Congratulations on landing your new job! 🎉 This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm bookmarking it for future reference. It's amazing how something that seems like it should be straightforward (stopping unemployment benefits when you get a job) can feel so confusing when you're actually trying to do it right. The consensus here is crystal clear: do that final certification properly reporting your employment details rather than just vanishing from the system. It sounds like the EDD actually designed it this way intentionally - keeping your claim open for the benefit year makes sense as a safety net in case the new job doesn't work out. I really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences, especially the practical tips like taking screenshots, saving PDFs, and setting phone reminders to check your account status afterward. Those are the kinds of details that make all the difference between handling this smoothly vs. running into problems later. For anyone else reading this thread in the future - this is exactly the kind of community knowledge that's so valuable when dealing with government systems that aren't always user-friendly. Thanks to everyone who took the time to help out! 💪

Congratulations on your new job! This is such a common confusion point and you're definitely not alone in feeling overwhelmed by it. From what I've learned through my own experience and helping others navigate this, here's the straightforward approach: Do your final bi-weekly certification this Sunday, but this time report your new employment. You'll answer "yes" to working, enter your Monday start date, provide your new employer's information, report your full-time hours, and answer "no" to actively looking for work since you're now employed. The system will automatically stop benefit payments but keep your claim open for the full benefit year (52 weeks from when you originally filed). This is actually beneficial - if anything happens with your new job during that period, you can resume certifying without having to file an entirely new claim. A few important tips: - Take screenshots of your final certification and the confirmation page for your records - Don't worry if you receive a few automated reminders over the next couple weeks - the system takes time to fully update - Keep your UI Online login information accessible in case you need it later The key is being accurate with your dates and employment details. Since you're starting Monday, that falls within the certification period that began last Sunday, so you'll report it on this Sunday's certification. Don't overthink it - the system handles this transition regularly when done properly. Best of luck with your new position! 🎉

I'm a former graduate student advisor and wanted to add one crucial point that hasn't been mentioned yet: **Document your financial hardship for future reference**. Even though EDD won't work for your current situation, having official documentation of your financial need during graduate school can be valuable for future applications (fellowships, grants, even job applications that ask about overcoming challenges). Also, many doctoral programs have **discretionary funds** that department chairs can access for students in crisis situations. These aren't always advertised because they're limited, but if you schedule a meeting with your department chair (not just your advisor) and explain your situation professionally, they may have emergency assistance options that aren't available through general financial aid channels. One more specific tip for USC students: The **Trojan Family Network** often has alumni who specifically want to help current students. Some offer temporary financial assistance, internship opportunities, or even just career mentoring that can lead to future funding opportunities. Remember, your success reflects on your program's success. They have institutional incentives to help you complete your degree, so don't hesitate to be direct about what you need to stay enrolled and focused on your studies.

I'm a graduate student at UC Berkeley who went through a very similar situation two years ago. While everyone is right that EDD won't work due to the availability requirements, I want to share some less obvious resources that really helped me: **Graduate Assembly emergency grants** - Most UC and CSU campuses (and some private universities) have graduate student government organizations that offer small emergency grants ($500-1500) with very fast processing times. These are separate from regular financial aid and often have less stringent requirements. **Department conference/travel funds** - Even first-year students can sometimes access these for "academic development." I used conference funding to cover a cheap flight to a regional conference, but the leftover money helped with groceries that month. Worth asking about even if you're not presenting yet. **Campus employment that's not "employment"** - Many universities have volunteer coordinator positions, campus tour guide roles, or peer mentorship programs that come with small stipends but aren't classified as employment. Check with Student Life or Campus Activities offices. **Blood/platelet donation** - In addition to plasma, some centers pay well for platelet donations if you're a good candidate. It's time-consuming but can provide steady supplemental income. The financial anxiety during the first year is overwhelming, but it really does get better once assistantships kick in. Your program invested in you - don't be afraid to ask for help from every possible source. You're not asking for handouts, you're asking for investment in your academic success.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works at a local workforce development center - we help people with EDD issues daily. Based on what I see here, everyone's giving solid advice about using your laptop over phone. One thing I'd add that I don't think was mentioned: if you're having trouble with the fax going through (which happens A LOT with EDD's system), you can also try uploading documents through your EDD online portal if that option is available for your specific request. Sometimes the online upload actually processes faster than fax, and you get immediate confirmation that the files were received. Also, if you're really stuck and the deadline is tight, some of our local libraries have fax machines and staff who can help ensure your documents are formatted correctly before sending. Don't panic about the rent deadline - EDD can backdate payments once your claim is approved, so focus on getting the documentation right rather than rushing and having to resubmit!

I went through this exact situation about a month ago and it was so stressful! After reading all these responses, I'm kicking myself for not finding this community sooner. I initially tried using my phone with a fax app and got rejected twice - EDD said my documents were "illegible" even though they looked clear to me on my phone screen. Finally switched to my laptop and used HelloFax, converted everything to high-quality PDFs, and it went through immediately. One thing I learned the hard way that I don't see mentioned much here: make sure your claim number is not just ON every page, but actually embedded in the document text, not just handwritten on top. EDD's scanning system sometimes cuts off handwritten notes at the margins. I typed my claim number directly into each PDF using a PDF editor before sending. Also, for anyone else reading this who's stressed about rent deadlines - I was in the same boat and it worked out. Once EDD processed my corrected documents, they backdated everything and I got a lump sum that covered all the weeks I'd been waiting. Hang in there Isaiah, you've got great advice in this thread and you'll get through this!

This thread is such a perfect example of why I love being part of this community! @ce3be8be9f13 your initial worry was so relatable - I think most of us have experienced that heart-dropping moment when we see multiple government letters in our mailbox, especially during an already stressful time like being laid off. It's wonderful to see how everything worked out perfectly with your standard paperwork and that solid $675/week benefit! What really stands out to me is how this thread evolved from panic to relief to becoming an incredibly comprehensive resource for anyone new to the unemployment process. The collective wisdom shared here - from UI Online tips to work search advice to job hunting strategies - is absolutely invaluable. As someone who's been in this community for a while, I've seen countless threads like this where initial fear transforms into empowerment through community support. Your willingness to share updates and engage with everyone's advice creates such a positive ripple effect for future members who might find themselves in similar situations. Thanks for turning what started as a moment of anxiety into such an educational and heartwarming discussion. Wishing you all the best with your accounting job search - with your positive attitude and all the great advice you've gathered here, I'm confident you'll land something great soon! 🌈

This thread is absolutely incredible! As someone who just joined this community, I'm blown away by how supportive and knowledgeable everyone has been. @ce3be8be9f13 your initial panic about those multiple EDD letters was completely understandable - I can only imagine how scary that must have been when you're already dealing with the stress of being laid off. What I love most about this discussion is how it transformed from a moment of anxiety into this comprehensive guide for anyone new to unemployment benefits. The practical tips shared here are gold - from understanding that multiple letters are normal, to advice about UI Online registration, certification timing, and even job search strategies like temp agencies and library career services. Your $675/week benefit is fantastic and should really help during your search! Since you mentioned being in accounting, you might also want to check if there are any local accounting meetup groups or professional associations that do networking events - sometimes those informal connections can lead to opportunities that aren't posted on job boards yet. Thanks for being so open about your experience and keeping everyone updated. This thread is going to help so many people who find themselves in similar situations. It's amazing how what seemed like a crisis turned into such a positive learning experience for everyone involved! 🌟

This thread is absolutely incredible - I wish I had found this a few weeks ago when I was dealing with my own EDD nightmare! I'm a pool maintenance technician and our seasonal ramp-up got delayed due to equipment supply issues and unusual weather patterns. Just like everyone else here, EDD automatically cut my payments on my expected return date even though I was still unemployed and actively looking for work. What really strikes me reading through all these experiences is how EDD has created this perfect storm of bureaucratic dysfunction for seasonal workers. They acknowledge seasonal work exists in their filing process, but then their automated systems treat any deviation from initial estimates like fraud or system abuse. It's backwards! I ended up getting through after 3 days of calling (tried the 8 AM strategy mentioned earlier - finally worked on day 3). The rep was actually apologetic and said they get these calls constantly during spring months when seasonal work ramps up. She fixed everything in minutes and even proactively asked if I wanted to extend my return date estimate further out "just in case" - clearly she knew how common these delays are! For anyone still dealing with this: persist with the calling, keep certifying no matter what, and don't feel bad about "gaming" the system by overestimating return dates. We're not gaming anything - we're just working around a system that wasn't designed for the reality of how seasonal work actually operates. This thread should be pinned as essential reading for seasonal workers!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding how to navigate EDD's broken system for seasonal workers! I'm a new member here and work in seasonal event production - our industry got completely disrupted during COVID and we're still dealing with unpredictable scheduling as things recover. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that EDD's automated system just wasn't built for the reality of how seasonal work operates. The advice about overestimating your return date when initially filing is brilliant - I wish someone had told me this when I first applied! I made the mistake of trying to be precise with my estimates and ended up in the same situation as the original poster. One thing I'd add based on my recent experience: when you do get through to a representative, ask them to explain exactly what triggered the automatic cutoff in your specific case. In my situation, the rep mentioned that the system also flags claims when you approach your maximum benefit amount around the same time as your return date, which can create additional complications. Understanding the "why" behind the system's decisions has helped me be more strategic about managing my claim. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world solutions - this community knowledge is so much more valuable than anything on EDD's official website!