EDD work search requirements - must I apply for jobs I can't commute to?

You're not required to apply for jobs that would force you to relocate. EDD understands reasonable restrictions. Focus on demonstrating you're making genuine efforts to find suitable work within your commuting area. You can look for adjacent roles that use your transferable skills (quality control, general manufacturing, maintenance tech, etc). Just document everything carefully for each certification period - keep records of job applications, networking efforts, industry research, any skills training. The key is showing you're actively seeking suitable work that matches your skills while respecting your geographic limitations.

same thing happened to me!! i was in biotech and only 1 company in my county. i just applied to stuff i could actually do within driving distance. never had a problem w/ edd about it. they just want u making effort tbh

You should be looking for ANY job you can do, not just your exact field! EDD doesn't care if you're specialized, they want you WORKING and OFF benefits ASAP!!! That's how the system works. My cousin got disqualified because he only applied to jobs in his field.

Having trouble getting through to EDD to ask them directly about your work search requirements? I had the same problem and wasted days hitting redial. My friend recommended Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that connects you with an EDD rep quickly instead of calling hundreds of times. There's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km I used it when I had questions about my specific work search situation (I'm a teacher with very seasonal options) and got through to someone who could actually give me personalized advice. They told me exactly what would satisfy the requirements for my situation.

Let me clarify the actual EDD policy on this: 1. You are allowed to limit your job search based on "reasonable restrictions" which include commuting distance. 2. During the initial weeks of your claim, you have more flexibility to search within your specific occupation and wage range. 3. As your unemployment period extends, you may be expected to expand your job search parameters. 4. For certification, you need to make a good faith effort to find suitable work - this can include jobs that utilize your transferable skills, not just your exact previous role. 5. Document all your job search activities - applications, networking events, skills training, etc. If you have an eligibility interview, clearly explain your specialized skills and the local job market limitations. Emphasize that you're searching for positions where your skills transfer and that are within reasonable commuting distance. This approach should satisfy EDD requirements while respecting your legitimate geographic constraints.

my husbnd had this problem he wrks in IT security but v specialized. the EDD lady told him during phone interview he HAD to apply to jobs within 25 miles even if they werent exact matches!!! she said reasonable comute is 25 miles so keep that in mind

I work seasonal construction and deal with this every winter. The trick is documenting EVERYTHING. I keep a spreadsheet with each job I apply to, when I applied, company contact info, any response. Even jobs that aren't perfect matches but I could do. When I certified I just put yes for looking for work and I've never had an issue. But one year I had a friend who got randomly selected for an eligibility interview about his job search and he couldn't prove what he'd been doing and got disqualified. So keep records!!!!!

I'm in a similar situation - laid off from a niche technical role where there aren't many local opportunities. From what I've learned researching this, you absolutely don't have to apply for jobs you can't realistically take due to distance. EDD recognizes "suitable work" includes reasonable commuting distance considerations. Here's what I'd recommend based on my research: - Apply to manufacturing/machining jobs within your reasonable commute range, even if they're not aerospace specific - Look into quality control, inspection, or maintenance tech roles that use your precision skills - Consider reaching out to local community colleges about machining instructor positions (many value industry experience) - Document everything meticulously - job applications, networking efforts, any skills courses The key is showing genuine effort to find work that's actually feasible for your situation. Your specialized skills are valuable, but you may need to think creatively about how they transfer to other local opportunities. Don't stress too much about having to apply everywhere - EDD wants to see reasonable job search efforts, not impossible commitments.