Ugh, this is so frustrating but unfortunately super common with EDD! I went through something similar where they had my birth month wrong (March instead of May). What a mess! Here's my advice: definitely try the online portal route first like @Rajan Walker suggested - that's genius and way less stressful than the phone system. But if that doesn't work, I found that calling right at 8:00 AM sharp gave me the best chance of getting through. I literally had my phone ready at 7:59 AM and hit redial the second the clock hit 8:00. Also, once you do get it fixed, screenshot EVERYTHING in your account showing the correct info. I've heard horror stories of corrections mysteriously "disappearing" from the system later. Better safe than sorry with EDD! Don't panic though - it's definitely fixable, just takes some persistence. Sending you good vibes that you get this sorted out quickly! 🍀

Hey Isabella! I just went through this same exact issue a few months ago - they had my DOB as 1988 instead of 1998 and it was driving me crazy! Here's what ended up working for me: I tried the online portal first (like some others mentioned) but couldn't find the secure messaging option, so I had to bite the bullet and call. I used a combo approach - called right at 8 AM AND used one of those callback services (similar to claimyr but I used a different one). Cost me $15 but honestly worth every penny to avoid sitting on hold for hours. The rep was actually super nice once I got through and fixed it immediately. She told me it happens ALL the time and they usually just need to verify a few details from your original application. The whole call took maybe 10 minutes once connected. Just make sure to ask for a confirmation number when they fix it! Mine was updated in the system within 24 hours. You got this! 💪

To all those having trouble reaching a human at the EDD. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

As someone who's been through this recently, I can confirm that yes, most EDD claims do start with a $0 balance initially. This is completely normal and doesn't mean you've been denied! The system needs time to process your application and calculate your benefit amount based on your work history and earnings. Here's what typically happens: 1. You file your claim and see $0 initially 2. EDD reviews your employment history (this can take 2-4 weeks) 3. They calculate your benefit amount and update your account 4. You'll receive an award letter in the mail with your official benefit amount The key is to keep certifying for benefits even while you see $0 - this ensures you don't miss any payments once your claim is processed. If after 3-4 weeks you still see $0 AND receive a determination letter showing $0, then it might be a denial that you'd need to appeal. Don't panic if you see the zero balance right after filing - it's just part of the process!

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's illness - what an incredibly difficult and scary situation to face while already dealing with unemployment stress. My heart truly goes out to you. The advice you've received here has been absolutely excellent and comprehensive. Everyone has really covered all the important bases about properly using the "Report Unavailable for Work" option to protect yourself legally while being able to care for your mom. I just wanted to add one small thing that might help: consider writing a brief note to yourself about your emotional state and decision-making process right now. Sometimes when we're in crisis mode, we second-guess ourselves later about whether we made the right choices. Having a record of your thoughtful approach to this situation - prioritizing your mom's health while responsibly protecting your benefits - might be comforting to read when you return and are dealing with the stress of reopening your claim. You're handling an impossible situation with such grace and responsibility. Your mom is incredibly lucky to have someone who will navigate all these complexities to be there for her. The fact that you asked these questions upfront and are following all the proper procedures shows real wisdom during a time when it would be easy to panic. Focus on your family now - you've got everything handled correctly with EDD. Wishing you safe travels and hoping for the very best outcome with your mom's recovery. This community will be here to support you when you return.

I'm so sorry about your mom's illness - what an incredibly overwhelming situation to face while already managing unemployment stress. The comprehensive advice from this community has been absolutely spot-on about using the "Report Unavailable for Work" option. As someone who works in the benefits administration field (though not for EDD specifically), I wanted to emphasize that you're making exactly the right choice by following the proper procedures. The system really is designed to handle situations like yours - family medical emergencies are unfortunately common, and EDD has these protections in place for good reason. One thing I'd suggest based on my professional experience: when you do call or submit your unavailability report, mention that this is for "emergency family care abroad" rather than just travel. The specific terminology can sometimes help flag your case appropriately if any manual review is needed later. Also, don't worry about the timing of when you submit the report - whether you do it before leaving or even after you've already arrived in Brazil, what matters is that you're being honest about your unavailability and following the proper process rather than certifying while abroad. You're being incredibly responsible during one of the most stressful situations anyone can face. Your mom needs you right now, and you're handling everything correctly to protect both her care and your financial future. Wishing you both strength during this difficult time.

I'm new to this community and just starting to deal with this exact same situation! I turned 62 last month and began collecting Social Security retirement benefits while still on unemployment. I've been so anxious about whether I need to report this when certifying for EDD benefits - I actually skipped certifying last week because I was paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake. This entire discussion has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I had no idea there was such an important distinction between Social Security retirement benefits and employer pensions. I just assumed all retirement income would affect unemployment benefits the same way. Reading everyone's experiences about successfully certifying without reporting SS retirement has given me so much peace of mind. I tried calling EDD multiple times but could never get through (seems like a common theme here!). This community sharing real experiences is honestly more valuable than anything I could find on the official EDD website. Thank you all for taking the time to explain this so clearly - you've saved me from weeks of sleepless nights worrying about accidentally committing fraud or getting hit with an overpayment. I can finally move forward with confidence!

I'm brand new to this community and this thread has been such a lifesaver! I just turned 62 and started collecting Social Security retirement benefits about a month ago while still unemployed. I've been absolutely terrified about whether I need to report this on my EDD certifications - I even called in sick to my job search activities this week because I was so stressed about potentially making a costly mistake. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring! I had no clue that Social Security retirement benefits are treated differently from employer pensions or work income by EDD. I just assumed any retirement money would reduce my unemployment benefits. The way you all explained the distinction finally makes it click for me. I attempted to call EDD about 8 times over the past three weeks but never got through to a human - just endless hold music and disconnections. This community providing real experiences from people who've actually dealt with this situation is worth its weight in gold. Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and helping anxious newcomers like me navigate this confusing system. I can finally stop losing sleep over this and move forward with my certifications confidently, knowing I don't need to report my Social Security retirement benefits!

I'm also new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I literally just finished my verification interview this morning! Like everyone else here, I was initially panicked when I saw it scheduled after filing my new claim, but this thread really helped calm my nerves. The interview was exactly like everyone described - routine, professional, and much shorter than I expected. The rep called right at my scheduled time (9:30 AM) and was super friendly. They explained upfront that these interviews are now standard for about 40% of new claims as part of their updated verification process for 2025. The questions were basic: confirmed my identity, verified my last employer and job title, asked why I'm no longer working there, confirmed I'm actively seeking work, and checked if I had any employment between my last claim ending and filing this new one. The whole thing took about 9 minutes. Having all my employment dates and employer info written down beforehand was a lifesaver - I would have definitely been scrambling to remember specifics without that prep. Also made sure to be in a quiet room with strong cell reception like others suggested. My payments have been processing normally throughout this whole process, and the rep confirmed my claim looks good to continue. She even mentioned that these interviews actually help speed things up by catching any potential issues early rather than having them cause delays later. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - it made such a difference knowing what to expect! This community is awesome for helping each other navigate the EDD process.

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my voice to this incredibly helpful thread! I'm actually scheduled for one of these verification interviews tomorrow morning and was having major anxiety about it until I found this discussion. Reading through everyone's real experiences has been such a relief - it's clear this really is just standard procedure now in 2025 and not a red flag. All the practical advice here is gold - I've already written down all my employment dates, employer contact info, and separation details on a notepad. Also double-checked that my phone number and address are current in my UI Online account like someone mentioned. Planning to find a quiet spot with good cell reception about 15 minutes before my scheduled time. It's so reassuring to hear how professional and friendly the EDD reps have been for everyone, and that most interviews are wrapping up in under 15 minutes with straightforward questions. The fact that payments typically continue processing normally throughout the process is a huge weight off my shoulders. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this thread is going to help so many people navigate this process with way less stress. I'll definitely try to update after my interview tomorrow in case it helps others! This community is amazing for supporting each other through the EDD maze.