Should I certify for EDD benefits online or by mail? Worried about payment delays

Online certification through UI Online is ABSOLUTELY the way to go. I've used both methods over the years and can tell you the paper forms take forever to process. When you certify online, your payment typically processes within 24-48 hours if there are no issues with your claim. With mail, you're looking at 7-10 days minimum just for delivery both ways, plus processing time. Online also gives you the advantage of immediate confirmation that your certification was received, and you can check your payment status anytime. The paper system leaves you in the dark wondering if they even got your form.

online all the way!!! been on ui since january and never had a problem with the website. just make sure u do it early on sunday morning before everyone else logs in. site gets slow later in the day sometimes.

I tried both and REGRETTED using paper!!! My first certification I sent by mail took almost 3 WEEKS to process!!!! Meanwhile my bank account was overdrawn and I got hit with fees. Switched to online and now I always get paid within 2-3 days after certifying. The EDD system is frustrating enough without adding mail delays. DEFINITELY go with online certification!!!

I would strongly recommend certifying online through UI Online for several reasons: 1. Speed - online certification is processed much faster than mail 2. Error prevention - the online system alerts you if you make mistakes before submitting 3. Record-keeping - all your certifications are saved in your account history 4. Tracking - you can see exactly when your payment is issued 5. Convenience - no need to worry about mail delays or forms getting lost The technical issues people report are relatively rare compared to the total number of users. Most problems occur during high-traffic periods (Sunday mornings) or major system updates. If you're concerned, simply certify during off-peak hours like Sunday evening or Monday morning.

I had such a nightmare with paper certification last year! The mail was delayed, then EDD claimed they never received my forms, and I had to call repeatedly to get it straightened out. Lost almost a month of benefits in the process. When I finally switched to online, it was so much smoother. Paper might seem more reliable since it's tangible, but trust me - it's not worth the headache. The online system gives you immediate confirmation numbers and payment status updates. Paper gives you... anxiety waiting by the mailbox.

hey just fyi if you do go with online (which you should) make sure ur using Chrome or Edge. The EDD website doesnt play nice with Safari, I learned that the hard way when my certification got stuck in limbo for 2 weeks!

Anyone else getting tired of EDD's outdated systems?? Why do they even still offer paper forms when their own statistics show online is faster? Just another example of government inefficiency if you ask me.

If you ever DO run into problems with online certification and need to actually talk to someone at EDD (which is nearly impossible with their phones), I found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to an EDD rep. Saved me hours of redial hell when my account got flagged for verification. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their website is claimyr.com. It's basically the only reliable way to get through when you have issues.

To answer your follow-up question - you don't need to notify EDD if you switch from paper to online certification. The system is designed to accept your certification through either method. Once you start certifying online, they'll eventually stop sending paper forms, though it might take a cycle or two for that to happen. Just make sure you're certifying through only one method for each period to avoid confusion in their system.

Just one more thing to watch out for with online certification - ALWAYS save or screenshot your confirmation number after submitting!!! There have been rare cases where the system glitches and doesn't record your submission properly. Having that confirmation number is your proof if anything goes wrong!

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses! This has been incredibly helpful. I was leaning toward paper because it felt more "official" but you've all convinced me that online is definitely the way to go. I really appreciate the practical tips about using Chrome/Edge, certifying on Sunday mornings, and saving confirmation numbers. One last question - when I certify online for the first time, will it walk me through the process step by step? I want to make sure I don't accidentally mess something up since this is my first time on unemployment. Also @Darcy Moore thanks for that Claimyr tip - I'm bookmarking that just in case I need it later!

I went through this exact same decision when I first got approved for unemployment benefits last year. Definitely go with online certification - it's SO much faster and more reliable than mail. I made the mistake of using paper forms for my first two certifications because I thought it would be "safer," but both times my payments were delayed by over a week. The mail system is just too slow and unpredictable, especially when you're already stressed about finances. Once I switched to online, I started getting my payments within 2-3 days consistently. The UI Online system will literally show you the status of your payment in real-time, so you're never left wondering what's happening. With paper forms, you're basically sending them into a black hole and hoping for the best. Pro tip: Log in early Sunday morning (like 6-7 AM) to avoid the rush when everyone else is trying to certify. The system can get sluggish later in the day. And always take a screenshot of your confirmation page - that's your proof that you certified on time if anything goes wrong. Trust me, with rent coming up in 2 weeks, you want every advantage you can get for faster processing. Online is the way to go!

I've been on unemployment for about 8 months now and have used both methods extensively. Online certification is hands down better for speed and reliability. Here's what I learned the hard way: Paper forms are a nightmare - I had two get lost in the mail completely, which meant calling EDD for HOURS to sort it out. One time a form arrived damaged and unreadable, so they rejected it and I had to start over. With online, you get instant confirmation and can even print a receipt for your records. The only downside to online is that sometimes the website goes down for maintenance (usually announced in advance) or gets overwhelmed during peak times. But even when that happens, you can usually try again in a few hours. With mail, if something goes wrong, you're looking at weeks to fix it. For your situation with rent due soon, definitely go online. I typically get my payment deposited by Tuesday when I certify Sunday morning. With paper, it was always 7-10 days minimum, sometimes longer if there were any issues. One tip nobody mentioned - if you ever need to change your direct deposit info or update your address, do it through the online system too. Paper change requests take forever to process!