To directly answer your question: No, being able to certify is NOT confirmation that your claim is approved. Here's what typically happens with a regular UI claim: 1. You file your initial claim 2. EDD reviews your eligibility (work history, reason for separation, identity, etc.) 3. You receive an award letter stating whether you're approved and your weekly benefit amount 4. You begin certifying for benefits 5. Payments are issued if your certifications are approved However, EDD sometimes allows certification before final approval, especially during high-volume periods. This can be confusing because it makes people think everything is proceeding normally. I definitely recommend contacting EDD to check your claim status if you haven't received any notification about your claim being approved.

Any update? I'm going through something similar and wondering if you got it resolved.

I'm in the same boat, OP. Filed 3 weeks ago, still showing $0. This whole process is so frustrating. Let us know if you make any progress!

I went through this exact same situation last year! Turns out EDD was using the wrong quarters for my base period calculation. What helped me was gathering all my pay stubs and W-2s from the most recent quarters before I filed, then submitting a request for them to recalculate using the alternate base period. It took about 4-6 weeks, but they eventually corrected it and I got backpay for all the weeks I should have been receiving benefits. Don't let them discourage you - if you earned good money recently, you're likely entitled to benefits. Document everything and keep following up!

Hey Sienna! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and totally feel your stress about the payment method confusion. Since you've already set up direct deposit, you're good to go for future payments - that was the smart move! For your first payment that's already processing, yes it will go to the Money Network card by default. The card typically arrives 7-10 business days after the payment is issued. Once you get it, definitely download the Money Network app right away and link your bank account. You can do an instant transfer for a small fee (around $1.50) if you need the money immediately, or a free transfer that takes 2-3 business days. One tip: when the card arrives, activate it immediately and set up your PIN. I made the mistake of letting mine sit for a few days and then panicked when I couldn't remember if I'd thrown away the activation instructions! Also, definitely keep the card even after you switch to direct deposit. EDD sometimes randomly sends certain payments (like backpay or adjustments) to the card even if you have direct deposit set up. Learned that one the hard way too. Hope your card arrives quickly so you can make rent! The waiting is definitely the worst part of this whole process.

I just went through this same situation a few weeks ago! The whole payment method thing is so confusing when you're new to unemployment. Since your payment is already processing, it will definitely go to the Money Network card first - there's no way to redirect a payment that's already been issued. The good news is that once you get the card (usually takes about a week), you can transfer the money to your bank account pretty easily through their app. I did the instant transfer for the small fee since I needed my rent money right away, and it was totally worth it. One thing I wish someone had told me - make sure you have a backup plan for rent if the card doesn't arrive by when you need it. Maybe talk to your landlord about a few days extension or see if a family member can help temporarily? The card delivery timing can be unpredictable, especially with mail delays. Also, keep checking your UI Online account - sometimes the system will show when the card has been mailed, which gives you a better idea of when to expect it. Good luck, and don't stress too much - you'll get your money, it's just a matter of waiting for that card to arrive!

To summarize what everyone is saying: 1. Severance typically counts as wages in California for UI purposes 2. How your severance was paid matters (lump sum vs. ongoing payments) 3. You likely did the correct thing by waiting until severance ended to file One additional point: your benefit year is still 12 months from when you filed in June, so you're not losing any potential weeks of benefits - you're just receiving them over a different timeframe. The maximum number of weeks you can collect in California is still 26 weeks within your benefit year. Since you're already receiving payments, focusing on maximizing your current benefits and job search is likely the best use of your time rather than trying to backdate the claim.

As someone who just went through a similar situation a few months ago, I can confirm you absolutely did the right thing! I was laid off in February with 12 weeks of severance pay and made the mistake of filing immediately thinking I could get benefits on top of severance. Big mistake - I had to report my severance income every two weeks during certification and received $0 in UI benefits until my severance ended. It was basically just extra paperwork for no benefit. When my severance finally ended in May, THEN I started receiving my weekly UI payments. Your approach of waiting until June was much smarter. You saved yourself months of pointless certifications and you're getting the same total amount of benefits anyway. Don't second-guess yourself - the system is designed exactly for situations like yours where people receive ongoing severance payments. The only time filing immediately makes sense is if you get a true lump sum payment all at once, but even then you'd only be eligible after that single week where you received it.

Great to hear you got it sorted out! For future reference, you can also contact EDD to temporarily disable 2FA if you lose your phone - they can switch it back to email verification or remove it entirely until you get a new device. Might save you some stress next time something like this happens. Hope you get your new phone soon!

Just want to add that if you ever run into issues with the automated Tele-Cert system (like it hanging up or not recognizing your info), don't panic! Sometimes the system gets overloaded during peak times. I've found that calling late at night or very early morning (like 2-6 AM) tends to work better since fewer people are using it then. Also, speak clearly and pause between entering numbers - the system can be finicky about timing. Glad you got your certification done!