EDD paper certification to check payment - how long to process mail claims?

Paper certifications take about 10 days to process after they receive them. Then add another 3-5 business days for the check to arrive in the mail. So we're talking about 2-3 weeks total from when you mailed it. The good news is that doing a certification by phone won't mess things up - the system just marks your weeks as certified using whichever method was processed first. For future reference though, I'd strongly recommend sticking with UI Online whenever possible. Paper processing is one of the slowest methods with EDD. Even the telecert system (certification by phone) is faster than mail.

i did paper certs for like 6 months last year cuz my account got locked. checks usually came about 10 days after i mailed stuff but sometimes took WAY longer like 3+ weeks no joke. EDD is weird about mail tbh

The certification by phone you did might actually speed things up! When you certify by phone, it overrides the paper certification if they haven't processed it yet. In my experience, the phone certification processes in 2-3 days, then the payment takes 3-5 more days to mail out as a check. One thing to watch for: make sure your mailing address is correct in the system. If you've moved recently and haven't updated your address with EDD, your check could get lost or returned to them. Also, just curious - why did people tell you checks were better? Most people find the Money Network card or direct deposit much faster and more convenient. Checks have the highest risk of delays or getting lost in the mail.

I've been dealing with EDD for over two years (on and off) and I can tell you that paper certifications are the SLOWEST way to get paid. They have to manually enter those forms which takes forever with their staffing issues. I once waited 5 WEEKS for a paper certification to process!!! The phone certification you did might actually help, but honestly calling EDD directly would be your best bet to make sure everything is on track. Problem is... GOOD LUCK GETTING THROUGH TO A HUMAN!!! I spent 3 days calling non-stop before I got through last month.

why would u ever request paper checks lol thats just asking for trouble. my neighbor had his stolen right from his mailbox! edd money network card is way better and u can transfer the money to ur bank account for free. paper certs + paper checks = double the wait time

wait so u certified twice for the same weeks? once by mail and once by phone? u might get hit with a false certification penalty if the system thinks ur trying to double dip

I feel your pain! I was in almost the exact same situation last year when my internet was cut off. The uncertainty of when you'll get paid is the WORST part of paper certifications. For me, it took about 12 days from mailing my cert to getting a check, but that was during a slow period. It might take longer now if they're busy with a lot of new claims.

Update on your situation yet? Sometimes paper certifications can get lost in the mail too. If it's been more than 15 days since you mailed it and you haven't received payment, you should definitely try to speak with an EDD representative to check the status. They can also switch you back to electronic certification for future weeks, which would be much faster. One more thing - for anyone reading this thread later, you can still use UI Online at a public library or on a friend's device even if your own phone/internet is down. That's usually faster than dealing with paper forms.

Glad to hear your payment finally processed @Paige Cantoni! 13 days is actually not too bad for EDD paper processing - I've definitely seen worse. Your check should arrive within the next 3-5 business days typically. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation: if you're ever stuck without internet/phone service again, most EDD local offices also have computers available for public use during business hours. You can walk in and use their terminals to certify online, which is way faster than mailing paper forms. Just bring a photo ID and your claim details. Also, once you get back on your feet financially, I'd really recommend switching to direct deposit for future payments. Even though your friends had issues with the Money Network card, direct deposit to your own bank account is usually the most reliable option and processes much faster than checks.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through the EDD paper certification process multiple times. The 13-day timeline you experienced is pretty typical - I've had it range anywhere from 10-18 days depending on how busy they are. One thing I learned the hard way: always make copies of your paper certification forms before mailing them! EDD has lost my forms twice over the years, and having copies made it much easier when I had to call and get things sorted out. Also, I started using certified mail with tracking after the first time they "lost" my paperwork - costs a few extra bucks but gives you proof they received it. For anyone still reading this thread who might be dealing with similar issues, another option is faxing your certification forms if you have access to a fax machine. It's faster than regular mail but still slower than online/phone certification. Some UPS stores and libraries offer fax services if you don't have access to one at home. Glad everything worked out for you in the end!

As someone who works in government benefits administration (not EDD but similar state agency), I can confirm that paper processing is always the slowest option across all unemployment systems. The 13-day timeline you experienced is actually quite reasonable - I've seen paper certifications take 3-4 weeks during peak periods. A few additional tips for anyone who might end up in this situation: 1) Always date your paper forms clearly and legibly - unclear dates can cause processing delays, 2) Use black ink only (blue ink sometimes doesn't scan well in their systems), and 3) If you're ever unsure whether your form was received, you can request a "proof of mailing" receipt at the post office for regular mail, or upgrade to certified mail like others mentioned. The good news is that once EDD processes your certification, the payment timeline for checks is pretty consistent at 3-5 business days. Your check should definitely arrive before your next certification period begins.