EDD retroactive certification help - can I certify for weeks I missed while caretaking?

You can absolutely certify retroactively! Call EDD and explain that you need to certify for past weeks that aren't showing up in your UI Online account. They can release those weeks for you to certify. This happens fairly often when claims take time to process. Make sure to have your specific dates ready when you call (when you stopped working and when you returned to work). You generally have up to 14 days to certify for a given period, but EDD can grant exceptions especially when the weeks weren't made available to you.

Calling them is your best bet but GOOD LUCK with that!!! I had a similar issue last year and spent 3 WEEKS trying to get through to someone. Their phone system is a complete joke - either "too many callers" message or they just disconnect you after 2 hours on hold. It's absolutely infuriating!!!

wait so ur saying u filed in january but they just now gave u weeks to certify?? that's crazy! system is broke af

You need to be clear about your situation when you contact EDD. You were unemployed during a specific period (mid-January to mid-March) due to your client's hospitalization, which temporarily eliminated your job. That's different from regular unemployment where someone is completely separated from their employer. Make sure they understand you're seeking retroactive certification for only the specific weeks you had zero work available. When you get through to a representative, ask them to backdate your certifications to cover the weeks you were out of work. They can release those weeks in the system so you can certify for them. Be prepared to explain why you couldn't certify during the normal time frame (because EDD hadn't processed your claim yet). Also, bring up that you've already reported your return to work, which shows you're being honest about your employment status.

I went thru something similar when I was on medical leave from my retail job. The key is being super persistent with calling EDD. I had to call right when they opened at 8am and kept redialing for like 45 minutes straight before I got in the queue. The rep should be able to release all those back weeks for you to certify as long as you explain clearly that you were actually unemployed during that time. The system isn't set up well for caretakers with irregular work.

just wondering how come u didn't apply for disability instead of unemployment? isn't caretaking more like SDI territory?

MAKE SURE you check your claim history after they release the weeks!!! When this happened to me they released the wrong weeks and I had to call AGAIN and wait ANOTHER 3 hours to get it fixed!!! The whole system is designed to make you give up!

Once you get through to EDD and they release your back weeks for certification, make sure to certify for them right away. The retroactive weeks will appear in your UI Online account under the "Certify for Benefits" section. You'll need to complete each certification separately, being careful to report accurately that you were not working during those specific weeks and were available for work. Since you've returned to work now, you'll report earnings for any current/future weeks. This approach is completely legitimate - you're just certifying for the period you were actually eligible.

After calling literally 27 times this morning, I finally got through to EDD! The representative was actually super helpful and released all my back weeks for certification. They said this happens all the time with delayed claims and it wasn't a problem at all. I'm going to certify for everything tonight. Just wanted to update in case anyone else runs into the same issue. Persistence pays off!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Filed in February but just got my first certification weeks last week. It's so frustrating when you need the money immediately but have to wait months for the system to catch up. From what I've learned lurking in these forums, calling EDD is really your only option for getting those back weeks released. I've been putting it off because everyone talks about how impossible it is to get through, but sounds like I need to just bite the bullet and start dialing at 8am sharp. Thanks for sharing your situation - it helps to know I'm not the only one dealing with this mess!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! I'm a private caregiver and my client was in rehab for 6 weeks. Filed my claim in early February but just got my first certification weeks available yesterday. It's such a relief to read that others have successfully gotten their back weeks released - I was starting to panic that I'd just lose all those benefits. Has anyone had success with the online contact form instead of calling? I know calling is probably faster but I'm dreading the endless busy signals. Also wondering if there's a specific time of day that's better for getting through? I've seen people mention 8am but curious if anyone's had luck at other times. This whole process has been so stressful on top of already worrying about my client's health!

I'm a caregiver too and went through this exact situation last year! The good news is EDD absolutely can and will release those back weeks for certification - you just need to get through to them by phone. I know everyone's mentioned how hard it is to reach them, but here's what worked for me: call right at 8:00 AM sharp and keep redialing immediately when you get the busy signal. Don't wait between calls. It took me about 30 tries but I got through. When you talk to the rep, be very clear about your timeline - you were unemployed from mid-January to mid-March due to your client's hospitalization, you filed in January, but EDD just now processed your claim. They deal with this all the time and can release those weeks in the system so you can certify retroactively. Make sure to mention that you've already reported returning to work so they know you're being transparent about your current employment status. One tip: write down all your key dates before calling so you can give them the info quickly. The rep should be able to see in your file when you originally filed and can match that up with the weeks you're requesting. You absolutely deserve those benefits for the time you were actually unemployed! Don't let the broken system make you give up.

I'm actually going through something really similar right now! I'm a home health aide and my client was in the hospital for about 5 weeks in February. Filed my claim but didn't get any weeks to certify until last week - and of course by then my client was back home and I'm working again. Reading through all these responses gives me so much hope though! I was honestly starting to think I'd just have to eat the loss of those weeks, which would be devastating since that's literally my only income. Definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy everyone's mentioned. Has anyone had luck getting through later in the week vs Monday/Tuesday? I'm wondering if call volume might be lower on Thursday/Friday but maybe that's wishful thinking. Also wanted to say how much I appreciate this community - it's so helpful to know other caregivers are dealing with the same EDD nightmares and actually finding solutions. The whole system seems designed to discourage people from claiming benefits they're legitimately entitled to!

I'm a freelance caregiver and dealt with almost this exact situation a few months ago! My elderly client had a stroke and was in intensive care for 7 weeks, leaving me completely without work since I only get paid for direct care hours. Filed my UI claim in December but didn't get certification weeks until February - long after my client had passed away and I'd started with a new family. The retroactive certification process absolutely works, but you have to be persistent with calling. What helped me was calling at exactly 8:00 AM and having a backup plan - if I couldn't get through after an hour of redialing, I'd try again around 12:30 PM when reps come back from lunch. It took about a week of trying but once I got through, the rep was super understanding and released all 7 weeks for me to certify. Make sure you emphasize that you were genuinely unemployed during those weeks due to circumstances beyond your control, and that you've already reported your return to work. The fact that you filed your claim back in January while actually unemployed shows you were acting in good faith. Don't let EDD's processing delays cost you benefits you legitimately earned!