jus wanna say good luck man. been there with the id.me nightmare... took me almost 3 weeks to get my claim filed because of it. system is broken

UPDATE: The video chat with ID.me referee finally worked! I had to wait about an hour but the person was actually really helpful. They got me verified and I was able to complete my claim online. Thanks everyone for all your suggestions - especially about the video chat option! Now I just have to wait and see if they approve my claim.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! Got laid off from my tech job in March but they offered me a 6-week contract to finish up some projects. I was so worried about messing up my unemployment claim but it worked out perfectly. Filed my claim the day after my regular employment ended, reported all contract earnings during certification, and got zero benefits during those contract weeks (made too much). But once the contract ended, my full benefits kicked in immediately. The whole process was actually pretty smooth. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - make sure your contract explicitly states it's temporary project work with a defined end date. Having that clear documentation helped when EDD reviewed my claim. Also, don't stress too much about the phone situation - I never had to call them and everything processed automatically through the online system. You're making the right choice taking the contract. The extra income in January will be worth it, and your February+ benefits will be exactly the same as if you hadn't done the contract work.

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar boat - just got notice of layoff from my nonprofit job (effective Jan 15) but they want me to stay on as a consultant for February to help train my replacement. Reading everyone's experiences here is giving me confidence that I can accept the consulting gig without screwing up my unemployment claim. Quick question for those who've been through this - did any of you have issues with the fact that you're essentially working for the same employer who laid you off? I'm wondering if EDD views that differently than contract work for a completely different company. The pay structure and everything else sounds identical to what OP is dealing with, just curious if the "same employer" aspect creates any complications. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community really is a lifesaver when navigating EDD's complexity!

Final update: It took exactly 4 business days for my direct deposit to activate. Just got my first payment directly to my checking account today! For anyone else wondering, the process was pretty straightforward - the Money Network website walks you through it. And yes, I did have to transfer the initial payment from my card separately.

That's awesome that it worked out so smoothly for you! 4 business days is actually pretty reasonable. Quick question for everyone - has anyone had issues with the Money Network website being down or glitchy when trying to set up direct deposit? I'm planning to do this soon and want to know if there are certain times of day that work better or if I should expect any technical difficulties with their site.

For everyone still searching for an EDD San Jose phone number - I contacted three different local offices and they all said the same thing. Unemployment calls only go through 800-300-5616 or 833-978-8753, both identical lines.

I'm in the same boat here in San Jose! Been calling for weeks thinking there might be a local number. After reading all these responses, it's clear there's no separate EDD San Jose phone number. The timing tips are really helpful though - sounds like early Wednesday mornings around 8am and avoiding the lunch hour blackout are key. Might have to bite the bullet and try one of those callback services since I can't keep taking time off work to call during business hours. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

For your vacation payout question: Yes, you must report vacation pay when certifying. On the certification form, you'll select "Yes" when asked if you received any income, then select "Vacation Pay" as the type. Enter the gross amount (before taxes) and the dates it covers. For severance, you'll handle it similarly but select "Severance Pay" as the income type. Both can reduce your weekly benefit amount for the weeks they cover, but won't necessarily disqualify you completely. If you have trouble understanding how to report these correctly, I strongly recommend speaking with an EDD representative who can guide you through your specific situation.

I went through almost the exact same situation 6 months ago! Company laid me off but kept me on the books for "transition purposes" until my official end date 10 weeks later. I was so confused about when to file, but I'm glad I applied immediately after reading advice like what's here. The key thing is that EDD cares about when you stopped working and receiving regular wages, not what your employer calls your status. I had to do a phone interview because my employer initially disputed the claim (they said I was still employed), but once I explained I wasn't working or getting paid, it got approved quickly. One tip: keep that layoff email from HR as documentation. I had to reference mine during my interview to prove I wasn't working even though I was technically still "employed." Also, if you get any kind of severance or continued benefits, make sure you understand exactly what you're receiving and when so you can report it correctly. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. Don't let the administrative games delay your application!