EDD application timing after military discharge - can I apply before my Navy separation date?
I'm getting discharged from the Navy on November 29th and moving back to California. I'm trying to plan ahead for the transition to civilian life and wondering about the unemployment application process. Can I start my EDD application before my actual separation date, or do I need to wait until I'm officially out? Has anyone here gone through the military-to-civilian transition with CA unemployment? Some of my buddies said there's a special process for veterans, but I'm not sure if that's correct. Just want to avoid any delays since I know the holidays can slow things down.
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Nia Johnson
You need to wait until AFTER your official separation date to file for UI benefits. If you apply before your actual discharge date, your claim will likely be denied since you're technically still employed by the military. When you do apply, make sure you have your DD-214 ready - that's the most important document for veteran claims with EDD.
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Luca Conti
•Thanks for the info! I'll definitely wait until after Nov 29th then. Do you know if processing times are typically longer during holiday seasons? I'm worried about the December rush.
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CyberNinja
my brother went thru this last year. dont forget u need ur dd214 to apply and sometimes it takes a few days to get that after ur actual separation date so plan accordingly
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Mateo Lopez
•This is so important!!! When my husband separated from the Army it took almost 2 weeks to get his DD-214 finalized and he couldn't apply for anything without it. Definitely wait until you have that document in hand before starting anything with EDD.
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Aisha Abdullah
Military claims are a bit different from regular UI claims. You'll need to apply under the UCX program (Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers), not the regular UI program. Make sure you have: 1. Your DD-214 Member 4 copy 2. Your military earnings (from your LES statements) 3. Your SF-8 form if they gave you one I processed my claim in January after separating in December, and it went smoothly. Don't worry too much about the holiday delays - just make sure all your military documentation is in order.
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Luca Conti
•This is super helpful, thank you! I didn't know about the special UCX program. Do I need to specify that somewhere on the application or does EDD automatically route military claims to that program?
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Ethan Davis
You MUST wait until after your separation date. I tried applying early when I left the Marines and it created a huge mess I had to sort out. The system flagged me as potentially committing fraud since I was technically still employed. Also, when you do apply, be prepared for long hold times when calling EDD with any questions. The system treats military claims differently and sometimes you need to speak with specific reps who understand UCX claims.
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Yuki Tanaka
•If you're having trouble getting through to EDD (which is almost guaranteed during December-January), you might want to try Claimyr. My friend used it after separating from the Air Force and got through to a rep in under 30 minutes when he'd been trying for weeks on his own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their website is claimyr.com. Especially useful for military claims since those sometimes need special handling.
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Mateo Lopez
Is anyone else annoyed that our military personnel have to jump through these same hoops as everyone else??? Seems like there should be a special fast-track for veterans!!!! The system is SO BROKEN!!!!
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Nia Johnson
•There actually is a different process - it's called UCX (Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers). It's not necessarily faster, but it's specifically designed for military transitions and has different eligibility requirements. Most veterans qualify as long as their discharge was honorable or general under honorable conditions.
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Carmen Ortiz
i separated from navy in 2023 and here's what u need 2 know: wait til ur out, get ur dd214 (the system WILL ask for it), and be ready for lots of questions about job search. they made me list 3 job contacts per week even tho i was using my gi bill for school. weird rule but whatever
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Aisha Abdullah
•Actually, if you're using your GI Bill full-time (12+ units), you can request to be exempt from the job search requirement. You need to notify EDD that you're in approved training through the CTB (California Training Benefits) program. There's a specific form for this that your school's VA office can help with.
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Yuki Tanaka
One important thing to remember is that when you do apply, your "employer" is actually the specific branch of the military you served in (Department of the Navy in your case). Some people make the mistake of putting "military" or "US Government" which can delay processing. Also, your base address matters - use the address of your final duty station.
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Luca Conti
•That's good to know. I'll make sure to list Department of the Navy specifically. Are there any other common mistakes I should avoid when filling out the application?
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Ethan Davis
To answer your follow-up question about holiday delays - yes, EDD processing is definitely slower during November/December. When I separated in mid-December, my claim took almost 3 weeks to process instead of the usual 7-10 days. Just be prepared for that possibility.
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Luca Conti
•That's exactly what I was worried about. I'll make sure to have enough savings to tide me over until January just in case. Thanks for the heads-up!
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CyberNinja
my friends husband got out of army and claimed in ca but got denied cuz he moved to nevada right after discharge so make sure ur actually establish residency in cali before u claim!!!!!
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Aisha Abdullah
•This is partially correct, but needs clarification. Military members can file in the state they're physically moving to after discharge, the state where they were last stationed, OR their home of record state. The key is you need to actually be physically present and available for work in California if you're filing with California EDD. You can't file in CA if you're living in another state unless you're actively seeking work in California.
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Rita Jacobs
Hey Luca! As a fellow service member who went through this transition, I want to emphasize what others have said - definitely wait until after your official separation date. I made the mistake of trying to get a head start and it just caused headaches. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that you should also gather all your Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) from your final year of service. EDD will use these to calculate your benefit amount since military pay works differently than civilian wages. Also, if you have any terminal leave being paid out, that might affect your claim timing - make sure you report that accurately. The good news is that California generally handles military claims pretty well once you have all your documentation ready. Just be patient with the process, especially during the holidays. Good luck with your transition back to civilian life!
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Hattie Carson
•Thanks Rita! That's really helpful about the LES statements - I wouldn't have thought about gathering a full year's worth. Quick question about terminal leave: I'm planning to take about 30 days of terminal leave before my separation date. Does that mean I should wait 30 days AFTER my official separation date to apply, or can I apply right when my separation date hits even if I'm still getting paid for unused leave?
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