Just filed for unemployment with EDD - what should I expect? Any tips?
Hey everyone, I just filed for unemployment and I'm feeling a bit lost. Has anyone gone through this process recently? What should I expect? Any tips or advice would be really appreciated!
22 comments


Fatima Al-Mazrouei
Welcome to the club, buddy! š I filed about a month ago. Here's what you need to know: ⢠First, be patient. The system is overwhelmed rn ⢠Make sure you certify for benefits every two weeks ⢠Keep an eye on your inbox for any notices or requests for additional info ⢠If you can, set up direct deposit. It's faster than waiting for checks ⢠Document EVERYTHING. Keep a record of all your job search activities Good luck! It's a process, but you'll get through it.
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Dylan Wright
ā¢This is solid advice! šÆ I'd add: don't forget to report ANY income you earn while on unemployment. Even if it's just a few bucks from a side gig.
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NebulaKnight
ā¢ugh the certifying every two weeks is such a pain. i always forget and then have to backdate š¤¦āāļø
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Giovanni Gallo
ā¢Thanks so much for this! Quick question - how long did it take for you to get your first payment after filing?
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Fatima Al-Mazrouei
ā¢For me, it took about 3 weeks. But I've heard it can vary a lot. Some people get it faster, others wait longer. Just keep checking your account and don't lose hope!
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Sofia Ramirez
Heads up, the EDD website is a nightmare. It crashes all the time and the info isnt always clear. If you need to talk to someone, good luck. I spent HOURS on hold and never got through.
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Dmitry Popov
ā¢Omg yes! š¤ I thought it was just me. How can a government website be so bad in 2023??
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Ava Rodriguez
ā¢Pro tip: try calling right when they open. Sometimes you can get through faster.
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Miguel Ortiz
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone! 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. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI
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Zainab Khalil
ā¢Sounds too good to be true. Is this legit?
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Miguel Ortiz
ā¢I was skeptical too, but I tried it and it actually worked. Saved me hours of frustration.
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QuantumQuest
ā¢20 bucks tho? š¬ That's steep when you're already broke from being unemployed.
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Miguel Ortiz
ā¢I get that, but for me it was worth it to finally get my issues resolved. Beats wasting a whole day on hold.
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Connor Murphy
dont forget to check if ur eligible for any other benefits too. food stamps, rental assistance, etc. every little bit helps when ur out of work
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Yara Haddad
Has anyone else had their claim randomly disqualified? I got a notice saying I didn't provide enough info, but I swear I filled out everything they asked for. Now I'm stuck in appeals hell. š«
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Keisha Robinson
ā¢Ugh, that sucks. Have you tried contacting your local state rep? Sometimes they can help push things through.
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Yara Haddad
ā¢No, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a shot.
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Paolo Conti
PSA: Watch out for scams! There are a lot of fake 'unemployment assistance' services out there trying to steal your info. NEVER give out your SSN or bank details to anyone who contacts you first!
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Amina Sow
ā¢This! š My cousin almost fell for one of these. They're getting really sophisticated.
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GalaxyGazer
Anyone else feel like the job search requirements are unrealistic? Like, sorry EDD, I can't magically make jobs appear in my field. š
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Oliver Wagner
ā¢Preach! š I've been applying to everything I can find and still barely meeting the quota.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
ā¢Have you tried networking on LinkedIn? I've had some luck there finding opportunities that aren't posted on job boards.
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