EDD payment shows paid but check hasn't arrived in mail - normal wait time?

Usually takes 3-7 business days after showing 'paid' in the system. Remember postal service doesn't deliver on Sundays or holidays, so that can add time. If it's been more than 10 business days, you should contact EDD to report a lost check, but I'd wait until at least day 8 before worrying too much. Also, you can switch to direct deposit for future payments by updating your payment preferences in UI Online under 'Payment Methods'.

my check was showing paid for 2 weeks once and never came... had to call and get them to cancel it and reissue a new one. such a pain

The mail delivery time really depends on where you live in California. I'm in a rural area, and it consistently takes 7-9 business days after the 'paid' status appears. My neighbor gets hers in 5-6 days. The EDD system isn't linked to USPS tracking, so once it leaves EDD, there's no way to track it. If you're really worried, you can call EDD to check the status, but honestly good luck getting through. I tried calling 38 times last month when I had an issue with my certification.

dont they send those checks from sacramento? im in LA and it takes about a week usually

U should have done direct deposit!!!! I get my $$$ the very next day after it says paid. Paper checks r so 1990s lol

When I was on unemployment last year something similar happened and it turned out my neighbor got my check by accident. She's elderly and didn't notice it wasn't her mail until she was about to open it! Maybe check with your neighbors if it doesn't show up soon

Just checking back - did your check arrive yet? If it's been more than 10 business days at this point, you should definitely contact EDD to report it missing. They can place a stop payment on the original check and issue a replacement, though that process takes additional time.

Just want to add for future reference - if anyone else is waiting for their first unemployment check, you can actually call your local post office to see if they have any insight on delivery delays in your area. I did this once when I was expecting an important check and they told me there was a mail carrier out sick that week which was causing delays. It's not a guarantee they'll have info, but sometimes it can give you peace of mind! Also, make sure your mailbox is clearly labeled with your name - I've heard of checks being returned to sender because of unclear addressing.

For anyone dealing with this anxiety in the future - I've been getting paper checks for 8 months now and here's what I've learned: The "paid" status usually appears 1-2 days before EDD actually mails the check, so don't start your countdown until then. I keep a little calendar and mark when it shows paid, then expect the check 5-7 business days later (I'm in the Bay Area). Also pro tip: if you have USPS Informed Delivery, you can see a preview of your mail each morning, so you'll know the day your check is coming! It's free to sign up and has saved me so much stress over wondering if today's the day.

I went through this exact same stress when I first filed for unemployment! The waiting period between "paid" and actually receiving the check feels like forever, especially when you have bills due. One thing that helped me was setting up a USPS hold at my local post office for important mail - you can request that they hold any checks or important documents for pickup instead of leaving them in your mailbox. This way you don't have to worry about theft and you can pick it up as soon as it arrives. It's free and gives you more control over when you actually get your payment. Also, once you switch to direct deposit (which you definitely should!), the anxiety pretty much disappears since it's so much faster and more reliable.

I totally understand that anxiety! I've been there too. One thing I learned from experience - if you're really stressed about timing, you can actually call your bank and explain the situation. Some banks offer short-term overdraft protection or small emergency loans for customers in good standing, especially if you can show proof that your unemployment payment is on the way. Also, many landlords are more understanding than you'd expect if you communicate proactively - reach out now and let them know your payment is in transit, rather than waiting until rent is actually late. Worst case scenario, most places have a grace period. You're doing everything right by switching to direct deposit once this clears!