Hey everyone, I'm new here but going through something similar! I just started a part-time gig at a local grocery store and was totally panicking about how to handle my first certification. Reading through all these responses has been SO helpful - I had no idea about reporting when you EARN vs when you GET PAID. That seems like such an important distinction that EDD should make clearer on their forms! Also really glad someone mentioned the work search requirement because I definitely would have stopped doing job searches thinking "well I have a job now." Sounds like there are so many little details that can trip you up. Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone - this community is a lifesaver for navigating all the EDD confusion!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this whole process multiple times - you're definitely on the right track asking these questions! I made so many mistakes my first time around because I didn't understand the "when earned vs when paid" rule. One thing I learned the hard way is to keep really detailed records of your work schedule and hours, especially when you're just starting a new job and your schedule might be inconsistent. I use a simple notes app on my phone to track my daily hours so when certification time comes around, I don't have to try to remember what I worked two weeks ago. Also, don't stress too much about making small mistakes - EDD is usually pretty understanding if you're genuinely trying to report accurately and you catch any errors quickly. The main thing is being honest and reporting based on when you actually worked, not when the money hits your account. You've got this!

I'm a new member here but I've been lurking and reading about all these EDD horror stories. Your situation sounds incredibly frustrating and honestly illegal - how can they tell you one thing (that you're done after penalty weeks) and then do something completely different? I wanted to add that if you're dealing with apprenticeship/training pay reporting issues, you might want to contact your training program coordinator too. Sometimes they can provide documentation or clarification letters that help with EDD appeals. Many apprenticeship programs have dealt with this exact reporting confusion before and know how to word things in a way EDD understands. Also, I've heard from friends that when you call EDD, it sometimes helps to say you're calling about "overpayment recovery options" rather than just general questions - apparently it routes you to specialists faster. Not sure if that's true but might be worth trying. This whole system is designed to exhaust people into giving up, but you've gotten so much good advice in this thread. Don't let them steal benefits you've earned and are entitled to receive. Keep fighting!

I just wanted to jump in and say that reading through this entire thread has been both heartbreaking and inspiring. @Paolo, your situation perfectly illustrates how broken and cruel the EDD system has become - serving penalty weeks should mean you've paid your debt to society, not that you still owe thousands of dollars on top of that punishment. What really strikes me is how much collective knowledge this community has developed just to survive EDD's bureaucratic maze. The fact that we need to know about Tier 2 specialists, confirmation numbers, specific forms like DE 1446H, emergency hardship reviews, and even phone call timing strategies just shows how deliberately obtuse this system is. To everyone sharing advice here - thank you for turning your painful experiences into help for others. And Paolo, please keep us updated on how the emergency hardship review goes and whether you're able to get through to someone who can actually help. You've already shown incredible resilience getting through 10 weeks without benefits. Don't let them wear you down now when you're so close to getting some relief. The apprenticeship angle sounds particularly promising since there are often special provisions for training-related income reporting. Definitely pursue that documentation from your program coordinator. Sometimes one properly worded letter from an official source can cut through months of EDD confusion.

This thread has been super helpful for understanding retention bonuses and unemployment! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation - my company is offering a retention bonus before layoffs next month. One question I haven't seen addressed: if the retention bonus is paid in installments (like half now, half on the last day), do you report each installment separately for the weeks you receive them? Or is there a different way EDD wants you to handle split payments? Just want to make sure I understand all the scenarios since companies seem to handle these bonuses differently.

I just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through the EDD process with a retention bonus. The advice here is all excellent - definitely report it! One thing I'd suggest is to also check if your company is reporting the bonus correctly to EDD. When I got my retention bonus last year, my employer initially coded it wrong in their wage reporting system, which caused a delay in my claim processing. If possible, ask your HR department how they plan to report the retention bonus to state agencies - whether as regular wages, bonus compensation, or other pay. Having that info ahead of time can help you match what you report on your certification with what your employer reports, which might prevent any processing delays or discrepancies that could flag your claim for review. Also, just a heads up that the EDD online system sometimes glitches when you're entering bonus amounts, especially larger ones like yours. Make sure to double-check that the amount saved correctly before submitting your certification. I had to re-enter mine twice because the system didn't save it properly the first time.

I'm completely new to this community and just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread! As someone who's never dealt with EDD issues before, I had absolutely no idea that funds could remain accessible on expired cards. This whole discussion has been such an education - it's incredible how many people seem to be in similar situations with forgotten money on old cards. I'm pretty sure I don't have any old EDD cards myself, but I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and will share it with friends and family who might. The detailed advice about calling EDD first, then the appropriate card issuer, and having ID ready for verification is exactly the kind of practical guidance that makes these systems less intimidating. It's amazing how much you can learn just by reading other people's real experiences. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to help others navigate this process!

I'm brand new to this community and this thread has been absolutely mind-blowing! I had no idea that money could still be sitting on expired EDD cards - I always assumed once the card expired, any leftover funds would just vanish into thin air. Reading through everyone's success stories has been so encouraging, especially seeing how helpful people have been with sharing specific phone numbers and step-by-step processes. I'm pretty sure I have an old card from early 2020 when I was briefly unemployed at the start of the pandemic, but I completely forgot about it once I found new work. That whole period was such chaos that I'm not even sure if I used all the funds or not. Based on everything I've read here, it definitely seems worth digging through my old paperwork this weekend to see if I can find it. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice that makes these confusing government systems feel a little less overwhelming!

Just to add one important detail - make sure you activate your card as soon as you receive it by calling the number on the sticker. You'll need to create a PIN. Also, Money Network now has an app you can download to manage your funds, check balances, and set up alerts for deposits. Much easier than their website in my experience.

One thing I don't see mentioned here - once you get your card, you can also set up direct deposit to your regular bank account instead of waiting for the card each time. You just need to log into your UI Online account and go to the "Profile" section to add your bank info. Takes about 1-2 business cycles to take effect, but then your payments go straight to your bank instead of the prepaid card. Much more convenient if you prefer using your own bank!