I just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who's been through unemployment claims for different types of job separations. When your temp contract ends as scheduled, you're in one of the strongest positions possible for getting approved! Unlike situations where people quit or get fired (which require more scrutiny), contract completion is pretty black and white - the work ended, period. One practical tip I haven't seen mentioned: when you file online, there's usually a text box asking you to "describe your separation in your own words." Keep it simple and factual - something like "Temporary contract completed as scheduled on [date]. No extension offered." Don't overthink it or add unnecessary details about your concerns or feelings about the situation. Also, since you mentioned being nervous about the process - the first time is always the most intimidating, but California's UI Online system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get started. The whole initial application usually takes about 30-45 minutes if you have all your employment info ready. You've got plenty of good advice in this thread to prepare properly!

I've been following this thread and wow, what a wealth of helpful information! As someone who works in HR and deals with temp-to-permanent conversions regularly, I can absolutely confirm that end of scheduled contract is a completely legitimate reason for unemployment benefits. One thing I'd add that might help ease your mind, Roger - many companies actually prefer when temp workers are proactive about understanding their options rather than just hoping for the best. When you have that direct conversation with your manager about potential extension, you can frame it professionally: "I want to make sure I'm planning appropriately for the end of my contract on January 31st. Is there any possibility of extension, or should I plan accordingly for that to be my final day?" This shows you're being responsible, not pushy. Also, keep in mind that even if they can't extend you now, having a good relationship and professional exit could lead to future opportunities with the same company. Document everything, be prepared to file for unemployment if needed, but don't let the uncertainty stress you out too much - you're handling this exactly the right way by planning ahead!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I completed my EDD eligibility interview yesterday and got approved today - exactly 1 day turnaround! The interview lasted about 15 minutes and was very straightforward. They asked about my layoff circumstances, verified my last day of work, and confirmed I've been actively job searching. The interviewer was professional and seemed to just be checking boxes rather than trying to trip me up. I was laid off due to company restructuring and had my termination letter ready, though they didn't ask to see it during the call. My claim status changed from "pending" to "paid" this morning and I should see the funds in my account by tomorrow. I had 5 weeks of backpay built up from certifying religiously every two weeks while waiting. @Amara Eze thank you for documenting your whole journey - it really helped me stay calm and prepared! For anyone still waiting, the anxiety is totally normal but the process really does work. Keep certifying and stay organized with your paperwork!

This thread has been such a goldmine of real experiences! I'm currently in week 3 of waiting for my eligibility interview after being laid off from a retail company that closed several locations. Reading through @Amara Eze's complete journey from stress to success, and now @Keisha Brown's even faster 1-day approval, gives me so much hope that this nightmare will eventually end! I've been certifying every two weeks religiously based on all the advice here, even though that "pending" status feels like a gut punch each time. Having my termination paperwork organized and knowing what to expect from the interview (straightforward verification questions rather than an interrogation) makes me feel so much more prepared. The consistent timelines everyone's sharing really help manage expectations - knowing most people wait 4-6 weeks for the interview and then see results within days afterward makes this feel manageable rather than endless. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences here. This community support is honestly the only thing keeping me sane during the most financially stressful time of my life! 💙

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that if you're looking for immediate work while job hunting, consider checking out temp agencies - they often have warehouse, packing, or general labor positions that can start within a few days. Even if it's just a week or two of work, as someone mentioned above, it can help stretch your remaining UI benefits since they reduce your weekly payment instead of your total balance. Also, don't forget to document EVERY job you apply for with dates and company names. EDD can audit your work search activities even after your benefits end, and you want to be prepared. I keep a simple spreadsheet with application dates, company names, and positions applied for. One more thing - if you haven't already, update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your recent warehouse experience. The logistics industry is still growing in many areas of California, and having current experience might help you stand out. Wishing you the best of luck!

Hey Emily, I just went through this exact situation a few months ago and want to share what worked for me. First, definitely apply for CalFresh ASAP - even if you think you won't qualify, you might be surprised. I got $194/month which was a huge help with groceries. Second, check if your county has an Emergency Rental Assistance program. I'm in Riverside County and they helped me with 2 months of rent when I was between unemployment ending and finding work. Each county runs their own program so search "[your county] emergency rental assistance." Third, consider looking into California's Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program if you have any dependents, or General Assistance if you don't. The amounts are small but every bit helps. Last thing - I ended up finding work through a staffing agency that specialized in warehouse/logistics. They had positions that started immediately and some even offered temp-to-perm opportunities. Try Randstad, Kelly Services, or Adecco if they operate in your area. You're going to get through this! The period between benefits ending and finding stable work is terrifying, but there are safety nets available if you know where to look. Feel free to DM me if you want specific info about any of these programs.

I just went through this exact same experience last month! My first direct deposit took 6 business days from when it showed "paid" in the portal. I was checking my account obsessively every few hours and even called my bank thinking something was wrong. Turns out it's completely normal for the first payment while they verify everything on their end. Now my payments come through like clockwork in 2-3 days. The waiting is stressful but your money is definitely coming! One tip - I found that payments usually hit my account early in the morning (around 3-4 AM) rather than during business hours, so check first thing when you wake up.

I'm currently going through this for the first time too! My payment was marked "paid" on Thursday and it's now Monday with no deposit showing in my account yet. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I had no idea the first direct deposit could take this long while they verify everything. I was getting really anxious because like many others here, I was expecting it based on that misleading "24-48 hours" timeframe on their website. It's clear from all these stories that EDD really needs to update their messaging to be more realistic about first-time direct deposit delays. I'm going to try calling my bank's automated line to check for pending ACH transfers, and definitely setting up those mobile alerts for future payments. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - knowing this 5-7 business day wait is completely normal makes it so much less stressful!

This has been such an informative thread! I'm about to file my first unemployment claim and had the exact same question about holiday pay. Reading through everyone's experiences has completely cleared up my confusion about the income vs. work days distinction. I received holiday pay for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day from my former employer, and I was panicking about whether reporting it would mess up my entire claim. Now I understand that it's just income that gets factored into the partial benefit formula, not actual work days that would disqualify me. The tip about checking with HR on timing is brilliant - I'll definitely confirm when exactly the holiday pay will show up in my final paycheck so I report it during the correct certification period. And I'm definitely going to keep screenshots of everything I submit like someone suggested. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences! This community has been more helpful than hours of trying to decipher the EDD website. It's so reassuring to know that holiday pay won't completely derail my benefits, just reduce them slightly for that week.

I'm a newcomer to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently dealing with unemployment for the first time and was completely lost about how to handle holiday pay on my certifications. The way everyone has explained the distinction between "income" and "days worked" has been a game-changer for my understanding. I was definitely about to make the mistake of reporting holiday pay as actual work days, which would have hurt my benefits more than necessary. I have holiday pay coming from my previous employer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and thanks to this discussion, I now feel confident about reporting it correctly - as income for the week I receive it, but not marking it as days worked since I wasn't performing any services. The tip about the partial benefit formula was especially reassuring. Knowing that the first $25 or 25% (whichever is greater) doesn't count against me, and that I'll still receive a reduced UI payment rather than losing benefits entirely, takes a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm also planning to follow the advice about keeping documentation and screenshots of my certifications, and I'll definitely look into that Claimyr service if I need to reach EDD directly since everyone seems to have had such trouble getting through their phone system. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative community - this has been more helpful than anything I could find on the official EDD website!