Can't certify for benefits during EDD appeal - normal or system error?
I filed an appeal after being disqualified back in March 2025 (something about not meeting eligibility requirements for my construction layoff). It's been almost 2 months now and I'm still waiting for my hearing date. What's confusing me is that I can't certify for benefits anymore. When I log into UI Online, there's no option to certify for the past 3 weeks. I thought I was supposed to keep certifying during the appeal process? Is this normal or is something wrong with my account? I don't want to mess up my backpay chances if I win the appeal. Does anyone know if I should be contacting EDD about this certification issue or is this standard procedure during appeals?
20 comments
Join the conversation
Sydney Torres
Yes, you ARE supposed to continue certifying during an appeal. That's actually a critical part of the process. If you win your appeal, EDD can only pay you for weeks that you properly certified for. If the website isn't giving you the option, it's definitely a technical issue with your claim. Call EDD asap and explain that you need to have the certification weeks made available. Make sure to document the call (date, time, rep name if possible).
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
•Oh crap, thanks for confirming. I've been trying to call for 2 days but keep getting the "too many callers" message. Any tips on getting through? I'm worried I'll lose all these weeks if I can't fix this soon.
0 coins
Kaitlyn Jenkins
I had this EXACT problem last year during my appeal. Try logging in late at night around 11pm - sometimes the system refreshes and the certification weeks appear. If that doesn't work, you need to have an EDD rep manually release the weeks for certification. They CAN backdate them if you explain the situation. Also check your UI inbox for any notices that might explain why certifications stopped - could be an identity verification flag or something else completely.
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
•Thanks for the tip about trying late at night. Just checked my inbox again - no messages explaining why certifications stopped. It's so frustrating that there's no explanation anywhere!
0 coins
Caleb Bell
I had a similar problem with my claim a few months ago (not appeal related). I was getting desperate after calling for days with no luck. Then I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in like 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. They basically call EDD for you and then connect you when they get through. Saved me so much frustration! Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Worth it for me because the rep was able to fix my certification issues on the spot.
0 coins
Danielle Campbell
•does this actually work? seems sketchy to have someone else call for you but im desperate at this point lol
0 coins
Caleb Bell
@profile8 yeah it's legit. my brother-in-law used it too when his claim was stuck in pending for weeks.
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
•Thanks for the suggestion! Anything is worth a try at this point. Almost 3 weeks with no income is killing me financially.
0 coins
Rhett Bowman
There's actually a form you can fill out for missed certifications during appeals called a DE 1275CGA. I don't think many people know about it. You can download it from the EDD website and mail it in. That being said, it's MUCH faster if you can get someone on the phone to fix it in real-time. The DE 1275CGA can take 2-3 weeks to process. You definitely need to resolve this because: 1) You must certify to receive benefits if you win the appeal 2) If you go too long without certifying, your claim can become inactive 3) Backdating certifications gets more complicated the longer you wait
0 coins
Abigail Patel
•Is this form really supposed to be used during appeals? I thought it was just for when you miss certifying for other reasons... the EDD website isn't clear on this point. I've seen so many people get wrong info about what forms to use and then it just delays everything even more!!
0 coins
Rhett Bowman
@profile3 You're right to question this. The DE 1275CGA is for general missed certifications. For appeals specifically, you should call and have a rep manually release the weeks. If the system isn't allowing certification during appeal, it's usually because there's a technical flag on the account that only a rep can remove. The form is a backup option if you absolutely cannot reach anyone by phone.
0 coins
Daniel White
•this is why the EDD system is so frustrating! different rules for everything and nothing is clear on the website. they expect us to be experts in their confusing system.
0 coins
Kaitlyn Jenkins
Update us if you get this resolved! I'm curious if it's a system-wide issue. My friend just filed an appeal last week and he's having the same problem with certifications. EDD might have changed something in their system recently.
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
•Will do! I'm going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow morning. If I can actually get through to someone I'll post what they say about whether this is a system issue or just specific to my claim.
0 coins
Nolan Carter
my dog ate my edd paperwork once lol. but seriously tho appeals are the worst. took me 5 months to get a hearing and i had to keep bugging them about certifying. the system is completely backwards. good luck!!
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
•5 months?! That's insane. Did you win your appeal at least?
0 coins
Nolan Carter
yeah i did win. the judge was actually really fair. just getting TO the hearing was the nightmare part. keep all your docs organized tho, they like that.
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
UPDATE: Finally got through to EDD! Used that Claimyr service and connected with a rep in about 25 minutes. She confirmed that during appeals you ARE supposed to keep certifying, and there was indeed a technical flag on my account preventing it. She manually released all my missed weeks for certification, and I'm able to complete them now. She said this is a common issue with appeals - the system sometimes automatically blocks certification even though policy says you should continue. For anyone with the same problem, definitely call and have them fix it!
0 coins
Sydney Torres
•Great to hear! Make sure you certify for all those weeks right away before anything else happens to your claim. And keep certifying every two weeks while waiting for your appeal hearing.
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
@profile2 Already did! Certified for all 3 missed weeks. The rep also put a note in my file about the system error so there shouldn't be any issues with backpay if I win my appeal. Now I just have to wait for the actual hearing... fingers crossed it doesn't take 5 months like someone else mentioned.
0 coins