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EDD auto-payments showing up but confused about qualification status - help?

I'm getting kinda confused about my unemployment status right now. I've been getting automatic payments from EDD for the past 3 weeks (about $464 each) without doing anything special, but when I logged into my UI Online account yesterday, I noticed it says something about 'qualification review' somewhere on my homepage. Does this mean I'm already qualified or that they're still deciding if I qualify? I'm worried they might suddenly stop my payments or ask for everything back if there's some issue with my qualification. I got laid off from my restaurant job in January and applied right away. Never had unemployment before so I'm really confused about how all this works. Anyone know what this qualification status actually means when I'm already getting paid?

StarSailor

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What you're looking at is probably your claim status summary. When it shows 'qualification review', that usually means EDD is continuing to verify your eligibility WHILE sending you payments. This is actually normal in many cases - they start paying you based on your initial application, but they're still reviewing your full qualification. Check if you've received any notices requiring an eligibility interview. That's typically the next step when they're reviewing qualification. If you haven't received a notice, keep certifying every two weeks and watch your inbox for any communications from EDD.

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Zainab Ibrahim

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Oh man, that makes me nervous. So they could still decide I don't qualify even though they're paying me? I don't see anything about an eligibility interview yet. How long does this review thing usually take?

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Connor O'Brien

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ive been gettin payments 4 like 2 months now and mine still says that too lol dont worry about it as long as the money comes in who cares what it says

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StarSailor

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This isn't entirely accurate advice. While it's common to receive payments during review, if EDD later determines you weren't eligible, they can issue an overpayment notice and require you to repay everything. It's important to make sure your claim is properly qualified.

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Yara Sabbagh

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Qualification review is a standard part of the EDD process. Here's what's happening: EDD initially processes your claim based on the information you provided, and if everything looks good at first glance, they'll begin sending payments. However, they continue reviewing your case to ensure full eligibility. Possible reasons for continued review: - Verifying your employment history - Checking your reason for separation (layoff in your case) - Confirming your wages during your base period - Ensuring you meet ongoing eligibility requirements As long as everything you reported is accurate, you should be fine. But definitely keep certifying on time every two weeks and respond quickly to any EDD communication. They may schedule an eligibility interview by phone to clarify details about your claim.

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Zainab Ibrahim

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Thanks for explaining! I think everything I reported is accurate. My layoff was pretty straightforward - restaurant closed permanently. I'm just worried because I worked for cash tips sometimes and I'm not sure if that affects anything? Should I do anything special during this review period or just keep certifying?

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Keisha Johnson

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This happened to me last year and I was SO confused too! I kept getting payments but my account had all these weird statuses. Then I got a letter saying I needed to do a phone interview but the date was like 3 weeks away. The stress was AWFUL waiting to see if I would still qualify.

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Paolo Rizzo

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Did you end up keeping your benefits after the interview? I went through something similar and they made me pay back EVERYTHING because they said my employer contested my claim. The worst part was waiting weeks for that stupid interview while thinking everything was fine.

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QuantumQuest

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Listen, the EDD system is DESIGNED to be confusing. They hope you'll miss something so they can deny your claim later. I've been through this THREE TIMES now and every time they find some technicality to mess with people. Keep DETAILED records of EVERYTHING - screenshots of your certifications, any letters they send you, and if they call for an interview, write down the date, time, and the name of who you spoke with. The 'qualification review' is just their way of saying 'we're looking for reasons to disqualify you' while they keep you pacified with payments!

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Yara Sabbagh

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While it's good advice to keep records, I want to clarify that EDD isn't actively trying to disqualify people. The qualification review is a standard verification process to ensure benefits go to eligible individuals. The system can certainly be frustrating, but it's designed to balance quick payment with program integrity.

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Amina Sy

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If you need to talk to someone at EDD about your qualification status, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was stuck in this exact situation - getting paid but seeing weird status messages - and couldn't get through on the phone for weeks. Claimyr got me connected to an EDD rep in about 25 minutes who explained exactly what was happening with my claim. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

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Connor O'Brien

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does that really work? i tried calling edd like 50 times yesterday and kept getting the 'too many callers' message

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StarSailor

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Regarding your question about cash tips - if you didn't report all your income accurately when you were employed (including tips), that could potentially cause issues during review. EDD compares your reported wages with what your employer reported. If there's a significant discrepancy, they might schedule an eligibility interview. Be honest if they ask about this - penalties for misrepresentation can be severe (including penalty weeks where you can't receive benefits in the future).

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Zainab Ibrahim

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I always reported my tips on my taxes, but sometimes the manager would just give us cash at the end of the night for the credit card tips. I'm hoping that doesn't cause problems. I'll definitely be honest if they ask about it. What exactly are 'penalty weeks'? That sounds scary.

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Yara Sabbagh

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Penalty weeks are periods where you remain eligible for unemployment but don't receive payment as a penalty for prior misrepresentation. However, if you reported your tips on your taxes, you should be fine - the verification process is mainly comparing what you and your employer reported to the state. To answer your earlier question about what to do during the review period: just continue certifying every two weeks and maintain your eligibility (looking for work, being available to work, etc.). If they schedule an eligibility interview, be prepared to explain your work separation in detail and answer questions about your employment history. Have documents ready like your final pay stub, layoff notice if you received one, and any other relevant documentation.

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Zainab Ibrahim

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OK that makes sense. I'll keep certifying and make sure I'm doing my work search activities. I have my final paystub and a text from my boss about the restaurant closing, so I'll keep those handy. Thanks for all the help!

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Connor O'Brien

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ya know what else is weird, sometimes mine says pending instead of paid but then the money shows up on my card anyway lol the website never matches whats actually happening

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Paolo Rizzo

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I went through EXACTLY this in February. Was getting payments for about a month, then suddenly got a notice for an eligibility interview. They scheduled it for THREE WEEKS later, but my payments continued during that time. After the interview (which was literally just 10 minutes of confirming the info I already provided), my status changed from 'qualification review' to 'approved' the next day. Just make sure you answer your phone for ANY unknown numbers during that period - they often call from blocked or weird numbers and if you miss the interview, it creates a huge delay.

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Keisha Johnson

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Omg yes! They called me from a completely random area code I didn't recognize and I almost didn't answer! So scary how they do that.

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