida job earnings and hours on your certification just like any other work, regardless of the state. 2. **Address change** - Since you're only there temporarily (5 weeks), you don't need to change your address with EDD. I was told anything under 30 days is considered temporary travel. 3. **Availability for work** - The key question EDD cares about is whether you're available and able to work in California. Since you have a definite return date for your regular job and could presumably return earlier if offered suitable work, you should be fine. 4. **Call if possible** - While not strictly required for such a short temporary stay, calling EDD to document your situation can provide peace of mind. I know it's hard to get through, but it's worth trying. Don't stress too much - this is actually a pretty common situation with seasonal workers. Just be honest about your earnings and you should be able to collect partial benefits until your construction job starts back up. The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're trying to do everything correctly!

I work as a benefits specialist and can confirm what others have said - you're handling this correctly by asking these questions! The key points are: 1) Report ALL earnings regardless of state when you certify, 2) Your temporary stay in Florida (under 30 days) doesn't require an address change, 3) You remain "available for work" since you can return to CA if needed and have a definite return date. The fact that you're earning less than your regular construction wages means you'll likely still receive partial benefits. EDD's partial benefit formula is designed exactly for situations like yours where people take lower-paying temporary work while between jobs. Just be completely honest on your certifications and you'll be fine!

To answer your follow-up question about availability - this is a nuanced area. When certifying, you're asked if you're available for full-time work. The best approach is to answer "yes" and then explain your specific circumstances during the eligibility interview. Remote work is now common enough that it's considered a standard work arrangement in many industries, not a special accommodation. If your field typically offers remote positions, you can be considered "available for suitable work" while limiting your search to remote positions due to childcare constraints. During your interview, explain that you're actively seeking full-time employment that matches your skills and experience in arrangements that accommodate your childcare needs. Emphasize that you're not turning down suitable work - you're specifically seeking work that's compatible with your situation.

I'm in a very similar boat right now - came back from maternity leave last month to find my department completely reorganized and my previously flexible schedule now requiring daily office presence. The anxiety about potential termination and financial security is so real. From what I've researched and experienced so far, the key seems to be framing this correctly - you're not refusing to work, you're unable to accommodate a substantial change in working conditions that occurred while you were on protected leave. I've been documenting every email and conversation about the changes, and I'd strongly recommend you do the same. One thing that's helped my peace of mind is knowing that EDD does recognize childcare constraints as legitimate reasons for being unable to meet new job requirements. It's not the same as just "choosing" not to work - it's a practical impossibility given your circumstances. Have you considered reaching out to your HR department to see if there's any flexibility or accommodation they can offer before it gets to the termination stage? Sometimes they're more willing to work with new mothers than the direct supervisor might be.

Just wanted to add my experience from last month - I was in almost the exact same situation. Filed my claim in December 2024, exhausted benefits in March, got that same confusing message about extensions. After spending 3 days trying to get through to EDD (finally succeeded using the 2511 trick - call at exactly 8:01 AM and press 1-3-4 immediately), the rep confirmed there are NO automatic extensions right now. However, she did mention that if you're willing to enter an approved training program, you might qualify for Training Extension Benefits. The catch is you have to apply BEFORE your regular benefits run out, not after. So for anyone reading this whose balance is getting low - look into this option now, don't wait! Also, make sure you keep certifying if the system lets you, even with a $0 balance. Sometimes there are processing delays and you don't want to lose eligibility for any potential benefits. Good luck OP - this whole system is needlessly confusing.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - my claim balance hit zero last week and I got the exact same message about extensions. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like that message is just outdated and misleading. For anyone else in this situation, I found some additional resources that might help bridge the gap: - Local food banks and community assistance programs (many don't require lengthy application processes) - Gig work apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc. while job hunting (I know it's not ideal but helps with immediate cash flow) - Check if your local library has free job search resources and computer access Also, I called my county's social services office directly instead of trying to navigate everything online, and they were actually really helpful in explaining what programs I might qualify for immediately vs. what has waiting lists. This whole situation is so stressful when you're already dealing with job loss. Hang in there everyone! 💪

I went through something very similar last year! Had a fraud flag on my UI account (also completely false) and was terrified it would mess up my maternity leave benefits. Here's what I learned: The fraud case WON'T automatically disqualify you from SDI/PFL, but it might cause delays during processing. What saved me was being super proactive - I called EDD before filing my SDI claim and explained the situation. They put notes on my account that helped prevent the verification delays others mentioned. Also, don't wait to start your appeal process! I made the mistake of putting it off thinking it would resolve itself. File those DE 1000M forms ASAP and include a clear statement that you believe this is identity theft since you never received the funds they claim you owe. One tip that really helped me: when you do file your SDI claim online, include a brief note in the comments section referencing your ongoing UI fraud appeal. This gives the SDI processor context if they see any flags on your account. You've got this! Start working on the appeals now while you have time, and don't let this stress affect your pregnancy. The systems are separate enough that you should still get your maternity benefits.

I work as a benefits advisor and wanted to add some important timing considerations for your situation. Since you're due July 30th, you can typically file your SDI claim starting around May 26th (9 weeks before your due date). Given your fraud case complications, I'd recommend filing exactly at that 9-week mark to give maximum time for any verification delays. Also, while everyone's right that UI and SDI are separate systems, there's one thing to watch out for - if your Social Security number has been flagged for potential identity theft in their system, it could trigger additional verification steps for ANY EDD benefit. This happened to a client of mine last year. Pro tip: When you submit your fraud appeals, request that EDD remove any identity theft flags from your SSN once the appeals are resolved. This will prevent future delays on legitimate claims. You can also ask them to put a note in your file stating that you're expecting and will need SDI benefits soon - sometimes this helps prioritize the fraud case resolution. Don't panic though - even in worst case scenarios, SDI benefits are retroactive, so you'll get paid for the full period you're eligible even if there are initial delays.