Where do you file for unemployment in California EDD?

Thank you! So I don't need to go to a physical office or anything? I can just do everything from my phone or computer?

Exactly, you can do it all online. The EDD closed most walk-in services so online is really the standard now. Just make sure you have your Social Security number, work history for the past 18 months, and your last employer's info handy before you start.

yep UI Online is the way to go, took me like 20 min when i did it last year

This is incredibly helpful, I didn't know I needed 18 months of work history. I worked two different jobs in that time so I'll need to track down info for both of them.

The 18 month thing trips a lot of people up. Both jobs count toward your base period calculation which can actually increase your weekly benefit amount, so it's worth getting accurate info for both employers.

wait do they contact your old employer when you file?? im nervous about that part

Yes EDD does notify your former employer after you file. The employer has the chance to respond if they want to contest your claim - like if they believe you quit voluntarily or were fired for misconduct. If that happens your claim might go into adjudication. But if you were laid off it's very unlikely to be an issue.

Oh wow I had no idea about the certification part. So it's not just a one-time filing thing?

Nope, not at all. Every two weeks you answer questions about whether you worked, how much you earned if any, and whether you were able and available for work. It's not hard but you absolutely cannot skip it.

also you have to keep a record of your job search activities!! in california you need to look for work and document it even while collecting ui

^^^ good point. Three job search activities per week minimum in California. Keep a log with dates, employer names, contact info, and what type of contact you made. EDD can audit this.

Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully my claim goes smoothly but good to know about that as a backup option.

Can confirm Claimyr works - used it when my adjudication was dragging on forever and needed to know what was happening with my claim. Got through to someone and they were able to tell me exactly what the hold up was.

is it free tho

Check their site at claimyr.com for details, but from my experience it was worth every bit of it to not spend another full day redialing EDD.

Filing tonight then. Is the website available 24/7 or only during certain hours?

UI Online is generally available most hours but EDD does take it offline for maintenance sometimes, usually late night/early morning. Try to file during normal business hours if possible just to avoid any hiccups.

The site is usually fine evenings and weekends. EDD system maintenance is typically announced in advance on their site. Don't wait on my account - file whenever you're ready!

That's lower than I expected honestly. I was making about $22/hour so I'm calculating... yeah that's gonna be tough. Better than nothing though.

Yeah the replacement rate in California is meaningful but it's definitely not your full salary. A lot of people supplement by picking up gig work - just make sure you report any earnings when you certify. You can earn some wages and still collect partial benefits.

wait you can still work while getting unemployment?? i thought it was all or nothing

Partial benefits are a thing! If you earn less than your weekly benefit amount in a given week, EDD will pay you the difference. You MUST report all earnings though - failing to report is fraud and can result in disqualification plus having to repay everything.

Ugh that's discouraging to hear

sorry didnt mean to scare you! most people i know got approved faster than me. i just had a complicated situation. you'll probably be fine

Processing times really do vary. Straightforward layoff claims can go through in 2-3 weeks. It's when there's an issue - like EDD needs to verify your work history or your employer contests the claim - that things drag out into adjudication.

Good call, I usually toss mail without really looking at it. I'll be more careful.

Also set up your myEDD account to get email notifications when EDD sends you messages online. Some communications go through the online portal rather than physical mail now.

Yes that's a great point - check BOTH your myEDD inbox AND your physical mailbox regularly. Missing a notice because it went to one and you only checked the other is a genuinely common problem.

Did you have to enter exact dates or can you say like 'around March 2023'?

The form has specific date fields so you do need actual dates. I'd check old emails or pay stubs if you're fuzzy. Your W-2s also show what year you worked somewhere which at least narrows it down.

HR departments can also tell you your exact employment dates if you email them. They're required to keep that info and it's your information to access.

Not a dumb question! It's based on where you WORKED, not where you live. If you worked in California you file with California EDD regardless of where you live now. If you worked in another state you'd file with that state's unemployment agency.

oh that makes sense! my friend moved out of state but worked in ca until recently so they should file with edd then

Yep, EDD handles out-of-state claimants regularly. Just file at edd.ca.gov the same way, they'll process it.

Definitely planning to be honest. I was straight up laid off, they eliminated my whole shift due to slow orders.

That's textbook qualifying separation. You should have zero issues with eligibility. Good luck!

This is really good advice. The fraud investigations unit at EDD has gotten more aggressive and the penalties are serious. Not worth it to fudge anything.

Yeah I'll try online first for sure. That hold time is insane.

seriously the phone line is a last resort situation. ui online handles like 95% of everything you need anyway

speaking of brutal hold times - this is why i ended up using Claimyr when i had a problem with my claim later on. claimyr.com - they hold your spot in the edd phone queue so you dont have to sit there for hours. saved my sanity when my account got flagged for review

Three per week, got it. Is there a specific format EDD wants for the job search log?

No required format, just needs to include the basic info. EDD's website has a sample log template you can download if you want something structured. I just used a notes app personally.

Worth noting that CalJOBS is California's job search platform connected to EDD - creating a profile there counts as a job search activity and they have workshops and resources too. It's at caljobs.ca.gov

Didn't know that was a thing, I'll check it out

That's really useful to know for budgeting. I have a little saved up so hopefully that tides me over.

Good. Also look into whether your city or county has emergency rental assistance or food bank programs in the meantime. A lot of people don't know those resources exist while they're waiting on EDD.

yes this!! 211 is the number to call for local assistance resources

Yeah I'll second this - had to use it when my claim went into adjudication and I needed answers. The online portal just says 'pending' forever with no explanation and the only way to get actual info is speaking to an agent.

does it work for any edd issue or just specific ones

It's just a way to reach an EDD agent by phone - once you're connected you can ask about anything. Adjudication status, payment issues, updating your info, whatever you need.

Saving this comment. Thank you so much, this thread has been incredibly helpful.

This is the perfect summary. Pin this honestly.

Only thing I'd add is to keep screenshots of everything you submit. Take a photo of every certification confirmation page. You'll want receipts if EDD ever questions something later.

Yes! EDD uses something called the base period to calculate your benefit amount - it's roughly the 12 months before you file. Wages from both employers during that time count. More wages generally means a higher weekly benefit amount.

oh sweet so it's not just based on the last job

Correct. EDD looks at your total base period earnings across all employers in California. If your second employer paid more that matters more in the calculation but all the wages factor in.

My manager didn't say I don't qualify, just didn't give me info. But good to know for others.

This is so important. I've seen employers actively try to discourage employees from filing. It's not illegal for them to say you don't qualify but it's frequently wrong. File anyway, always.

wow did not know employers could lose money if employees file. makes sense why they'd try to prevent it

Hopefully I won't need that info but it's good to have. 30 days from the denial date, noted.

Exactly - and the 30 days is from the date on the notice, NOT the date you receive it. So open EDD mail immediately.

Also worth knowing: even if you miss the 30 day window, you can sometimes still appeal if you can show good cause for the late appeal. Don't give up if you miss the deadline without trying.

Great news! Now the waiting game begins. Check your myEDD account every few days and watch your mail. Rooting for you!

Make sure you know when your first certification period opens - UI Online will show you the dates. Don't miss it!

Nice work! And remember if anything weird happens with your claim and you need to reach EDD by phone, claimyr.com is there as a backup. Hope everything goes smoothly though!

Good luck!! You've got this