This thread has been incredibly enlightening! I've been on EDD benefits for about 2 months after being laid off from my HR coordinator position (ironic, I know!), and I've been seeing these WOTC surveys everywhere but had no idea what they were really for. From my HR background, I should have known better, but honestly we never dealt with the WOTC program at my previous company. Reading everyone's explanations about the tax incentives has been eye-opening - I can't believe I've been skipping these surveys thinking they were just invasive data collection! What really strikes me is how this program is actually designed to combat unemployment discrimination rather than create it. The fact that employers get financial incentives to hire people receiving benefits is brilliant policy design. I'm definitely going to start completing these surveys honestly moving forward. For anyone still worried about discrimination - from an HR perspective, most legitimate companies have strict protocols to keep hiring decisions separate from tax credit eligibility information. The legal liability of using this info to discriminate would be huge, so most employers are very careful about maintaining that separation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here. Time to update my job search strategy and start viewing these surveys as a potential advantage!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just started my EDD benefits two weeks ago after being laid off from my nonprofit job, and I've been seeing these WOTC surveys on literally every application I submit. I had no idea what they were for and was getting really frustrated having to fill out the same questions over and over again. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief - I was definitely overthinking this and worrying that admitting I'm on unemployment would hurt my chances. The fact that it could actually help because of the tax incentives is mind-blowing! I've probably been hurting myself by rushing through these surveys or skipping optional questions. I'm going to start being completely honest on these forms moving forward. It's amazing how this community can turn something that felt like a barrier into what might actually be an advantage. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this is exactly the kind of information that makes navigating unemployment so much less stressful! Now I just need to make sure I'm properly documenting all my applications for my EDD work search requirements. This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding both the WOTC process and how to stay compliant with EDD reporting.

Yes, EDD payments are on a strict biweekly schedule! You'll certify every two weeks and typically receive payment within 24-48 hours if there are no issues with your claim. One thing that really helped me when I started was downloading the EDD mobile app - it sends helpful push notifications for certification reminders. Also, I'd recommend setting up both email and text notifications in your UI Online account under "Notification Preferences" as a backup. Since you're budgeting carefully, keep in mind that bank holidays can sometimes delay payments by a day, so factor that into your planning. The predictability really does help with financial planning once you get into the routine. Congrats on getting your first payment - the waiting period is always the worst part!

Congrats on your first payment! That relief is so real - I remember that feeling! Yes, EDD payments are definitely biweekly once you're in the system. You'll certify every other Sunday for the previous two-week period, and if everything goes smoothly, you should see payment within 1-3 business days. Since you certified Sunday and got paid Wednesday, that's pretty typical timing. Just a heads up that the exact day can vary slightly depending on bank holidays, system maintenance, or if there are any issues with your claim that need review. I'd recommend setting calendar reminders for your certification dates and maybe even expected payment dates so you can quickly spot any delays. The biweekly rhythm becomes second nature after a few cycles - you've got this! Make sure to keep track of your job search activities too since you'll need to report those when you certify.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement after reading your story! I just successfully won my second appeal about 3 months ago for almost the exact same issue - work search documentation while doing part-time work. My overpayment was $5,200, so I totally understand that financial stress you're dealing with. What really helped me was creating what I called a "comprehensive evidence narrative" that went beyond just listing job applications. I documented not only WHERE I applied, but also HOW my actions consistently showed I was prioritizing full-time work over my part-time gig. Key elements that made the difference: - Screenshots of job alerts I had set up specifically for full-time positions in my field - Email threads with recruiters discussing full-time opportunities - Documentation of times I requested time off from my part-time job for interviews - Evidence that I was willing to relocate or take a pay cut for the right full-time position The CUIAB took about 12 weeks but completely reversed the ALJ's decision. They specifically mentioned that the original ruling had "applied an overly narrow interpretation of work search requirements" and that my evidence clearly demonstrated "sustained efforts to secure full-time employment." Reading all these success stories in this thread should give you real confidence. The fact that you already have more detailed records to submit puts you in a strong position. With $7,800 at stake and the patterns we're seeing with work search documentation appeals, I genuinely believe you have an excellent chance of getting this overturned. Don't give up - the second appeal process really does provide a fair, fresh review of your case!

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my voice to all the encouragement here! I just successfully won my second appeal about 2 months ago for the exact same issue - insufficient work search documentation while doing part-time work. My overpayment was $6,400, so I completely understand that overwhelming financial stress you're experiencing. What made the biggest difference for me was realizing that the CUIAB isn't just looking for more paperwork - they want to see the complete picture of your genuine job search efforts and availability for full-time work. I created what I called a "holistic evidence package" that included: - Detailed spreadsheet with every application (company, date, position, method, follow-up actions) - Screenshots showing my active engagement on job boards over time - Email confirmations and recruiter correspondence - Documentation of how I communicated with my part-time employer about my job search priorities - A clear written statement explaining how each piece of evidence demonstrated my availability for full-time work The key was addressing each specific point in the denial letter and showing how the ALJ had misinterpreted my evidence. The Board took about 10 weeks and completely overturned the decision, noting that the original determination had "failed to recognize the comprehensive scope of claimant's job search activities." Based on all the success stories in this thread and the fact that you have additional detailed records, I'm genuinely optimistic about your chances. Work search documentation appeals seem to have good success rates when presented systematically. With $7,800 at stake, this is absolutely worth pursuing. The second appeal really does give you a fresh, thorough review. Don't give up hope!

I just filed my unemployment claim 2 days ago after being laid off from my warehouse operations coordinator position due to facility closure. This thread has been absolutely amazing to discover! I was really stressed about the phone interview requirement after hearing so many different stories from people I know. Reading through everyone's real experiences has completely changed my perspective. The key insight that interviews are only for specific eligibility issues rather than being automatic is huge! My UI Online account shows "pending" with no flags, and based on all the success stories shared here from people with straightforward layoffs, I'm feeling much more confident about my situation. I already called that automated phone line (1-866-333-4606) that multiple people mentioned - what a fantastic resource! It confirmed my claim is in normal processing with no issues flagged, which has really eased my anxiety about potentially missing something important. The realistic timelines everyone shared (especially Christian's 11-day approval story) give me proper expectations instead of constantly worrying. It's amazing how much stress comes from simply not knowing what's "normal" in this process. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their actual experiences - it makes such a difference for those of us navigating this for the first time!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for me as well! I just filed my unemployment claim 3 days ago after being laid off from my medical receptionist position due to clinic restructuring. Like so many others here, I was really anxious about the phone interview requirement - I had no idea they were only triggered by specific eligibility issues rather than being automatic for everyone. Reading Christian's success story and all the other positive outcomes from people with straightforward layoffs has given me so much peace of mind. My situation sounds very similar - clean layoff due to restructuring, no performance issues, full availability for work, and my UI Online account just shows "pending" with no flags. I called that automated phone line (1-866-333-4606) yesterday and it confirmed my claim is in normal processing with no issues, which was such a relief! It's amazing how that one resource can eliminate so much anxiety about whether something might be wrong. The realistic timeline expectations everyone shared (10-14 days for straightforward cases) are so valuable. I was checking my account constantly, but now I know that's completely unnecessary. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences and practical tips - it's made this stressful process so much more manageable for newcomers like me!

I just went through this exact same issue two weeks ago and it was driving me absolutely crazy! The "must have registered before" error message is so poorly worded - it really should say something like "complete your account setup" instead. What's happening is when you file by phone, EDD creates what they call a "partial account" or "skeleton account" in their system, but you still need to complete the online registration process. The system thinks you should already know about this account, hence the confusing error message. Since you mentioned filing 8 days ago and having a hyphenated last name, I'd bet money that's the issue. Their phone system frequently records hyphenated names incorrectly - sometimes as two separate words, sometimes without the hyphen entirely, or even all caps with no punctuation. Here's what worked for me: I called the technical support line at 1-833-978-2511 at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday morning. Got through after about 25 minutes on hold. The rep could immediately see how my name was recorded in their system (they had "Smith-Johnson" recorded as "SMITH JOHNSON" with just a space) and helped me complete the registration using their exact format. While you're waiting to get through, try registering with different variations of "Doyle-Martinez" - maybe "DOYLE MARTINEZ", "Doyle Martinez", or even "DOYLEMARTINEZ" as one word. Sometimes you get lucky and find the exact format they used. Don't stress about certification timing - you won't be able to certify until 2-3 weeks after filing anyway, and they'll notify you when it's available. You have plenty of time to get this sorted out!

Welcome to the community, Riya! You're absolutely right that this thread is incredibly helpful - I wish I had found something like this when I was dealing with my registration issues. The middle name situation you mentioned could definitely be the culprit! EDD's phone system is notorious for recording names inconsistently, especially when people give their full legal name during filing but then try to register online using a shorter version (or vice versa). A few tips based on what I learned from my own experience: When you call that technical support line tomorrow, have your claim confirmation number ready if you received one when you filed by phone. Also, be prepared to verify your identity with info about your previous employer and wages - they sometimes ask for that to locate your account. The rep will be able to see exactly how your name was entered in their system and help you register using their exact format. If you don't get through on your first try, don't give up! I had to call three times before I got through, but it was totally worth it. The technical support reps are generally much more helpful than the regular claims line, and they understand this specific registration issue really well. Good luck tomorrow morning - you've got this!