Update: I GOT IN!!! I tried the "Register without an EDD Customer Account Number" link that @careerhelper mentioned and it actually worked! I had to answer a bunch of identity verification questions but I'm now in my UI Online account. I can see that my claim is active and I have 3 weeks of certifications pending. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help with this!

This is such a relief to see resolved! I'm going through the exact same issue right now - had my interview 2 weeks ago and still no mail. I've been panicking thinking something went wrong with my claim. The "Register without EDD Customer Account Number" option is a game changer - I had no idea that existed! Going to try this right now. Thanks for sharing your update and thanks to everyone who provided such helpful advice in this thread!

Quick update - I actually got through to EDD today! The representative confirmed that my temp work does qualify for a subsequent new claim since it was with a different employer. I need to wait until those wages appear in their system (end of this quarter) and then I can file a new claim even though my benefit year hasn't ended. Just wanted to share in case anyone else is in the same situation. The key factors were: 1. Working for a different employer 2. Earning at least $1,300 in a quarter 3. Those wages not being used on previous claim Thanks everyone for your help!

That's fantastic news! Congratulations on getting through to EDD and getting such clear guidance. Your experience really highlights how important it is to understand the subsequent new claim rules - so many people don't realize this option exists. For anyone else reading this, Isabella's situation is a perfect example of why it's worth checking if you qualify for a subsequent claim rather than just assuming you have to wait until your benefit year expires. The different employer requirement is key. Thanks for taking the time to update the thread with your outcome. It's really helpful for the community to see successful resolutions!

Just wanted to add another perspective for anyone still struggling with this. I went through the exact same confusion last year and made it way more complicated than it needed to be. The key thing that finally clicked for me was realizing that ID.me is basically like a digital ID card that you show to EDD to prove you're really you - it has nothing to do with your old account login or payment history. Think of it like showing your driver's license at the DMV. Once I stopped trying to connect it to my old unemployment stuff and just treated it as a fresh identity verification, the whole process took maybe 20 minutes. The selfie part was a bit finicky (make sure you have good lighting!), but otherwise pretty smooth. Also, pro tip: have your phone ready for the mobile verification step - it goes much faster than trying to do everything on a computer.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - filed my claim two days ago and just got the ID.me verification email this morning. I was panicking because I also collected unemployment in 2020 and couldn't remember any of those old details. Reading through everyone's experiences here made me realize I was overthinking it completely. Just finished my ID.me verification about 30 minutes ago (took maybe 15 minutes once I understood it was totally separate from my old account). The hardest part was getting good lighting for the selfie - had to move to three different rooms before it would accept the photo! Now I know to focus on that as a separate step if I need UI Online access later. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the step-by-step breakdown. It really helps to see real people who went through the exact same confusion and came out the other side successfully!

UPDATE: We got it resolved! First, my sister tried the transaction history approach, but her Covered CA rep said they really needed the official award letter. We tried calling EDD multiple times with no luck, then used Claimyr as someone suggested here. Got through to a rep in about 15 minutes who was super helpful. The rep emailed her the award letter as a PDF the same day. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone with this same issue in the future, the transaction history is good temporary proof, but they ultimately needed the official Notice of UI Award letter.

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone finding this thread later - if you're in a real time crunch and can't get through to EDD, you can also try visiting your local EDD office in person if there's one near you. I had to do this for my mom last year when she needed documentation for her Medicare application. The wait was long (like 3+ hours) but they were able to print out her award letter on the spot. Not ideal, but it's an option if phone/online isn't working and you're running out of time. Check the EDD website for office locations and hours - some require appointments now.

Just to follow up on what others have said - once you file your appeal, be prepared to wait. The appeal process can take 3-6 weeks before you get a hearing date. Keep certifying for benefits every week while waiting so that if you win your appeal, you'll get backpay for all certified weeks. Also, you might want to prepare a folder with all your documentation now (employment contract, termination notice, all pay stubs, W-2, correspondence with employer, etc) so you have everything ready when your hearing date is scheduled.

I went through this exact same situation last year and it's incredibly frustrating! The good news is that your case sounds very straightforward for an appeal - $57K in W-2 wages versus $9.4K in 1099 income clearly shows you were primarily an employee, not self-employed. A few additional tips that helped me: When you file your DE 1000M appeal form, include a cover letter that explicitly states "I am appealing the determination that I am self-employed. My primary income was from W-2 employment." Also, if you have your final pay stub from the marketing agency, that's golden evidence showing your regular employee status right up until your layoff. One thing that really helped my case was including a brief timeline showing when I worked at my regular job versus when I did freelance work. It made it crystal clear to the hearing officer that the freelance work was supplemental income, not my primary occupation. Stay strong - with your income breakdown, you should definitely win this appeal!