How to cancel unemployment claim after starting process? (EDD)
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I started the process for my unemployment claim but now I'm having second thoughts. Has anyone here ever tried to cancel their claim after starting it? I'm wondering if it's even possible or if I'm stuck now that I've begun the process. Any advice would be really appreciated!
40 comments


Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve cancelling unemployment claim quickly, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2CPRxT0Dao
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Isabella Oliveira
I've been there before! It's definitely possible to cancel your claim, but you gotta act fast. The sooner you do it, the easier it'll be. Just call the unemployment office and explain your situation. They should be able to help you out.
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Ravi Patel
•Good luck getting through to them on the phone tho 🙄 I've been trying for weeks!
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Freya Andersen
•fr fr, their phone lines are always jammed. might be faster to just go in person if you can
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Isabella Oliveira
•Oh man, I totally forgot about the phone nightmare! My bad, OP. Maybe try emailing them instead?
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Omar Zaki
Yo, I actually found a way to get someone on the phone fast. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Check out this video: https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
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CosmicCrusader
•Sounds too good to be true. You sure this isn't a scam?
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Chloe Robinson
•Yeah, I'm skeptical. How does it actually work?
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Omar Zaki
•Nah, it's legit. I was skeptical too at first, but it really did work for me. It's just an automated system that waits on hold so you don't have to. When a real person picks up, it calls you. Simple but effective.
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Diego Flores
•$20 to actually talk to someone? Worth every penny if you ask me 💯
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Anastasia Kozlov
Why do you want to cancel tho? Unemployment benefits can be a real lifesaver if you're out of work. Maybe think it through before you make a decision?
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Sean Flanagan
I tried to cancel mine once and let me tell you, it was a NIGHTMARE. Took forever to get it sorted out. If I were you, I'd just let it ride unless you have a really good reason to cancel.
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Zara Mirza
•Same here. The bureaucracy is real 🤡 Sometimes it's easier to just go through with it even if you don't end up using the benefits.
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NebulaNinja
Here's what you need to know about cancelling an unemployment claim: 1. Contact your state's unemployment office ASAP 2. Explain your situation clearly 3. Ask about the cancellation process 4. Follow their instructions carefully 5. Get everything in writing if possible 6. Be prepared for potential delays Remember, each state might handle this differently. If you've already received any benefits, you may need to repay them. Also, cancelling might affect your ability to file again in the near future, so think it through carefully. Good luck!
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Malik Jackson
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed info! Really helps me understand what I'm getting into.
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Luca Russo
•This should be pinned tbh. Super helpful!
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Nia Wilson
lol why even bother with unemployment? just get a job 4head
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Mateo Sanchez
•Wow, real helpful advice there, genius 🙄 Because jobs just grow on trees, right?
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Nia Wilson
•chill bro it was just a joke
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Aisha Mahmood
idk about cancelling, but make sure you keep all your paperwork and correspondence just in case. The system is so messed up, you never know when you might need to prove something later.
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Danielle Mays
Hey Malik! I actually went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. You CAN cancel your unemployment claim, but the process varies depending on how far along you are. If you haven't certified for any weeks yet, it's usually pretty straightforward - just call the EDD customer service line (1-800-300-5616) and tell them you want to withdraw your claim. However, if you've already certified and received payments, it gets more complicated because you'll need to repay any benefits you received. Also, just a heads up - cancelling might create a "voluntary quit" record that could affect future claims. What's your reason for wanting to cancel? Sometimes it might be worth keeping the claim active even if you don't use it, especially in California's unpredictable job market. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat more about the specifics!
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Emma Davis
•This is super helpful, @Danielle Mays! I'm in a similar boat and had no idea about the "voluntary quit" record thing. That's definitely something to consider before making the decision. Thanks for sharing your experience and offering to help with DMs - this community is awesome! 🙏
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Freya Thomsen
Just wanted to chime in as someone who's dealt with EDD bureaucracy before - definitely recommend calling early in the morning (like right when they open at 8am) for better chances of getting through. Also, if you do decide to cancel, make sure you understand the implications for future eligibility. Sometimes people cancel thinking they found a job, but then the job falls through and they can't refile for a while. Maybe consider just stopping the weekly certifications instead of fully cancelling? That way you keep your options open. Whatever you decide, document everything and get confirmation numbers!
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Yara Haddad
•Great point about calling early! I learned this the hard way after spending hours on hold multiple times. Also totally agree about the weekly certifications vs full cancellation - that's actually brilliant advice. I wish I had known about that option when I was in a similar situation. The documentation tip is spot on too - EDD loves to "lose" records so having your own paper trail is crucial. Thanks for sharing these practical tips!
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Aisha Mohammed
Hey Malik! I was in your exact situation last year and totally get the second thoughts. Before you decide to cancel, I'd really recommend taking a step back and thinking about why you want to cancel. Are you worried about stigma? Did you find a job? Or are you just feeling overwhelmed by the process? I almost cancelled mine too because I felt guilty about applying, but honestly, unemployment insurance is something we all pay into - it's literally insurance for this exact situation. Even if you think you might not need it right now, having an active claim can be a safety net if things change. That said, if you're set on cancelling, the advice here about calling early (8am sharp) is solid gold. Just be 100% sure before you do it because starting over later is way more complicated than just pausing your weekly certifications. Whatever you decide, don't beat yourself up about it - we've all been there! 💪
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Anna Stewart
•This is such thoughtful advice, @Aisha Mohammed! You really hit the nail on the head about the guilt factor - I think a lot of us feel that way when we first apply. It's easy to forget that we've been paying into this system our whole working lives. Your point about it being actual insurance really puts things in perspective. And you're so right about having that safety net, especially with how unpredictable everything can be these days. Thanks for being so supportive and sharing your experience - it's exactly what someone in Malik's position needs to hear!
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Lincoln Ramiro
Hey Malik! I went through this same dilemma a few months back and ended up keeping my claim active - best decision I made! Here's what I learned: you can absolutely cancel, but consider just stopping your weekly certifications instead. That way if your situation changes (job falls through, hours get cut, etc.) you don't have to restart the whole process from scratch. If you're dead set on cancelling though, call EDD at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - way better chance of getting through. Have your claim number ready and be clear that you want to "withdraw" your claim (not just stop certifying). But honestly? Unless you have a solid job locked down with good benefits, I'd think twice. The system is there for a reason and you've paid into it. Sometimes keeping that safety net is worth the peace of mind, even if you never use it. Whatever you decide, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons and not just because of any guilt or stigma. You got this! 👍
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Ravi Kapoor
•This is really solid advice, @Lincoln Ramiro! I'm actually going through something similar right now and your point about stopping certifications vs full cancellation is a game changer. I had no idea that was even an option! The 8am call tip seems to be the consensus here too - definitely going to try that. You're absolutely right about not letting guilt drive the decision. It's wild how many of us seem to feel bad about using a system we've literally been paying into our whole careers. Thanks for the encouragement and practical tips! 🙏
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Oliver Zimmermann
Hey Malik! I actually just went through this exact situation a couple months ago, so I totally get the uncertainty you're feeling right now. Here's what I learned from my experience: You CAN cancel your unemployment claim, but the process and consequences depend on where you are in the process. If you haven't started certifying for weekly benefits yet, it's usually pretty straightforward - just call EDD and request to withdraw your claim. But if you've already received any payments, you'll likely need to pay them back. Before you make the final call though, I'd really encourage you to think about WHY you want to cancel. Is it because you found a stable job? Feeling guilty about applying? Or just overwhelmed by the process? Honestly, I almost cancelled mine too because I felt weird about it, but then I realized - we pay into this system specifically for situations like this. It's literally insurance that we've earned the right to use. One middle-ground option that several people here mentioned (and I wish I'd known about earlier) is just stopping your weekly certifications instead of fully cancelling. That way you keep your claim active as a safety net but don't collect benefits unless you actually need them. If you do decide to cancel, definitely call right at 8am when they open for the best chance of getting through. Whatever you choose, make sure it's the right decision for YOUR situation, not because of what anyone else might think. You've got this! 💪
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Amara Adebayo
•This is exactly what I needed to read! @Oliver Zimmermann, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience in such detail. The part about stopping certifications vs. full cancellation is brilliant - I had no clue that was even possible. You're totally right about the guilt factor too. I've been feeling weird about applying even though, like you said, we've been paying into this system forever. It really helps to know I'm not the only one who felt that way. The 8am call tip seems to be the golden rule here, so I'll definitely try that if I decide to reach out to EDD. Really appreciate the encouragement and the reminder that this decision should be about what's best for MY situation. This community is amazing! 🙏
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Ravi Choudhury
Hey Malik! I was in your exact shoes about 8 months ago and completely understand the anxiety you're feeling right now. The good news is that yes, you CAN cancel your unemployment claim, but there are definitely some important things to consider before you pull the trigger. If you haven't certified for any weeks yet, cancelling is usually pretty straightforward - just call EDD and tell them you want to withdraw your application. However, if you've already received any payments, you'll need to pay those back, which can be a hassle. But here's the thing that really helped me decide: I talked to a counselor at the local workforce center who explained that there's actually a middle option most people don't know about. Instead of fully cancelling, you can just stop doing your weekly certifications. Your claim stays "dormant" but active, so if your situation changes (job offer falls through, hours get reduced, etc.), you can just resume certifying without having to restart the entire process. The 8am call strategy everyone's mentioning is 100% legit - I got through on my second try that way. But before you call, really think about WHY you want to cancel. If it's just guilt or stigma, remember that unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance you've been paying premiums for through your paychecks. There's no shame in using it when you need it. Whatever you decide, document everything and get confirmation numbers. EDD's system can be... quirky. Feel free to reach out if you want to chat more about the specifics - happy to help a fellow community member navigate this maze! 🤝
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NeonNova
•This is incredibly helpful, @Ravi Choudhury! I had no idea about the workforce center counselors - that sounds like such a valuable resource that more people should know about. The "dormant but active" option you mentioned is brilliant and honestly seems like the smartest approach for most situations. It's like having your cake and eating it too - you keep the safety net without the ongoing commitment. Your point about documentation is so important too. I've heard horror stories about people having to prove things to EDD months later because their records mysteriously disappeared. Thanks for offering to help with specifics - this community really shows how much people care about helping each other navigate these complicated systems! 🙏
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GalaxyGlider
Hey Malik! I'm pretty new here but I've been reading through all these responses and wow, there's so much great advice! I'm actually in a similar situation - started my claim a couple weeks ago and now I'm second-guessing myself too. The thing that really stands out to me from everyone's responses is this "dormant but active" option that several people mentioned. I had absolutely NO idea that was even possible! It sounds like the perfect compromise - you're not actively collecting benefits but you keep the claim as a backup plan. That takes away so much of the pressure and guilt, doesn't it? I'm definitely going to look into this workforce center counselor thing that @Ravi Choudhury mentioned. Sounds like they might have insights that even EDD doesn't always share with people. Thanks for starting this thread - it's been super educational for those of us dealing with the same dilemma! Sometimes it really helps to know we're not alone in feeling conflicted about this stuff. Hope you find the solution that works best for your situation! 🙏
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JacksonHarris
•Welcome to the community, @GalaxyGlider! I'm fairly new here too and this thread has been such an eye-opener. It's honestly relieving to see so many people sharing similar experiences - makes you realize this kind of uncertainty is totally normal when dealing with unemployment claims. The "dormant but active" option is definitely a game-changer that I wish more people knew about upfront. It's crazy how EDD doesn't really advertise these alternatives! The workforce center counselor tip seems like hidden gold too. Thanks for chiming in and adding to the conversation - it's awesome to see newcomers jumping in and contributing. Hope we both figure out the best path forward! 😊
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Dallas Villalobos
Hey Malik! I'm relatively new to this community but wanted to jump in because I'm literally going through the exact same thing right now. Started my unemployment application last week and have been having major second thoughts ever since. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful - especially learning about the option to just stop weekly certifications instead of fully cancelling. I had no clue that was even possible! It seems like such a smart middle ground that gives you flexibility without burning bridges. The guilt factor is so real too. I keep feeling like I'm somehow "cheating the system" even though, as everyone's pointed out, we've been paying into unemployment insurance our whole working lives. It's literally what it's designed for! I think I'm going to look into that workforce center counselor option that @Ravi Choudhury mentioned. Sounds like they might have insights that could help both of us figure out the best approach for our specific situations. Thanks for starting this thread - it's been incredibly reassuring to see how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. Whatever you decide, it sounds like you've got plenty of good options and people here willing to help! 🙏
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Emily Sanjay
•Hey @Dallas Villalobos! Welcome to the community - it's so reassuring to see I'm not the only one going through this exact situation right now. That guilt you mentioned is hitting me hard too. I keep questioning whether I'm "worthy" of unemployment benefits even though logically I know we've earned this safety net through our payroll contributions. The workforce center counselor idea from @Ravi Choudhury sounds like pure gold - I had no idea that resource even existed! And honestly, this whole thread has opened my eyes to options I never knew were available. The dormant "but active approach" seems like it could be perfect for people like us who are on the fence. Thanks for jumping in and sharing your experience. It really helps to know there are others navigating this same uncertainty. Hope we both find the path that works best for our situations! Let me know if you end up talking to a workforce counselor - would love to hear what insights they share! 😊
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Sean Flanagan
Hey Malik! I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I was in your exact situation a few months ago. First off, yes - you absolutely CAN cancel your unemployment claim, but the process depends on how far along you are. If you haven't certified for any weekly benefits yet, it's usually just a matter of calling EDD and requesting withdrawal. But if you've already received payments, you'll need to repay them. Here's what I wish someone had told me early on: there's actually a third option that most people (including EDD reps sometimes) don't mention upfront. You can stop doing your weekly certifications without fully cancelling your claim. This keeps your claim "dormant but active" - basically a safety net that you're not actively using but could reactivate if needed without starting the whole process over. The guilt factor is SO real and I totally get it. I felt like I was somehow taking advantage of the system, but then I realized - this is literally insurance that we've been paying into through every paycheck. It's designed exactly for situations like this. If you do decide to call EDD, definitely try right at 8:00 AM when they open. That seems to be the magic time for actually getting through. Have your claim number ready and be specific about what you want (withdraw vs. just stopping certifications). Whatever you decide, make sure it's based on your actual situation and needs, not on guilt or what others might think. You've got this! 💪
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Zara Ahmed
•Welcome to the community, @Sean Flanagan! This is such helpful advice and I'm so glad you shared your experience. The "dormant but active" option you mentioned is exactly what I needed to hear about - it seems like the perfect solution for people who want to keep their options open without the commitment of weekly certifications. I'm definitely feeling that guilt factor you talked about too. It's crazy how we can feel bad about using a system we've literally been paying into our entire working lives! Your reminder that it's actual insurance really helps put things in perspective. The 8am calling strategy seems to be the universal advice here - I'll definitely keep that in mind if I decide to reach out to EDD. Thanks for taking the time to share such detailed and thoughtful advice. This community is amazing for supporting each other through these tricky situations! 🙏
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Riya Sharma
Hey Malik! I'm pretty new to this community but wanted to chime in since I'm dealing with something similar right now. I started my unemployment claim about a week ago and have been going back and forth about whether to continue with it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about the "dormant but active" option that several people mentioned - that sounds like exactly what people in our situation need. It's like having the best of both worlds - keeping the safety net without the weekly commitment. The guilt aspect is so relatable too. I keep second-guessing myself even though, like everyone's pointed out, we've literally been paying into this system through our paychecks. It's designed for exactly these situations! I'm definitely going to look into that workforce center counselor suggestion from @Ravi Choudhury - sounds like they might have insights that even EDD doesn't always share upfront. And if I do end up calling EDD, I'll definitely try that 8am strategy everyone's mentioning. Thanks for starting this thread - it's been so helpful to see how supportive this community is and to realize that feeling uncertain about this stuff is totally normal. Whatever you decide, it sounds like you've got some great options to consider! 🙏
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Nia Williams
•Hey @Riya Sharma! Welcome to the community! I'm new here too and honestly, this thread has been such a lifesaver. It's so comforting to know that so many of us are going through the exact same feelings and uncertainty right now. That "dormant but active" option everyone keeps mentioning really does sound like a game-changer - I wish EDD made these alternatives more obvious upfront instead of making it seem like it's all or nothing. The workforce center counselor tip from @Ravi Choudhury is definitely something I want to look into as well. It sounds like they might have way more practical advice than what we typically get from the standard EDD interactions. The guilt thing is hitting me hard too - it s'wild how we can feel bad about using something we ve'literally been funding through every paycheck! But seeing everyone s'responses really helps normalize these feelings and reminds us that this safety net exists for exactly these situations. Thanks for sharing your experience and adding to this incredibly supportive conversation! 🙏
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