Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I think we're much clearer now on how this works. To summarize what I've learned: 1. He can file for these two weeks and still have benefits available later in the year if needed 2. The claim stays open for 12 months (his benefit year) 3. When he goes back to work, he needs to report earnings on his certification 4. If laid off again, he just reopens the same claim rather than filing a new one 5. He should check if work search requirements are waived, and if not, document some activities just to be safe This community has been incredibly helpful! I'll make sure he keeps all his paperwork organized in case there are any issues down the road.

You've got it exactly right! One more tip - have your husband screenshot or save his UI Online account homepage showing his claim balance and benefit year end date. That way if there are any system glitches later (which unfortunately happen sometimes), he'll have proof of his remaining benefits. Also, construction workers often qualify for higher benefit amounts due to the seasonal nature of the work, so don't be surprised if his weekly benefit amount is decent even for short-term claims. Good luck to both of you!

Wait I'm confused about something... when you say you kept applying for jobs while at the marketing place, were you still collecting unemployment during those 3 months you were working? Because if you were working full-time AND collecting UI that would explain the overpayment.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - got an overpayment notice last month with what felt like an impossible deadline. The stress is real, but it sounds like you've done everything right by responding through multiple channels! One thing that really helped me was calling the EDD overpayment unit directly (not the main UI number) at (916) 464-3502. They have slightly different hours and sometimes you can actually get through. When I finally reached someone, they were able to confirm they received my response and walked me through the payment plan options over the phone. Also, since you mentioned commission payments - that's super common for overpayments! The EDD system gets confused when earnings don't align perfectly with the weeks you report them. When you get your payment history, look for any weeks where your reported earnings don't match what your employer reported to them. You might have a strong case for an appeal if it was just a timing/reporting issue rather than actual fraud. Hang in there - this community has been a lifesaver for navigating EDD chaos!

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.

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!

Quick question - does anyone know if you can backdate a claim? I lost my job a few weeks ago but I've been putting off filing because I thought I'd find something new quickly.

Hey Isabella! I just went through this process a few months ago, so it's still fresh in my mind. One thing I wish someone had told me - make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits kick in, so the sooner you file, the sooner that clock starts ticking. Also, when they ask for your work history, be as detailed as possible with dates and wages. It'll help speed up the process and avoid any delays later. You got this! 💪