Does California EDD have unemployment benefits available right now?

Thank you so much, this actually makes sense. So the $450 is the max? Do most people get that or is it usually less?

Most people get somewhere between $40 and $450 depending on what they earned. If you were making decent wages at the warehouse you might be pretty close to the max. The formula is complicated but EDD calculates it automatically when you file.

also just FYI the two week certification thing trips a lot of people up. you certify for two weeks at once but you do it every two weeks if that makes sense. so week 1 and week 2 you certify together, then week 3 and 4 together etc

Wait there's a waiting week where I don't get paid?? Is that still a thing in 2025?

Yeah unfortunately the waiting week came back after the pandemic waiver expired. First week you certify you won't get paid for it, second week you will. It's annoying but just how it is.

This. File immediately don't delay. Every day you wait is a day you potentially can't backdate to.

Oh good to know, I'll save that link. The EDD phone line is really that bad?

Honestly yes. Especially when you first file and have basic questions. The website has FAQs but sometimes you just need a human. Claimyr saved me probably 3 days of frustration.

Can confirm the phone situation is rough. I spent like 6 hours total across 3 days trying to reach someone before finding a better way. Good tip.

yeah the phones are notoriously bad lol not just you

What is adjudication? I've seen that word a few times and I'm not sure what it means.

Adjudication is basically when EDD needs to investigate your claim before approving it - usually happens when there's a question about why you left the job. Like if you quit, or got fired, they need to hear both sides. Since you were laid off in a RIF (reduction in force) you probably won't hit adjudication at all, which means faster approval.

Adjudication held my claim up for almost 5 weeks last year even though I was clearly laid off. It happens sometimes even in clean cases. Just mentioning it so OP isn't surprised if it happens.

That's fair - it can happen even with clean separations sometimes. Just less likely. Good to be prepared for the possibility.

They didn't give me any recall date, the HR person said the position was eliminated. So I think I'm just fully laid off with no return expected.

ok yeah then standard UI is what you want. standby is for people with a definite recall date within 8 weeks. your situation is regular unemployment.

Good clarification. Standby status confuses a lot of people. Regular UI with job search requirements is what applies here.

Okay you're right I've been overthinking this. I'll just start it tonight.

Good! It takes maybe 30-45 minutes. Just have your work history from the last 18 months handy and you'll be fine.

How long does approval usually take from when you file?

Honestly varies a lot. Straightforward cases like yours can be 2-3 weeks from filing to first payment. Some people get it faster, some slower. The waiting week is in there too.

I got approved in like 10 days. Was shocked honestly. But I know people who waited 6 weeks so it really does vary.

The requirement is 3 work search activities per week in California. This can include job applications, attending job fairs, networking events related to your job search, using employment services, etc. You certify that you completed them when you do your biweekly certification. EDD can audit your work search records so you should be keeping a log with dates and employer names.

oh dang i did not know about the log part. good to know

Wait I have to log every job I apply to? Like write it down somewhere specific?

You should keep your own records - dates, company names, position titles, how you applied. EDD doesn't require you to submit this documentation normally but if they audit you they'll ask for it and you need to be able to show it.

What kind of issue got your certification flagged? Now I'm worried about that happening to me.

Mine was actually something dumb - I answered one of the questions wrong by accident (said I wasn't able and available to work when I was). The agent fixed it easily but finding out what was wrong was the hard part without being able to reach anyone.

The certification questions are weirdly worded sometimes. Especially the ones about being able and available and looking for work. Read them carefully.

Yes exactly. Read every question twice before answering. They can trip you up.

26 weeks is longer than I expected honestly. Hopefully I find something way before that but good to know.

most people do find work before exhausting benefits. but its good to know the safety net is there

Would my employer have any reason to contest a layoff claim? The layoff seemed totally legitimate.

Probably not in your case. Most legit RIF layoffs don't get contested. Just flagging it as something to be aware of so you're not caught off guard if it happens. Keep your layoff letter and any written communication from your employer about the termination.

Good point about documentation. Also if EDD does contact you for a phone interview during any sort of adjudication, treat that call seriously and pick up. Missing that call can really slow things down.

What counts as a 'suitable' job offer? Like does it have to be in my exact field?

Generally yes - a suitable job offer is one that's in your occupation and pays at least comparable wages to what you were making. You can turn down something way below your experience level or pay grade without it affecting your claim. It gets more complicated the longer you've been on UI but early on there's reasonable flexibility.

That's really reassuring to hear that it works when you follow the steps. I'm going to be really careful.

You'll be fine. First time filers who are actually paying attention usually have smoother experiences than people who've done it before and get lazy about it lol

Oh wow I didn't know there was a debit card option vs direct deposit. I'll definitely set up direct deposit.

yes do it immediately when you get approved. go into UI Online settings and set up your bank info. so much easier than the card

Came here to say this. The debit card works fine but direct deposit is just cleaner. Do it early before your first payment goes out.

Thank you for confirming! I actually just started my application and it seems pretty straightforward so far.

Great! Good luck. Come back and update us when you're approved.

I'm saving this just in case. Did they help with anything specific or just connecting you to a person?

Just connecting you to a real EDD agent - then you talk directly with EDD just like a normal call. It's more like a phone queue tool than anything else. The agent resolved my payment issue no problem once I could actually get through to one.

The phone situation really has been rough for years. Any tool that helps get through is worth knowing about.

Oh that's actually really useful info. So I have a whole benefit year open even if I find work in a month or two?

Exactly. You'd just reopen the claim rather than start over. Much easier process.

Good tip, I actually tried going on around 2pm yesterday and it was really slow. I'll try early morning.

yes early morning is way better. also use chrome or firefox not safari if you're on a mac, safari has weird issues with the UI Online portal sometimes

This is accurate. Early morning or later evening. Midday is rough.

Thank you, honestly the responses here have calmed me down a lot. I feel way less lost than I did this morning.

That's what this community is for. Good luck, you've got this.

I will! I finished submitting my initial claim tonight. Now I guess I wait and watch my mail. Thank you everyone seriously this whole thread was incredibly helpful.

Perfect. Keep an eye on your UI Online account too - sometimes updates show there before the mail arrives. Good luck!

Congrats on filing! You're past the hardest mental hurdle. Smooth sailing from here hopefully.