EDD retroactive payment from employer while on unemployment - how to avoid penalty?

u need to contact edd ASAP!!! they take this stuff super serious. happened to my cousin last yr and he got slapped with 11 penalty weeks for not reporting some side gig $. try calling the main number 833-978-2511 but good luck getting thru lol

This is actually a common situation, and you're doing the right thing by addressing it promptly. You need to report this income to EDD even though you weren't aware of it when you certified. The best way to handle this is to call the main EDD number (833-978-2511) and speak directly with a claims specialist who can make appropriate adjustments to your certification. They'll likely issue an overpayment notice for the affected week, which you'll need to repay, but if you explain the situation proactively, you can usually avoid penalty weeks since this was clearly not intentional misreporting.

wait did u cash the check? if not maybe just return it to ur employer and tell them u dont want it lol. thats what id do tbh

I had almost the EXACT same situation last year except mine was a commission check that got delayed. I spent DAYS trying to get through on the phone with no luck. Ended up using Claimyr to connect with EDD and was able to speak with a rep in about 15 minutes. Just go to claimyr.com - they have a system that calls EDD for you and connects you when they get through. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. The rep I talked to updated my certification on the spot and noted it was an employer error in my account. Saved me from getting penalties!

Everyone's giving good advice but I want to point out something important - make sure you document EVERYTHING. Save that check stub, take screenshots of the date it was issued, and if possible get something in writing from your employer confirming this was back pay from March. When you do reach EDD, ask them for a confirmation number for the call and write down the name of the representative you speak with. Having a paper trail will protect you if there's ever any question about this later on.

I wouldn't stress too much! EDD knows employers do weird stuff with payroll sometimes. Just make sure you report it before they catch it first during their quarterly wage review. That's when the real headaches start!

btw whats the amount of the check? if its small might not even matter

Update: I finally got through to EDD this morning using Claimyr! The rep was super helpful and understood exactly what happened. She flagged my account with notes about the retroactive payment, adjusted my certification for that week, and calculated the overpayment I'll need to repay. Because I reported it proactively before their system caught it, she said I won't face any penalty weeks! Such a relief. She recommended I upload a copy of the check and employer explanation letter to my UI Online account as additional documentation. Thanks everyone for your help!