Just want to add - make sure you keep detailed records of your work schedule and pay stubs! I learned this the hard way when EDD asked me to verify my reported earnings from 6 months prior. Having everything documented saved me from a huge headache. Also, if your hours vary significantly week to week (like 10 hours one week, 25 the next), your benefits will adjust accordingly using that same formula everyone explained. The system is actually pretty fair once you understand how it works. Good luck with the new job!

I went through this exact situation 8 months ago when I started part-time at a grocery store! The anxiety was real, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. Everyone's advice about gross pay is spot on. One thing I wish someone had told me: if you're uncertain about ANY earnings (like if you get tips, bonuses, or your employer pays you for training), always report it. I made the mistake of not reporting a $30 training bonus my first week because I wasn't sure if it counted - EDD caught it later and I had to explain. Nothing major happened, but it was stressful. Also, your retail job might have fluctuating hours during busy seasons (holidays, back-to-school, etc.), so your benefits will go up and down accordingly. That's totally normal! The key is just being consistent with your reporting. You've got this!

To sum everything up for clarity: 1. Unemployment (UI) and Disability (SDI) come from separate funding sources 2. UI is employer-funded, SDI is employee-funded through payroll deductions 3. You cannot collect both simultaneously 4. UI requires you to be able and available for full-time work 5. SDI requires a medical certification that you cannot work 6. Benefit calculations are different for each program 7. Both have separate one-week waiting periods If your condition worsens, you would stop certifying for UI and apply for SDI with your doctor's certification.

Just wanted to add one more important point that might help you - if you do end up needing to switch from UI to SDI, make sure to stop certifying for unemployment benefits immediately once your doctor says you can't work. I've seen people get into trouble because they continued certifying for UI while unable to work, which EDD considers fraud. The key is being honest about your work capacity on each certification. Also, keep all your medical documentation - you'll need it for the SDI application and it helps if there's ever a question about the timeline of when you became unable to work.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Lost my job at a local deli in late January but just filed last week because I kept thinking I'd land something quickly. Reading through everyone's success stories here has given me so much hope - it's incredible to see how many people have actually gotten their claims backdated despite all the horror stories you hear online. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to start calling 1-800-300-5616 tomorrow morning at exactly 8:00 AM and keep at it until I get through. My situation sounds identical to so many others - I genuinely had no idea how important it was to file immediately and was actively job searching, convinced I'd find work within a few weeks. For those who've been successful, did you find that mentioning specific places you applied to helped your case, or was it enough to just say you were actively job searching? I have some email confirmations and applications saved but they're not super organized. Also, has anyone had luck getting through later in the day, or is the 8 AM strategy really the most effective? The thought of potentially getting 6+ weeks of back benefits would be absolutely life-changing for my rent situation right now. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread is giving me the motivation to push through what I know will be a marathon of calling!

I just went through this exact same process two weeks ago and wanted to share my experience to help others! Lost my job at a retail store in early February but didn't file until mid-March because I was convinced I'd find something quickly. I successfully got my claim backdated 6 weeks using the calling method. Here's what worked: Called 1-800-300-5616 every morning at exactly 8:00 AM for 4 days straight. Finally got through on day 4 after about 50 attempts that morning. The rep was understanding when I explained I didn't realize filing immediately was so critical and had been job searching the whole time. She submitted my backdate request during that call and I got approval in 12 days. The back payment of $3,200 was a lifesaver! Key tips: Have your last work date and final pay info ready, be honest about why you delayed, mention any job search activities (even if records aren't perfect), and don't give up on calling - persistence absolutely works. Your reason for waiting is totally valid and commonly accepted. Start calling right at 8 AM and keep trying back-to-back until you connect. It's frustrating but so worth it when that approval comes through!

Hey Emma! Just wanted to chime in since I went through this exact same confusion when I first applied. The waiting period is definitely one of those things they should explain better upfront! One tip that helped me - when you certify this Sunday, double-check that you're answering all the questions correctly, especially about availability for work and any job search activities. Sometimes people accidentally trigger issues that can delay payments. Also, if you haven't already, make sure your direct deposit info is set up correctly in your UI Online account - that'll help ensure your payments come through smoothly once they start processing. The good news is that after this initial confusion, the process becomes pretty routine!

Yes, you absolutely need to meet all eligibility requirements during the waiting period week, including being available for work and conducting job search activities if required. The waiting period isn't a "free pass" week - you still have to be actively seeking employment and meet all the same criteria as any other week you're claiming benefits. The only difference is you don't get paid for that first week. California typically requires 3 job search activities per week (though this can vary), so make sure you're documenting your applications, interviews, or other qualifying activities. When you certify, you'll be asked about your job search efforts for both weeks, including that waiting period week.

Wow, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in a very similar situation - just got laid off from my graphic design job here in LA and that $450/week is barely covering my rent, let alone food and other expenses. Reading through everyone's real experiences has completely changed my perspective on doing delivery work while on unemployment. I was initially terrified about potentially messing up my EDD claim, but seeing how many people have successfully navigated this with proper documentation and honest reporting is really encouraging. The specific tips about weekly routines, separate banking accounts for taxes, and using apps like Everlance for mileage tracking are exactly what I needed to hear. @Freya Johansen your $150-200 weekly target strategy sounds perfect for my situation. After reading everyone's math on the 75% benefit reduction, it seems like that range would give me meaningful extra income while keeping me in partial benefits territory. I'm planning to start with UberEats on Friday/Saturday evenings like several people suggested, get that Google Sheets tracking system set up, and be absolutely religious about those Sunday night screenshots. The flexibility to instantly turn on/off the app seems crucial since I never know when an interview opportunity might pop up. Thanks to everyone who shared their actual numbers and real-world experiences. This thread has turned what felt like a risky gamble into a manageable strategy with clear best practices. Time to get that background check started!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for someone in my exact situation! I got laid off from my software engineering job in Sacramento last month and have been really struggling to make my $425 weekly benefit cover everything. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences with delivery apps while on unemployment has given me the confidence to finally try this approach. I love how many people have shared their actual numbers and weekly routines - it makes this feel so much more manageable than when I was just reading the confusing EDD website. The Google Sheets tracking system, Sunday night screenshot ritual, and separate savings account for taxes are all going straight into my plan. One quick question for those who've been doing this: I'm seeing a lot of advice about staying under that weekly benefit threshold, but has anyone experimented with occasionally going over (like during a really busy weekend) and just accepting zero benefits for that week? I'm wondering if the math works out better some weeks to just maximize gig earnings and skip the partial benefits entirely, especially if there are good promotions running on the apps. Also planning to start with UberEats on weekends like so many have recommended. The instant on/off flexibility sounds perfect since I'm actively interviewing and never know when I might need to suddenly be available. Thanks to everyone for being so generous with sharing real experiences and numbers!