EDD says I qualify but UI Online shows no available claims - confused!
I'm completely baffled right now. I lost my job at a marketing agency 3 weeks ago (layoffs due to budget cuts) and called EDD last week. The rep reviewed my info and told me I definitely qualify for unemployment benefits and should apply online. But when I log into UI Online, there's literally NOTHING there for me to apply for! The dashboard is basically empty - no option to file a new claim, no pending applications, nothing. I've tried logging out and back in several times, cleared my browser cache, even tried a different device. Still nothing. The weird part is I got a letter in the mail from EDD yesterday with my account number, but when I try to register that number in the system, it says I already have an account (which I do). Has anyone else experienced this UI Online glitch? How did you get it fixed? I'm getting really anxious because rent is due in 2 weeks and I NEED to get this claim started!
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Aaron Lee
This happened to me back in January! It's not actually a glitch - when the rep says you qualify, they mean you're eligible to apply, not that your claim is already set up. You need to go to the main EDD website (not UI Online) and click 'File a New Claim'. It's not clearly marked in UI Online because they separate the application from the management system. Once your claim is approved, THEN UI Online becomes active with your claim info.
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Alexis Robinson
•Ohhhh that makes way more sense! So UI Online is just for MANAGING existing claims, not for starting new ones? Why wouldn't the rep explain that?? Thank you so much, I'll try the main website right now.
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Chloe Mitchell
my brother had smething like this and turned out he was lookin at the disability page not unemploymnt lol. double check ur on the right portal?
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Alexis Robinson
•LOL I wish that was it! But I've triple-checked and I'm definitely in UI Online. The header says "UI Online Home" and everything. But based on the other comment, I think I need to go to the regular EDD site, not the UI Online portal. They really don't make this stuff clear!
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Michael Adams
What you're experiencing is actually by design (though confusing). Here's what's happening: 1. UI Online is for managing EXISTING claims 2. To START a new claim, you need to go to the main EDD website (www.edd.ca.gov) and select "Unemployment" then "File a New Claim" 3. After your claim is processed (usually 7-10 days), THEN UI Online will show your claim info The letter with your account number is just confirming your registration in the EDD system, not confirming an active claim. After you file your claim, you'll receive another letter with your weekly benefit amount. Don't wait - go file that claim today! And remember, benefits are calculated from when you file, not from when you lost your job, so there's no advantage to delaying.
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Natalie Wang
•This is EXACTLY right!! And don't forget that after you file, you'll need to do your first certification in about 2 weeks. They won't remind you about this - you have to remember to log in and do it.
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Noah Torres
UGH the same exact thing happened to me in February!!! I spent HOURS calling EDD and most of the time couldn't even get through. So frustrating!! When I finally did talk to someone, they told me exactly what others are saying here - you have to apply on the main site first. The whole system is SO CONFUSING and they don't explain it anywhere clearly!!!
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Alexis Robinson
•It's honestly ridiculous how poorly designed this whole process is. You'd think they'd at least put a big button that says "Click here to file a new claim" on the UI Online page or SOMETHING! Thanks for confirming what others are saying.
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Samantha Hall
If you're still having trouble getting through to EDD after filing your claim (which you should do on the main site as others mentioned), I found a service called Claimyr that actually worked for me. They basically call EDD for you and get you in the queue, then call you when they have an agent on the line. Saved me from the constant busy signals and hangups. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km I used it when my claim was stuck in pending for 3 weeks and needed to talk to a specialist. Within an hour I was talking to someone who fixed my issue immediately.
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Ryan Young
•does this actually work? sounds too good to be true tbh, EDD phones are impossibkle to get through
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Samantha Hall
•It really does work. I was skeptical too, but I was desperate after trying for 2 weeks to reach someone. They don't answer your questions or anything - they just get you connected to an actual EDD rep so you can handle your specific issue.
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Natalie Wang
I think there's some confusion in the advice here. Let me clarify: 1. You CAN submit a new claim through UI Online IF you've had a UI claim before 2. If this is your FIRST time ever filing for unemployment, you need to use the main EDD site 3. If your previous UI claim expired, you still need to file a new claim through the main site I work in HR and help employees navigate this system all the time. The fact you got an account number suggests you might already have an account from a previous claim, but it might be expired or inactive. Check the "File A New Claim" button on both sites.
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Alexis Robinson
•This IS my first claim ever, so that explains it! I was looking for the "File A New Claim" button in UI Online and couldn't find it. I'll go to the main site right now. Thank you for the clear explanation!
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Chloe Mitchell
dont forget to do all the identity verification stuff with id.me its super annoying but u cant get paid without it
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Alexis Robinson
UPDATE: I went to the main EDD website and found the "File A New Claim" button right on the homepage. I've submitted my application and got a confirmation number. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help! The system is incredibly confusing but I'm glad I asked here. Will update again when I (hopefully) get approved!
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Michael Adams
•Great! One more tip: set a calendar reminder for every two weeks to certify for benefits. Your claim can be approved but you won't receive payments until you certify that you're still eligible. Many first-time claimants miss this step and wonder why they aren't getting paid.
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Alexis Robinson
•Thank you! Just added a recurring reminder to my phone calendar. Really appreciate all the help!
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Ryan Young
the entire california edd system is designed to confuse people i swear. like they WANT us to mess up and not get benefits. so glad u got it figured out!
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