How many work search activities required for California EDD unemployment each week?

Oh thank goodness, three per week. I've definitely been doing at least three. I was terrified it was going to be like five or something. So I should be okay as long as I have my notebook records? Do I need to include the job posting URL or is the company name and date enough?

wait i thought it was only 2 activities? my friend told me two and she's been on unemployment before

It changed - California EDD updated the requirement to three work search activities per week. Your friend may have been on unemployment when the requirement was different. Make sure you're going by the current rules, not what someone else did in a previous claim period.

Yeah I can confirm it's three. I just went through a full audit on my claim last month and they specifically asked me to verify three activities per week in my records. The EDD rep I spoke to was very clear about the number.

Right?? The initial filing process just kind of throws you in and assumes you already know everything.

The UI Online portal does have a section that explains work search requirements but it's buried. You basically have to go to the FAQ section and look specifically under 'Eligibility Requirements' - it's not prominently displayed anywhere during the weekly certification process itself which is a huge flaw imo.

I didn't even think about calling to ask - I just assumed I'd never get through. This is actually helpful to know because I have a few other questions about my specific claim that a forum probably can't answer.

does that actually work or is it one of those sketchy things

It's legitimate - I was skeptical too but a real California EDD agent called me back and answered my questions. It just handles the hold wait so you're not sitting there redialing for hours.

I tried calling California EDD three separate times over the span of two weeks and gave up every time. Wish I'd known about this sooner.

This is really useful - I've been writing dates and company names but not always the contact method. I'll start adding that going forward. Should I go back and try to add it to my old entries or just start fresh from this week?

Honestly, add what you can remember retroactively but don't stress about perfecting old entries. Focus on making sure everything going forward is complete. If you get audited they're most likely looking for patterns and compliance, not nitpicking one missing field from weeks ago.

does linkedin count as one of the activities if you message a recruiter on there

oh good because that's basically my main strategy right now lol

same, applying through linkedin is like 90% of my job search honestly. good to know it counts

Both applying through LinkedIn and sending direct recruiter messages count as separate activities if they're on different days with different employers. Just don't log the same application twice.

They do audit - it's not universal but it happens, especially if your claim goes through any kind of adjudication or if there's any flag on your account. The risk is real. If you haven't been meeting the three activity requirement, I'd start doing so immediately going forward. You can't retroactively fix past weeks but you can protect yourself from here.

I'm going to be sick. I've been doing like one or two a week max. What happens if they audit me and I can't prove I met the requirement?

Worst case in an audit you'd face a disqualification for those specific weeks and potentially an overpayment notice for benefits received during non-compliant periods. But they'd have to specifically request your records first. Get into compliance now and be consistent going forward. You might be fine.

Okay I might need to use this. If I call California EDD directly can I ask them about my work search compliance history or would that just trigger an audit?

Calling to ask a general question doesn't trigger an audit. Agents answer questions about requirements all the time. You're not incriminating yourself by asking how the rules work.

I was wondering the same thing honestly - felt like calling to ask would somehow put a spotlight on my claim. Good to know it doesn't work like that.

If California EDD approves you for standby status, yes the work search requirement is waived for the duration of your standby period. But you have to be formally approved for standby - it's not automatic just because your employer says you'll be rehired. You need to request it when filing or during your weekly certification.

oh I didn't request anything formally, I just wrote in the notes that it's a temporary layoff. should I call them?

Yes, call California EDD and clarify your standby status. If it wasn't formally approved you may technically still be on the hook for work search activities during those weeks. Better to clarify now than find out later during an audit.

Yes, visiting an America's Job Center of California and using their services counts as a work search activity. It can actually count as more than one activity if you do multiple things there in one visit - like attending a workshop AND speaking with a career counselor.

wait seriously?? I've been going almost every week and only counting it as one

Each distinct service you use there counts separately as long as you document them individually. So if you attended a resume workshop at 10am and then met with a counselor at 11am, those are two separate work search activities.

This is exactly the horror story I'm trying to avoid. Did they eventually resolve your appeal in your favor?

Partially - they forgave part of it but I still owed some back. The adjudicator said my records were 'incomplete' even though I did do the activities, I just couldn't prove all of them. Now I have a whole spreadsheet system.

This is making me spiral a little. Going to start keeping way better records starting today.

Same. I'm updating my whole tracking system this weekend.

Technically California EDD's requirement is that your work search activities be in 'suitable work' - meaning jobs that are reasonably related to your skills and experience. Applying to completely unrelated jobs just to fill your quota could be questioned during an audit. That said, in practice this is hard for EDD to verify and they're primarily looking for volume of documented activity.

okay so like... don't make it too obvious I guess

I mean the spirit of the requirement is to actually look for work lol. Apply to things you'd actually take.

I'm going to try this today. I need to talk to someone about my situation specifically.

just tried calling EDD on my own and got disconnected after 45 minutes on hold. might actually try this

okay this is the part that's scaring me the most. I've been certifying and I wasn't sure of the exact number required so I just... answered yes to doing job search activities without really knowing if I hit the right number

The certification question typically asks if you looked for work, not specifically if you did exactly three activities. So as long as you genuinely were searching for work you weren't falsely certifying. But going forward make sure you're hitting the three activity minimum every week.

This is correct. The weekly certification question is about whether you engaged in work search activities, not a specific count. The three-activity minimum is verified through your records if audited, not through the certification question itself.

It depends on whether the training is approved by California EDD. Self-directed courses you sign up for on your own typically don't automatically count as work search activities. However, if you enroll in training through an approved program or through California's Employment Training Panel, it may count. Your safest bet is to still do your three standard activities (applications, contacts, etc.) each week and treat any courses as supplemental.

ugh okay so I can't count my google cert course. noted.

Actually worth double-checking this with California EDD directly because the rules around approved training can be nuanced. I believe certain workforce development programs do allow training to count.

Yes, you answer both sections accurately and independently. If you had part-time earnings, you report those honestly in the work and earnings section. And you still need to meet the three work search activity requirement unless you're working full time that week. Working part time doesn't waive the job search requirement.

okay that makes sense. I was confusing myself thinking they were related

I made this same mistake early on - thought because I had some part time gig work I didn't need to keep applying to jobs. Turns out nope, you still need to be actively searching unless you're back to full time.

It happened to me. It's not constant but it does happen, especially if your claim goes into adjudication for any reason or if there's any inconsistency they notice. I wouldn't gamble on it not happening.

In my experience the audit risk goes up significantly if you ever have a period where your claim was flagged for any reason - even unrelated things like an employer disputing your separation. Once they start looking at your claim they look at everything.

fair enough. I'll keep better records going forward just in case.

honestly keeping a simple spreadsheet takes like 2 minutes a week and could save you thousands. just do it

Cold contact to employers about potential openings does count as a work search activity. You don't need to be responding to a posted job - you can proactively reach out to companies in your field. Just document the company, who you contacted, how, and what date. That said, it should be a genuine contact not just a mass email blast to hundreds of companies.

good to know - I've been reaching out to studios and agencies even when they don't have posted openings. I'll keep documenting those.

This is actually a smart strategy for industries like creative fields where positions often get filled through direct outreach before they're ever publicly posted. Counts for EDD requirements AND actually useful job searching.

It works for any reason you need to reach California EDD - I've used it for what felt like a basic question and it was completely worth it. The agents can answer specific questions about requirements, check your claim status, whatever you need. The site is claimyr.com if you want to check it out.

okay trying it now. I just need someone to confirm my specific situation because I'm doing a partial return to work and I'm not sure how that affects my work search requirement

Partial return to work situations are exactly the kind of nuanced scenario where a general forum answer might not cover your specific case. Definitely worth talking to an actual California EDD agent.

That's a relief to hear! For anyone finding this thread later: three work search activities per week is the standard requirement, keep detailed records with employer name, contact info, date, position, and method of contact, and don't stress unless you have an actual audit notice.

glad it worked out! same thing happened to me - was convinced I'd messed up and then counted and was totally fine

happy for you! I'm still figuring out my situation but at least I know what to do going forward now