EDD work search requirements - what to report when businesses aren't accepting applications?

Yes, she should absolutely list those places on her work search record! I had this same problem last year. For each place, have her write down the company name, date she visited, who she spoke with (if possible), and specifically note "Not accepting applications at this time" in the results section. EDD understands not every contact results in an application. Other things that count toward work search: attending job fairs, creating profiles on job websites, updating her resume, networking with former coworkers, checking with her union if applicable. She needs to do at least 3 activities per week, so make sure she's diversifying beyond just checking with employers who aren't taking applications.

telll her to use indeed.com and linkedin and aplpy to atleast 3 jobs a week online. thats what my uncle did and never had a problem with his benifits. easier than driving around town getting rejected in person lol

The way EDD's work search requirements function is that they want to see reasonable and sustained effort, not necessarily results. Your mother-in-law should definitely document these contacts, including: - Name and address of business - Date contacted - Method of contact (in-person) - Name of person she spoke with (if possible) - Position inquired about - Result: "Not accepting applications currently" EDD only randomly audits work search records, and they're primarily looking for consistency and effort. They understand the job market fluctuates. For manufacturing workers specifically, I recommend she also check with any relevant unions, attend industry job fairs, and look into retraining programs, all of which count as work search activities. Make sure she keeps this information for at least 3 years in case of a future audit. Digital records or a dedicated notebook work well.

when i was on edd they never once asked to see my work search records even tho i kept them. i think they just randomly check a small % of people. as long as she's checking the box that she looked for work she should be fine honestly

Just so you know, for manufacturing workers specifically, EDD considers these valid work search activities: 1. Registering with her union hiring hall (if applicable) 2. Checking with previous employers about recalls 3. Checking with manufacturers in her industry 4. Applying for positions that use transferable skills 5. Taking courses to gain skills for in-demand manufacturing roles Since manufacturing has undergone significant changes, she should document any skills training or certification research as well. The main thing EDD cares about is that she's making a good-faith effort to find suitable work, not that she's getting applications accepted. If she gets flagged for an eligibility interview about work search, have her call EDD early morning (right at 8:00 am) to discuss her situation. The current wait time for interviews is running about 3-4 weeks, so it's better to be proactive.

I tried calling EDD for 2 WEEKS STRAIGHT with questions about the same issue!!! IMPOSSIBLE to get through!! ended up using Claimyr.com to reach an actual agent - they connected me in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The agent told me any "reasonable attempt" to find work counts - including places not accepting applications! Just document EVERYTHING detail - who she talked to, date, time, what position she was asking about.

To answer your follow-up question: EDD generally doesn't call employers to verify every work search contact. They typically only do this during eligibility interviews or random audits. I've been through two audits in the past and they selected specific weeks to verify. Out of dozens of contacts, they only called about 3-4 employers. What they're mainly checking is that you're being truthful and making consistent efforts. Having clear, detailed records protects your mother-in-law if she gets selected for verification. As long as she's making genuine attempts and documenting them properly, she should be fine even if employers aren't accepting applications right now.

im having the SAME EXACT ISSUE ugh!!! Im in healthcare and sooo many places have hiring freezes right now but still have jobs posted?? makes no sense!! i've been writing down when they tell me they're not accepting applications but i'm worried EDD is gonna think i'm not trying hard enough. did your mother in law ever get any payments flagged or has it been smooth sailing so far?

One more thing to add - if your mother-in-law is over 55, she may qualify for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) through the Department of Labor. This can count toward her work search activities and potentially lead to placement. Many former manufacturing workers find this program helpful during transition periods. Also, all CA WorkForce centers offer free workshops on resume writing, interview skills, and job search strategies. Attending these workshops counts as work search activities. They can be especially helpful for people returning to the job market after long-term employment at a single company.