Call EDD
Back to California Unemployment

Tami Morgan

How do I claim unemployment through California EDD? First-timer needs help

Okay so I got laid off last Friday and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. I've never had to deal with this before and the whole California EDD website is kind of overwhelming. I went to the UI Online page and started filling something out but then it asked me about my last employer's EDD account number and I panicked and closed the tab. Do I even need that? Also I'm not sure if I qualify because I was only at my last job for about 8 months before the layoff. I'm a warehouse worker and my employer definitely paid into the system. I just don't know how to claim unemployment or where to actually start. Can someone walk me through this in plain English? I've been putting it off because it's confusing but I know I need to get this going asap since I have bills due.

First of all, don't panic - the California EDD UI Online system looks more complicated than it is once you get going. Here's the basic rundown for how to file your initial claim: Go to UI Online at https://portal.edd.ca.gov and click 'File a UI Claim.' You do NOT need your employer's EDD account number to file - that question is optional and you can skip it or just put the company name. EDD will verify employment on their end. For eligibility with 8 months of work, you should be fine as long as you earned enough wages during the 'base period' which is roughly the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. Most full-time warehouse workers easily meet the earnings threshold. Make sure you have your Social Security number, last employer's name and address, start and end dates of employment, and your bank account info if you want direct deposit. The whole application takes about 45 minutes. File ASAP because your claim is backdated to the Sunday of the week you file, not the day you were laid off.

0 coins

Wait so if I was laid off last Friday I already lost a week of benefits by not filing right away? That's frustrating. I'll do it tonight.

0 coins

yeah you want to file as fast as possible for sure. i waited like 10 days after my layoff and lost almost two weeks of payments

0 coins

Good breakdown. One thing to add - make sure the reason for separation you select is 'lack of work' or 'layoff' and NOT 'quit' or 'fired' since that triggers adjudication automatically and delays everything significantly.

0 coins

The process to claim unemployment in California basically goes like this after you file the initial claim: 1) You get a confirmation number immediately after submitting 2) EDD mails you a form called DE 4581 asking for more details in some cases 3) You have to complete an online tutorial called UI Online orientation 4) After about 2-3 weeks you'll either get a determination letter saying approved or a notice that your claim is going to adjudication 5) Once approved you file weekly certifications every 2 weeks to actually get paid. The weekly cert is where you report if you worked any hours or earned any money that week. Don't skip weeks or you lose them. The job search requirement is also active from day one - you need to document 3 job search activities per week minimum in California right now.

0 coins

What counts as a job search activity? Like does applying on Indeed count?

0 coins

Yes, applying on Indeed absolutely counts. So does submitting a resume on LinkedIn, attending a job fair, or even setting up a job alert on CalJOBS. You just need to keep a log with employer name, date, position, and contact method. EDD can audit your job search records so keep them somewhere.

0 coins

also creating or updating your resume counts in some weeks. i kept track in a google spreadsheet and it made the weekly cert so much easier

0 coins

Honestly the hardest part of the whole process wasn't the application itself - it was when I had a question about my claim status and couldn't get anyone on the phone at EDD. I was on hold for literally hours multiple days in a row and kept getting disconnected. Someone on another thread told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it was a total lifesaver. The service basically gets you connected to an actual EDD agent without you having to sit on hold all day. There's a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 - I used it when my claim got stuck and I needed a human to tell me what was happening. For a first-time filer if anything weird comes up with your claim that's definitely the route I'd go instead of hitting redial for 6 hours.

0 coins

Good to know about that for later. Right now I just need to get the initial application submitted but if I run into issues I'll check that out.

0 coins

seconded on claimyr, used it when my claim went to adjudication and needed to actually talk to someone. EDD phone system is a nightmare otherwise

0 coins

Does it actually work? I've been trying to get through to EDD for two weeks about a separate issue and I'm about to lose my mind

0 coins

just to answer your original question about the 8 months - yes you should qualify. California uses a base period system. if you worked steady for 8 months and were earning a reasonable wage you almost definitely hit the minimum earnings threshold which i think is around $1300 in your highest quarter. warehouse work pays well enough that shouldnt be an issue at all

0 coins

Yeah I was making about $19/hr so definitely cleared that. Thanks for checking that

0 coins

The actual minimum is you need to earn at least $1,300 in your highest base period quarter OR at least $900 in your highest quarter AND your total base period wages must be at least 1.25x your highest quarter earnings. Either way at $19/hr for 8 months OP is well above any threshold.

0 coins

yeah warehouse wages almost never have an eligibility issue its more like gig workers or part time people who sometimes fall short

0 coins

SAME BOAT AS YOU. Filed two weeks ago and still waiting. The waiting is the worst part honestly. Did my online orientation thing and submitted all my info and now just... waiting. No letters no nothing. Is this normal for first timers or should I be calling someone?

0 coins

Two weeks is actually within normal processing time for initial claims. If you hit 3 weeks with no letter or determination, then I'd start trying to contact EDD. Make sure you're continuing to certify weekly even while waiting - those weeks stack up and you'll get paid retroactively once approved.

0 coins

oh no I didn't know I had to certify while waiting! I thought you only did that after approval. Going to log in right now

0 coins

Yes this is super important - certify every two weeks on schedule even if your claim isn't approved yet. You can certify for weeks in the past if you missed them but it's better to stay current.

0 coins

For the actual UI Online application process a few tips that tripped me up the first time: When it asks about your 'reason for leaving' be super specific and consistent. Whatever you write there needs to match what your employer tells EDD. If you were laid off due to lack of work just say that clearly. Also when it asks if you're 'able and available to work' always say yes even if you have a minor health thing going on - if you say no that can disqualify you or send you to adjudication. And for the mailing address make sure it's where you actually get mail since EDD still sends a lot of important stuff by postal mail even though everything else is online.

0 coins

That's a really good point about the employer statement matching - I was laid off because the warehouse contract they had ended so I'll make sure to be specific about that

0 coins

Contract ending is a totally clean separation reason - that's a classic 'lack of work' situation and shouldn't cause any adjudication issues at all. You should be fine.

0 coins

Also make sure your address is updated if you moved recently. EDD sent my approval letter to an old address and I almost missed my appeal window because of it

0 coins

something nobody mentioned yet - set up your EDD debit card account as soon as possible. EDD pays through Bank of America debit card by default unless you set up direct deposit. the card can take 7-10 business days to arrive by mail after your first payment so if you need money fast make sure to either set up direct deposit during the application OR call to set it up after. the direct deposit option is buried in UI Online under payment preferences

0 coins

Oh wow I didn't think about that at all. Is direct deposit faster than the card?

0 coins

yes direct deposit usually hits 1-2 business days after EDD processes the payment vs waiting for the physical card or the card getting funded. definitely worth setting up if you have a bank account

0 coins

I had issues with the EDD card getting mailed to the wrong address and it was such a pain to get a replacement. direct deposit is way less hassle

0 coins

just a heads up if your claim DOES go to adjudication don't freak out. mine did because my employer contested the layoff claim (said I quit when I absolutely did not) and I was terrified but the adjudication process basically just means EDD is investigating. they contacted my employer, got my side of it, and resolved it in my favor in about 3 weeks. keep all your documentation from your employer - any emails about the layoff, your final pay stub, anything that shows it was their decision not yours

0 coins

How would I even know if my claim went to adjudication vs just being processed normally?

0 coins

You'll get a notice in the mail saying your claim is under investigation or you'll see a status change in UI Online. Also EDD might call you from a 1-800 number to take a statement so if you see an EDD number calling don't ignore it

0 coins

Correct - and respond immediately to any EDD outreach during adjudication. Missing those calls or letters can result in a denial even if your case is perfectly valid. They give you limited time to respond.

0 coins

the weekly certification questions confused me so bad at first. when it asks did you work any hours that week it means ANY hours including like one hour of freelance or odd jobs. and when it asks did you refuse any work it means like if an employer offered you a job and you said no. most people answering those honestly just answer no to everything and yes to the job search stuff

0 coins

Important to be honest though - if you did any work even a few hours worth of gig work you have to report it. EDD cross-checks with the state tax records. If they catch unreported earnings later it becomes an overpayment situation and those are a nightmare to deal with

0 coins

oh for sure i didn't mean to lie i just meant for most straightforward unemployment situations you're usually answering no to the work and refusal questions. honesty is always the move

0 coins

Yeah overpayment notices are terrible. Report every dollar you earn while on UI, it just reduces your benefit for that week proportionally, it doesn't cancel it out entirely.

0 coins

Has anyone had issues with the ID.me verification step? I remember when I filed a couple years ago they added this identity verification thing and it was a whole ordeal especially if your ID doesn't exactly match your name on file

0 coins

Yes ID.me is still part of the process. Tips: use good lighting for the photo ID scan, make sure your name matches exactly what's on your Social Security records, and if it fails the automated verification you can request a video call with a live ID.me agent which usually resolves it quickly

0 coins

The video call option saved me. The automated thing kept failing because my driver's license has a middle initial and my SS card doesn't. The agent was able to manually verify

0 coins

I just did the ID.me part tonight when I started my application - it wasn't as bad as I expected. The face scan was a little weird but it worked first try

0 coins

i know this thread is mostly sorted but wanted to add - if you're having any issues at all getting through to EDD by phone i ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) for the second time last month when I had a question about my benefit year ending and needed to talk to an actual agent. Got connected way faster than trying to call myself. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 that shows exactly what happens. Just mentioning it again since phone contact with EDD is genuinely one of the most frustrating parts of the whole process and it's good to know options exist

0 coins

Just looked at that video, might use this when my claim hopefully gets resolved and I still have follow up questions

0 coins

good to know. been trying to get EDD on the phone about a different issue for days now

0 coins

yeah the EDD phone situation is just broken honestly. any workaround that actually gets you to a person is worth knowing about

0 coins

quick question that I think OP might also wonder - do you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits? my friend told me no but that sounds wrong to me

0 coins

Your friend is wrong unfortunately. Unemployment benefits are taxable income at the federal level. California actually does NOT tax UI benefits at the state level but you do owe federal income tax on them. You can opt to have 10% federal tax withheld from each payment when you file your claim, which is the smart move unless you want a surprise tax bill in April

0 coins

oh wow okay yeah I should probably set that withholding up. thanks

0 coins

Yes set up the federal tax withholding from the start. It's an option during the initial claim application. Easy to miss but worth doing. You can also change it later through UI Online.

0 coins

OP how did the application go? did you end up submitting it?

0 coins

YES! Filed last night finally. Took about 40 minutes like someone said above. Got a confirmation number. Did the ID.me verification and everything. Now I'm in the waiting game. Going to set up my direct deposit today and make sure I understand the weekly certification schedule. Feeling way less stressed now that it's actually submitted, thank you everyone

0 coins

congrats! the hardest part is honestly just starting it. hope it processes fast for you

0 coins

Great news! Remember your first certification window opens up soon - UI Online will show you when. Don't miss that first one. Good luck with the claim!

0 coins

One more thing that helped me when I filed - CalJOBS. EDD requires you to register on CalJOBS (caljobs.ca.gov) within 21 days of filing your UI claim. It's California's official job search portal and your registration there counts as a job search activity AND satisfies a separate EDD requirement. A lot of people don't know about this and then get a notice saying their benefits are being held pending CalJOBS registration

0 coins

This is really important and overlooked. CalJOBS registration is technically mandatory for most UI claimants. It takes about 20 minutes and you just upload your resume or build one on the site. Do it early so you're not scrambling

0 coins

Adding this to my to-do list right now. I had no idea that was a requirement.

0 coins

yeah they sent me a notice about this and I had to do it within like 3 days or risk having my payments paused. do it immediately

0 coins

something that bit me - the weekly cert questions are asked for EACH week separately even though you certify every two weeks. so you're answering the job search and earnings questions twice per certification session, once for week 1 and once for week 2. i thought i only had to answer once and almost submitted with only one week filled out

0 coins

Yes! This confused me too. The UI Online certification interface is not the most intuitive. You answer the set of questions for the first week, hit next, then answer the same questions again for the second week. Both have to be completed.

0 coins

and make sure your job search count adds up per week not total. you need 3 activities for week 1 AND 3 for week 2, not 3 total across both weeks

0 coins

ugh I wish I had known this earlier. got a little notice from EDD asking me to clarify a certification and it was so stressful even though it turned out to be nothing

0 coins

anyone know how long after submitting the initial claim before you see something happen in UI Online? mine has just said 'claim filed' for 5 days and I'm getting anxious

0 coins

5 days is completely normal, sometimes it takes up to 10 business days for the status to update. The system processes claims in batches. Keep watching your mail too - sometimes the first thing that arrives is a paper notice before UI Online updates

0 coins

Mine was stuck on 'claim filed' for 8 days before anything changed. Then all at once I got a letter AND the status updated to pending. Hang in there

0 coins

okay that's reassuring. I'll try not to check it 15 times a day lol

0 coins

I want to mention for anyone going through this who gets frustrated trying to reach EDD - I had a really complicated situation where my former employer was disputing my separation reason and I desperately needed to talk to an agent to make sure my side was on record. Regular calling was just impossible, constant busy signals or disconnects. Used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and actually got through to an EDD rep who noted my account and confirmed my information was in the system. Watch their explainer at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 before you use it. For anything contentious with your claim being able to actually speak to someone makes a real difference

0 coins

This is exactly the situation I'm in right now. Employer is saying I resigned but I was definitely laid off. Going to try Claimyr today

0 coins

Document everything you have - any emails texts or paperwork about the layoff. And when you get through to the agent be calm and clear about the timeline. It really does help to have a human note your account.

0 coins

The employer dispute situation is so stressful. Glad you got it resolved. EDD does take claimant statements seriously in adjudication, especially when you have documentation.

0 coins

Related posts

EDD Phone Number Live Person: Fastest Way to Bypass Menu

California Unemployment AI

Expert Assistant
Secure

Powered by Claimyr AI

T
I
+
43,680 users helped today