Do I still need to certify while my EDD appeal is pending? Can't access certification page

YES you absolutely still need to certify!!! I went through appeal last year and EDD never told me I needed to keep certifying. Found out the hard way when I won my appeal but only got paid for like 3 weeks because I stopped certifying. They dont make it easy but u have to call them to certify if the online system isnt letting you do it. Its a pain but worth it!

same thing happpened to me earlier this year. web site wouldn't let me certify either. u need to call and talk to a tier 2 specialist to manually let u certify over the phone. good luck getting through tho lol

This is a common issue during appeals. When your claim is in disqualified status, the UI Online system automatically blocks certification access. However, you are absolutely correct that you should continue certifying throughout the appeals process. Here's what you need to do: 1. Call EDD and specifically request to speak with a Tier 2 specialist (regular agents can't help with this) 2. The specialist can manually record your certification over the phone 3. Request they document in your file that you attempted to certify but were unable to do so 4. Keep detailed records of all work search activities during this time If you win your appeal, having those certifications on record will ensure you receive all eligible backpay. If you're unable to certify for some weeks, you can also request retroactive certification once your appeal is decided in your favor.

I had an appeal last summer and didnt certify for like 2 months because nobody told me I had too. Totally got screwed out of that money even after winning the appeal. EDD said I should have known to keep certifying even though the system wouldn't let me. The whole system is rigged against us!

I went through this exact issue in January. Yes, you absolutely must continue certifying during your appeal, but the system makes it nearly impossible. Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration: I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual EDD representative. They somehow connect you directly to EDD without the endless busy signals. Totally worth it because the rep was able to manually certify all my pending weeks over the phone. They also have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I got through to a Tier 2 specialist, they explained that during appeals, the system blocks online certification as a technical limitation, not because you're not supposed to certify. The specialist documented in my file that I had been attempting to certify and took my certifications over the phone for the missing weeks. After winning my appeal, I received full backpay for all properly certified weeks. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. I'm going to try reaching a tier 2 specialist to get my certifications done over the phone. Seems ridiculous they make it this complicated, but at least now I know what to do. I'll update if I have any success getting through.

Just want to add - make sure you're ready with all your work search info when you do get through to someone! They'll ask for details about where you applied, contact info, etc. for each week you're trying to certify. My sister got through after days of calling but then couldn't complete her certification because she didn't have all the employer info handy.

btw my appeal took like 4 months to get a hearing date. they told me 6-8 weeks but that was totally wrong. just FYI so ur prepared for a long wait

One more important detail: if you've missed several certification periods already, request retroactive certification when you get through to a specialist. You'll need to complete form DE 1475A for each missed certification period. The specialist should be able to help you with this - make sure to emphasize that you were unable to certify due to system limitations during your appeal, not because you forgot or chose not to certify.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - filed my appeal in late August and still waiting for a hearing date. The UI Online system completely locks me out of certification too. I've been trying to call EDD for weeks but can never get through. Reading all these responses is both helpful and terrifying - I had no idea I was supposed to keep certifying during the appeal! I've already missed about 8 weeks of certifications. Does anyone know if there's a limit to how many retroactive certifications they'll allow? I'm worried I've already waited too long to fix this mess.