This thread is so timely for me! I'm actually on my very last week of benefits and just certified yesterday evening. After reading everyone's experiences here, I feel much more prepared for what to expect. It sounds like the key takeaway is that final payments can take 2-3 days instead of the usual 1-2 days, but as long as the UI Online status shows "paid," the money will definitely come through. I really appreciate everyone sharing their actual timelines - it's so much more helpful than the generic info on the EDD website. I'm bookmarking this thread and will definitely update if I experience any delays with my final payment. The Claimyr recommendation is also gold - I had no idea there were services to help skip those insane EDD hold times. Thanks to this community for always having each other's backs during these stressful times!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently in the middle of my claim and seeing everyone's experiences with final payments is really valuable information for when I get there. It's reassuring to know that the 2-3 day delay for final payments is normal and that the "paid" status in UI Online is the reliable indicator to trust. The Claimyr recommendation keeps coming up too - I'm definitely going to remember that for future reference since I've already experienced those brutal EDD hold times firsthand. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences and timelines. This community is such a lifesaver for navigating all the EDD quirks and uncertainties!

Just to add to all the great advice here - another helpful feature is setting up email notifications in addition to text alerts. Go to UI Online > Notification Preferences and enable both email and SMS for certification reminders and payment notifications. I like having the backup in case one system has issues. Also, if you ever move or change banks during your claim period, make sure to update your information BEFORE your next certification to avoid payment delays. I learned this the hard way when I moved apartments and forgot to update my address - caused a week-long delay in payments while they verified my new info. The biweekly schedule really does become second nature after a month or two, so hang in there!

Congrats on your first payment! The biweekly schedule is definitely standard for UI claims. One small thing that helped me was screenshotting my certification confirmation page each time I submit - gives me peace of mind that it went through properly, especially if the system is being glitchy. Also, since you're budgeting carefully, keep in mind that your weekly benefit amount might have taxes withheld if you elected that option when you first applied (you can check this in your UI Online account under "Payment Method" settings). If you didn't elect withholding, just remember you'll need to set aside some money for taxes at the end of the year. The consistency of the biweekly payments really does make financial planning easier once you get used to it!

I'm going through the exact same thing! Submitted my DE 2593 on April 13th and it's been about 2.5 weeks with zero confirmation from EDD. I was starting to panic thinking my form disappeared into the digital void, but reading everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief. It's actually reassuring to see that the 4-6 week processing delay is affecting literally everyone right now - not just my claim. What really helps is seeing that people's payments are continuing throughout the waiting period, which takes away some of that anxiety about suddenly losing benefits. I think I'm going to try the secure message route through UI Online next week if I still don't hear anything. Faith's experience getting confirmation within 3 days that way sounds much better than trying to battle through their phone system. It's so frustrating that EDD doesn't give us any heads up about these delays, but I'm grateful we can all support each other here. Will definitely update if I get any response from messaging them!

I'm in the exact same situation and this thread has been a lifesaver for my anxiety! Submitted my DE 2593 on March 22nd and it's now been over 5 weeks with absolutely zero acknowledgment from EDD. My payments are still coming through normally, but the complete silence was making me think I'd somehow messed up the submission. Reading everyone's experiences here - especially the 4-6 week timeline from Ravi's stakeholder meeting info and Faith's successful resolution after 6 weeks - has given me so much peace of mind. It's clear this is a system-wide processing delay affecting everyone, not individual claim issues. I actually tried the secure message approach through UI Online that several people mentioned, and got a response within 2 days confirming they received my form and it's "pending review in the eligibility queue." No timeline given, but at least I know it didn't get lost! For anyone still waiting and getting anxious, I'd definitely recommend trying the secure message route for that peace of mind confirmation. Thanks Eduardo for starting this thread - it's been incredibly helpful to know we're all navigating this together!

I've been working part-time (about 20 hours/week) at a local grocery store while collecting partial unemployment for the past 2 months, and it's working out really well! The math definitely works in your favor - I'm making about $150 more per week combined than I was on full unemployment alone. A couple of practical tips that have saved me headaches: - Download a simple time-tracking app on your phone and clock in/out for each shift. Way more accurate than trying to remember hours later - Always double-check that your reported wages match your pay stub exactly - even small discrepancies can trigger reviews - Save screenshots of your EDD certification confirmations each time, just in case The cafe job sounds like a great opportunity! Customer-facing work is perfect for networking, and honestly, having a routine while job hunting helps with motivation. I've actually gotten more interviews since starting part-time work - I think it shows employers you're proactive rather than just sitting at home. Don't overthink the EDD reporting process - their system handles the benefit calculations automatically once you input accurate hours and wages. Focus on being meticulous with your record-keeping and you'll be fine. You're making the smart choice taking this job!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I was laid off from my marketing coordinator position 6 weeks ago and have been really hesitant about taking part-time work because I was worried it would complicate my unemployment benefits. But reading everyone's experiences here has completely changed my perspective. The consistent message about keeping detailed records is super helpful - I'm definitely going to implement the photo/screenshot system and time-tracking app that people mentioned. It sounds like the key is just being extremely organized and honest with reporting. I have an interview tomorrow for a part-time social media assistant role (12-16 hours/week) and I was actually considering canceling because I was scared about the EDD complications. But after seeing how many people have successfully navigated this and are making MORE money overall, I'm going to go for it! Quick question for those who've been through this - during the interview, should I mention that I'm currently on unemployment? Or is it better to just focus on my interest in the role and availability? I don't want to hurt my chances but also want to be transparent about my situation. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this community is amazing for people trying to figure out this confusing system!

Hey there! I'm new to this community but have been following this thread because I'm in a similar situation - just got my RESEA notification yesterday and was completely freaking out until I read through everyone's experiences here. What really strikes me is how consistent everyone's feedback has been about the appointments being more supportive than scary. I've been unemployed for about 2.5 months and have been doing my work search activities, but like many of you, my documentation isn't perfect. Reading that the counselors are generally understanding about record-keeping gaps is such a relief. I'm planning to follow the advice here about going through my email confirmations and job site histories to fill in what I can remember. The tip about printing out records even for virtual appointments is genius - I never would have thought of that! Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences. This thread has completely changed my mindset from dreading the appointment to actually seeing it as an opportunity to get additional resources and support. It's amazing how much better I feel after reading all these positive outcomes. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating the EDD system!

I just had my RESEA appointment last Friday and wanted to jump in here since I was following this thread when I was preparing for mine! @Heather, I hope your appointment went well on Wednesday - would love to hear how it turned out! For anyone else who might be preparing for one of these, I can confirm everything everyone has said here is absolutely accurate. My experience was really positive. The counselor was professional and helpful, and we spent most of the time talking about my career goals and what resources might help me. She even suggested some industry-specific job boards I hadn't heard of before. The work search review was straightforward - I had some gaps in my records too, but she was totally understanding when I explained what I remembered. One thing I'd add is that they asked me about any training or certifications I might be interested in pursuing while job searching. Apparently there are some programs that can help pay for relevant coursework or certifications that could make you more competitive. I had no idea these resources existed! The whole appointment took about 45 minutes and I actually felt energized about my job search afterward. To anyone still worried about their upcoming RESEA - you've got nothing to fear if you've been genuinely looking for work. The counselors really do want to help you succeed!