I went through something very similar when I filed my claim in 2023. My WBA was calculated based on when I was working reduced hours while caring for my sick parent, so it was frustratingly low at $165/week. Like others have said, the weekly benefit amount is locked in for your entire benefit year - there's no way to get it recalculated even if your recent earnings are much higher. What helped me was focusing on maximizing my partial benefits by picking up every shift I could at my part-time job. Since you can earn up to about $188 without any reduction (as Omar mentioned), try to get as close to that threshold as possible each week. Also, start planning now for when your benefit year ends in January 2026 - if you're still eligible then, your new claim will include those higher earnings from late 2024 and all of 2025, which should give you a much better WBA. It's frustrating that the system looks backward instead of at your current earning potential, but understanding the rules helps you work within them. Hang in there!

I feel your pain on this one! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my WBA is way lower than what I could actually earn now. Just wanted to add one thing that helped me - make sure you're tracking your work hours super carefully when you do pick up those extra shifts. I use a simple spreadsheet to log my hours and earnings each day so I don't accidentally go over the partial benefit threshold or mess up my certification. Also, if you're looking for additional income sources while staying under that $188 limit, consider gig work that gives you flexible scheduling. Just remember what Ravi said about reporting ALL income - even small amounts from apps like DoorDash or Uber need to be reported. The key is finding that sweet spot where you maximize your total income (benefits + wages) without losing your UI eligibility completely. The whole system feels backwards when you're in a situation like this, but at least now you know exactly what to expect going forward!

UPDATE: My claim just switched from pending to paid this morning! Exactly one week after my interview. No additional communication from EDD, it just updated in the system. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance during my mini-panic. For anyone else in this situation - it seems like the 24-48 hour timeframe they mention is definitely not accurate, but patience (however difficult) pays off.

Congratulations on getting approved! This is exactly what people in similar situations need to hear. Your timeline matches what I've seen with other cases - the one week mark seems to be pretty standard despite their optimistic 24-48 hour estimate. Thanks for coming back to update us with the good news. It really helps calm the nerves of others going through the same waiting game. Enjoy the relief and hopefully your payments start flowing smoothly from here on out!

Great advice from everyone here! I went through something similar last year and want to add a few practical tips: 1. Start gathering your employment documents NOW - pay stubs, tax forms, etc. You'll need these when filing your claim. 2. If your company offers any career transition services or job placement assistance as part of the severance package, take advantage of those. They often count toward your work search requirements. 3. Consider setting up direct deposit for your EDD payments when you apply. It's faster than waiting for debit cards or checks to arrive. 4. Screenshot or save confirmation pages when you certify online. Sometimes the system has glitches and having proof you submitted on time can save you headaches later. You're smart to plan ahead - January gives you time to get organized instead of scrambling after your last day. The combination of severance, part-time work, and EDD benefits should help bridge you to your next full-time opportunity. Don't panic, you've got this!

As someone who's been through the EDD process multiple times, I want to emphasize one thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - keep DETAILED records of everything! Create a simple spreadsheet or notebook to track: - Your severance payment dates and amounts - Every hour worked at your part-time job with exact earnings - All your work search activities (job applications, interviews, networking events) - Screenshots of your certification submissions I learned this the hard way when EDD requested documentation during an eligibility review. Having everything organized saved me weeks of stress trying to reconstruct my records. Also, if you haven't already, create your EDD online account now so you're familiar with the system before you actually need to file. The interface can be confusing when you're already stressed about losing your job. One more tip: if your severance comes as a lump sum, ask your HR department exactly which pay period it will be reported under for tax purposes. This helps you report it correctly on the right certification weeks. Good luck!

I just wanted to add my experience since I went through something really similar a few months ago! I did a paid medical assistant training program that was about 40 hours over 2 weeks. Like everyone else has said, definitely report it as work income on your certification. One thing I learned that might help you - when you're filling out your certification and it asks if you were "ready, willing, and able to work," make sure you answer YES as long as the training schedule would allow you to accept a full-time job if one was offered. That's really important for maintaining your eligibility. Also, don't be surprised if your first reduced payment takes a little longer to process. Mine was delayed by about a week because their system flagged the income change, but it all worked out fine once they reviewed it. Just be patient if that happens. The medical coding field is awesome - I have friends who completed similar programs and they're all working now with really good pay. Even if this specific company doesn't hire you right away, you'll have that certification which opens up so many opportunities. You're making a smart move by taking this training!

I'm in a very similar situation right now! I just started a paid customer service training program that's 25 hours over one week at $15/hr. I was terrified about reporting it on my certification, but after reading all these responses, I feel so much better about it. I ended up calling EDD (took me 3 days of trying at exactly 8am) and the representative confirmed what everyone here is saying - report it as work income, expect a reduced payment for that week, but your claim stays active. She also mentioned that as long as the training doesn't prevent you from accepting other full-time work, you should still answer YES to being available for work. The rep actually seemed impressed that I was doing skills training and said it shows I'm actively working toward reemployment, which is exactly what they want to see. She told me to keep documentation of the training program just in case they need it later. One thing she emphasized that I don't think anyone mentioned - make sure you report the GROSS earnings before any taxes or deductions are taken out. That was something I wasn't sure about. Good luck with your medical coding training! From what I've heard, that field has amazing job prospects right now. You're definitely making a smart choice taking this opportunity!

I went through this exact same thing a few months ago and it was terrifying! Turned out my benefit year had expired and I needed to file a new claim. The key things that helped me: - Don't stop certifying even with zero balance - Check your claim start date - if it's been a year, you likely need to reapply - Look for any messages in your UI Online inbox about next steps - Try calling early morning (7:30-8am) for better chances of getting through - Document everything - screenshot your account, save confirmation numbers The whole process took about 3 weeks to sort out but I did eventually get all my back payments. Stay persistent and don't give up! The system is frustrating but it does work eventually.

This just happened to my friend too! She panicked thinking her benefits were cut off, but it turned out to be a system maintenance issue that lasted about 48 hours. Her balance came back after the weekend. That said, definitely follow the advice others have given here - check for any pending issues, look at your benefit year start date, and keep trying to get through to someone. In the meantime, take screenshots of your account showing the zero balance just in case you need proof later. Also, if you haven't already, try logging out completely and logging back in. Sometimes that refreshes the data. The EDD system can be glitchy but don't lose hope - most of these zero balance scares do get resolved! 🤞