EDD website won't show option to add new claim - stuck on UI Online home page
I'm trying to file a new unemployment claim but I'm completely stuck. When I log into UI Online, I can see my dashboard with the "Home" and "Inbox" tabs but there's literally no option to add a new claim anywhere! I've clicked around everywhere and can't find anything that says "File New Claim" or similar. My previous claim expired last month, and I need to file a new one ASAP. I've searched through all the menu options and tried on both my laptop and phone. Am I missing something obvious? Do I need to call EDD instead of using the website? This is so frustrating!
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Anastasia Sokolov
You actually can't file a new claim directly through UI Online. For a new claim, you need to go to the main EDD website (edd.ca.gov), then click on "Unemployment" at the top, and select "File a Claim". It's a completely separate process from the UI Online dashboard which is only for managing existing claims. This confuses a lot of people!
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Diego Rojas
AuthorOmg thank you! I spent hours looking for this. So my UI Online account is just for AFTER I file a claim? That makes sense but wow, they could make that clearer somewhere on the dashboard...
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Sean O'Donnell
same thing happend to me last month lol. their website design is sooooo bad
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Zara Ahmed
Yeah the EDD website is like navigating a maze blindfolded. They really need to hire some UX designers who actually understand how people use websites in 2025, not 2005.
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StarStrider
To expand on what the first commenter said, here's the exact step-by-step process: 1. Go to www.edd.ca.gov 2. Click on "Unemployment" in the top menu 3. Select "File a Claim" 4. Click the "File a Claim" button on that page 5. This will take you to the UI Online Registration page where you can start a new claim After you complete your claim application, you'll then use your UI Online account to certify for benefits every two weeks, check payment status, and manage your claim. Don't forget to complete your work search activities for each week you certify!
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Diego Rojas
AuthorThank you so much for the detailed instructions! I'm going to try this right now. Really appreciate the help.
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Luca Esposito
What if the edd.ca.gov site keeps giving me error messages when I try to file? I've been trying for 3 days and keep getting timed out!!! This system is RIGGED to prevent people from filing claims successfully. I've tried 5 different browsers and even my friend's computer. Anyone else having this problem??
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StarStrider
The EDD site does have maintenance windows and can be glitchy during high traffic times. Try early morning (6-8am) or late evening (after 9pm) when fewer people are using the system. Also clear your browser cache and cookies before trying again. If you're still having issues after multiple attempts, you might need to call EDD directly.
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Nia Thompson
i had the same issue, turns out my claim wasnt actually expired even tho i thought it was? check ur benefit year end date in UI online. if ur still in ur benefit year u might need to reopen claim not file new one
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Diego Rojas
AuthorI double-checked and my benefit year definitely ended last month. The system even sent me a notice about it. But thanks for the suggestion!
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Mateo Rodriguez
After trying to reach EDD for THREE WEEKS about a similar issue, I finally used Claimyr to get through to an actual human at EDD. Saved me so much frustration! Their system connects you with EDD without having to redial hundreds of times. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km) and was able to reach someone at EDD in about 25 minutes. The agent was able to help me file a new claim over the phone since I was having website issues too. Check out claimyr.com if you keep running into website problems.
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Diego Rojas
AuthorThanks, I'll try the website steps first but good to know there's a backup option if I keep having issues. The EDD phone system has been a nightmare in the past.
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Zara Ahmed
Not to hijack this thread, but I'm curious - when you file a new claim after your benefit year ends, do they look at the same base period as your original claim, or do they use new earnings? I worked part-time while on partial unemployment last year and wondering if those earnings will help my new claim amount.
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StarStrider
Great question! When you file a new claim after your benefit year ends, EDD looks at a completely new base period. This will include the most recent completed quarters before you file again, not the quarters from your previous claim. So yes, your part-time work earnings during your previous claim period could potentially count toward your new claim's benefit amount, depending on which quarters they fall into. This is why some people see higher or lower weekly benefit amounts on subsequent claims.
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Sean O'Donnell
does any1 know if u file on website do u still have to do phone interview??
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Anastasia Sokolov
It depends on your specific situation. Not everyone gets scheduled for a phone interview. EDD only schedules eligibility interviews if they need to clarify information on your application or if there are potential issues with your claim. If your application is straightforward and doesn't raise any flags, you might not need an interview at all.
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Diego Rojas
Update: I followed the instructions and found the right page to file a new claim! You guys were right - it's completely separate from the UI Online system. I had to answer a bunch of questions about my previous employment and reason for separation. The whole process took about 45 minutes. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Anastasia Sokolov
Great to hear! Just remember to watch your mail/email for any follow-up notices from EDD. Sometimes they need additional information after you submit the claim. And don't forget to certify for benefits every two weeks once your claim is approved.
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Aidan Hudson
Glad you got it sorted out! For anyone else reading this thread, I want to emphasize that timing can really matter when filing online. I've noticed the EDD website tends to be most stable early in the morning (around 6-7 AM) or late at night (after 10 PM). During peak hours, especially Monday mornings and right after holidays, the system can be really slow or throw errors. If you're getting stuck on any step of the application, try switching to a different time of day before calling. Also, make sure you have all your employment information ready beforehand - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. Having everything organized will make the 45-minute process go much smoother!
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Yuki Sato
Just wanted to add for anyone still having trouble - if you're using an older browser or have strict privacy settings, that can sometimes cause issues with the EDD website too. I had problems until I temporarily disabled my ad blocker and allowed all cookies for the edd.ca.gov site. Also, if you're on a work or school network with heavy filtering, try using your phone's mobile data instead. The EDD site seems pretty sensitive to certain browser configurations. Once I switched to a clean browser session with everything enabled, the whole filing process went smoothly.
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Finley Garrett
That's a really good point about browser settings! I actually had similar issues when I was trying to file my claim last year. My browser had some extensions that were blocking scripts and it kept giving me weird errors on the EDD site. Had to switch to incognito mode to get it working properly. It's frustrating that their website is so finicky about these things, but at least there are workarounds. Thanks for sharing that tip about mobile data too - definitely something to try if you're on a restricted network.
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