guys i think the whole system is rigged. they make it so hard on purpose so people just give up. wake up sheeple! 👀

Hey Anthony, I went through something similar a few months ago! The first thing I'd recommend is logging into your EDD account and checking the "Wage and Potential Benefit Inquiry" section to see exactly what wages they have on file for you. Sometimes there's a lag in wage reporting, especially if you had a recent job change. If the wages look incorrect or incomplete, you'll want to contact your previous employers to make sure they submitted their quarterly wage reports to EDD properly. Also, make sure you're looking at the right base period - EDD uses a specific 12-month period to calculate eligibility, not just any recent 12 months. The system can be confusing but don't give up! You've got this 💪

Update on messaging through UI Online - they're currently taking about 5-7 business days to respond to messages. If you do manage to get through by phone, request that they document the conversation in your case notes, including the date/time and representative name. This creates a record showing you attempted to correct the issue promptly. For future certifications, be sure to report any commission income in the week it was paid to avoid further complications. The system will ask if you received any income - always say yes if you received commissions and report the amount accurately.

That's great news that you got through and got it resolved! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, I want to emphasize that the key is being proactive about corrections. EDD actually has a specific process for amended reporting, and they're generally more lenient when you self-report errors versus them discovering discrepancies during their regular audits. One thing to keep in mind for commission workers: make sure you understand the difference between when commissions are earned versus when they're paid, because EDD cares about the payment date for certification purposes. Also, if you have variable commission income, it might be worth keeping detailed records of all payments to make future certifications smoother. Really glad this worked out for you @Harper Thompson - hopefully this thread will help other commission-based workers avoid the same confusion!

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.

One last thing - because you're technically still employed, your unemployment benefits will likely be temporary. Make sure to report if your employer contacts you to return to work earlier than expected. And when you do return to full employment, immediately stop certifying for benefits to avoid any overpayment issues that you'd have to repay later. Good luck with your application, and I hope the time off helps with your burnout. The healthcare field has been particularly challenging these past few years.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - my employer just reduced my hours to part-time due to "budget constraints" but I'm still technically employed. From what I've learned, you should definitely apply since this wasn't your choice. One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of all communication with your employer about this leave. Screenshot emails, save any paperwork they give you, etc. Also, when you file your weekly certifications, you'll need to report any work you do (even if it's just checking work emails) and any income you receive. The burnout aspect is real - I know healthcare admin has been incredibly demanding. While you can't mention that as your reason for the claim, at least this forced break might help you recover before you return to that intense environment.

One important thing to remember - even if you're eligible for a new claim, there might be a week or two gap between your old claim ending and the new one beginning. Make sure you're prepared financially for that possibility. Good luck with your new application!

I went through this exact same situation last year! Filed in October 2022 and they only used earnings from earlier quarters, missing my highest earning period. I was nervous about filing a new claim too, but it was totally worth it. My new weekly benefit amount was almost $200 higher because they included those missing quarters. One tip - when you file the new claim, make sure you have all your pay stubs and employment records ready. They might ask for verification of your earnings from that July-September period. Also, don't worry about "messing up" your claim - if you've truly exhausted your benefits and have qualifying earnings, filing a new claim is the right move. The worst they can say is no, but based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify.