Can I certify for EDD benefits after accepting a contract job but before start date?

Yes, you can absolutely certify for those weeks where you didn't work. The rule is simple - you certify and report earnings for weeks you actually performed work, not when you were offered or accepted a job. So if you haven't started working yet, you should continue certifying normally. When you do start working, you'll need to report your earnings for the week you worked, even if you haven't been paid yet. EDD cares about when you performed the work, not when you get paid. For partial weeks, you'll report the earnings for just those days you worked. Make sure to answer "yes" to the question about looking for work, and you should be all set. Congratulations on the new contract role!

careful! u HAVE to report that u accepted a job offer when u certify. theres a question that asks if u refused work and u need to be honest. they might reduce ur benefits once u tell them u got a job lined up even b4 u start. happened to my cousin

I just went through this exact situation in February! Here's what I learned: 1. You can (and should) certify for all weeks BEFORE your start date. You're still unemployed until you actually start working. 2. For the week you start working, you'll need to report your earnings for that specific week. Be careful here - EDD wants you to report gross earnings (before taxes) for the days you WORKED, not when you get paid. So keep track of your hours/days. 3. For the contract work question - I found it super confusing too! Just report the actual earnings for the days you worked. If you're doing a flat-rate contract, you should probably divide it by the number of days to calculate your daily rate. 4. When you certify, there's a place to report that you've returned to work. Don't mark this until the week you actually start. Hope this helps! The transition can be confusing, but you're doing the right thing by asking.

Everyone here is missing something important. When you certify, one of the questions asks if you're able and available for work. When you accept a job with a future start date, you're still considered available for work until that start date. I called EDD about this exact situation last year and they confirmed you can and should certify for all weeks before your start date. You don't need to report that you've accepted a position because there's literally no question that asks that - the questions are about whether you worked, refused work, or were able/available to work. For the week you start, you'll need to calculate your gross earnings (before deductions) even if you haven't been paid yet. If you know your hourly rate, just multiply by hours worked. If it's a salary, divide your monthly salary by 4.33 to get weekly, then divide by 5 for daily. Just make sure you're answering the certification questions honestly and you'll be fine!

I see a lot of confusion here. Let me clarify with the official rules: 1. You remain eligible for benefits until you begin working, not when you accept a job offer. 2. For the weeks you certified (4/10-4/23), if you did not work, you should answer the questions truthfully and you remain eligible for full benefits. 3. For the week you begin working (sounds like 5/2), you'll need to report earnings for the days worked that week. You report based on when you EARNED the money, not when you're paid. 4. For contract work specifically, you'll report your gross earnings (before taxes/deductions) for the week. 5. If you have trouble certifying or have questions specific to your claim, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an EDD representative quickly. Their video demo (https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km) shows how they can help you get through to someone at EDD instead of dealing with busy signals and disconnections. Hope this helps clear things up!

When I went back to work last yr after being on EDD I totally messed up the reporting and ended up with an overpayment notice!! Make sure u report ANY work even if its just one day and even if u dont get paid right away. They go by when u WORKED not when u got PAID. Also keep all ur paystubs and take screenshots of ur certifications!!!!!

I'm in the EXACT same boat right now lol. I verbally accepted a job on Monday but don't start until May 15th. Called EDD (took FOREVER to get through) and the rep told me I should keep certifying until I actually start working. She said the system is based on when you PERFORM work, not when you accept a job. So you're good to certify for all weeks before your start date!

The EDD website is SO confusing about this!! I read somewhere that if ur transitioning to self-employment (which contract work kinda is) there's different rules?? Does anyone know if contract work is treated differently than regular employment??