EDD work search requirement form delay - no payments for 7 weeks
I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out what's happening with my EDD claim. About 7 weeks ago, I got this letter asking me to complete a work search verification form (DE 4365REA). I filled it out detailing all the jobs I've applied for and mailed it back priority the very next day. It's been almost 5 weeks now since I returned it, and still NOTHING has changed with my claim. My payments are stuck in pending, and I haven't received any benefits since early January. I've called the EDD hotline literally 30+ times using different tricks I've read online (calling right at 8:01 am, using the Spanish line then asking for English, etc.) but either get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message or get disconnected after waiting for an hour. Has anyone else dealt with this work search verification form? How long did it take for your payments to resume after sending it back? I've got bills piling up and my landlord is getting impatient.
21 comments


Dylan Campbell
yep, got the same form back in Dec. took them almost 4 wks to process mine after i sent it back. EDD is so backed up right now its crazy. make sure u keep looking for work + documenting everything while u wait!! they can ask for proof anytime
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NeonNova
•Thanks for the reply. 4 weeks is still better than what I'm dealing with. Did your payments just suddenly start again or did they contact you first? I'm worried my form got lost in the mail or something.
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Sofia Hernandez
This is unfortunately common with the work search verification forms. EDD processes them in batches, and their current backlog is significant. The DE 4365REA form is specifically used when they need to verify your work search activities before continuing payments. Some things to check: 1. Log into UI Online and make sure your contact info is updated 2. Check if there are any new messages in your UI Online inbox 3. Verify your claim status shows "pending" and not "disqualified" In my experience helping others, these forms typically take 3-6 weeks to process, but with current backlogs, 7-8 weeks isn't unusual. Keep certifying every two weeks even while waiting.
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NeonNova
•Thanks for the detailed info. I've checked UI Online and everything looks normal except all my payments since January are stuck on "pending." There are no new messages at all, which is part of what's so frustrating. I've been certifying religiously every two weeks, but it feels pointless when nothing happens afterward.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
When I got that form last year it was a NIGHTMARE!!! Sent it back and nothing for SIX WEEKS!!! They're doing this on purpose to make people give up. I had to live on credit cards & borrow from my parents. The system is broken on purpose!!!!!
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NeonNova
•Six weeks?! That's horrible but at least gives me some perspective that I'm not alone. Did you end up getting all your back payments when they finally processed it?
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Yeah, eventually got backpay but had to call like 97 times before getting through. When I finally got a person they "fixed it" in 5 minutes!!! The whole system is designed to be impossible to navigate!!
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Ava Thompson
I had a similar situation last month with the work search form. After waiting for 3 weeks with no movement on my claim, I tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to EDD. It actually worked - got me connected to a rep within about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep I spoke with told me my form had been received but was sitting in a queue waiting to be processed. They were able to expedite it and my payments started again within 48 hours. Might be worth trying since you've been waiting so long already.
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Miguel Ramos
•does this claimyr thing actually work? seems kinda sketch to pay someone just to call edd for u
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Ava Thompson
•They don't call EDD for you - they just help you get through the phone system to speak to an actual representative yourself. After trying for weeks on my own, it was worth it to finally get my issue resolved.
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Zainab Ibrahim
Here's what's likely happening: The DE 4365REA forms go to a special processing unit that handles work search compliance reviews. The current processing time for these forms is approximately 5-7 weeks based on what EDD has stated in recent updates. Since you're at 5 weeks now, you're actually within the normal timeframe (though I know that doesn't make it any easier financially). Important: Make sure you continue certifying every two weeks, even without payment. Once they process your form, assuming everything is in order with your work search activities, they should release all pending payments at once. If you've documented 3-5 work search activities per week as required, you should be fine. Also check if your claim has a "false statement penalty" flag - sometimes these forms are triggered when there's a prior issue with work search documentation.
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NeonNova
•Thank you for the detailed explanation. I've been documenting at least 4-5 job applications every week. Where would I see if my claim has a false statement penalty flag? I don't see anything like that in UI Online.
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Zainab Ibrahim
•You wouldn't necessarily see the penalty flag directly in UI Online. It would typically appear as weeks marked with "penalty" or "disqualification" status rather than "pending" in your payment history. Since yours show as pending, it's more likely just the standard review delay. If you've been documenting 4-5 job applications weekly, you should be in good shape once they review your form.
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StarSailor
got the same form after my 2nd month on unemplyment... EDD is basiclly randomly auditing people to see if your ACTUALLY looking for work or just collecting free $$$. I sent mine back with proof of 15+ job applications but mine only took like 2.5 weeks to process. did u send it regular mail or certified? If u didnt do certified they might of never got it!
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NeonNova
•I sent it priority mail but not certified with tracking (which I now regret). I'm worried it got lost, but wouldn't they notify me if they never received it by the deadline? It's the silence that's killing me.
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StarSailor
•nope they wont notify u if they didnt get it! EDD expects YOU to follow up. they might send another notice eventually but could be months. u should def try to call and confirm they got ur form
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Connor O'Brien
i had this happen to me last yr and found out they sent the form to my old address even tho i updated my address in the system!! might wanna check if they have your current mailing address. also fyi they will eventually disqualify u if they think u didnt respond to the form so def try to talk to someone!!
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NeonNova
•Thanks for the warning. I did receive the original form and sent it back, so at least I know they had my correct address. But I'm definitely worried about being disqualified if they somehow didn't receive what I sent back.
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Sofia Hernandez
Quick update based on recent information: EDD has acknowledged a backlog specifically with DE 4365REA forms. According to their March 2025 stakeholder meeting, they're currently prioritizing forms that are more than 6 weeks in processing. Since you're approaching that timeframe, you might see movement soon without any intervention. However, speaking with a representative is still your best option to potentially expedite the process.
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NeonNova
•That's really helpful information! Where did you learn about the March stakeholder meeting? I'd love to get more updates like this directly. I'll give it one more week before trying more drastic measures.
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Sofia Hernandez
•EDD posts summaries of their stakeholder meetings on the EDD website under News Releases & Announcements. They usually update this section monthly. It's worth checking periodically for official updates rather than relying solely on what people share in forums (though real experiences are valuable too!).
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