EDD confusion: How to properly certify during short-term temp assignment without messing up my UI claim?
I started a temp assignment that ends on Oct 31st and I'm trying to figure out the right way to handle my EDD certifications. The job market in my field is super unstable right now, so I know I'll need UI again soon. Here's my situation: I was laid off in June, started receiving benefits in July, and just got called back for this short 6-week gig through my temp agency on Sept 12th. When I certified for the previous period, I reported that I had an upcoming job, but when I certified for the first week I actually worked, something weird happened. The system asked if I worked but didn't prompt me to enter dates or earnings like it used to. I still got my full benefit amount even though I worked all week! I don't want to commit fraud or get hit with an overpayment, but I also don't want to close my claim when this assignment is so temporary. In the past, I could just report my earnings and my benefits would reduce to $0 while working, then automatically resume when the job ended. Has the UI Online system changed? What's the correct way to handle this so I (1) don't get overpaid while working and (2) can smoothly transition back to UI when this temp job ends on Halloween without reapplying? Should I call EDD to explain the situation?
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Hailey O'Leary
Im in a similar situation with my warehouse gig. When I certified last weekend, i also noticed the system didn't ask for my earnings anymore!! just asked if i worked but no place to enter the days or how much i made. got full payment which seemed wrong but hey not complaining lol
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Marcus Marsh
•That's exactly what happened to me! But I'm worried about getting hit with an overpayment notice months from now. Did you do anything about it or just leave it?
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Cedric Chung
You need to report ALL earnings when you certify, even if the system doesn't specifically prompt you. There's a section in UI Online where you can report income under "Report Wages" that's separate from the regular certification questions. The system changed in 2025 and many claimants are confused by this. If you received full benefits for a week you worked, you should contact EDD immediately to correct this. You don't want to risk an overpayment determination or potential fraud investigation. They take these things very seriously. You're absolutely right that you can and should continue certifying during temporary work. Your weekly benefits will be reduced based on your earnings (and potentially be $0 if you earn enough), but your claim stays open. This is the correct approach for temporary/seasonal work.
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Marcus Marsh
•Thank you for explaining this! I looked all over UI Online and couldn't find a "Report Wages" section. Is this somewhere in the menu after logging in or on a specific page during certification? I definitely want to fix this ASAP.
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Talia Klein
EDD is such a joke with these system "upgrades" that just confuse everyone!!! I've been on and off unemployment for YEARS and every time they change something they mess it up and WE'RE the ones who get penalized!!! So typical of government efficiency 🙄
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Maxwell St. Laurent
•While frustrating, it's important to stay focused on the solution. The system changed in January but many weren't notified properly. You now have to manually report your wages in the "Income Reporting" tab after logging in, separate from certification. It's not intuitive at all but that's where you need to go.
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PaulineW
this happened 2 me last month! when i called they said i had 2 repay the extra money + i had a "false statement penalty" added 2 my claim which means i lost benefits for 4 extra weeks!! they said i shouldve known better even tho the system literally didnt ask me 4 my earnings. such bs
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Marcus Marsh
•Oh no, that's exactly what I'm afraid of! Did you have trouble getting through to EDD on the phone? I've been trying all morning and can't get past the automated system.
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Maxwell St. Laurent
I work in HR and have helped many employees navigate this exact situation. Here's what you need to do: 1. Log into UI Online 2. Navigate to the "Income Reporting" section (it's in the left menu after the 2025 update) 3. Select the certification period where you worked but didn't report wages 4. Enter your earnings for each specific day worked 5. Submit and save a screenshot for your records Doing this proactively shows good faith and will help avoid penalties. You're absolutely correct that you should keep certifying during temporary work. Your benefits will adjust based on your earnings (often to $0 while fully employed) but your claim stays active. When your temp assignment ends, you'll simply continue certifying as normal, report no earnings, and your regular benefit amount should resume without needing to file a new claim, as long as you're still within your benefit year.
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Marcus Marsh
•Thank you so much for these detailed steps! I just found the Income Reporting section and fixed my last certification. So relieved. One more question - do I need to explain what happened in the comments section of my next certification?
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Annabel Kimball
The same thing happened to my neighbor and she had to pay back over $2500!!! She didn't know about the separate income reporting thing either. Now she's got an overpayment AND a penalty week situation. Be super careful with EDD!
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Chris Elmeda
If you're having trouble getting through to EDD to fix this (which you should definitely do ASAP), I finally had success using Claimyr after wasting days trying to call them myself. It got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes who helped fix a similar reporting issue I had. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Totally worth it for me since I was about to lose my mind trying to get through on my own. The rep I spoke with actually helped me navigate to the correct income reporting section while on the phone.
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Marcus Marsh
•Thanks for the suggestion! I've been calling for two days straight with no luck. I'll check out that service if I can't get through by tomorrow. Did the EDD rep give you any trouble about the late reporting when you finally reached them?
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Chris Elmeda
•No trouble at all actually - the rep said they're seeing this issue constantly since the system update. She said as long as you're proactively trying to fix it before they catch it in an audit, they generally just correct it without penalties. Just make sure you have your exact earnings information ready when you call.
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Maxwell St. Laurent
One more important thing - make sure you're properly answering the "available for work" question during certification while you're on this temp assignment. Many people mistakenly answer "no" because they're currently working, but the correct answer is still "yes" (meaning you would be available for permanent work if offered). Answering "no" can cause unnecessary eligibility issues.
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Marcus Marsh
•That's a great point I hadn't considered! I was planning to answer "no" to that question while working. Thank you for all your help - I feel much more confident about handling this correctly now.
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Hailey O'Leary
wait so with this new system do we still have to do the work search activities when on a temp job? im so confused about weather i need to list 3 job contacts when im already working but know ill need ui again in a few weeks
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Cedric Chung
•Yes, technically you're still required to conduct work search activities even during temporary work, unless you have a definite return-to-work date with a regular employer (not a temp agency). However, your temporary work itself counts as one work search activity per day worked. Just document your temp work details in the work search record section.
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