How to maintain unemployment benefits with California EDD without losing them

Thank you so much this is exactly what I needed. I was so confused about the job search stuff - I didn't realize you could count things like updating your resume or setting up job alerts. I thought you had to submit a full application every single time.

wait does the job search log have to be in any specific format?? I've just been writing stuff in my notes app

No specific format required - notes app is fine as long as you have the key info. California EDD will sometimes send you a form to fill out but any personal log that includes employer, date, and type of contact works.

Oh wow I did NOT know this. I reported it based on when he actually handed me the cash. Should I be worried?

For $80 it's probably not going to cause a big issue but going forward always report based on when you performed the work. If you get an overpayment notice for that week you can explain the situation - it's not fraud, just a reporting timing error.

this is actually really important info thanks for clarifying, i made this exact mistake with doordash earnings

I've been trying to call California EDD too with zero luck. Did Claimyr actually work for you? I have some questions that I really need answered by an actual person.

Yes it genuinely worked. I was skeptical but I needed answers and I couldn't keep spending my mornings redialing. The agent walked me through my entire claim and told me exactly what I needed to do going forward.

I've heard of this service before - a few people in a Facebook group I'm in used it when they were in adjudication limbo. Seems legit from what they said.

does it work for like general questions or only for specific claim problems

THIS. I got an overpayment notice for something from two years ago. They definitely do catch up with you eventually.

can they really go back that far?? like how many years can they audit

California EDD can go back quite far, especially if fraud is involved. For honest mistakes it's usually a few years but they have access to tax records so don't assume anything slips through.

Yes, standby status is different. If California EDD approves you for standby (usually for temporary layoffs where you're expected to return to your employer), you're exempt from the regular job search requirement. But you have to have that status officially approved - you can't just assume you qualify. Most regular layoffs do NOT qualify for standby.

ok that makes sense, she was on a temporary construction project layoff so that tracks

Standby is also time-limited - I believe California EDD grants it in 4-week increments and you have to have it renewed. Worth knowing if you're in that situation.

Oh good call I actually moved recently too and I'm not sure my address is current. Going to check right now.

same thing happened to me with a phone number change, missed an important text notification

You've been doing way more than required! California EDD requires 3 activities per week and yes, updating your LinkedIn or resume counts as an activity. Other qualifying activities include attending a job fair, contacting an employer to inquire about positions (even without a formal application), completing career development workshops, or creating accounts on job search sites. You don't need to submit 10 applications a week - that's the good news!

Okay that is genuinely a relief. I've been stressing myself out. Though I guess more applications = better chance of actually getting hired so maybe not the worst problem to have

lol I wish I had your energy, I'm barely hitting the 3 minimum

Got one of these! They're usually just a random audit, not necessarily because they suspect anything. They want: employer name, address or website, contact person if applicable, date of contact, type of contact (email, online application, phone call), and position you applied for. Fill it out as completely as you can and send it back before the deadline. If your records aren't perfect just fill in what you have - honest incomplete records are better than not responding.

Okay that's reassuring. I have most of that info I just didn't write down phone numbers or contact persons for most of them. Going to put it together tonight.

Respond by the deadline no matter what. Missing the response deadline is what actually triggers disqualification, not having imperfect records.

This thread is seriously so helpful. I'm learning so much about how to maintain unemployment benefits the right way.

does it matter what time on sunday? like is there actually a specific time it opens

From my experience UI Online updates sometime Sunday morning, usually before 9am Pacific. I've always been able to file by 8am but I'd say just try after 8 to be safe.

I file Sunday nights and have never had an issue but morning is probably smarter in case the site is down or something

The pending status on certifications usually means California EDD is cross-checking something - could be employer wage records, could be a random review. Usually resolves within a week or two without any action needed from you. But I feel you on the frustration - the system is genuinely hard to navigate.

Mine resolved after about 10 days but I had no idea what was happening and couldn't get anyone on the phone. Ended up using Claimyr to reach an actual California EDD agent - claimyr.com - after seeing it mentioned in another thread. The agent confirmed my certifications were fine and just in a review queue. Would have saved me days of anxiety if I'd known sooner.

I keep seeing Claimyr mentioned, going to bookmark it for the next time I can't get through to EDD

From day one - actually from the first week you perform any work. Report earnings on the certification for the week you did the work, not when you get paid. And let California EDD know about the new employment even if it's part time. Your benefits will be reduced proportionally based on your earnings but you won't necessarily lose them entirely depending on how much you're making.

ok so this is important - i started a part time thing 3 weeks ago and have been reporting the earnings but I didn't realize I should have notified them separately about the job. Is that a big problem?

Reporting the earnings on your certifications IS notifying them essentially. The separate notification is really for when you return to full time work and need to close out your claim. You should be fine.

Not always immediately but yes they can verify. They've been known to contact employers directly during audits. And if they catch you submitting false job search activities that's UI fraud which can mean repaying benefits plus penalties. Just do the actual three activities - it takes maybe 30 minutes a week total.

okay yeah obviously not recommending anyone do that just curious how the system works lol

the three contacts really isn't much, like genuinely just do them for real and don't stress about it

This is a good and specific point. The able and available requirement means you need to be genuinely ready to accept full-time work in your occupation. If there's a licensing barrier that would prevent that, California EDD can deny benefits for those weeks.

I'm a warehouse worker so not really a licensing thing for me but good info for people in trades or healthcare or whatever

Don't panic! It sounds like a lot but the actual weekly tasks are pretty minimal: 1) File your certification on Sunday or Monday, 2) Keep a simple log of your 3 job activities, 3) Report any earnings. That's basically it for most weeks. The rest of the thread is covering edge cases and 'what ifs' - for the average claimant it's not complicated.

okay that makes me feel better. so the weekly certification is like a short questionnaire basically?

Yes it's about 10 questions on UI Online and takes maybe 5 minutes. Did you work, are you able and available, what did you earn, that kind of thing.

honestly my first week I was so stressed about it and then I logged in and it was like... that's it? very anticlimactic in the best way

Great outcome! This is exactly the kind of peace of mind that's worth it when you're dependent on those benefit payments every two weeks.

glad it worked out! bookmarking that for if I ever need it

Glad you got your answers. Knowing your claim is in good standing is huge - I spent two weeks convinced mine was about to be shut down for no reason.

Good addition - union members who get work through hiring halls often have different requirements since the hall is handling job placement. If you're in this situation make sure California EDD has your union status documented so your claim reflects the correct requirements.

yeah my brother is a union electrician and his unemployment works totally differently, took us a while to figure out the right way to certify

Yes this is normal - it's called a RESEA (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment) appointment. California EDD randomly selects claimants for these, particularly around month 2-3. You DO have to attend or your benefits can be stopped. It's usually a one-on-one meeting with a workforce advisor who reviews your job search, may help update your resume, and confirms you're eligible. It's not adversarial - most people find it pretty straightforward.

Oh okay that's a relief. I was worried it meant something was wrong with my claim. I'll definitely show up.

Bring your job search log to the RESEA appointment. They'll likely ask to see it and having it organized shows you've been compliant.

Thanks - going to print out my records tonight so I'm ready.

100% this. My 'pending' situation earlier could have been resolved in a 5-minute phone call if I could have gotten through. Instead it was two weeks of anxiety.

Agreed. The regulations themselves are findable on the California EDD website. The problem is that individual circumstances vary and you can't always tell which rule applies to your situation without talking to someone.

This is why being able to reach a live agent matters so much. The automated systems and website can only tell you so much.

This is actually tricky. If you were too sick to work you technically weren't 'able and available' which is a requirement. You'd need to answer honestly on your certification. However California does have State Disability Insurance (SDI) for situations where you can't work due to illness - it's a separate program from UI but it's worth looking into if you had a significant illness. For one week of mild illness many people still certify and answer yes to able and available since they would have worked if called - but that's a judgment call you have to make.

It was only like 4 days and I honestly would have gone to work if I could have. So maybe it doesn't change my able and available status much? I'm not sure.

For brief illnesses where you would have accepted work if offered, most claimants certify normally. The able and available question really becomes an issue for extended illness or situations where you genuinely couldn't accept work. A few days of being under the weather doesn't usually rise to that level but use your judgment.

This is perfect, saving this comment. Wish I'd had this list when I first filed.

Exactly what I needed as a new claimant. Thank you for putting it all in one place.

Should be pinned at the top of this forum honestly

The earnings reporting timing thing (work week vs pay date) is the one I see trip people up the most. So important to get right.

bookmarked this whole thread