Wait I just realized something - are penalty weeks the same as disqualification weeks? Because my cousin had disqualification weeks and those worked differently I think? I'm so confused by all these EDD terms!

This is a really helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation with penalty weeks from EDD. One thing I learned from my research is that you should also keep track of your job search activities during penalty weeks if you're required to do so. Even though you're not getting paid, you still need to meet all the regular eligibility requirements including work search if it applies to your claim type. Also, @Mary Bates - since you're working part-time and still under your WBA, make sure you're reporting your gross earnings (before taxes) on your certification, not your take-home pay. I made that mistake once and it caused issues. The $320 you mentioned - is that gross or net? Just want to make sure you're reporting correctly to avoid any additional problems!

One final tip: Once you regain access to your account, I strongly recommend setting up a secure way to track your payment amounts. Whether it's a dedicated spreadsheet, a specific folder in your email just for EDD notifications, or even a simple notebook, having this information accessible can save you tremendous headaches in the future. EDD's systems are unlikely to become more user-friendly anytime soon, so it's best to prepare for these situations in advance.

I had this exact same issue about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: check if you have the EDD mobile app installed on your phone - sometimes it saves payment history even when you can't log into the website. Also, if you use any budgeting apps like Mint or YNAB that connect to your bank account, they might have categorized the EDD deposits and you can see the exact amounts there. The payment amount they want is the gross amount before any taxes or deductions. Don't give up - there are definitely ways to find this info without having to wait on hold for hours!

Just to follow up - I found that after completing the CalJOBS registration, you can actually customize your profile to list entertainment industry job categories. Under the occupation search, use terms like "Media" or "Arts" and you'll find some relevant categories. Not perfect, but it makes the profile look more legitimate when an EDD reviewer checks it. Remember, the key requirement is registering and creating a profile. The actual job applications can still be through your industry channels as long as you document them during certification.

As someone who just went through this process as a cinematographer, I can confirm this is definitely real and required now. I was initially panicked too, but it's really not as bad as it seems once you understand what they actually want. Here's my experience: I registered on CalJOBS in about 20 minutes, uploaded a basic resume, and selected "Motion Picture and Video Industries" under the occupation categories. For work search activities, I just document my normal industry networking - calls to DPs I know, emails to production companies, checking with my agent, etc. When I certify, I select "contacted employer directly" for most of these activities. The system seems designed more for compliance tracking than actually forcing us to use their job board. I haven't applied to a single job through CalJOBS but my benefits have continued without issue as long as I'm documenting legitimate job search efforts in our industry. Don't stress too much about it - just get registered ASAP and keep doing what you normally do to find work!

Congratulations on your new job! To summarize what everyone has said: 1. Complete your final certification accurately, reporting your employment and earnings 2. After that, simply stop certifying 3. Keep your EDD account information and payment records 4. Your claim remains technically open for the benefit year This approach ensures you receive all benefits you're entitled to while properly notifying EDD of your employment status. Best of luck with your new position!

Congratulations on landing the new job! Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I transitioned back to work - take a screenshot or photo of your final certification confirmation page after you submit it. This serves as proof that you properly reported your employment status and earnings on the correct date. I had a friend who had a minor discrepancy months later and having that screenshot really helped resolve it quickly with EDD. It's just one more layer of documentation to protect yourself. Wishing you all the best in your new role!

Hey OP, congrats on the new family member! Quick heads up - make sure you're also looking into SDI (State Disability Insurance) if you gave birth. You can get up to 4 weeks before your due date and 6-8 weeks after for recovery, THEN your PFL bonding time starts. Don't leave money on the table!

I went through this exact process about 6 months ago! The relationship evidence part was actually pretty straightforward - they just wanted to see that I was legally connected to the baby. Since I'm married, I uploaded our marriage certificate along with the birth certificate showing both our names. One thing that helped me was calling them right after I submitted my initial claim to ask what specific documents they'd need so I could get everything ready in advance. Took a few tries to get through, but it saved me time later when they made their official request. The whole process took about 5 weeks from filing to getting my first payment, which seems to be pretty typical based on what I've seen here. Make sure you certify for benefits every two weeks once you're approved - that part is easy to forget! Best of luck with everything, and congrats on your new addition! 🍼