Hey Malik! I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I was in your exact situation a few months ago. First off, yes - you absolutely CAN cancel your unemployment claim, but the process depends on how far along you are. If you haven't certified for any weekly benefits yet, it's usually just a matter of calling EDD and requesting withdrawal. But if you've already received payments, you'll need to repay them. Here's what I wish someone had told me early on: there's actually a third option that most people (including EDD reps sometimes) don't mention upfront. You can stop doing your weekly certifications without fully cancelling your claim. This keeps your claim "dormant but active" - basically a safety net that you're not actively using but could reactivate if needed without starting the whole process over. The guilt factor is SO real and I totally get it. I felt like I was somehow taking advantage of the system, but then I realized - this is literally insurance that we've been paying into through every paycheck. It's designed exactly for situations like this. If you do decide to call EDD, definitely try right at 8:00 AM when they open. That seems to be the magic time for actually getting through. Have your claim number ready and be specific about what you want (withdraw vs. just stopping certifications). Whatever you decide, make sure it's based on your actual situation and needs, not on guilt or what others might think. You've got this! 💪

Hey Malik! I'm pretty new to this community but wanted to chime in since I'm dealing with something similar right now. I started my unemployment claim about a week ago and have been going back and forth about whether to continue with it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about the "dormant but active" option that several people mentioned - that sounds like exactly what people in our situation need. It's like having the best of both worlds - keeping the safety net without the weekly commitment. The guilt aspect is so relatable too. I keep second-guessing myself even though, like everyone's pointed out, we've literally been paying into this system through our paychecks. It's designed for exactly these situations! I'm definitely going to look into that workforce center counselor suggestion from @Ravi Choudhury - sounds like they might have insights that even EDD doesn't always share upfront. And if I do end up calling EDD, I'll definitely try that 8am strategy everyone's mentioning. Thanks for starting this thread - it's been so helpful to see how supportive this community is and to realize that feeling uncertain about this stuff is totally normal. Whatever you decide, it sounds like you've got some great options to consider! 🙏

Based on all the responses here, it sounds like you have a really strong case! The fact that your boss texted you saying he'd support your unemployment claim is basically him acknowledging that he fired you inappropriately. I've been reading through similar situations on this forum, and it seems like EDD consistently rules in favor of people who were willing to work their notice period but got terminated early by their employer. The two-week pending status is frustrating but totally normal for these mixed separation cases. EDD has to investigate and verify the details, which takes time. When you do get your eligibility interview, just focus on the clear timeline: you gave notice, you were prepared to work your full 30 days, but your employer chose to end your employment immediately. That text message is your smoking gun - keep it safe! Try not to let the anxiety eat at you too much. From everything I've seen in this community, cases like yours with clear documentation usually end up getting approved. The hardest part is just waiting it out.

I went through almost this exact situation about 6 months ago! Gave my notice at a warehouse job, supervisor got upset and told me to "clock out and don't come back." I was terrified I wouldn't qualify since I quit first, but EDD ended up approving my claim after about 5 weeks of pending status. The key thing is exactly what others have said - you were willing to work your 30 days, but your employer made the decision to end it immediately. That makes it a discharge, not a voluntary quit. That text from your boss saying he'll support your claim is incredible evidence - honestly better than anything I had in my case. During my eligibility interview, the EDD rep asked very directly: "Were you willing and able to continue working through your notice period?" When I said yes, and explained that my employer told me to leave immediately, she said that constituted a discharge. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes. Don't stress about the 2-week pending status - these mixed cases always take longer because they have to verify everything. You've got solid documentation and a clear timeline. Just be patient and stick to the facts during your interview!

If you missed the call from EDD, don't panic! You can try calling back using the same number they called from (usually shows up in your call log). If that doesn't work, you'll need to go through the regular callback process again. Make sure your phone is charged and you're in a good reception area for the next call. Also, keep your claim number and ID ready so the process goes smoothly when you do connect.

If you missed the EDD call, try calling back immediately using the number that called you - it should show up in your recent calls list. If that doesn't work, you'll unfortunately need to request another callback through the usual process. For future calls, I recommend keeping your phone on high volume, staying near it during the callback window they give you, and having all your documents ready (ID, claim number, etc.). Some people also find success calling the main EDD number right after missing the callback since your case might still be active in their system. Don't give up - it's frustrating but you'll get through eventually!

I'm in the exact same situation! Just lost my job in food service and have been trying to navigate this CTB nightmare for weeks. The EDD website is absolutely useless - I keep getting sent in circles just like you described. After reading through all these amazing responses, I'm convinced that the key is bypassing EDD's website entirely and going straight to the source. I'm planning to: 1. Call my local community college's workforce development office first thing Monday morning 2. Visit the America's Job Center this week 3. Focus on programs that are 3-6 months, full-time, and in high-demand fields like IT What really stood out to me from everyone's experiences is that community colleges seem to have their own internal tracking of which programs get approved regularly. That's so much more useful than trying to decode EDD's confusing eligibility criteria on your own. For IT training specifically, it sounds like cybersecurity, networking, and cloud computing programs have really good approval rates. The "stackable credentials" approach that several people mentioned sounds perfect - you can build skills gradually while staying on benefits. Thanks for starting this thread - it's been incredibly helpful to hear from people who actually made it through this process successfully. Sometimes the community really does know better than the official resources!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who FINALLY got through this whole CTB maze successfully! I was in construction too before getting laid off, and spent weeks trying to find that mythical "approved programs list" that doesn't exist. Here's what actually worked for me: I called my local community college and asked to speak with their "workforce education coordinator" (not just general admissions). This person knew EXACTLY which programs get CTB approval and had helped dozens of displaced workers navigate the process. I ended up getting approved for a 5-month network administration program that had a 90% CTB approval rate according to their records. The key was that it was full-time (24 hours/week), led to industry certifications, and was in a high-demand field in our area. Pro tip: When you apply for CTB, include local job market data showing demand for the skills you'll be learning. The workforce coordinator helped me pull this data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and I think it really strengthened my application. Don't waste time trying to decode EDD's website - go straight to the community colleges and America's Job Centers. They're the ones who actually know how this system works! Good luck with your IT transition - it's totally doable coming from construction.

UPDATE: Just checked the ID.me website and they've changed their support process. The current recommended contact method is through their help portal at help.id.me/hc/en-us/requests/new They no longer prominently list their phone number because they're prioritizing online support tickets. Make sure to select 'Account Recovery' as your issue type, and be sure to mention it's for EDD unemployment access. Hope this helps!

any luck? im having the same problem now and freaking out