Accidentally claimed no work on EDD certification when I actually worked - how to fix before payment?
I'm freaking out because I just realized I made a major mistake on my weekly certification. When I first filed my claim, I listed my last day of work as May 5th, 2025, but I actually worked May 6-9th too and got paid for those days. I didn't realize my benefit period would start immediately, so when I certified for that week, I incorrectly reported that I didn't work at all! My claim status is still showing as 'pending for review' and I haven't received any payments yet, which is probably good? But I need to fix this ASAP before they process it and then accuse me of fraud. I've been calling the EDD non-stop for 3 days but keep getting the 'maximum callers reached' message. What's the right way to correct this mistake? Is there a form I should submit? Can I fix it online somehow? I don't want this to turn into an overpayment or worse - being accused of intentionally lying. HELP!!
39 comments


Anderson Prospero
Don't panic, this is actually a common mistake and fixable! Since your claim is still pending and you haven't been paid, you've caught it at the perfect time. You should: 1. Document everything - write down the exact dates you worked and how much you earned 2. Keep trying to reach EDD by phone to report the mistake (early morning calls tend to work better) 3. Send a message through your UI Online account using the Contact EDD feature - specifically mention 'Certification Correction' in your message 4. If you have access to your employer, ask them to verify your work dates with EDD if contacted EDD would much rather you fix this now than later. The system flags inconsistencies, which is probably why you're 'pending for review' - they may have already spotted the discrepancy with your employer's reporting.
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Ahooker-Equator
•Thank you so much for this advice! I'll try all of these. I didn't realize I could send a message through UI Online - I'll do that right away. Do you think they'll disqualify me completely for the mistake? I'm really worried about getting in trouble.
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Tyrone Hill
same thing happend to me last year lol. they might make u do a phone interview to explain the misteak. no biggie as long as u didnt spend the $$ yet
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Ahooker-Equator
•I haven't received any payments at all yet, so that's good I guess? How long did you have to wait for the phone interview? I'm so nervous about this whole situation.
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Toot-n-Mighty
Try Claimyr to get through to EDD faster. I was in a similar situation (messed up my work hours on certification) and couldn't get through for a week straight. Used Claimyr.com and got connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes who helped fix my certification mistake before it processed. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The rep told me making corrections early is always better than waiting. They can note your account showing you self-reported the error.
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Lena Kowalski
•does this thing actually work? i've been calling EDD for 2 weeks with no luck
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Toot-n-Mighty
•Yes, it worked for me. I was skeptical too, but after wasting hours redailing EDD, it was worth it to get through quickly and fix my issue.
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DeShawn Washington
THE EDD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO TRAP PEOPLE INTO THESE MISTAKES!!! Their forms are INTENTIONALLY confusing and the dates never make sense. I had almost the EXACT same issue last year where I worked Monday and Tuesday but my benefit week started Sunday and I got hit with an "overpayment notice" and a penalty week!! Even though I called them MULTIPLE TIMES trying to fix it!!! Their whole system is set up to catch people in technicalities so they can deny benefits. The appeal process is a NIGHTMARE too. Good luck!!
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Mei-Ling Chen
•Agreed! I think they make the system confusing on purpose. My neighbor works for EDD (not telling which office lol) and even she says their training materials acknowledge that people get confused about benefit week start dates ALL THE TIME. But instead of fixing it, they just keep the same confusing system.
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Sofía Rodríguez
You're actually in a good position since you've caught this before payment and your claim is already under review. What likely happened is that your employer reported your earnings for that week and the system flagged the discrepancy automatically. Here's what you need to know: 1. This is considered a "false statement" but since you're self-reporting before payment, it's unlikely to result in penalties 2. You may be scheduled for an eligibility interview to explain the situation 3. Document everything - when you realized the error, attempts to contact EDD, etc. 4. Be completely honest about the mistake in all communications If you can't reach someone by phone, try going to an EDD office in person with your documentation. They can put notes on your account and possibly expedite the review.
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Ahooker-Equator
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! That makes me feel a bit better. I'll document everything and try to visit an office if I can't get through on the phone. Do you know if there's a specific form for correcting certification errors? I couldn't find one on the website.
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Sofía Rodríguez
•There isn't a specific form for certification corrections. You'll need to speak with an EDD representative either by phone, in-person, or through your UI Online messaging system. Make sure to be specific about which certification period needs correction and the exact dates/earnings that need to be updated.
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Tyrone Hill
wait how did u even file in the first place if u were still working? i thought u had to be fully unemployed to get benefits?
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Sofía Rodríguez
•You can actually receive partial unemployment benefits if your hours were reduced or if you're working part-time. The key is reporting all work and earnings accurately when certifying. EDD then calculates if you're eligible for partial benefits based on how much you earned that week.
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Anderson Prospero
Just wanted to add - when you do connect with EDD, ask them to document in your file that you self-reported this error before any payment was issued. That documentation could be important if there's any question later about whether this was an honest mistake (which it clearly was). And don't worry too much about the penalty weeks or fraud accusations that some people are mentioning. Those typically happen when someone collects benefits they weren't entitled to and doesn't report it until EDD catches them. You're being proactive which makes a huge difference in how they handle it.
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Ahooker-Equator
•That's a great tip about asking them to document that I self-reported! I'll definitely do that. I've been so worried about getting in trouble, but it sounds like being honest and fixing it quickly is the right approach.
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Mei-Ling Chen
My sister works for a temp agency n has to deal with this stuff ALL THE TIME. She says just call call call till you get through... mornings best time. Theyll probly just make u do a phone interview. NBD just tell truth.
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Lena Kowalski
•yeah mornings definitely better! i always call right when they open at 8am sharp!
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Mohammed Khan
I went through something very similar a few months ago! The good news is that since your claim is still pending and you haven't been paid yet, you're in the best possible position to fix this without any major consequences. Here's what worked for me: 1. I kept calling EDD first thing at 8:00 AM sharp - got through on my 4th try 2. The rep was actually really understanding when I explained it was an honest mistake caught before payment 3. They had me provide the exact dates I worked (May 6-9) and my gross earnings for those days 4. They updated my certification on the spot and noted that I self-reported the error The whole call took maybe 15 minutes once I got through. The rep even thanked me for catching it early because it saves them time on the backend when employer wage reports come in. Don't stress too much - EDD deals with these certification mix-ups constantly, especially when people are new to the system. Just be prepared with your exact work dates and earnings amounts when you call!
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Keisha Williams
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It's such a relief to know that EDD was understanding about your mistake and that it was resolved quickly once you got through. I've been calling at 8 AM sharp too but haven't gotten through yet - I'll keep trying! Did you have to provide any documentation about your work dates, or was it just verbal confirmation over the phone?
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QuantumQuester
I'm glad you're being proactive about fixing this! As someone who's dealt with EDD certification issues before, I can tell you that catching it before payment is processed is the best-case scenario. A few additional tips that might help: - When you do get through to EDD, have your paystub or earnings statement from those May 6-9 work days ready - Ask the rep to email you a confirmation or reference number for the correction they make - Screenshot your UI Online account before and after any changes for your records The fact that your claim is "pending for review" actually suggests the system may have already flagged the discrepancy between your certification and what your employer reported. This is normal and not necessarily a bad thing - it just means they're doing their job to verify information. Keep trying those early morning calls, and don't let the busy signals discourage you. You're doing everything right by trying to fix this immediately!
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Mia Rodriguez
•This is really helpful advice! I hadn't thought about screenshotting my account before and after changes - that's smart. I do have my paystub from those days, so I'll definitely have that ready when I call. It's reassuring to know that the "pending for review" status might actually be the system doing what it's supposed to do rather than me being in trouble. I've been so panicked about this, but everyone's responses are making me feel much more confident that this can be resolved. Thanks for taking the time to share these practical tips!
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Ezra Beard
I had almost the exact same situation happen to me last year! I was so stressed thinking I'd get in trouble, but it ended up being totally fine. Since your claim is still pending, you're actually in the perfect spot to fix this. Here's what I learned from my experience: - The EDD reps are used to these kinds of honest mistakes, especially from new claimants - Getting through by phone is definitely your best bet - I had luck calling right at 8 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - When you do get through, be super clear about the dates and amounts - they'll ask for your gross earnings for May 6-9 - They can update your certification in real time and add notes to your file The "pending for review" status you're seeing is probably because your employer already reported your wages for that week, so the system is just trying to reconcile the difference. That's actually good - it means the system is working correctly to catch discrepancies before payments go out. Don't panic about fraud accusations - those are for people who intentionally hide work and get caught after receiving benefits they shouldn't have. You're doing the opposite by trying to fix it ASAP. You've got this!
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Ava Martinez
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's such a relief to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing. I've been calling at 8 AM every day but haven't gotten through yet - I'll try focusing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays like you suggested. It makes me feel so much better knowing that the EDD reps are used to these mistakes and that the "pending for review" status is actually the system working properly. I was terrified I'd be accused of fraud, but you're right - I'm trying to fix it before getting any money I shouldn't have. I have all my pay information ready for when I do get through. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Ryan Andre
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just filed my claim last week and realized I made the same mistake with my work dates. Reading all these responses is giving me so much hope - I was absolutely terrified I'd get disqualified or worse. I've been trying the 8 AM calling strategy but no luck yet. Has anyone tried using the UI Online messaging system that was mentioned earlier? I'm wondering if that might be faster than waiting to get through on the phone, especially since so many people are saying the reps are understanding about honest mistakes like this. Also, for those who successfully got this fixed - did it delay your overall claim processing time much, or did things move pretty normally once the correction was made? I'm hoping to avoid a long delay since I really need these benefits while I'm job hunting. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when you're dealing with EDD stress!
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Tyler Lefleur
•I'm in a similar boat - just discovered I made this mistake too! I tried the UI Online messaging system yesterday and got an auto-reply saying they'd respond within 5-7 business days, so phone is probably still faster if you can get through. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like once they make the correction it doesn't really delay things much since your claim was already flagged for review anyway. Keep trying those morning calls - I'm going to focus on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings based on what others said worked. We got this! 🤞
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Danielle Mays
I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you're handling this exactly the right way! I work in HR and deal with EDD issues regularly, and I can tell you that self-reporting errors before payment is always viewed favorably by EDD staff. A couple of additional things that might help: - If you have trouble getting through by phone, try calling the EDD Technical Support line first (1-800-300-5616) - sometimes they can transfer you directly to claims without going through the main queue - Make sure you have your Social Security number, claim confirmation number, and exact dollar amounts earned for May 6-9 ready when you call - Don't be surprised if they ask you to re-certify for that week period - it's a normal part of the correction process The fact that your employer likely already reported your wages for those days actually works in your favor here. It shows the system is working correctly to catch discrepancies, and since you're proactively trying to fix it, EDD will see this as an honest mistake rather than attempted fraud. Keep trying those early morning calls - persistence pays off with EDD! You should be able to get this resolved quickly once you connect with a rep.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•This is such helpful advice, especially the tip about the Technical Support line! I hadn't heard of that workaround before - definitely going to try that if I can't get through on the main number today. I have all my documentation ready including my paystub showing the exact amount I earned May 6-9. It's so reassuring to hear from someone in HR who deals with EDD regularly that self-reporting is viewed positively. I was so worried they'd think I was trying to cheat the system, but everyone's responses here have shown me that honest mistakes happen and EDD is used to dealing with them. Thank you for the encouragement and practical tips!
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Margot Quinn
I went through almost the identical situation about 6 months ago! Made the same mistake with work dates on my first certification and was absolutely panicking about fraud accusations. Here's what happened when I finally got through to EDD: The rep was super understanding and said this happens ALL the time with new claimants who don't fully understand how benefit weeks work. She explained that since I was self-reporting before any payment went out, there would be no penalties or fraud issues - they actually prefer when people catch their own mistakes early. The fix was straightforward: she had me provide the exact dates (sounds like May 6-9 in your case) and my gross earnings for those days. She updated my certification right there on the call and put notes in my file showing I had self-reported the error. The whole thing took maybe 10 minutes once connected. My claim processing resumed normally after that - no delays or complications. The "pending for review" status you're seeing is likely because your employer already reported wages for that week, which is actually good since it validates your correction. Keep hitting those 8 AM calls - Tuesday mornings worked best for me! You're doing everything right by trying to fix this immediately. Don't stress about the fraud angle - EDD knows the difference between honest mistakes and intentional deception.
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Yara Sabbagh
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This is exactly what I needed to hear. It's such a relief to know that EDD reps are understanding about these mistakes and that self-reporting actually works in our favor. I've been so stressed about this, but hearing that you went through the same thing and it was resolved quickly gives me so much hope. I have my exact work dates and gross earnings ready, and I'll keep trying those Tuesday morning calls at 8 AM. It's reassuring to know that the "pending for review" status is actually a good sign that the system caught the discrepancy before payment. I can't thank everyone in this thread enough for the support and practical advice - this community has been a lifesaver during such a stressful situation!
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Axel Bourke
I just wanted to jump in and add my voice to everyone else reassuring you - you're absolutely doing the right thing by trying to fix this before payment! I made a similar certification error about a year ago (mixed up my work schedule dates) and was convinced I'd be in huge trouble. The reality is that EDD processes thousands of these correction requests every week. New claimants especially struggle with understanding how benefit weeks align with actual calendar weeks, and the EDD reps know this. When I finally got through (took me about a week of 8 AM calling), the representative actually thanked me for being proactive about fixing it. One thing I learned that might help you - when you do get through, ask them to give you a reference number for the correction they make to your file. Having that number gave me peace of mind and would be helpful if any questions came up later (though none did). Your "pending for review" status is actually working in your favor here - it means the system flagged the wage discrepancy before issuing payment, which is exactly how it should work. Once you get the correction made, your claim should process normally without any delays or penalties. Keep trying those morning calls and don't let the stress get to you - you caught this at the perfect time!
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Zadie Patel
•This is such great advice about getting a reference number! I hadn't thought of that but it makes total sense to have documentation of the correction for your records. It's amazing how supportive everyone has been in this thread - I was expecting to get roasted for making such a basic mistake, but instead I'm getting practical tips and reassurance from people who've been through the exact same thing. The fact that EDD reps actually thank people for being proactive about fixing errors really shows this isn't as big of a deal as I was making it out to be in my head. I'm definitely going to ask for that reference number when I get through. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!
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Javier Hernandez
I'm in almost the exact same situation! Just realized I made the same mistake on my certification yesterday and have been panicking about it ever since. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief - I was convinced I was going to get disqualified or accused of fraud. It's so reassuring to see how many people have gone through this exact scenario and had it resolved without major issues. The consistent advice about calling at 8 AM sharp and being honest about the mistake really gives me hope. I have my work dates and earnings documentation ready to go. One question for those who successfully got this fixed - did any of you have to provide written documentation of your earnings (like paystubs) or was verbal confirmation over the phone sufficient? I want to make sure I have everything ready when I finally get through to a rep. Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences - this thread has turned what felt like a disaster into something manageable. The EDD system is definitely confusing for newcomers, but it sounds like the reps understand that and are willing to work with people who are trying to do the right thing.
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Bethany Groves
•Hey Javier! I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too - it's such a relief to know we're not alone in making this mistake! From what I've read in everyone's responses, it sounds like most people were able to get their corrections done with just verbal confirmation over the phone. The reps have access to your employer's wage reports in their system, so they can usually verify the information you provide without needing you to fax or mail paystubs. That said, I'd definitely have your paystub ready just in case they ask for it - better to be over-prepared! I've been calling every morning at 8 AM sharp but haven't gotten through yet. We're both going to be fine though - everyone who's shared their experience here got it resolved quickly once they connected with a rep. Good luck with your calls!
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Amina Bah
I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share that I went through something very similar just a few months ago! I was terrified when I realized I had incorrectly reported my work status on my certification, but it ended up being much less scary than I thought. The key thing that helped me was getting through to EDD right at 8 AM - I actually had success on a Wednesday morning after trying for about a week. The rep was incredibly understanding and explained that they see these kinds of honest mistakes from new claimants constantly. She said the benefit week system is confusing and they'd rather have people call to fix errors than let them go unaddressed. What really put me at ease was when she told me that since I was self-reporting before any payment was made, there would be absolutely no fraud implications or penalties. She updated my certification immediately and added detailed notes to my file documenting that I had proactively reported the error. The fact that your claim is "pending for review" is actually perfect - it means the system is working correctly to catch discrepancies before issuing payment. Once they make the correction, your claim should process normally. Have your exact work dates (May 6-9) and gross earnings amount ready when you call. You're doing everything right by trying to fix this immediately - don't let the stress overwhelm you!
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Malik Thomas
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Amina! It's incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who went through this exact situation recently. I've been so anxious about this mistake, but your story really helps put things in perspective. I love that the EDD rep told you they see these mistakes constantly - it makes me feel less alone in this confusion! I have my May 6-9 work dates and exact earnings ready, and I'll keep trying those 8 AM Wednesday calls based on your success. The fact that you had no penalties or fraud issues after self-reporting gives me so much hope. This community has been amazing - I went from panicking to feeling confident this can be resolved. Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed and encouraging information!
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Marcelle Drum
I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it sounds exactly like what you're going through! I made the same certification mistake about 2 months ago - reported no work when I had actually worked a few days that week. I was absolutely panicking thinking I'd get in trouble. The good news is that since your claim is still "pending for review" and no payment has been issued, you're in the ideal position to fix this. When I finally got through to EDD (took about 5 days of calling at 8 AM sharp), the representative was really understanding. She said this type of mistake happens frequently with new claimants who don't understand how benefit weeks work. Here's what helped me: - Called Tuesday morning at exactly 8:00 AM and got through on my second try that day - Had my exact work dates and gross earnings ready - The rep updated my certification immediately and noted that I self-reported the error - No penalties, no fraud accusations, no delays in processing Your "pending for review" status is likely because your employer already reported wages for May 6-9, so the system flagged the discrepancy automatically. This is actually good - it shows the system is working to prevent incorrect payments. Don't stress about fraud implications - those apply to people who intentionally hide income and get caught after collecting benefits. You're doing the opposite by trying to fix it before getting paid. Keep trying those early morning calls - you've got this!
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Edward McBride
•Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Marcelle! This is exactly what I needed to hear. It's such a relief to know that you went through the same thing just 2 months ago and had it resolved so smoothly. I love that you got through on a Tuesday morning - I've been trying every day but I'll definitely focus more on Tuesday/Wednesday mornings based on what you and others have said. The fact that the EDD rep was understanding and that there were no penalties or delays gives me so much hope. I have my May 6-9 work dates and exact earnings documented and ready to go. It's amazing how this community has turned my panic into confidence that this is totally fixable. Thanks for taking the time to share such encouraging and practical advice!
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LongPeri
As someone who's been through this exact situation, I want to reassure you that you're handling this perfectly! I made the same mistake on my first certification last year - got confused about when my benefit week actually started and reported no work when I had actually worked several days. The fact that your claim is still "pending for review" is actually the best possible scenario. It means the system caught the discrepancy between your certification and your employer's wage report before issuing any payment. This is exactly how it's supposed to work! Here's what worked for me: - I called at 8:00 AM sharp on a Wednesday and got through after about 15 minutes on hold - The EDD rep was super understanding and said this happens constantly with new claimants - I provided my exact work dates and gross earnings, and she updated everything immediately - She put detailed notes in my file showing I self-reported the error before payment - No penalties, no fraud issues, and my claim processed normally afterward Don't let the fraud fears get to you - those situations involve people who collect benefits they shouldn't have and try to hide it. You're doing the complete opposite by proactively trying to fix this before getting paid. Keep trying those early morning calls and have your May 6-9 work dates and earnings ready. The EDD reps deal with these honest mistakes all the time and they'd much rather fix it now than later. You're going to be fine!
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