I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just got my first EDD payment last week after being laid off from my product management role and I literally had to double-check the amount because I couldn't believe it was real. I was making $92k and now I'm supposed to live on $450/week in San Diego where my rent alone is $2,100 for a one-bedroom. What's really frustrating me is learning that this cap hasn't been updated in TWO DECADES while literally everything else has gone up exponentially. I did some quick math and if I had to stay on unemployment for the full 26 weeks, I'd be making less than $24k for the year - that's below the federal poverty line! How is this even legal in California? I've already started cutting every expense I can think of and looking into side work, but the mental stress of not knowing how I'm going to make basic ends meet is making it so much harder to focus on job searching effectively. This whole system feels designed to panic us into taking the first terrible offer that comes along. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and resources here - it's both depressing and comforting to know so many of us are dealing with this broken system. Definitely going to call my representatives after reading about others' experiences doing that. We can't be the first generation of Californians dealing with unemployment who just accepts that $450/week is somehow adequate in 2025!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - I just went through the exact same shock when I got laid off from my software engineering position at a startup last month. I was making $89k and when I saw that $450 weekly benefit, I honestly thought there was a glitch in the system. How are we supposed to survive on what amounts to less than $24k annually in one of the most expensive states in the country? What really gets me is that I've been paying into this system for years through my taxes, thinking it would provide actual support if I ever needed it. Instead, it feels like being pushed off a financial cliff. My rent is $1,950 for a tiny one-bedroom in Sacramento, and that $450 doesn't even cover half of it! I've already started applying for everything I can find and looking into freelance coding projects on the side. Reading through all these comments has been both depressing and reassuring - at least we're not alone in dealing with this completely broken system. The idea of organizing around this issue really resonates with me. Individual calls to representatives are important, but we need sustained collective pressure to force any real change. Thanks for starting this thread and to everyone sharing their experiences and resources. It's been more helpful than any official EDD information I've found. We shouldn't have to choose between financial ruin and taking terrible job offers just because our state government refuses to update benefits that haven't changed since 2005!

I've been on UI for about 7 months now and have Chase as well! Your timeline should definitely work for Tuesday rent if you certify early today. My experience has been really consistent: - Sunday: Certify (I do it right at midnight when it opens) - Monday: UI Online shows "Paid" by late morning - Tuesday: Money in Chase account by 8am The midnight certification really does make a difference - I've compared it to certifying later in the day and you gain several hours in processing time. Since you're cutting it close, definitely set that alarm! Your first payment will likely take an extra day compared to future ones due to verification, but with direct deposit already set up correctly (which you confirmed), you should still make Tuesday timing. Pro tip: Chase's mobile app will show pending deposits before they're available, so check Monday night if you don't see it post yet. And since you already talked to your landlord, you're covered if there's any delay. The first certification is always stressful, but based on everyone's experiences here, Chase is pretty reliable for EDD deposits. You should be good to go!

I've been on UI for about 4 months and wanted to chime in with my Chase experience since you're in the same situation! My timeline has been super reliable: - Sunday: Certify around 1am (I stay up for it now) - Monday: UI Online shows "Paid" by noon usually - Tuesday: Money hits Chase account between 6-8am The first payment did take about 4 days instead of 2-3 because of their verification process, but since then it's been clockwork. Chase is honestly one of the better banks for EDD - much faster than what my friends with other banks experience. For your rent deadline, you should be totally fine if you certify early today. That midnight timing everyone's mentioning really does help - I've tested it myself. Also make sure to check the Chase mobile app Monday night for pending deposits, sometimes you can see it coming even before it officially posts. Since you already reached out to your landlord, you're covered either way. But based on all the Chase experiences shared here, Tuesday morning deposit seems pretty much guaranteed if you certify early today. The first certification stress is so real, but you're set up well with direct deposit already configured correctly!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I'm dealing with a similar login issue right now! It's so frustrating when you can't access your account to certify. I've been getting bounced around between different departments too. Has anyone tried clearing their browser cache and cookies before logging in? Sometimes that helps with technical glitches. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the UN department - does anyone have more details on how to specifically request to speak with them when calling EDD? The regular tier 1 and tier 2 reps don't seem to know about account blocks like the one Katelyn had.

Hey there! I'm new to this community but wanted to share since I literally just had my eligibility interview last week for the exact same situation - SDI to unemployment transition with a late CalJOBS upload (mine was 19 days late because I forgot my password too!). The interview was super straightforward and lasted about 8 minutes. They only asked about my work capacity after disability - nothing about CalJOBS at all! The questions were basically: - Nature of my disability - When I was cleared to return to work - Any current limitations (I said none) - If I'm actively job searching I had my doctor's clearance ready but they didn't even ask to see it - just wanted me to confirm the date verbally. Honestly, I was way more stressed about it than I needed to be. Sounds like you're already well-prepared with your documentation. The fact that you got your resume uploaded before the interview shows you're compliant, even if it was a few days late. You'll do great on Wednesday! This community is awesome for support - glad I found it.

As someone who's been navigating EDD issues for a while, I wanted to add that your situation sounds very routine and manageable. The fact that you're being so proactive about preparing for this interview already shows you're taking it seriously. One thing I'd suggest - since you mentioned your workplace injury was from May 2024 and you have medical clearance from July 2024, make sure you can clearly explain that timeline if they ask. The gap between injury and clearance might come up, so just be ready with a simple explanation of your recovery process. Also, don't forget that you can ask them at the beginning of the call what specific topics they need to cover. Sometimes they'll actually tell you "we're here to discuss your work availability after disability" which can help you focus your answers and reduce anxiety about unknown issues. Based on all the experiences shared here, it really sounds like the CalJOBS delay is a non-issue for this type of interview. You've got this! The community will be rooting for you on Wednesday.

It could potentially delay your initial payment, but if you're otherwise eligible, you should eventually receive all benefits owed to you once the discrepancy is resolved. The key is having solid documentation. One more tip: when you certify for benefits, always report your work and earnings exactly as they actually occurred (not how they appeared on your paycheck). Be prepared to explain the discrepancy if questioned. If you need benefits quickly, make sure to complete all required certifications on time and respond to any EDD communications immediately. The faster you provide requested information, the less delay you'll face.

This is really concerning and unfortunately more common than it should be with small employers. I went through something similar where my boss would shift my hours between pay periods to avoid certain thresholds. A few additional things to consider: - Document not just when you work, but also any verbal instructions from your boss about how he's handling the pay periods. If possible, get these instructions in writing (email, text, etc.) - Check if your state has a wage theft hotline - California has pretty strong worker protections - When you do file for UI (if needed), mention this issue upfront during your initial claim. Being proactive about explaining discrepancies looks better than having EDD discover them later Also, keep in mind that even if this creates some initial delays with your claim, EDD has to pay you retroactively for any weeks you were eligible once the issue gets resolved. The most important thing is having your documentation ready. Your employer's behavior is sketchy at best and potentially illegal. You're smart to be thinking ahead about this!