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wait so with this new system do we still have to do the work search activities when on a temp job? im so confused about weather i need to list 3 job contacts when im already working but know ill need ui again in a few weeks
Yes, technically you're still required to conduct work search activities even during temporary work, unless you have a definite return-to-work date with a regular employer (not a temp agency). However, your temporary work itself counts as one work search activity per day worked. Just document your temp work details in the work search record section.
Just want to add my experience here - I went through this exact same thing last year with a seasonal retail job. The key is being proactive about reporting your wages correctly, even when the system is confusing. I found that keeping detailed records of every day worked and earnings really helped when I had to call EDD later. Screenshot everything you do in the system too - saved me when there was a discrepancy months later. Also want to mention that for temp work through agencies, make sure you understand whether you're getting a W-2 or 1099 at the end of the year, as this affects how you report the income. Most temp agencies issue W-2s but some contractor positions are 1099, and EDD treats these differently for UI purposes. Good luck with your assignment! The fact that you're asking these questions now shows you're being responsible about it.
This is really helpful advice about keeping detailed records! I hadn't thought about the W-2 vs 1099 issue - my temp agency said it would be W-2 but I should double check that. Quick question - when you had to call EDD about the discrepancy, did they ask for specific documentation or were your screenshots enough to resolve it? I want to make sure I'm keeping the right paperwork.
I've been in a very similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me! I was laid off from my full-time job last year and started part-time work while collecting partial benefits. Here are the key things that helped me succeed: 1. **Create a simple tracking system from day one** - I used a basic spreadsheet with columns for date, start time, end time, total hours, and gross pay. This made certification super easy and gave me documentation if needed. 2. **Always report when you WORKED, not when you got PAID** - This is crucial and trips up a lot of people. If you work during certification week A but don't get paid until week B, report those hours in week A. 3. **Be precise with your hours** - If you worked 7.25 hours, report exactly 7.25, not 7 or 7.5. EDD's system is designed to handle exact numbers. 4. **Save everything** - Screenshot your certification confirmations, keep copies of work schedules, and save all paystubs. Better to have too much documentation than not enough. 5. **Don't panic about small delays** - Your first few certifications with part-time income might take an extra day or two to process while EDD reviews the new information. The partial benefits really do help bridge the gap financially while you job search. In my case, I was able to maintain a stable income while looking for full-time work, and the part-time job actually led to networking opportunities that helped my search. You're being smart by asking these questions upfront - that preparation will serve you well!
This is incredibly helpful, thank you Mei! Your 5-point breakdown is exactly what I needed to see laid out so clearly. I especially appreciate the emphasis on being precise with hours - I can see how rounding even slightly could cause issues down the road. Your point about the first few certifications potentially taking longer to process is really reassuring too, since I was worried I might panic if there were delays. The networking aspect of part-time work is something I hadn't really considered either - that's a great bonus benefit beyond just the financial help. I'm definitely going to set up a tracking spreadsheet like you described before I start my first shift. Thanks for sharing such organized and practical advice!
I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds very similar to yours! I was laid off from my full-time warehouse position back in January and just started a part-time retail job about 6 weeks ago. The transition to partial benefits was honestly much smoother than I expected after reading some of the horror stories online. Here's what has worked really well for me: **Setup a simple tracking system immediately** - I use a basic notebook where I write down my exact clock-in and clock-out times each day, then calculate weekly totals. Takes 30 seconds per day but saves so much stress during certification. **Always certify on time even if your paycheck hasn't arrived yet** - Report your hours worked and calculate your gross earnings (hours x hourly rate). Don't wait for the actual paycheck to certify. **Screenshot everything** - After reading about people having issues with EDD later, I now take photos of my completed certification screens before submitting. Better safe than sorry! **Ask your manager about scheduling policies upfront** - Since retail schedules can change, I asked my manager how much advance notice they typically give for schedule changes. This has helped me plan my EDD reporting better. In my case, I work about 24 hours/week at $18/hour and still receive around $85/week in partial benefits. The combination definitely helps more than unemployment alone, and having work structure has been good for my mental health while job searching. You're asking all the right questions before starting - that proactive approach will definitely help you avoid problems. Good luck with your new retail position!
Welcome to the community, Zoe! Your experience is so encouraging to hear, especially since your situation is almost identical to mine with the warehouse background and retail transition. I love how you've broken down your system so clearly - the notebook tracking method seems really reliable and straightforward. Your point about screenshotting everything is definitely something I'm going to do after hearing about various documentation issues people have had. It's also really reassuring to know that the combination of part-time work and partial benefits is actually working out better financially than just unemployment alone, plus the mental health benefits of having work structure. The tip about asking the manager upfront about scheduling policies is brilliant too - I can see how that proactive communication would prevent a lot of reporting headaches down the road. Thanks for sharing such detailed and practical advice! It's so helpful to hear from someone who's successfully navigating this exact transition.
I had a similar issue with "outstanding payment" status. In my case, it turned out there was a verification hold on my account that wasn't clearly communicated. The payment was approved but stuck in processing. After finally getting through to a rep (took many attempts), they were able to release the hold and the payment came through within a few days. Definitely worth calling - sometimes these outstanding payments just need manual processing from their end. Don't give up on trying to reach them!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Mateo! This is really helpful to know. I'm dealing with a similar situation and it's been so frustrating not knowing what's going on. How many times did you have to call before you got through to someone? And did they give you any indication of how long the verification hold had been in place? I'm wondering if I should keep trying to call or if there's any other way to check for holds on the account.
I've been dealing with this exact issue for months! "Outstanding payment" can be really confusing because it doesn't always mean what you'd think. In addition to what others have mentioned about verification holds, it could also mean: 1. There's a pending identity verification that you might not have received notice about 2. Your bank account info needs updating if you had direct deposit set up 3. There's a wage audit or employer dispute that's holding up payments Since you haven't been paid since March but show 11 weeks paid, definitely call EDD. When you do get through, ask them to check for any "stops" or "flags" on your account. Also ask specifically about ID verification requirements - sometimes they send these requests to your UI Online inbox and people miss them. The fact that you received an email about payment is actually encouraging - it suggests the system is trying to process something for you. Keep documentation of everything and don't give up calling!
This is super helpful information! I'm new to dealing with EDD issues and had no idea there could be so many different reasons for an "outstanding payment" status. The point about checking the UI Online inbox for ID verification requests is particularly useful - I bet a lot of people miss those notifications. @AstroExplorer, do you know if there's a way to proactively check what type of hold or flag might be on an account before calling? Or is calling really the only way to get that specific information? I'm trying to prepare before I start the marathon of calling attempts! Also, for anyone else reading this - it sounds like keeping detailed records of when you last received payments and any emails from EDD is really important when you finally do get through to a rep.
has anyone else noticed that the hold music is like... weirdly catchy? or am i just losing it from being on hold so long 🤣
I just went through SDI recertification a few weeks ago and it was way less scary than I expected! Here's what worked for me: • Have your claim number ready (they'll ask for it right away) • Keep a notepad handy to write down confirmation numbers or next steps • If you're still treating with the same doctor, mention that - it streamlines things • They might ask about your work capacity, so think about how your condition affects daily activities The whole call took maybe 15 minutes once I got through. You've got this! 💪
Benjamin Kim
Glad you got it sorted! Just a heads-up that it might take one payment cycle for the change to take effect, so keep an eye on your next payment to make sure it goes through correctly.
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Mateo Gonzalez
Just want to add another option for anyone still stuck with Money Network - you can also get cash back at most grocery stores and pharmacies when you make a purchase with the card. I usually buy something small like gum or a drink and get $20-40 cash back with no fees. Then I can deposit the cash into my regular bank account. It's not as convenient as direct transfer but way better than paying $25!
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Yuki Sato
•That's a really clever workaround! I never thought about using cash back at stores to avoid the transfer fee. For people who can't switch to direct deposit right away or are waiting for it to take effect, this seems like a great temporary solution. Do you know if there's a daily limit on how much cash back you can get with the Money Network card?
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Isabel Vega
•@Mateo Gonzalez This is such a smart tip! I think the daily cash back limit is usually around $100-200 at most stores, but it varies by retailer. Some places like Walmart let you do up to $100, while smaller stores might only allow $20-40. You could probably call the customer service number on the back of your Money Network card to get the exact limits. This is definitely going in my toolkit for avoiding those ridiculous fees!
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