One more thing to consider - since you mentioned this is a 2-year contract completion bonus, make sure you have documentation showing it was earned through work completed BEFORE your layoff date. EDD sometimes gets confused about the timing and might think you're doing ongoing work for your former employer. I'd suggest keeping a copy of your original employment contract that mentions the bonus terms, any emails about the bonus eligibility, and your official layoff notice with dates. This way if they question it during an eligibility interview, you can clearly show it was compensation for past work, not current employment. Better to have too much documentation than not enough with EDD!

I went through something very similar when I got laid off from my software company last year. Had a quarterly bonus coming that I'd already earned but wouldn't receive until after my last day. Here's what I learned from the experience: 1. **Report it during certification for the week you receive it** - not when you earned it 2. **Use the gross amount** before taxes/deductions 3. **Keep all documentation** - employment contract, emails about the bonus, layoff notice 4. **It only affects that one week** - your regular benefits resume the following week 5. **Be prepared for possible eligibility interview** - they may want to confirm it wasn't ongoing work The process was actually pretty straightforward once I understood the rules. When I certified for that week, I selected "Yes" for other income, chose "Bonus" from the dropdown, and entered the gross amount. My benefit was $0 that week since the bonus exceeded my weekly amount, but everything went back to normal the next certification period. One tip: if you get nervous about the process, you can always call EDD before you certify to confirm how to report it properly. They're usually helpful when you're being proactive about reporting income correctly.

Ruby, I went through something very similar when I had to relocate with my disabled father last year. One thing that really helped my case was getting a letter from my grandmother's doctor stating that my continued care was medically necessary and that the move was in her best interest due to our housing instability. EDD seemed to take medical documentation more seriously than just personal statements. Also, when you file your claim, make sure to mention that you're actively seeking similar employment in Arizona - it shows you're not just quitting to stop working. I'd start gathering medical letters and housing documentation (hotel receipts, etc.) now while you're still in CA. The whole process is stressful but having everything organized ahead of time made a huge difference for me. Sending you both good vibes for this transition!

I'm going through something similar right now - had to quit my retail job to move with my disabled mom from California to Texas last month. What really helped was documenting EVERYTHING before I left. I got letters from her doctors, kept all our temporary housing receipts, and made sure to emphasize that I was moving WITH my care recipient, not just moving in general. EDD initially denied me but I appealed and won! The key was showing that continuing care was medically necessary and that our housing situation was genuinely an emergency. Don't give up if you get denied at first - the appeals process gives you a real chance to explain your unique circumstances to someone who can actually listen. Also, start researching Arizona's programs NOW while you're still in California so you can hit the ground running when you arrive. Good luck!

I moved from LA to Portland while on EDD last year and everything worked out fine! Here's what I learned from the process: 1. Update your address through UI Online ASAP - I did it the day after I arrived and had no payment interruptions 2. Keep detailed records of ALL job applications (company, position, date, method of application) - I used a simple Google Sheets document 3. Be prepared for a potential phone interview 2-4 weeks after updating your address - mine was just basic questions about my job search efforts 4. Apply to jobs in both states if you want, but be realistic about which ones you could actually accept (consider relocation costs, remote work options, etc.) 5. Make sure mail forwarding is set up properly because some EDD notices still come by regular mail The phone interview was actually pretty straightforward - they asked about my work search activities, confirmed I was available for work, and verified my contact info. The whole call took maybe 15 minutes. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much - most people who follow the rules have smooth experiences, they just don't post about it as much as people who have problems! Good luck with your move to Arizona and job search!

I've been collecting California EDD benefits while living in Nevada for about 4 months now, so I can share my experience! The process is definitely doable, but here are a few things I wish I'd known upfront: 1. Update your address immediately through UI Online - I did this within 24 hours of moving and it went smoothly 2. Save confirmation screenshots when you update your info online, just in case there are any questions later 3. If you're job searching in multiple states, consider setting up separate folders or tags in your email to organize applications by state - it made my record-keeping much easier 4. Don't panic if your claim gets a temporary hold after updating your address - mine was held for about a week while they "reviewed" but payments resumed automatically 5. When doing your work search activities, apply to jobs you'd genuinely consider accepting - EDD can ask follow-up questions about specific applications The phone interview I had was pretty routine - they mainly wanted to confirm I was actively looking for work and understood the requirements. Overall it's been much less stressful than I anticipated. Just stay organized, be honest, and follow all the normal certification requirements. You've got this!

This thread has been a goldmine of information! As someone who just started the CTB process myself for a medical coding program, I wanted to add one more resource that helped me. The California Workforce Development Board website has a really helpful CTB fact sheet that breaks down all the requirements in plain language - much clearer than the official EDD forms. Also, if you're having trouble reaching your local EDD office, try calling first thing Monday morning around 8:05 AM. That's when I finally got through after weeks of busy signals. One last tip - when you're gathering documentation for your CTB application, include any correspondence about your layoff (termination letter, WARN notice, etc.). My case worker said this helps them understand your situation better and can speed up approval. Best of luck with your nursing program - healthcare workers are desperately needed right now!

I'm jumping into this conversation a bit late, but wanted to share my recent experience since it might help others. I just completed my LVN program last year while on EDD benefits through CTB, and the whole process went pretty smoothly once I figured out the system. A few things that really helped me: 1. When you submit your CTB application, include a copy of your nursing program's curriculum showing total hours per week and clinical requirements. This helps EDD see exactly what your schedule looks like. 2. If you have any part-time work opportunities that fit around your class schedule, still apply for them and document those efforts. It shows you're genuinely available for suitable work. 3. Set up alerts on your UI Online account so you know immediately if EDD needs additional documentation. Response time is crucial. The biggest thing I learned is that communication with EDD is key. Don't wait if something changes with your program schedule - report it right away. I had to switch to a different clinical site mid-program and reported it immediately. No issues at all. Also, once you're in your program and approved for CTB, connect with your instructors about potential job opportunities. Many hospitals are recruiting nursing students before graduation, and having job prospects lined up actually looks good to EDD if they ever review your case. Nursing is such a rewarding career - stick with it through the EDD bureaucracy! The benefits will be worth it.

I'm a tax professional who works with a lot of EDD clients, and I want to add some additional context that might help everyone here. The confusion around gross vs net reporting often stems from the fact that EDD's online system and phone representatives don't always give consistent guidance, which is incredibly frustrating. Here's what I tell my clients: For sole proprietors and single-member LLCs (taxed as sole proprietors), you should report NET income after legitimate business expenses. However, the key word is "legitimate" - EDD may scrutinize expenses that seem personal in nature or unreasonable for your type of business. I also strongly recommend getting everything in writing when you speak with EDD reps. Email them after your call summarizing what they told you and ask for written confirmation. This creates a paper trail that can protect you if there's a dispute later. One more critical point: if you're claiming unemployment while starting a business, consider consulting with a tax professional early on. The intersection of unemployment benefits, self-employment tax, and business deductions can get complex quickly, and it's much cheaper to get advice upfront than to deal with audit issues later. Many of us offer initial consultations specifically for people in this situation.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I started my marketing consultancy while collecting UI benefits. The anxiety about getting it wrong is real, but here's what worked for me: 1. I set up a dedicated business checking account immediately to keep everything separate 2. Used a simple Google Sheet to track DAILY: hours worked, tasks performed, income received, and expenses paid 3. Always reported NET income (revenue minus expenses) on my bi-weekly certifications 4. Was super careful about the 32-hour rule - I actually set a phone alarm for Sundays to calculate my weekly hours The game-changer was treating my business hours like a part-time job with set "shifts." I worked Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 9-5 on client work and business development, then dedicated Monday/Friday to job searching. This kept me under 32 hours most weeks and made it easier to track everything. One thing I learned the hard way: even unpaid activities count as work hours! Time spent on networking calls, updating your website, or creating proposals all count toward that 32-hour limit. I initially wasn't tracking these "non-billable" hours and was probably going over the limit without realizing it. The good news is that once you establish a good tracking system, it becomes routine. Just be obsessively detailed with your records - it's way better to over-document than under-document if EDD ever comes knocking.