I'm going through almost the exact same thing right now! Got a $12,800 settlement from a car accident last year and I've been so stressed about how it might affect my UI benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - especially the advice about calling EDD BEFORE depositing the check. I'm definitely going to follow the steps everyone outlined: call for a tier 2 rep, have all my settlement docs ready, emphasize it's for medical/pain&suffering only, and get everything properly documented in my file. The tip about asking my lawyer for a breakdown letter is genius too. It's so reassuring to hear from people who actually went through this and kept their full benefits. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences instead of just speculation - it's exactly what I needed to feel confident about handling this properly!

I just went through this exact situation 3 months ago with a $14k settlement from a rear-end collision. Here's my step-by-step experience that might help: 1. Called EDD BEFORE depositing the check (this was crucial) 2. Asked specifically for a tier 2 representative who handles income determinations 3. Had my settlement agreement and lawyer's breakdown ready 4. Clearly stated it was for "personal injury - medical expenses and pain/suffering only, no lost wages" 5. The rep put detailed notes in my file and gave me a confirmation number When I certified that week, I reported it as "other income" with the note "PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT - CONFIRMED WITH REP [confirmation number]" Result: Zero reduction in my weekly benefits. The rep explained that CA specifically excludes personal injury settlements from UI income calculations because they're compensatory damages, not earnings. The key is being proactive and getting proper documentation. Don't stress too much - if it's truly for medical/injury damages (which yours sounds like it is), you should be fine. Just make sure to call them first and get everything properly noted in your file!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who works in theater tech with a very similar schedule pattern! I made this exact same mistake when I first started claiming UI between shows. The key insight that helped me was realizing that EDD expects you to treat unemployment benefits like an ongoing relationship, not a series of separate transactions. Once I filed my initial claim and started certifying continuously (every 2 weeks without fail), everything became so much smoother. Even during busy seasons when I'm working 60+ hour weeks, I still certify and just report my full earnings - this keeps my claim active for those inevitable gaps between productions. The hardest part is remembering to certify on time even when you're busy working, but it's worth it to avoid the headache you're dealing with now. Also, keep all your paystubs and work records organized - irregular work means more documentation if EDD ever needs to verify your earnings patterns.

I work in seasonal landscaping and had this exact same problem! What finally solved it for me was calling EDD and having them walk me through the correct process. The rep explained that when you file multiple claims throughout the year, each one triggers a new waiting period, which is why you keep losing that first week of benefits. The correct approach is: file ONE claim at the beginning of your benefit year, serve your ONE waiting period week, then certify every two weeks for the entire 12 months regardless of work status. During busy season when I'm working full time, I still certify and just report my full earnings (which means $0 benefits but keeps claim active). During slow periods, I report little to no earnings and receive benefits. The system is actually pretty flexible once you understand it's designed for continuous certification, not stop-and-start filing. I'd definitely recommend calling EDD to see if they can backdate certifications for the weeks you missed - they sometimes allow it if you can explain the misunderstanding. Good luck!

Oh that's rough! I double-checked and my address is correct in the system, so hopefully that won't happen to me.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My claim switched to paid 5 days ago and I've been refreshing my mailbox every day like it's going to magically make the card appear faster 😅 Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring though - sounds like 7-10 business days is pretty standard. The worst part is not knowing if it's even been mailed yet. I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned if I don't hear anything by early next week. Hang in there!

This thread has been absolutely life-saving! I just filed my claim this morning (Friday) and was already spiraling into anxiety when I logged into UI Online and saw this upcoming Sunday listed as my benefit year start date. I kept refreshing the page thinking there was a glitch or that I had somehow filed incorrectly. The "weekly buckets" explanation is brilliant - it finally makes sense why EDD uses these Sunday dates that seem to come out of nowhere. It's like they have these pre-made weekly containers running Sunday through Saturday, and no matter what day you actually file, you automatically get sorted into the current week's Sunday bucket. So my waiting period will start this Sunday even though I just filed today. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread because the official EDD explanations are absolutely useless compared to real people sharing their actual experiences. Thank you all for taking the time to break this down so clearly - you've saved me from what would have been days of stress and probably dozens of frustrated phone calls to EDD! Now I know to expect my first certification to cover both the waiting week and my first potentially payable week, and most importantly, not to skip certifying for that waiting week even though I won't get paid for it.

I just want to say how grateful I am for this entire thread! I filed my claim yesterday (Thursday) and immediately started panicking when I saw last Sunday showing up as my benefit year start date in UI Online. I was convinced I had somehow messed up my application or that there was a system error. The "weekly buckets" explanation has been absolutely revolutionary for my understanding - it's like EDD has these predetermined Sunday-Saturday containers and everyone just gets dropped into whichever bucket covers their filing week. So simple once you get it, but their website makes it sound so complicated with all the legal jargon about "effective dates" and "benefit periods." What really struck me reading everyone's stories is how universal this confusion is. Literally every single person goes through this same "wait, why does my claim start before I filed?" panic. It's almost comforting knowing it's not just me being dense - EDD's system really is that confusing at first glance! I'm feeling so much more confident now about certifying for my waiting week (even though it includes days before I filed) and understanding that my first certification will cover two weeks. This community has provided better education about EDD timing than hours of reading their official documentation. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and making this process way less scary for newcomers like me!

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation, Anastasia. As someone who works in workforce development, I wanted to add a few resources that might help bridge this gap while you're job searching. First, definitely look into your county's Emergency Rental Assistance program if housing costs are a concern - many counties still have COVID relief funds available for unemployment situations like yours. Second, since you mentioned healthcare assistance job searching, consider getting your CPR/First Aid certification if you don't already have it. Many community colleges offer free or low-cost classes, and it makes you much more competitive for hospital patient care assistant positions. Also, check with your local Area Agency on Aging - they often know about private families looking for experienced caregivers and can sometimes make direct referrals. Your 13 years with one client is exactly the kind of stability and trustworthiness families are desperately seeking. Finally, when you do get through to EDD, ask about the "Disaster Unemployment Assistance" program eligibility - sometimes there are small programs available that aren't widely publicized. Your dedication and experience are incredibly valuable. Don't let this system make you feel otherwise!

I'm really touched by how supportive this community has been to Anastasia! Reading through all these responses, I wanted to add one more resource that might help. Since you mentioned you're 58 and this is your first time on unemployment, you should definitely check if you qualify for the AARP Foundation's "Back to Work 50+" program. They offer free job search assistance, resume help, and interview coaching specifically for older workers. Also, given your 13 years of dedicated caregiving experience, you might want to look into becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Many community colleges have accelerated CNA programs (sometimes just 4-6 weeks), and some even offer financial assistance for students in your situation. With your background, you'd probably excel in the program, and CNAs are in huge demand right now with good pay and benefits. One last thing - when you're ready to apply for positions, don't undersell that 13-year tenure. In healthcare, that kind of loyalty and consistency is like gold. Most employers would rather hire someone with your proven dedication than someone who job-hops every year or two. You've got so much valuable experience and clearly a strong work ethic. This rough patch is temporary, but your skills and character will carry you through to something even better!