I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just wanted to add that I tried the notification preferences route about a month ago and while it stopped most of the general emails, I'm still getting those weekly "time to certify" reminders even though my claim has been exhausted since December. Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like calling EDD and asking them to manually set the account to "inactive - benefit year expired" status is the most reliable solution. @Justin Chang thanks for sharing those specific words to use - that's really helpful since I wasn't sure exactly how to phrase what I needed when I call. I'm also really curious about @Ava Johnson's "Manage Claimant Account" feature. I've been through my UI Online account multiple times looking for any kind of self-service option to stop these notifications and haven't found anything like that. If it exists, it would definitely be easier than dealing with their phone system! For anyone else in the same boat - it's reassuring to know this is a common issue and not just me missing something obvious. Sounds like EDD's system just has some quirks when it comes to properly closing out accounts after benefit years end, especially if you had any of the pandemic extensions.

This thread has been super helpful - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm in the exact same boat as the original poster. Been back to work for months but still getting those annoying certification reminder emails even though my claim is long exhausted. Based on everything I've read here, it sounds like the most reliable solution is calling EDD and specifically asking them to set your account status to "inactive - benefit year expired" (thanks @Justin Chang for those magic words!). It's frustrating that their system can't figure this out automatically, but at least there seems to be a consistent manual fix. I'm also really intrigued by @Ava Johnson's mention of a "Manage Claimant Account" feature in UI Online. I've searched through my account multiple times and haven't found anything like that - could you share more details about where exactly that option is located? If it's a real self-service feature, it could save everyone from having to deal with calling in. Going to try the phone route first since that seems to have worked for so many people here. Will report back if I discover anything new!

I'm brand new to this community and just started collecting unemployment after being laid off from my data entry job last week. This entire thread has been such a lifesaver for me! I was completely panicking about potentially needing to withdraw from my small 401k to cover some unexpected veterinary bills for my dog, and I had absolutely no idea how it would affect my EDD benefits. Reading through Cass's complete journey from the initial worry all the way through to the final update showing everything worked out exactly as the experienced members predicted has been incredibly reassuring. The detailed explanations from Holly about proper reporting procedures, the real-world experiences shared by Malia and others, and especially seeing that one-week impact rule play out in practice makes this so much clearer than trying to navigate the confusing EDD website alone. It's amazing to find such a knowledgeable and supportive community where people are genuinely willing to share their experiences to help newcomers like me understand how the system actually works. The consistent message about being transparent and accurate in reporting, even when it means losing benefits for one week, is exactly the kind of practical guidance I desperately needed. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this discussion - finding this community makes dealing with unemployment feel so much less isolating and overwhelming!

I'm completely new to this community and just started collecting unemployment after being laid off from my retail job a few days ago. This entire thread has been absolutely incredible - I had no idea about any of this 401k withdrawal stuff and was really worried about potentially needing to tap into mine for some urgent expenses. Seeing Cass's real experience play out exactly as everyone predicted, with just that one-week impact and then everything back to normal, has given me so much peace of mind. The detailed explanations from Holly and all the personal stories shared here make this so much clearer than the confusing EDD website. It's amazing how supportive and knowledgeable this community is - everyone's willingness to share their actual experiences to help newcomers understand the system is invaluable. The key takeaway about being honest and transparent in reporting, even when it means taking that one-week hit, is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you all for creating such a welcoming place where people can get real answers during these stressful times!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now and it's beyond frustrating! Reset my password yesterday and immediately got locked out before I could even try logging in once. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like calling that technical support number (1-833-978-2511) is really the only solution. What gets me is that this seems to happen to SO many people - you'd think EDD would fix their system or at least put some warning on the password reset page about waiting 15 minutes and closing your browser. Instead we're all here trying to decode their broken system like it's some kind of puzzle. Going to try calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow with all my info ready. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know there's light at the end of the tunnel!

I just wanted to share my own experience with this since I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago. What really helped me was keeping a detailed log of exactly when I reset my password and when I called. I noticed that if you reset your password on a Friday afternoon, it's actually better to wait until Monday to call because their weekend support is even more limited. Also, one thing I learned the hard way - if the first rep you talk to says they can't help with account lockouts, politely ask to be transferred to someone who specializes in UI Online technical issues. Some of the general support staff aren't trained on the account unlock procedures. The whole system is definitely broken, but at least we have this community to share these hard-learned lessons!

I went through this exact same situation when my startup shut down in 2023! They paid us through the end of the month even though we were technically laid off mid-month. Here's what I learned: definitely report ALL of it during certification - severance, unused vacation, everything. The key thing everyone's mentioned is correct - it's about what period the money covers, not when you received it. One thing I'll add that helped me: I created a simple spreadsheet breaking down exactly what I received and which certification weeks it applied to. This made it super easy when filling out the forms and also gave me a record in case EDD had questions later. Also, don't stress too much about getting reduced benefits during those severance weeks - once that period ends, you'll get your full weekly benefit amount. The most important thing is being honest and thorough from the start!

I just went through this same situation a few months ago! One tip that really helped me was to call EDD's customer service line early in the morning (like right when they open at 8am) - I had much better luck getting through then compared to calling during peak hours. When I spoke with them, they walked me through exactly how to report my severance on the certification form and confirmed that I was doing it correctly. Also, don't panic if your first few certifications show $0 or reduced benefits because of the severance - that's totally normal! Once the severance period is over, your benefits will kick in at the full amount. The agent told me that it's way better to over-report than under-report, so when in doubt, include it. EDD can always adjust things later if needed, but it's much harder to fix issues if you don't report income upfront. Keep all your paperwork handy too - they might ask for documentation of your severance agreement during the claims process. You've got this!

As someone who went through a similar short-term furlough situation last year, I wanted to share a few additional tips that helped me navigate the process smoothly. First, when you certify for benefits, be very clear about your furlough status - answer "yes" when asked if you're able and available for work, but make sure to note in any comment sections that you have a definite return date. Second, if you have any side income or do any freelance work during the furlough (which some people do to make ends meet), make sure to report it accurately when certifying. Even small amounts need to be reported and can affect your weekly benefit amount. Finally, consider setting up direct deposit if you haven't already - it can speed up payment processing once your claim is approved. The fact that your company was proactive about suggesting you file is a good sign that they'll cooperate fully with EDD if contacted for verification. Wishing you a smooth process!

One more thing to consider - if your company offers any kind of supplemental unemployment benefits (SUB pay) during the furlough, make sure you understand how that might affect your EDD claim. Some employers provide partial pay during furloughs, and you'll need to report this when certifying. Also, since your furlough is only one month, you might want to think about whether it's worth the administrative hassle versus just using savings if you have them. However, if this is unpaid time off due to no fault of your own, you've earned those unemployment benefits through your past work, so there's no shame in claiming them! The system exists for exactly these situations. Just make sure to stop certifying immediately when you return to work on April 10th, even if your claim is still active.