EDD payments stopped after expected return to work date - didn't go back yet

Yes, EDD often stops payments automatically when you reach your expected return to work date. You need to contact them ASAP to explain the situation and get them to update your record. This happens with seasonal workers quite a bit. When you certify, are you still reporting that you're able and available to work, and actively looking for work? Make sure you're doing that correctly too.

this happened 2 me 2 times now. u HAVE to call them. no way around it. they wont fix it unless u talk to a person.

The same thing happened to me! The expected return date is definitely why your payment stopped. EDD's system is programmed to automatically close claims on that date unless you notify them otherwise. You absolutely NEED to call and speak with a representative to update your return-to-work date. Make sure to explain that your employer delayed your return date - keep documentation from your employer about the new date if possible. When you get through, ask them to also release the current week's payment that's showing $0. They should be able to override that in their system once they update your record.

Keep certifying!! Always keep certifying even when there are problems. It's MUCH easier for them to release payments for weeks you've already certified for than to go back later.

ugh the EDD system is so broken!!! I bet no actual human looked at your claim - just some stupid computer decided "oh it's May 15, cut them off!" without even checking if you're actually back at work or not. It's ridiculous they make it so hard to reach anyone there. I spent 3 WEEKS trying to get through about a similar issue last year. The system literally hangs up on you!

For anyone interested in the technical details: This is part of EDD's automated claim management system. When you initially file a claim and input an expected return-to-work date, that date gets coded into your claim profile as an automatic stop date. The logic behind it makes sense - they want to prevent overpayments to people who've returned to work but forgot to notify EDD. But as many have pointed out, the system doesn't have any flexibility for changed circumstances unless you contact them. Here's what you'll need to do: 1. Call EDD and speak with a tier 2 specialist (regular reps sometimes can't make this change) 2. Explain the situation clearly - your employer delayed your return date 3. Provide the new expected return date (June 10th) 4. Request that they release any pending payments 5. Ask them to document the call in your file If you have any written confirmation from your employer about the delay, mention that you can provide it if needed. Continue certifying every two weeks without interruption.

In my experience, the best time to call is right when they open at 8:00 AM. The phones get overwhelmed very quickly after that. If you can't get through in the morning, try again between 4:00-4:30 PM when call volume sometimes drops a bit before they close at 5:00 PM. Expect to try multiple times regardless of when you call. If you really struggle to get through using the regular method (most people do), that's why I recommended the Claimyr service. It saved me hours of frustration when I had a similar issue.

Wait I'm confused... couldn't you just update your return to work date in UI Online somewhere? There has to be an option for that without calling right? The whole system is online now.

UPDATE: Finally got through to EDD this morning after trying for 2 hours! The rep was actually really nice and fixed everything right away. She said this happens all the time with seasonal workers and construction jobs. She updated my return to work date to June 10th and released my payment that was stuck. It should hit my Money Network card in 24-48 hours. Thanks everyone for the help and advice! For anyone with the same issue - yes, you MUST call, and yes, be prepared to spend a long time trying to get through.

So glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell people in seasonal work to document everything with their employers about schedule changes. It's frustrating that EDD's system can't handle these very common situations automatically, but at least once you know the process it's manageable. Your experience will definitely help other construction workers who run into the same issue. The fact that it only took the rep a few minutes to fix once you got through really shows how these could be simple online updates if they just designed the system better.

This is such a common issue with seasonal work! I went through something similar last year when my landscaping job got pushed back due to weather delays. The automated system doesn't account for real-world changes at all. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - when you do get through to EDD, ask them to put a note in your file about the delay being employer-driven. That way if this happens again with future seasonal work, there's already documentation showing you're proactive about reporting schedule changes. Also, if your employer has any kind of written notice about the delay (even just a text or email), screenshot it for your records. EDD didn't ask for it in my case, but it's good to have as backup. The system really needs to be more flexible for seasonal workers since this situation happens literally every construction season!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation with my seasonal landscaping job - originally supposed to go back March 1st but now it's pushed to mid-April due to the crazy weather we've been having. My payments haven't stopped yet but I'm worried they will when that date hits. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm going to be proactive and call EDD this week to update my return date before it becomes a problem. Better to deal with the phone wait now than scramble later when payments stop! Thanks for sharing your experience @Seraphina Delan - it's really reassuring to know the reps can fix this quickly once you get through to them.

This is such valuable information for anyone dealing with seasonal work! I'm actually facing a similar situation right now - I work in wildfire suppression and our season was supposed to start April 1st, but due to unusual weather patterns it's been pushed back indefinitely. Reading through all these responses, I'm definitely going to call EDD proactively to update my expected return date rather than wait for my payments to get cut off. One question for those who've been through this - when you call to update the return date, do they require any specific documentation from your employer about the delay? Or is your word sufficient? I have some emails from my supervisor about the season delay, but wondering if I should have them ready when I call. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this thread should be pinned for seasonal workers!

This whole thread is a perfect example of how EDD's system fails seasonal workers! I'm a tree service worker and deal with this exact situation every winter/spring - weather delays are just part of our reality. What's frustrating is that EDD knows seasonal work exists (they have specific questions about it when you file), but their system still can't handle the most predictable aspect of seasonal work: schedule changes due to weather! For anyone reading this who does seasonal work, here's my advice: when you initially file your claim, if you're unsure about your return date, it's actually better to estimate a later date rather than earlier. It's much easier to go back to work early and close your claim than it is to extend your claim when payments get automatically cut off. I learned this the hard way after going through the same phone nightmare multiple times. Also, document EVERYTHING from your employer about schedule changes - texts, emails, even verbal conversations (write down date/time/what was said). You probably won't need it, but it's good insurance if EDD ever questions the legitimacy of the delay.

This is such a helpful thread for seasonal workers! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - I work in agricultural spraying and our season was supposed to start this week, but the recent storms have delayed everything by at least 3 weeks. Reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely going to call EDD tomorrow morning to get ahead of this before my payments get automatically cut off. One thing I wanted to add based on my experience from last year - when you do get through to EDD, make sure to ask the rep to confirm the new return date they've entered in the system before you hang up. Last year, the rep I spoke with accidentally entered the wrong month and it created another whole mess a few weeks later. It's worth taking that extra 30 seconds to verify they have the correct information in your file. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and advice - this thread should definitely be bookmarked for anyone in seasonal work dealing with EDD!

This thread is incredibly valuable! I'm a roofer and just went through the exact same thing last month. My expected return date was March 15th but we had that crazy storm system that delayed our project starts until April. EDD cut off my payments automatically on March 15th even though I was still unemployed and available for work. I ended up using the Claimyr service that @Micah Trail mentioned after spending two days trying to get through on my own - it was honestly worth every penny to avoid the phone frustration. The rep I got connected to was super understanding and fixed everything in about 5 minutes. She explained that this is one of their most common issues with construction and seasonal workers. One tip I'd add: when you do get through, ask them to add a note about weather delays being common in your industry. The rep told me this can help if you need to call again for similar issues in the future. Also, keep certifying even when payments show $0 - I almost stopped and the rep said that would have made things much more complicated. For anyone in construction/seasonal work reading this - you're not alone in dealing with this terrible system design!

This entire thread is a goldmine for anyone dealing with seasonal work and EDD! I'm a ski resort employee and face similar issues every year when our season ends earlier or later than expected due to weather conditions. What really stands out to me is how everyone's experience confirms that EDD's automated system just wasn't designed with the reality of seasonal work in mind. It's like they built it assuming everyone works traditional 9-5 jobs with predictable schedules. The fact that weather delays are SO common in construction, agriculture, landscaping, and other seasonal industries, yet the system can't handle this basic scenario without human intervention, is just mind-boggling. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference. The advice about estimating a later return date when initially filing is game-changing - I never thought about being strategic like that, but it makes total sense. Prevention is so much better than dealing with the EDD phone system nightmare after the fact. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions here. This is the kind of real-world advice that EDD should be providing but doesn't!

This thread is absolutely essential reading for anyone in seasonal work! I'm a wildland firefighter and we deal with these exact issues every season - our start dates are completely dependent on fire conditions and weather patterns, which obviously can't be predicted months in advance when filing claims. What really frustrates me is that EDD has specific seasonal worker categories when you file, but then their system acts like seasonal schedule changes are some kind of anomaly. It's like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. I've learned to always overestimate my return date when filing now, based on the great advice in this thread. Last season I put down June 1st even though we typically start in May, and sure enough we didn't actually start until June 15th due to late snowpack. Saved me from having to deal with the phone system nightmare. For anyone facing this situation - definitely call as soon as you know your dates have changed, don't wait until the payments stop. And keep detailed records of all communications with your employer about schedule changes. The seasonal work reality is that Mother Nature makes the schedule, not us!