How do I get my 4 digit PIN for unemployment in California EDD?

I went back and looked and I honestly cannot find where to reset it in UI Online. I see my claim info but nothing that jumps out as a PIN settings page. Am I missing something obvious?

The option can be a little buried depending on how your account is set up. If you're not finding it, the other path is to certify directly in UI Online instead of using Tele-Cert - you don't need the PIN for the online certification, only for the phone line. Online is actually faster anyway.

Came here to say exactly this. The PIN is only for Tele-Cert at 1-866-333-4606. If you just log into UI Online and certify there, no PIN needed at all. Way easier.

Okay so the mail doesn't include anything about the PIN, good to know. I was waiting by the mailbox thinking something was coming lol. I'll try to certify online instead.

Same thing happened to me, skipped right past that PIN screen and then panicked when I tried to use Tele-Cert. UI Online certification ended up being simpler anyway.

Wait so the agent was actually able to tell you what step to take in UI Online? That's what I need, someone to just walk me through it. Might have to try this.

My pending weeks have been sitting there for almost three weeks and I've been trying to reach EDD about a different issue - didn't know that was an option for getting someone on the line.

This is really helpful. So I haven't missed any window or anything by not having my PIN set up? I can just go certify online and it counts the same?

Exactly the same. EDD treats online certification and Tele-Cert certifications identically. Online just tends to be faster and you get confirmation right away.

Yep, been certifying online since my claim started and never needed the PIN once. The phone line is there if you want it but it's not required.

EDD hasn't ever sent me any notice that a Tele-Cert PIN expires. It should still work. You could always try calling 1-866-333-4606 and entering it - if it doesn't work, go back into UI Online and reset it from there.

Okay that's what I'll do, just try it and see. Thanks.

Oh I definitely would have made the same mistake. Glad you mentioned that because I would have tried my UI Online password digits for sure.

I made exactly that mistake the first time. Put in like every 4 digit combo I could think of before giving up and switching to online.

My account got flagged for identity verification when I first tried to log in after applying by phone - couldn't get into UI Online at all. Had to verify through ID.me first before I could even look at my PIN settings.

Right, the ID.me verification step is separate. If you applied by phone, fax or mail EDD might send a DE 1326C asking you to verify - that has to be done through ID.me before your UI Online access fully opens up.

I applied online so I already did the ID.me step. My account access is fine, I just can't track down where the PIN update option is hiding.

Wait I thought you certified once a week? I've been stressing about this.

Nope, it's every two weeks. You certify for a two week period at once. EDD sends you a reminder about when your window is open.

Just to be clear for anyone reading: it is definitely every two weeks in California. Your first certification usually covers your unpaid waiting week and then one paid week. After that it's two paid weeks per certification.

Oh that's actually really useful - so I can potentially sort it out just by calling that number directly?

That's what worked for me. The automated system walked me through it. If it doesn't offer that option for some reason then UI Online or calling main EDD support at 1-800-300-5616 are the other routes.

Four months in and same here, never touched the phone certification line. Online is just easier.

Good to know it's not like a required thing. I think I was under the impression I had to use the phone to certify for some reason.

The DE 429Z is just showing you what your weekly benefit amount will be, not really an instruction guide for how to certify. All the how-to information is in UI Online itself.

Yeah I figured that out eventually but it would be nice if they included even one line about the PIN setup somewhere in those initial documents.

To be fair the DE 429Z does say to appeal within 30 days if anything on it is wrong - that part is worth reading carefully. The PIN stuff they just kind of expect you to have handled during the application.

You can absolutely wait on the PIN. It's only needed when you go to certify, and if you just use UI Online to certify you won't need it at all. Pending at this stage usually means EDD is still processing your application - takes about three weeks typically for the first payment to come through.

Okay good, I was worried I was missing some setup step that was holding up my claim. So pending just means processing, not that something is wrong?

Pending weeks in Claim History just mean EDD hasn't issued payment for those weeks yet - could be normal processing time or could mean there's an eligibility question they're looking into. If your situation was straightforward (layoff, no issues) it's usually just processing time.

How long did you end up waiting to get through?

Honestly don't want to think about it lol. Called right at 8am when they opened and still waited a while. But the agent was helpful once I got through.

I didn't know the chat actually connects to a real agent. I assumed it was just a bot. That might be easier than calling.

It connects to a live agent, not a bot. The window is limited though - 9 to 2 on weekdays - so you have to catch it during those hours. For something simple like a PIN question it's probably faster than the phone.

Used the chat once for a question about my wages and it worked fine. The agents on chat seem to be able to look up your account the same as phone agents.

That was me saying that, and I was describing the mistake I personally made, not recommending it! I definitely did NOT mean to do that, I was just illustrating how confused I was at the time.

Ah got it, re-read it and you're right, you were describing your own confusion not giving advice. Fair enough, I just wanted to make sure nobody walked away thinking that was a tip.

No I read it correctly as a cautionary tale not advice lol. But good to have it spelled out clearly anyway.

I did get something in the mail about CalJOBS actually. I registered and posted a resume already. What counts as a posted resume - does it have to be a real detailed one or is a basic one fine?

I just put up a basic one with my work history and it went through fine. EDD's requirement is that you have one posted, not that it meets any particular standard. The 21 day window from your DE 8405 is the main thing to pay attention to.

So they could actually see the specific reason a week was pending? That's more info than UI Online shows.

Way more info. UI Online just shows Pending with nothing else. The agent could see exactly which step was holding it up.

Did you have to do a phone interview too? I thought mine was just a standard layoff claim and wouldn't need one.

The interview gets scheduled when there's a question about eligibility - quitting or being fired usually triggers one. Layoffs are more likely to go through without one, though EDD can schedule one for other reasons too.

The DE 4800 for my interview had the time listed and it also shows on the UI Online homepage. The interviewer phones at the time on the notice so just make sure you have your phone with you and can answer it.

Same situation here. Reported everything and let EDD decide. Trying to figure out on your own what to report vs not report is how people end up with overpayment notices later.

Exactly, an overpayment notice is way more stressful than just reporting everything upfront. The DE 1446UI waiver process for overpayments exists but it's not guaranteed - much easier to just report correctly from the start.

Wait so when the benefit year ends that's just it? There are no extensions right now?

The agent said Extended Benefits would only be available if unemployment rates hit a certain threshold under state or federal law, and they're not currently triggered. So after 26 weeks on one claim, that's the end unless you refile when eligible.

That's right - there's no general extension available right now. The 26 weeks is what most claims get. California Training Benefits is an option that can add weeks if you're approved for EDD-approved school or training, but that's something to apply for, not automatic.