UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning (called right when they opened at 8am). Turns out there were TWO problems - 1) My employer had reported my wages to the wrong SSN for one quarter (typo on their end), and 2) The system was trying to reactivate my old pandemic claim instead of creating a new one. The rep was actually super helpful and fixed both issues. They're processing a new claim for me now and said I should see everything updated in my portal within 10 days. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! I'll post again once everything is resolved to confirm it all worked out.

So glad you got it sorted out! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's crucial to keep calling until you reach someone who can actually look at your account. The combination of employer reporting errors AND the system trying to reactivate an old claim instead of filing a new one is exactly the kind of mess that automated systems can't handle. Thanks for sharing the update - it'll definitely help others who run into similar issues. The 8am call time tip is gold too!

That EDD rep definitely gave you wrong information! I went through something very similar in 2023 - multiple appeals denied, confusing info from reps, the whole nightmare. Here's what I wish I had known earlier: The "only sent once" thing about waivers is completely false. I actually got my waiver form twice because I lost the first one in all the EDD paperwork chaos! Since your letters don't mention fraud, you're probably looking at a non-fraud overpayment which is good news for waiver eligibility. The key things to look for are: - No mention of "willful misrepresentation" - No Section 1257(a) citations - No penalty percentages (like 30% added to the base amount) The waiting for it to "post" is unfortunately normal - mine took about 4 months after my final appeal was denied. It's maddening but that's just how slow their system is. My biggest advice: start preparing now even while you wait. Gather bank statements, pay stubs, monthly expenses, anything that shows financial hardship. When you finally get that overpayment notice, you'll want to request the DE 1446 form immediately and be ready to submit it with all your documentation. Don't give up! The system is broken but waivers do get approved for people in your situation.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - the EDD system is absolutely broken and their reps giving out incorrect information just makes everything worse! That rep was completely wrong about waivers being "only sent once." I work as a benefits advocate and I've helped dozens of people get multiple waiver forms over the years. The DE 1446 can be requested whenever you have a qualifying non-fraud overpayment. Based on your description, you're likely dealing with a non-fraud overpayment since there's no mention of fraud in your letters. The "hasn't posted yet" status is unfortunately normal - EDD's systems are incredibly slow and it can take 3-6 months or even longer after appeals are exhausted. Here's what I'd recommend while you wait: 1. Start gathering financial hardship documentation now (bank statements, pay stubs, bills, proof of dependents, etc.) 2. Request your complete claim file in writing to see exactly how your disqualification is coded 3. When you call again, ask specifically for a Tier 2 specialist who handles overpayment waivers 4. Don't accept "I don't know" answers about fraud vs non-fraud status The waiting is agonizing, but many people in your exact situation have successfully gotten waivers approved. Document everything and keep pushing for accurate information. You've got this!

I've been through this exact scenario twice! The first time I panicked and almost reported the job offer too early, but luckily I asked my friend who works in HR first. Here's what I learned: Keep certifying normally until your ACTUAL first day of work. A verbal offer with no paperwork or start date is essentially just a promising conversation - nothing more. The EDD certification questions are very literal: "Did you work?" No. "Did you earn wages?" No. "Did you refuse work?" No (since you accepted). What really helped me was setting up a simple tracking system. I created a note in my phone with the offer date, acceptance date, and any updates from HR. This way I had everything documented if I ever needed to reference it later. The hardest part is the limbo period - you want to celebrate but you also can't fully relax until that first paycheck hits. Just remember that EDD deals with actual work performed and wages earned, not future promises. You're being smart by asking these questions instead of just winging it! Once you do get that start date, make sure to report your gross earnings for any week you work, even if the paycheck comes later. But until then, you're still unemployed in EDD's eyes, so keep doing everything you're supposed to do as an unemployment recipient.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Got a verbal offer on a Friday, accepted it, but then had to wait almost 3 weeks for HR to get everything sorted out. It was so stressful not knowing when I'd actually start earning money again. Here's what I did and it worked out perfectly: I kept certifying normally every week until my actual first day of work. The key is understanding that EDD's questions are very specific to what happened during that certification period. So if you didn't work or earn wages that week, you report no work and no wages. Since you accepted the job offer (didn't refuse it), you answer "No" to the refuse work question. I also kept doing my three work search activities each week until my start date, just to be safe. I know it seems silly when you already have a job lined up, but technically you're still unemployed until you actually start working. The waiting period is nerve-wracking, but you're doing the right thing by being cautious and asking questions. Once you do get that official start date and begin working, then you'll switch to reporting your actual earnings. Until then, just answer each certification question truthfully based on what actually happened that week. You've got this!

I'm a substitute teacher who went through this process twice - once successfully and once with complications. The key lesson I learned is that your resident sub status actually works in your favor compared to regular day-to-day subs, but you need to frame it correctly. When I filed my first claim, I made the mistake of emphasizing that I was a "resident" sub, which EDD initially interpreted as having more job security. This led to a denial that I had to appeal. The second time (different school year), I focused on the fact that despite being called a "resident" sub, my contract explicitly stated that work was contingent on enrollment, funding, and operational needs - and that no specific hours or classroom assignments were guaranteed during or after breaks. I also included documentation showing that my pay stopped completely during breaks (no salary continuation), which helped demonstrate that the district didn't consider me to have ongoing employment during non-work periods. The appeal process for my first claim took nearly 8 weeks, so definitely get your language right the first time. Document everything and keep emphasizing the lack of guaranteed work rather than your title or position type.

I'm also a substitute teacher in California and have successfully claimed unemployment during school breaks for the past two years. One thing that really helped my case was getting a written statement from my district's HR department clarifying my employment status during breaks. Even though they were initially vague (like yours), when I pressed them for something in writing, they provided a letter stating that substitute teachers are not guaranteed work during recess periods and that work resumption depends on district needs and enrollment. This became crucial documentation for my EDD claim. I'd suggest going back to your HR department and specifically requesting written clarification about whether you have guaranteed work during winter break - even if they say "no guarantees," getting that in writing can strengthen your claim significantly. Also, make sure to file your claim about a week before winter break starts rather than waiting until the break begins. The processing time can be lengthy, and you want to maximize your potential benefit weeks. Good luck!

One final important note: If your DoorDash earnings reduce your weekly benefit amount, that's actually a good thing in the long run. Each week you receive partial benefits extends your claim duration, effectively stretching your maximum benefit amount over a longer period of time. Many people don't realize this advantage of reporting partial earnings properly.

Just wanted to add something that helped me a lot when I started gig work while on UI - download a mileage tracking app like MileIQ or Everlance. Even though you can't deduct expenses on your EDD certification, you'll still need those records for tax time when you file your 1099. DoorDash only tracks your "online" miles, not the miles you drive TO your first pickup or back home after your last delivery. Those extra miles add up and can save you hundreds on taxes. I wish someone had told me this when I first started!