California Unemployment
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Will reporting unpaid training days reduce my EDD weekly benefit amount?
I started a new job last week and completed 3 days of training (about 24 hours total). The company pays bi-weekly, so I won't actually receive my first paycheck until next Friday. When I certify for benefits tomorrow, I'm confused about how to report this. Should I report the hours I worked even though I haven't been paid yet? Will this reduce my weekly benefit amount immediately, or does EDD only reduce benefits once I actually receive payment? I'm worried about having a gap where I've reported work (reducing my UI) but don't have any actual income yet. Anyone dealt with this situation before?
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EDD phone issues: Need help with pending certifications and debit card status after hearing
So frustrated right now! I just had my appeal hearing and now I'm totally confused about what happens next with my claim. I got paid for a couple weeks I certified for (thank goodness!) but there are still several weeks that are pending certification that I can't access in UI Online. Also, I haven't received my Money Network debit card yet and I'm getting worried. My claim actually got closed while I was waiting for my hearing (stopped getting certification emails after April 6th). Now that my hearing is over, do I need to reopen my claim or will EDD automatically update everything? I've tried calling them like 20 times today but every single time I get through the prompts, the call just disconnects! Does anyone know how long it typically takes for EDD to update things after a hearing? And what's the average time to receive the debit card? This is my first time dealing with unemployment and I'm completely lost. Any advice for getting through to an actual human at EDD would be so appreciated!
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To answer your specific questions: 1. After a hearing decision (assuming it's in your favor), EDD typically takes 7-14 business days to update your claim status. This can be longer during busy periods. 2. For the Money Network card, first-time recipients usually get their cards 7-10 business days after the first payment is processed. If it's been longer, call Money Network directly at 1-866-320-8699. 3. About the pending certification weeks - you absolutely need to speak with an EDD representative to have these released for certification. They will not automatically become available, even after a favorable hearing decision. 4. Regarding your closed claim - yes, you'll need to have it reopened. This is something the EDD representative can help with when you reach them. For getting through on the phone, here are some tips: - Call the 833-978-2511 number (not the main 800 number) - Try calling Tuesday-Thursday between 8:15-8:45am or 1:30-2:00pm - When you do get through, be sure to ask them to release ALL pending certification weeks and to reopen your claim if the hearing decision was favorable Good luck!
Thank you so much for these detailed tips! I'll try the 833 number tomorrow during those specific time windows. Fingers crossed I can get through!
EDD denial after 5 months at tech job - how to prove wrongful termination?
I just got denied for UI benefits after being fired from my software engineering position at a mid-sized tech company. I was there for 5 months and got let go without warning - they claimed 'poor performance' but never gave me a single negative review or put me on a PIP. My EDD claim was denied for 'misconduct' which is completely false. The determination letter says I can appeal within 30 days, but I'm completely lost on how to prove I was wrongfully terminated. Has anyone successfully appealed a misconduct denial when a company fabricated performance issues? What kind of evidence should I collect? I have some supportive emails from my team lead that contradict what HR told EDD, but I'm not sure if that's enough. With the job market so tight right now in California, I'm really worried about making rent next month if this doesn't get resolved.
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Random question but did you have any attendance issues? Sometimes companies try to classify tardiness as misconduct, even when there were no formal warnings.
No attendance issues at all. We were hybrid (3 days in office, 2 remote) and I never missed an in-office day or was late to meetings. That's why this misconduct claim is so frustrating - it feels completely fabricated.
just went thru this whole thing myself. got fired from warehouse job last winter, they said i was on my phone too much but never wrote me up. edd denied me. i appealed and WON! got all backpay too. the judge asked my boss for proof they warned me, they had nothing. appeal hearing was over phone and lasted like 20 min. just be honest and have your proof ready.
That's really encouraging to hear! How long did the whole appeal process take from when you submitted it until you got a decision?
took about 7 weeks total. hearing was scheduled like 5 weeks after i filed appeal, then decision came 2 weeks after that. but i hear sometimes its faster now
Can I get partial EDD benefits for reduced seasonal work schedule in December?
Hi everyone, I need some advice about my situation. I was hired as a seasonal worker (retail) and I've been working Monday-Friday since October. My manager just told us that the store is cutting back hours in December and will be closed Monday-Wednesday but open Thursday-Sunday. They said I can still work Thursday-Friday as scheduled but I'll basically lose 3 days of work each week for the whole month. Does anyone know if I'd qualify for unemployment for those 3 days I can't work? I've never filed for UI before and I'm confused about whether you can get benefits when you still have some work. I'm really stressed about making rent with this reduced income during the holidays. Any advice would be super appreciated!
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To answer your follow-up question about base period earnings: Yes, EDD will look at your earnings from both employers when determining monetary eligibility. Your base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So depending on when you apply, they'll review your earnings history across all employers during that period. Regarding the concern about correctly reporting wages: When certifying, you have two options for reporting wages: 1. Report wages when earned (when you worked) 2. Report wages when paid (when you received payment) EDD's preferred method is reporting when earned. Keep detailed records of your hours and earnings to avoid any issues.
Thank you for clarifying! I'll keep careful track of my hours worked vs. when I get paid. One last question - do I need to be looking for additional work during those 3 days, or is it enough that I'm still employed part-time?
Yes, you DO need to be looking for additional work for those days you're not working. This is a common mistake people make with partial UI. You must be able, available, and actively seeking work for the days/hours you're claiming benefits. Document your job search efforts (company names, positions, application dates) because EDD can audit you and request this information. The expectation is that you're trying to replace those lost hours with other employment, even though you're still working part-time at your current job.
EDD unemployment during school break with second full-time job - still eligible?
So I've been working for a local school district for the past 3 years and always collect unemployment during summer breaks. This year is different because I had to take on a second full-time job (medical billing) to make ends meet since I'm the only income provider for my family. Both are legitimate W2 jobs, both 40 hours per week (school job during day, medical billing evenings/weekends). My question is - can I still apply for unemployment for the school break period? In previous summers I automatically qualified and got benefits, but I'm worried that having this second job will disqualify me completely. I really depend on that summer unemployment to cover my bills since the school district doesn't offer summer pay. Anyone been in a similar situation or know if EDD considers income from other jobs when determining eligibility for school employee summer claims?
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One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that you should check when your benefit year ends. If you had an active claim from last summer, it might still be open, and you'll need to report your current employment situation regardless. If you simply don't certify, your claim will just sit dormant, but it's always better to make sure everything is properly reported to avoid any issues down the road.
That's a good point! I think my benefit year from last summer would have ended already, but I should double check to make sure everything is clear in the system. I definitely don't want any complications or overpayment issues.
my mom works for school district and they have this thing called "reasonable assurance letter" that means your coming back next fall so you cant get unemployment during summer but maybe since ur job is different?
You're exactly right about reasonable assurance letters. However, different types of school employees are treated differently. Certificated staff (teachers) generally can't get summer benefits with reasonable assurance, but some classified employees (like aides, cafeteria workers, or bus drivers) sometimes can, depending on their specific employment terms. But again, in this case, the second full-time job makes this distinction irrelevant since they'll be considered fully employed regardless.
Eva St. Cyr
idk why EDD makes it so hard just to get basic info. the whole system is designed to trip people up i swear
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Kaitlyn Otto
EXACTLY!!!! They make the rules super complicated and then act shocked when people make mistakes! Then they call it "fraud" when most of the time it's just confusion about their ridiculous system.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
Update: I finally got through to EDD after using that Claimyr service. The agent confirmed I need to report the hours I worked even though I haven't been paid yet. She also helped me calculate exactly how much my benefit will be reduced. Thanks everyone for your help! For anyone facing the same situation - yes, there will be a gap where your UI is reduced but you don't have a paycheck yet. Just part of the process unfortunately.
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Jasmine Hernandez
Glad you got through and got your questions answered! This is one of those EDD rules that trips up a lot of people.
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