EDD first payment shows 'waiting period served' for one week - what does this mean?

This is completely normal. California has a mandatory one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. Essentially, the first week you're eligible for benefits serves as an unpaid waiting period. You won't receive payment for this week, but it counts toward your claim. You'll get paid for all eligible weeks after that waiting period is served, assuming you meet all eligibility requirements and continue to certify.

yep waiting period is standard!! happened to me too back in november. kinda stinks they dont make it super clear when u apply tbh

Everyone has to serve a waiting period for their first week of eligibility - it's basically like a deductible on insurance. The good news is you only have to serve it once per benefit year, so all your future certifications will pay for both weeks (assuming you're eligible). If you need to speak with EDD about any questions with your claim, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was stuck in pending for weeks and couldn't get through on the phones, but their service got me connected to an EDD rep in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

Quick question - does the waiting period count against your total weeks of eligibility? Like if I'm approved for 26 weeks total, does that include the waiting period week or not?

i remmber when i applied in 2023 i got so confused by this 2!! called edd like 75 times before i got thru and the lady was like "oh thats just standard policy" like why dont they tell us this stuff upfront?? would save everyone so much time lol

To add some clarification: the waiting period requirement is actually specified in California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1253(d). The purpose is similar to insurance deductibles - it reduces overall program costs and slightly discourages very short-term claims. Also worth noting: if you reopen a claim within the same benefit year, you don't serve another waiting period. But if you file a new claim after your benefit year ends, you'll have to serve a new waiting period. Make sure you continue certifying regularly, even for that first unpaid week, as missed certifications can create problems with your claim.

The waiting period is RIDICULOUS! You're already stressed about losing your job and then they make you wait an extra week for money? My husband lost 3 WEEKS of benefits because the EDD rep told him the wrong information about how to report some side gig income. Then they put a "false statement" penalty on his account! It took us FOREVER to get it fixed. The whole system is broken!!

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! I'm relieved to know this is normal and I didn't do anything wrong. I'll be certifying again this Sunday, so hopefully I'll get the full two weeks of benefits this time. Really appreciate all the explanations!

Just wanted to add that if you're ever confused about your payment status, you can check the "Payment Activity" section in your UI Online account - it shows a detailed breakdown of each week including whether it was paid, pending, or served as a waiting period. This helped me keep track of everything when I was on unemployment last year. Also, don't panic if your first payment takes a few extra days to show up in your bank account - EDD payments sometimes process slower than regular direct deposits, especially for new claims.

One thing I wish I had known when I first applied - make sure to save screenshots of your payment history and certification details! I had an issue a few months into my claim where EDD said I missed a certification (which I definitely didn't), and having those screenshots saved me hours of back-and-forth with customer service. The waiting period thing definitely caught me off guard too, but once you get past that first week, the process becomes much more predictable. Just keep certifying on time every two weeks and you should be good to go!

Hey Emma! Just wanted to chime in since I went through this exact same confusion when I first applied. The waiting period is definitely one of those things they should explain better upfront! One tip that helped me - when you certify this Sunday, double-check that you're answering all the questions correctly, especially about availability for work and any job search activities. Sometimes people accidentally trigger issues that can delay payments. Also, if you haven't already, make sure your direct deposit info is set up correctly in your UI Online account - that'll help ensure your payments come through smoothly once they start processing. The good news is that after this initial confusion, the process becomes pretty routine!

Yes, you absolutely need to meet all eligibility requirements during the waiting period week, including being available for work and conducting job search activities if required. The waiting period isn't a "free pass" week - you still have to be actively seeking employment and meet all the same criteria as any other week you're claiming benefits. The only difference is you don't get paid for that first week. California typically requires 3 job search activities per week (though this can vary), so make sure you're documenting your applications, interviews, or other qualifying activities. When you certify, you'll be asked about your job search efforts for both weeks, including that waiting period week.