How long does it take to get accepted for unemployment with California EDD?

Ok that makes me feel slightly better. My employer definitely laid me off, it wasn't a quit or anything. Do you think they'll contact my former employer to verify?

Yes, California EDD routinely contacts former employers to verify the reason for separation. Your former employer has 10 days to respond. If they don't respond or confirm it was a layoff, you're generally in good shape for approval.

this is correct - i went through this exact same process in february and my former employer confirmed the layoff within a week and i got my approval letter shortly after

What does the portal show when a claim is in adjudication? Mine just says pending - is that different?

Pending and adjudication are different statuses. Pending usually means initial processing is still happening. Adjudication means there's a specific issue being investigated. If you see pending for more than 3 weeks, it's worth calling to check if it transitioned to adjudication without an update on your portal.

ugh adjudication is the worst. mine sat in adjudication for 6 weeks before i got any answer

I've been so frustrated trying to call. Does this actually work? I've been getting busy signals every single time I try.

Genuinely worked for me - I was skeptical too but I was desperate at that point. The agent I reached was able to pull up my file and tell me exactly where things stood.

sounds too good to be true lol

I thought so too but claimyr.com is legit. Check the video demo first: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 - seeing it in action is what convinced me to try it

Oh wow I didn't even think of that. Let me check right now...

Checked and there's nothing in the inbox either. Just the original confirmation that my claim was submitted. So it really is just... waiting I guess.

Yeah then you're just in the normal processing queue. Keep filing your weekly certifications though! This is super important - a lot of people don't realize you need to be filing weekly even while your initial claim is being processed. If you get approved and haven't been filing, you lose those weeks of benefits.

I felt every word of this. My claim took 5 weeks and those were the most stressful weeks of my life. The not knowing is the hardest part.

Yeah the no-information thing is really getting to me. Even just knowing where in the process I am would help.

Wait I didn't realize I needed to be doing job searches already. I thought I had to wait until I was approved to start that?

Nope - job search requirements kick in from the time you're eligible, not from when you're approved. You need to contact at least three employers each week and keep a written log of those contacts including employer name, contact method, position applied for, and the date. California EDD can ask to see this log at any time.

actually isn't there an exemption if your employer said they might rehire you? like standby status?

Yes good point - if your former employer has indicated they may recall you within 60 days you can request standby status which exempts you from the job search requirement temporarily. But OP mentioned a layoff letter with no indication of rehire so standard job search requirements would apply.

That's so frustrating that it depends on someone else responding. My former employer and I didn't end on great terms so I'm a little nervous.

if employer doesn't respond within their window it usually goes in YOUR favor so don't worry too much

This is a solid breakdown. Worth adding that even after approval, payments only come through for weeks you've already certified. So if someone filed 2 weeks ago, submitted certifications for both weeks, and gets approved this week, they'd receive payment for week 2 (week 1 being the waiting week).

Wait I'm confused about the waiting week. Does California EDD just not pay you for the first week no matter what?

Correct - California law requires a one-week waiting period before benefits begin. You still need to certify for that week, you just won't receive payment for it. Think of it as week zero. Your first week of actual benefit payments is week 2 of your claim.

Did you eventually get through? I need to figure out if my claim is progressing normally.

Eventually yes but it took so many attempts. A friend actually told me about Claimyr - claimyr.com - after I'd been struggling for weeks. Wish I had known sooner. Got me connected to a real California EDD rep who could actually see my file and explain what was happening with my adjudication. Saved me so much stress.

the 8am tip is real but claimyr is a game changer for when you really need to get through. I used it when I had an overpayment notice situation and needed to talk to someone fast

This is genuinely the most reassuring thing I've read. Thank you. Can I ask what industry you were in and if your employer responded quickly?

distribution/logistics, similar to you. employer responded within the first week from what I could tell. that probably helped move things along

Oh no that's terrifying. Can you actually win an appeal if your employer lied?

yes I won my appeal actually!! bring EVERYTHING - text messages, emails, your termination letter, anything that proves what actually happened. appeals judge was way more reasonable than the initial determination

This is an important point - if you get denied for any reason, you have 30 days from the date on your determination letter to file an appeal. The appeals process is a full hearing and you can present evidence. Wrongful denials do get overturned regularly.

Just checked and I don't see any pending issues listed. The status is just generic 'claim received - processing.' I'm taking that as a relatively good sign?

Yeah that sounds like normal processing with nothing flagged. You're probably just in the queue. Keep certifying weekly and you should see movement soon.

Oh this is super helpful, I had no idea. Going to set that up right now.

Yes this!! I didn't set up direct deposit initially and had to wait for the physical card which added extra days. Set it up ASAP.

also make sure your address is updated if you moved recently. a lot of people miss their card because EDD has an old address

The agents when you actually reach one are usually pretty helpful. It's the impossible task of reaching them that kills you.

I might actually try that Claimyr service. At this point I just want to confirm my claim is progressing and not stuck somewhere.

Do it. Check the video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 first so you know what to expect. Knowing my claim was actually moving forward was worth everything to me.

This should be pinned somewhere, this is exactly the information EDD doesn't make easy to find

Saving this comment. This is exactly what I needed to understand the whole picture.

Contract workers can be eligible for UI benefits depending on how they were classified. If you were a W-2 employee through a staffing agency or the company directly, you're likely eligible. If you were classified as 1099 independent contractor, it gets more complicated - California AB5 changed some of these rules so depending on your situation you may still qualify. Worth filing and letting California EDD make the determination.

Ok thanks. I was W-2 through the company so that's probably good. Filing tomorrow.

I'm almost at 2 weeks now so I'll give it another couple weeks before escalating. I feel a lot better after all these responses honestly.

Good mindset. Stay on top of those weekly certifications and your job search log and you'll be in the best position possible when approval comes through.

Will do! I'll post back when I get a determination. Fingers crossed it comes through smoothly.

Good luck!! Based on what you described it sounds like a straightforward layoff claim, those tend to go through without issues.

This is such a practical tip. I didn't realize there was such a specific window. Setting a recurring Sunday reminder right now.

Also worth knowing you can certify through UI Online online or by calling EDD Tele-Cert at 1-866-333-4606. Some people find the phone option easier to use especially if UI Online is having one of its frequent technical issues.

Yes absolutely - you must report ALL earnings on your weekly certification, even small amounts. California EDD will calculate a reduced benefit for weeks you had earnings rather than zero. The formula is generally that you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount before it starts reducing your payment dollar for dollar. Failing to report earnings is considered fraud and can result in overpayment demands plus penalties.

Ok good to know. I was scared I'd get in trouble just for working a few hours but reduced benefits is way better than not reporting.

Never not report - the consequences of being caught underreporting are way worse than just having your benefit reduced. California EDD cross-references wage records with the state so they will find out eventually.