EDD paper application processing time - what happens after they receive it?

paper apps take FOREVER!!! i did one in march and it took like 5 weeks just to show up in the system. wish i had just waited till i could get to the library to do it online lol

Paper applications typically take 3-4 weeks for processing, compared to 1-2 weeks for online applications. After they receive it, EDD will mail you several things: 1) Notice of Unemployment Insurance Claim Filed with your weekly benefit amount, 2) EDD Customer Account Number so you can register for UI Online, and 3) Continued Claim forms (DE 4581) until you're set up online. I recommend creating a UI Online account with your SSN even before you get the customer account number. Sometimes the claim shows up there before you receive anything in the mail. You'll also need to start certifying for benefits as soon as possible after your claim is processed, even if it's still just a paper application.

I filed a paper application last October and it took about 6 weeks to process. The most frustrating part was not knowing if they even received it. I suggest calling EDD after 2 weeks to confirm they got your application and check its status. One thing that really helped me was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD representative. Regular calling was impossible - always busy signals or disconnects. With Claimyr, I actually got through to a real person who confirmed they had my application and gave me a timeframe. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once your claim is processed, you'll get several letters in the mail with your claim info and instructions for certifying.

has anyone else noticed how the paper applications seem to get "lost" more than online ones?? my friend and I both applied last year, he did paper and had to reapply twice because they claimed they never got the first one. I did mine online and had zero issues. seems suspicious to me...

I'm just finishing up my claim that started with a paper application back in January. Here's what happened with mine: Week 1: Mailed application Week 3: Got a letter confirming receipt Week 5: Received EDD Customer Account Number Week 5: Created UI Online account Week 6: Got first certification forms in mail AND saw them in UI Online Week 8: First payment (they backdated to my original filing date) The KEY THING is making sure your address is correct and checking your mail EVERY DAY. They send important time-sensitive documents and if you miss the deadlines you're screwed. Also check your UI Online inbox daily once you have access. Good luck! The waiting is the hardest part!

wait u can still do paper applications? i thought everything had to be online now lol

PRO TIP: Start calling EDD NOW! Don't wait weeks to discover they never received your application or there's a problem with it. The paper applications go through several hands before being entered into the system, and things go wrong ALL THE TIME. I submitted a paper app last year, and when I finally got through to EDD after 4 weeks of waiting, they had no record of it! Had to start all over again. CALL THEM REPEATEDLY until you confirm they have it. Yes, it's nearly impossible to get through, but keep trying different times of day. Early morning (8:01 am) and right after lunch (1:00-1:30pm) seemed to work best for me. Once you confirm they have it, ask for the estimated processing time. If they say it's in process but not complete, ask what specific stage it's at and if there are any issues. DON'T JUST WAIT AND HOPE!!

If you're struggling to reach EDD by phone (like most people), try Claimyr. It really works - I was skeptical at first but it got me through to a rep in about 20 minutes after struggling for days on my own. The rep was able to look up my paper application status and tell me exactly what was happening with it. Totally worth it for the peace of mind. Also, don't forget to start your work search activities NOW and document everything, even before your claim is processed. I made the mistake of waiting until my claim was approved to start looking seriously, and it came back to bite me during an eligibility interview.

I submitted a paper application about 3 weeks ago and just wanted to share what I've learned so far. First, I sent it certified mail so I'd have proof of delivery - highly recommend this! EDD received it on day 3, but when I called using the tips here (thanks everyone!), they said it takes another 2-3 weeks just to get it into their computer system. The rep also told me something important: even though my claim isn't processed yet, I should start certifying as soon as I get my customer account number. Apparently you can lose weeks of benefits if you don't certify immediately, even if the claim is still pending. She said to watch for the EDD mail every single day because those certification deadlines are strict. One more thing - if you have direct deposit info from a previous claim, make sure to update it when you set up UI Online. Mine was still linked to an old closed account and that would have delayed my first payment by weeks.

This is such helpful information, thank you for sharing your experience! The certified mail tip is brilliant - I wish I had thought of that when I sent mine last week. I'm definitely going to start calling EDD this week to confirm they received it. Quick question about the direct deposit - I've never had an EDD claim before, so I won't have any old banking info in their system. When I set up my UI Online account, will I be able to add my direct deposit information right away, or do I need to wait until after the claim is processed? I'd rather get that sorted out early to avoid any payment delays. Also, did the rep give you any specific advice about the best times to call? I've been trying the main number but keep getting the busy signal or getting disconnected after being on hold forever.

Just wanted to add my recent experience for anyone else going through this. I submitted my paper application 4 weeks ago and finally got my first payment last week. Here's what I learned that might help: 1. Send it certified mail like others mentioned - I didn't do this and spent weeks wondering if they even got it 2. Call them at exactly 8:01 AM - not 8:00, but 8:01. I got through on my third try doing this 3. Even if your claim shows "pending" in UI Online, you can still certify for benefits. I almost missed my first certification thinking I had to wait 4. Keep copies of EVERYTHING - they asked me to resubmit my ID documents even though I included them with my original application The whole process was stressful but once it finally went through, I got all my back payments from the original filing date. Hang in there everyone - it's slow but it works eventually!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Filed my paper application about 10 days ago after my laptop crashed and I couldn't get online access for over a week. Reading everyone's experiences here is both helpful and nerve-wracking - sounds like I'm in for a long wait. I'm definitely going to try that 8:01 AM calling strategy tomorrow to confirm they received my application. I didn't think to send it certified mail either, which I'm now regretting. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully got through to EDD on the phone, were you able to get any kind of confirmation number or reference number for your paper application? I'm wondering if there's some way to track it or at least have proof that they acknowledged receiving it when I do get through to someone. Also, should I be checking my mailbox daily at this point, or does that not start until a few weeks in? I don't want to miss anything important but I also don't want to drive myself crazy checking for mail that won't come for another month. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community is a lifesaver when dealing with EDD!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my computer died right before I needed to file. Here's my timeline and some hard-learned lessons: **My Timeline:** - Week 1: Mailed paper application (regular mail - big mistake!) - Week 4: Finally got through to EDD, they had NO RECORD of my application - Week 4: Overnight mailed a new application with tracking - Week 6: Second application showed up in their system - Week 8: Got my EDD customer account number - Week 9: First payment (backdated to my original intended filing date) **Key lessons:** 1. **ALWAYS use certified/tracked mail** - I learned this the expensive way 2. **Call at 8:01 AM sharp** - not 8:00, exactly 8:01. I got through 3 times using this method 3. **Start your work search log immediately** - even before your claim processes 4. **Check mail religiously** once you hit the 3-week mark 5. **Don't panic if they say "no record"** - ask them to check again and get a case number for your call The waiting is absolutely brutal, but once it processes you'll get all your back pay. The key is staying on top of them and not just hoping for the best. Paper applications definitely get lost more often than online ones, so be proactive about following up! Also, once you get your customer account number, set up direct deposit IMMEDIATELY. Don't wait - it can add weeks to your first payment if you have to wait for a mailed check.

I'm dealing with the exact same situation right now! Just mailed my paper application two days ago after my internet went out for over a week. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both incredibly helpful and honestly pretty scary - sounds like I'm in for quite a journey. I'm definitely taking notes on all the advice here, especially the certified mail tip (wish I had known that before!) and the 8:01 AM calling strategy. Going to start trying to reach EDD next week to confirm they received it. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who had to resubmit applications, did EDD ever explain what actually happens to the "lost" ones? Like do they get physically misplaced in the mail room, or do they get lost somewhere in the data entry process? I'm trying to understand if there are certain steps where applications are more likely to go missing so I can be extra proactive about following up. Also, should I be documenting that I filed a paper application somewhere for my own records? Like taking photos of the completed forms or keeping copies of everything? I made copies but I'm wondering if I should be doing anything else to protect myself in case issues come up later. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and tips - this thread is going to be my roadmap for the next few weeks!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who recently went through this process! I submitted my paper application about 8 weeks ago and finally got everything sorted out. Here's what I wish I had known from the start: **Timeline Reality Check:** Paper apps really do take 4-6 weeks minimum. Mine took exactly 5 weeks to show up in the system, then another week to get my customer account number. **The Phone Game:** That 8:01 AM calling strategy everyone mentions is REAL. I tried it after reading similar advice and got through on my second attempt. The reps are definitely less frazzled early in the morning and more willing to help. **Documentation is EVERYTHING:** Keep copies of your application, mail it certified/tracked, and start a simple spreadsheet tracking every interaction with EDD (dates, rep names, what was discussed). This saved me when they initially couldn't find my application. **Start Job Search Activities NOW:** Even before your claim processes, start applying for jobs and documenting everything. You'll need 3 work search activities per week once you start certifying, and having a head start makes the process much smoother. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, but hang in there! Once it processes, you'll get all your backdated payments. The key is staying proactive and not just hoping for the best.