Welcome to the community, Maya! It's so great to see how this discussion has helped so many people who were in similar situations. Starting your first job after college while navigating unemployment benefits can definitely feel overwhelming, but you're absolutely doing the right thing by seeking out guidance from people who've been through it. This thread really shows the power of community knowledge - Carmen's expertise combined with everyone's real experiences creates such a comprehensive guide. The fact that you found this post while searching shows you're being proactive about handling everything correctly, which is exactly the right approach. Best of luck with your new job! You've got all the information you need to transition off benefits properly, and this community will be here if you have any other questions along the way.

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm in week 3 of a new job after being unemployed for 7 months, and I was so worried about handling the EDD transition correctly. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially the success stories from Mateo, Chloe, and others who got that confirmation message about earning too much for benefits - has been incredibly reassuring. Carmen's professional breakdown was absolute gold, and I love how this community shares both the technical details (like gross vs net earnings) and the emotional support of going through these transitions. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have your employer's EIN number ready when certifying - they ask for it and I had to scramble to find it my first time! Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge here. It's amazing how a simple question turned into such a comprehensive guide for anyone navigating this process.

I've been doing gig work while on UI for about 6 months now and want to share some hard-learned lessons that might help you avoid mistakes I made early on. First, the reporting timing IS confusing at first, but here's how I think about it: EDD wants to know what you EARNED during each certification period, regardless of when the money hits your account. So if you work Thursday-Sunday of your certification week, you report ALL of those earnings even if some payments are delayed. Second thing - and this is HUGE - track your GROSS earnings before any platform fees. So if DoorDash shows you earned $100 but only pays you $85 after their service fee, you report $100 to EDD. I made the mistake of reporting net earnings my first few weeks and had to correct it later. Also, keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. I use a simple notes app on my phone to log: date, platform, hours worked, gross earnings, miles driven, and gas purchased. Takes 30 seconds after each shift but has saved me multiple times when EDD asked for clarification. One more tip: consider your vehicle expenses. Gig work is hard on your car - oil changes, tire wear, increased insurance. Factor these real costs into whether the work is actually profitable for you after the UI benefit reduction. The system works if you're diligent about accurate reporting, but there's definitely a learning curve!

I've been doing Uber/DoorDash while on UI for about 4 months now and wanted to share some practical tips that have helped me stay compliant and maximize my income. **Key things I've learned:** 1. **Set up a simple tracking system immediately** - I use a notebook in my car where I write down each shift: date, app used, total gross shown in app, hours worked. Takes 10 seconds but creates a paper trail. 2. **Screenshot everything** - At the end of each week, I screenshot my earnings summary from each app before I cash out. This gives me proof of what I reported to EDD if questions come up later. 3. **The sweet spot calculation** - With your $450 WBA, if you earn around $400 gross from gig work in a week, EDD deducts $300 (75%), leaving you $150 in benefits + $400 gig money = $550 total. That's been my target range. 4. **Don't overthink the timing** - I report earnings for the week I did the actual work, period. If I drove Saturday night but got paid Tuesday, it goes on Saturday's week. Keep it simple. 5. **Plan for taxes NOW** - I transfer 25% of each gig deposit into a separate savings account immediately. You'll thank yourself later when quarterly taxes are due. The system really does work if you're honest and organized. I'm actually earning more now than I was at my old job, and it's giving me flexibility to be picky about my next permanent position. Just don't cut corners on the record-keeping!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Hey! That message means they've approved your unemployment application and you'll be getting your EDD debit card (Bank of America card) in the mail soon. This is the card they'll use to deposit your unemployment payments. It usually takes about 7-10 business days to arrive after you see that message. Once you get it, you'll need to activate it and then you should start seeing your payments deposited. Make sure to keep an eye on your mail and also check your EDD account online for any updates on payment dates!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who's about to start my own unemployment claim, I had no idea the EDD registration system had so many potential pitfalls. The collective troubleshooting knowledge here is mind-blowing - you all have basically created the definitive guide that EDD should have provided from day one. I'm taking notes on all the formatting variations mentioned: SSN without dashes, address abbreviations, name suffix punctuation, ZIP code formats, middle name variations, and even the VPN/network settings tip. It's honestly shocking that in 2025 we need to systematically guess how our own information is formatted in government databases just to register for benefits we're entitled to. The fact that this started as one person's frustration and evolved into a comprehensive troubleshooting manual really shows the power of community knowledge-sharing. I'm bookmarking this thread and will definitely come back to reference it when I inevitably hit these same issues. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their specific solutions - you're literally helping people access the support they need during difficult times. This community is amazing! 🙏

This has been such an educational thread to follow! As someone who's never dealt with EDD before, I had no idea their registration system could be this complex. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that what should be a straightforward process has turned into a puzzle that requires community crowdsourcing to solve. What really stands out to me is how many different data sources EDD apparently pulls from - it's like they're trying to match your information across a dozen different government databases that were never designed to work together. The fact that something as simple as "Street" vs "St" or including/excluding dashes in your SSN can break the entire registration process is mind-boggling for a system built in 2025. I'm definitely saving this thread as a reference guide. The systematic troubleshooting approach that's emerged here - trying all the name variations, address formats, browser differences, network settings, etc. - is incredibly valuable. It's honestly better documentation than anything EDD has provided officially. Thank you to everyone who shared their specific solutions and frustrations. This kind of community knowledge-sharing is what makes dealing with bureaucratic systems actually manageable. I hope this thread helps save countless other people from the days of trial-and-error that so many of you went through!

I reapplied last week and got approved in 3 days! Maybe they've finally fixed the backlog? 🤞

Just wanted to add that if you're reapplying after your benefit year ended, make sure you check if you have any remaining balance from your previous claim first. Sometimes you can just reopen your existing claim instead of filing a brand new one, which is usually faster. I learned this the hard way after waiting weeks for a new claim when I could have just reopened! Also, keep copies of everything you submit - I mean EVERYTHING. Screenshots, confirmation emails, the works. The system can be glitchy and you'll want proof if something goes wrong.