How many job searches are required for California EDD unemployment each week?

Thank you! So it's 3 per week minimum - that clears things up a lot. I wasn't sure if CalJOBS was mandatory or optional. I'll register today. Do I report these activities during weekly certification or separately?

You report them during weekly certification - there's a section where you certify that you completed your work search activities. EDD may also send a separate work search audit request at any point asking you to provide the actual details. That's why keeping a log (employer name, date, how you applied, etc.) is so important even if you don't submit it weekly.

Wait I thought it was still 2 per week? My cousin just started claiming last month and he said 2. Is it different by county or something??

It's 3 statewide for standard UI claimants. Your cousin may have gotten outdated information or might be on standby status, which has different rules - standby claimants are typically exempt from the job search requirement altogether while they're waiting to return to a specific employer.

Oh wow that's scary. Did she have any issues because of the audit?

she was fine because she had done the searches, she just hadn't written them down. ended up being okay but she was stressed for like 2 weeks waiting to hear back. just keep a spreadsheet or even a notes app entry with date, company, position, and how you applied

Same happened to a guy in my apartment building. EDD sent him an audit letter and he had to call them to explain. Took forever to get through on the phone though.

I've been trying to get through on the phone too - good to know this exists. Did the EDD agent actually give you a clear answer about the freelance/job search question?

Yes! She clarified that freelance work I was actively pursuing could count as one of my work search activities per week as long as I documented the client contacts properly. That's exactly the kind of nuanced answer you can't get from the website.

claimyr works, used it when my claim was stuck in adjudication. got through in way less time than calling on my own

Is this legit? Seems weird to use a third party service to call EDD

This is really thorough, thank you. I'm definitely in the standard layoff category. No standby situation or union. Registering for CalJOBS right now actually.

wait what happens if you missed the 21 day CalJOBS window? asking for a friend who is 4 weeks into claiming and just found out about this

Register immediately even if you're past the window - better late than never. EDD may send a notice or it could affect a payment but registering promptly after realizing the issue is the right move. You may need to contact EDD to explain the delay.

oh no. okay registering right now. this forum literally just saved me from making a huge mistake

RIGHT. The whole system feels designed to trip you up

I get the frustration but honestly the documentation habit protects YOU more than it benefits EDD. If there's ever a dispute about your eligibility, your records are what proves you were compliant. Takes maybe 2 minutes per activity to jot down the basics.

I know you're right logically I'm just venting lol. I'll do the spreadsheet.

Yes, Indeed applications absolutely count. EDD doesn't require you to apply through company websites specifically - any method of submitting an application to an employer is valid. Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, directly through company sites, emailing a resume - all of it works as long as you document the employer name, date, position, and contact method.

Perfect thank you. I've been applying mostly through Indeed so that's a relief.

same question I had when I started. indeed counts, linkedin easy apply counts, all of it counts as long as you record it

Interesting, I didn't know that. How long before they expect you to broaden your search?

EDD doesn't give a hard timeline honestly. The general guidance is that after several weeks of not finding work, a reasonable job seeker would expand their search. It's a common-sense standard more than a specific rule. In your field (project coordination) there are usually enough opportunities that this probably won't be an issue.

This is accurate. The legal standard is 'reasonable work search effort' and EDD evaluates it based on what a similarly-situated worker would do. The 3-activity minimum is the floor, not the only consideration.

honestly same energy, I do like 4-5 just to have a buffer

That's actually reassuring to hear. I think I'll aim for at least 4 or 5 too.

there's no maximum so doing extra doesn't hurt anything. just means more documentation but it looks better if you ever get audited

The job search requirement technically applies to weeks for which you're certifying for benefits - so from the first week you certify. If your claim was in adjudication and you weren't certifying, those weeks may not be in question. However, if you were certifying during adjudication (answering yes to the work search question), you need to have documentation for those weeks. I'd recommend calling EDD to clarify your specific situation.

I was certifying every two weeks during adjudication... and I said yes to the work search question... but I wasn't actually doing formal searches. I was just applying here and there but not logging anything. Is this a problem??

Start logging everything immediately going forward. For past weeks, try to reconstruct what you can - any emails confirming applications, LinkedIn activity, etc. And yes, getting clarity from EDD directly on your situation would be smart. The Claimyr service mentioned earlier in this thread helped someone get through to an agent - might be worth using for something like this where you need a real answer about your specific claim history.

okay I'm going to try to reconstruct my records and then call EDD. this is stressful

EDD doesn't evaluate the quality or appropriateness of every individual application - they just verify that you made genuine work search efforts. That said, a pattern of only applying to jobs you're wildly unqualified for could theoretically raise questions in an audit. Aim for applications that are at least in a reasonable range of your qualifications.

okay good. sometimes the pickings are slim in my field on a given week so I just wanted to make sure a stretch application counts

I've definitely submitted some stretch applications just to hit the 3 count on slow weeks. never been an issue

Yes, networking contacts absolutely count as work search activities. Contacting someone in your network to inquire about potential job openings - even if there's no posted position - qualifies. Document it the same way: date, name of person, company, and what you discussed (e.g., 'inquired about open positions in project management department').

That's great news, I have a few coffee meetings set up with former coworkers this week. Those count as work search activities too?

If the purpose is to explore job opportunities, yes. A purely social coffee with a former colleague probably wouldn't count. But if you're discussing your job search, asking about openings at their company or in their network, that's a legitimate work search contact. Just document it accurately.

Same, the earnings questions especially. I did a few hours of freelance work last week and had no idea how to report it.

For earnings during a benefit week: report gross earnings (before taxes) for the week you WORKED them, not when you get paid. EDD uses a partial benefit formula - you keep the first $25 or 25% of your weekly benefit amount (whichever is higher) without reduction, then benefits reduce dollar for dollar after that. It's worth calculating your break-even point so you know whether part-time work actually affects your payment.

okay this actually really helps. I've been reporting everything correctly then I think, just wasn't sure about the timing.

The EDD website and the UI Code both state 3 work search activities per week as the requirement for standard claimants. An individual rep saying it's a 'guideline' might reflect how audits are conducted in practice (they do look holistically) but I wouldn't rely on that interpretation to do fewer than 3. The official requirement is 3.

Fair point - I should have been clearer. I do 3+ every week, I just meant the rep seemed to indicate they're not looking to disqualify people over minor shortfalls as long as overall effort is evident. But you're right that officially it's 3 minimum.

I wouldn't risk doing less than 3 based on what one phone rep said. rules are rules

Right?? I've read the EDD website multiple times and it just says 'you must conduct a job search' without being specific. This forum gave me more clarity in an hour than the official site did in two weeks.

The EDD website is notoriously vague. That's part of why being able to actually talk to an agent is so valuable - when I used Claimyr to get through to someone at claimyr.com, the rep I spoke with was way more specific than anything on the website. Like actual answers to actual questions.

I'll keep that in mind if I need to call. So far this thread has answered most of what I needed to know.

If EDD approved your standby status, you are generally exempt from the 3 job search activities per week requirement during the standby period - usually up to 8 weeks. However, you still need to certify for benefits on your regular schedule and answer the certification questions accurately. The standby exemption should be noted in your claim details. When in doubt, verify your standby approval with EDD directly.

Okay thank you. I see 'standby status' in my UI Online account so I think I'm approved. I'll double check with EDD. Is there anything I should still be doing during standby period?

Stay in contact with your employer about the return-to-work timeline, certify on time every two weeks, report any earnings accurately, and don't accept other permanent employment (since standby assumes you'll return to your current employer). If your employer's situation changes and return to work is no longer happening, notify EDD immediately and your job search requirement would kick back in.

thanks for this incredibly helpful comment 🙄

Some of us are doing job searches AND collecting unemployment at the same time, which is exactly what the system is designed for. The whole point is to understand the requirements so we stay compliant while actively looking.

fair enough I was being harsh. good luck with the search

this is really good advice. the more specific the better

I've been updating my log format to include all of this. Adding position title and application method now - thanks for the tip.

My log has been way too vague. going back to add details to everything I have from the past few weeks right now

Also keep any confirmation emails from online applications! Screenshot them or forward to a dedicated email folder. Digital receipts are the best evidence if EDD ever asks questions.

Completing a skills course or certification can count as one work search activity per week, but there are some nuances. EDD generally wants to see that training activities are aimed at improving your employability for your target job. The activity would be logged as something like 'Completed LinkedIn Learning course in [topic] to qualify for project management roles requiring [skill].' Don't use all 3 of your weekly activities on courses though - EDD wants to see active outreach to employers too.

That's really helpful. So one course per week as one of my three activities is fine, as long as the other two are actual applications or employer contacts?

That's a reasonable approach. Mix of applications and skills development looks like genuine job search behavior.

This is so helpful as a confirmation from an actual EDD source. Glad the call went through okay.

Really appreciate you coming back to confirm. This thread is going to help a lot of people.

good to hear the info checks out. now everyone go do your 3 job searches lol

Thank you for the confirmation! I used Claimyr too after seeing it mentioned and finally got the clarity I needed about my adjudication period. Definitely recommend if you're going in circles trying to get through on your own.