Hey Kennedy! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - got laid off right before a pre-planned trip to visit family. Everyone here is giving you solid advice about filing ASAP, but I wanted to add something that really helped me: when you file tonight, make sure to note down the exact date you became unemployed (your last day of work) because EDD will ask for this info later when you certify. Also, just a heads up - when you return and do your first certification, you'll need to report any severance pay you received during those weeks. It might affect your benefit amount temporarily, but it's better to be upfront about it than have issues later. The good news is that once you're back and available for work, the benefits process is pretty straightforward. You'll certify every two weeks online and if everything goes smoothly, you'll get paid within a few days. Enjoy your family reunion and don't stress too much about this - you're handling it the right way by filing before you leave!

One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned yet - make sure you have your Social Security card and driver's license handy when you file tonight. The online application will ask for these details and it's much easier to have the physical documents in front of you rather than trying to remember exact numbers. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, you'll need their information too (company names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for leaving each job). I'd also recommend checking that your contact information is current in the system - phone number, email, and mailing address - because EDD will use these to communicate with you about your claim status. You don't want important notices going to an old address while you're traveling! One last thing: when you return from vacation and start certifying, remember that you need to be actively looking for work to continue receiving benefits. Keep records of your job search activities because EDD can audit these at any time. But for now, just focus on getting that claim filed before you leave. You've got this!

This thread has been incredibly reassuring! I'm a UX designer who's been on UI for 2 months and just got offered a 5-week contract. I was literally about to turn it down because I thought it would mess up my claim, but reading everyone's experiences here has completely changed my perspective. The fact that so many people have successfully navigated temporary work while on UI without major issues is really encouraging. I especially appreciate the practical tips about reporting gross earnings before expenses and emphasizing that freelance work keeps you active in your profession. It's amazing how much anxiety gets created by not understanding the process, when it's actually pretty straightforward - just keep certifying biweekly and be honest about your earnings. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real-world experiences. This is exactly the kind of community knowledge that makes all the difference when you're trying to make these decisions!

As someone who's been through this exact situation multiple times, I wanted to add one more reassuring voice to this thread! I'm a freelance marketing consultant who's navigated several temporary contracts while on UI over the past couple years. The process really is as straightforward as everyone's describing - just keep certifying every two weeks and report your earnings honestly. One thing I'd emphasize that hasn't been mentioned much: don't be surprised if your UI Online account shows $0 payments for the weeks you're working full-time hours. This is totally normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong with your claim! Your benefit amount will automatically resume once you report lower or no earnings again. Also, since you're in design, definitely keep track of any new skills or software you learn during the freelance gig - this can actually strengthen your job search narrative when you're back to looking for permanent work. The freelance experience shows you're staying current and adaptable in your field. You're making the right call taking this opportunity. Temporary work while on UI is much more common than people realize, and the system is designed to handle it smoothly. Best of luck with your project!

have u tried faxing them? I know it sounds old school but sometimes it actually works lol

I went through something similar a few months ago. Here's what finally worked for me: I called right when they opened (8am sharp) and kept hitting redial until I got through to the queue. It took like 30 tries but I finally got someone. Also, try calling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays - seems like Mondays and Fridays are the worst. Make sure you have all your info ready (claim number, SSN, etc.) because they'll ask for everything. Don't give up - you'll get it sorted out!

I went through the same confusion with CalJobs registration! From my experience, it's definitely part of the work search requirements that came back after the pandemic pause. The registration itself won't speed up your benefits, but it's required to keep them coming. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of all my job search activities in CalJobs - EDD can ask for proof at any time. If you're having payment issues on top of this, definitely use those phone tricks Tom shared. The combination of registration requirements AND payment problems can be overwhelming, but they're usually separate issues that need to be handled individually.

I was in the exact same boat a few months ago! The CalJobs registration is definitely just part of the work search requirements - it's not an indicator that your benefits are coming soon, unfortunately. It's basically EDD's way of making sure you're actively job searching, which is required to keep receiving unemployment. The timing of getting that request along with issues about payments is probably just coincidence, but both need to be addressed. I'd suggest registering for CalJobs ASAP to stay compliant, and then tackle the payment issue separately by calling EDD. Those YouTube links Tom shared are gold - I used similar methods and finally got through to a real person. Hang in there, the system is frustrating but you'll get it sorted out!

Just wanted to add - make sure you understand the difference between "reduced hours" and being "laid off" when you file your claim. Since you went from 40 hours to 12 hours at the same job, this might be considered a reduction in hours rather than a traditional layoff. EDD treats these situations slightly differently, but you should still qualify for partial benefits. When you file, be very clear about your situation - that your employer cut your hours significantly but you're still employed part-time. This will help EDD process your claim correctly from the start.

I just went through this same situation! Got my hours cut from full-time to part-time and was worried about the income limits too. Here's what I learned: EDD looks at your gross weekly earnings vs your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA). You can earn up to 25% of your WBA without any deduction, then they reduce your benefits dollar-for-dollar after that. The good news is you can still get partial benefits as long as your part-time earnings don't exceed 125% of your WBA. With your $240/week, you'll likely still qualify for something - just apply and be completely honest about your current part-time work when you certify each week. The system will calculate it all automatically. Don't stress about the exact math beforehand, just get your claim started!