EDD Tax Credit Surveys after job applications - mandatory or optional?

These WOTC tax credit surveys have actually been around for years, but many employers have made them more prominent in their application process recently. The surveys are perfectly legitimate - employers can get tax credits for hiring people from certain groups (including those on unemployment). The good news: legally, employers CANNOT use your answers to discriminate against you in the hiring process. The surveys are typically handled by a separate department or third-party vendor and not shared with hiring managers until after hiring decisions are made. The better news: checking 'yes' for receiving unemployment can actually HELP you get hired since employers get a tax incentive for hiring people currently receiving unemployment benefits. And no, you don't need to report filling out these surveys when certifying for EDD benefits. Just make sure you're reporting any job contacts/applications as part of your work search requirements.

there everywhere now. i seee them on all my apps too. i just click whatever gets me thru fastest lol. doubt it matters

I HATE THESE SURVEYS!!!! They are so invasive and none of that info is any of their business!! I always lie on them because I don't trust these companies with my personal information about being on unemployment. They'll just throw your application in the trash if they know you're on EDD benefits - happened to my cousin last year! These surveys should be ILLEGAL!

I used to work in HR and can confirm what others are saying - these Work Opportunity Tax Credit surveys benefit both employers AND job seekers. Companies can receive up to $9,600 in tax credits for hiring from certain groups, including unemployment recipients. That's why they're becoming more common. The surveys are typically processed by payroll or a third-party vendor, not hiring managers. Your answers should have zero impact on whether you get an interview or job offer. Be honest - it could actually make you more attractive as a candidate behind the scenes.

These surveys drove me CRAZY during my job search last summer!!! I was on unemployment for 5 months after getting laid off from retail management. I must've filled out 50+ of these stupid questionnaires. BUT the weird thing is, the company that eventually hired me (been there 7 months now) told me they actually got a tax break because I was on unemployment when they hired me. So I guess it worked out? Just keep answering honestly and focusing on your job search requirements for EDD so you don't get your benefits disrupted.

Off topic, but since you mentioned having trouble with your job search while on unemployment - if you need to speak with an EDD representative about anything (work search requirements, certification issues, etc.), I highly recommend using Claimyr. After struggling to get through the EDD phone system for weeks, I used their service and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. The site is claimyr.com if you're interested. Saved me so much frustration during my claim process.

To add to what others have said, the WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit) program has been expanded a bit in recent years, which is probably why you're seeing these questionnaires more frequently. For unemployment specifically, employers can receive up to $2,400 tax credit for hiring someone receiving unemployment for at least 4 weeks. Regarding your certification question - you don't need to specifically report completing these surveys, but you should absolutely report all job applications as part of your work search activities. Maintaining proper documentation of your job search is crucial for continued eligibility, especially if you get selected for an eligibility determination interview.

This whole thread is making me think I should be checking 'yes' on those surveys instead of skipping them! maybe thats why i cant find a job after 3 months lol

Update: I've been answering the surveys honestly for the past week and actually got called for two interviews! Maybe it's helping after all. Thanks everyone for explaining how these work - feeling much less anxious about the whole process now. I'll keep properly documenting all my job search activities for my EDD certification too.

Congratulations on the interviews! This is such a great example of how being honest on these surveys can actually work in your favor. I went through a similar situation last year - was hesitant about checking the unemployment box but did it anyway, and ended up getting hired at a company that specifically mentioned they were glad to participate in the WOTC program. For anyone still reading this thread who's unsure: the tax incentive really does make unemployment recipients more attractive candidates from a business perspective. Companies save money, which helps their bottom line, and you get a job opportunity. It's truly a win-win situation when it works as intended. Keep us posted on how those interviews go, and remember to document everything for your EDD work search log!

As someone who just started receiving EDD benefits last month after being laid off from my marketing job, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been seeing these WOTC surveys on every application too and was completely confused about what they were for. I've been hesitant to check "yes" for unemployment benefits because I thought it would hurt my chances, but after reading everyone's explanations about the tax incentives, I'm definitely going to start answering honestly. It's such a relief to know that these surveys are actually designed to help people like us rather than screen us out. Quick question though - when I'm logging my job search activities for EDD certification, should I mention that I completed these tax credit surveys, or is it enough to just record that I submitted the application? I want to make sure I'm documenting everything properly for my work search requirements. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise here - this community has been a lifesaver during my job search!

This is such valuable information! I've been on EDD benefits for about 6 weeks now after getting laid off from my accounting position, and I've been encountering these WOTC surveys constantly. Like many others here, I was initially worried about checking "yes" for unemployment benefits, thinking it would signal that I'm desperate or somehow less desirable as a candidate. Reading through all these responses has completely changed my perspective - especially learning that employers can get up to $2,400 in tax credits for hiring someone who's been on unemployment for at least 4 weeks. That actually makes me feel more confident about my job search prospects! I've been meticulously tracking all my applications for my EDD work search requirements (applying to 3+ jobs per week as required), but I never realized these surveys could potentially be working in my favor. Moving forward, I'm definitely going to answer them honestly instead of trying to rush through them. Thanks to everyone who shared their HR insights and personal experiences - it's reassuring to know that these programs are designed to encourage hiring rather than create barriers. This community really helps navigate all the confusing aspects of the job search process while on unemployment benefits!

This thread has been incredibly enlightening! I've been on EDD benefits for about 2 months after being laid off from my HR coordinator position (ironic, I know!), and I've been seeing these WOTC surveys everywhere but had no idea what they were really for. From my HR background, I should have known better, but honestly we never dealt with the WOTC program at my previous company. Reading everyone's explanations about the tax incentives has been eye-opening - I can't believe I've been skipping these surveys thinking they were just invasive data collection! What really strikes me is how this program is actually designed to combat unemployment discrimination rather than create it. The fact that employers get financial incentives to hire people receiving benefits is brilliant policy design. I'm definitely going to start completing these surveys honestly moving forward. For anyone still worried about discrimination - from an HR perspective, most legitimate companies have strict protocols to keep hiring decisions separate from tax credit eligibility information. The legal liability of using this info to discriminate would be huge, so most employers are very careful about maintaining that separation. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here. Time to update my job search strategy and start viewing these surveys as a potential advantage!