That's awesome to hear! Having the school help with the CTB application makes such a huge difference. I wish more training providers were that proactive about helping students navigate the EDD process. Your son is really lucky to have found a program that's both EDD-approved AND supportive with the paperwork. The trucking industry needs good drivers, and it sounds like he's setting himself up for success the right way. Keep us posted on how the training goes!

This is such a helpful thread! As someone who's been through the EDD system myself, I can't stress enough how important it is to get everything documented properly upfront. Your son is so smart to ask these questions before starting the program. One thing I'd add that I learned the hard way - when he does his bi-weekly certifications, make sure he's super specific about reporting the training stipend. Don't just put "yes" to working - actually enter the exact hours and dollar amount. EDD's system can flag inconsistencies if the reporting isn't precise. Also, even with CTB approval, keep copies of all his certification submissions. I had an issue months later where EDD questioned some of my earlier certifications, and having those records saved me from a major headache. Sounds like he's found a great school that actually knows how to work with EDD - that's honestly half the battle right there!

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

I'm dealing with a similar situation where EDD isn't considering all my employment history when calculating benefits. From what I've learned, you should definitely push to speak with a Tier 2 representative as Katie mentioned. They have more authority to make corrections to your claim. Make sure you have all your W-2s and pay stubs from both jobs ready when you call. Sometimes it takes multiple calls and escalations, but don't give up - you're entitled to have ALL your qualifying wages included in the calculation, not just the most recent part-time job. Document everything and keep records of your calls. Good luck!

Have you tried reaching out to your local assemblymember or state senator? Sometimes their office can help push things through with EDD.

@Dmitry Ivanov I went through this exact same issue a few weeks ago! The "Reopen Claim" option is really hard to find - it's usually buried in the UI Messages section or sometimes shows up under "Claim History" depending on your claim status. Also, make sure you're looking on the right date - sometimes there's a delay before the system allows you to reopen for a specific week. If you're still stuck after trying Connor's browser steps, the phone route really is your best bet. Hang in there! 💪

I had this issue last year. Turns out my claim wasn't actually eligible for reopening and I had to file a new one. Might be worth double-checking your status.

I've been dealing with the same issue for weeks! What finally worked for me was calling the 1-833-978-2511 number early in the morning (like 8:01 AM sharp when they open). The wait time was still brutal but I eventually got through to someone who was able to manually reopen my claim. They said there's been a bug in their system affecting the online reopen button. Super annoying but at least there's a workaround!

Can I just say how bizarre it is that EDD runs both systems but makes them work completely differently? I went through the same confusion last year. UI is all online with bi-weekly certifications, but SDI still relies heavily on paper forms and doctor certifications. The whole system is archaic and needlessly complicated! My doctor actually filled out my SDI paperwork wrong TWICE and it delayed my claim by over a month. Make sure your doctor knows what they're doing when they fill out the forms.

Just went through this exact transition last month! You're right to be confused - the systems are totally different. With SDI, once your claim is approved and your doctor's certification is processed, payments are automatic for the period they certified you for. No bi-weekly certifications like UI! The key thing is making sure your doctor fills out the forms correctly the first time. I'd recommend calling their office to confirm they submitted everything and ask if they're familiar with SDI paperwork. Some doctors mess up the dates or disability codes which can delay everything. Also, keep an eye on your mail for any requests for additional info. Unlike UI where everything happens online, SDI still uses a lot of paper correspondence. Good luck with your recovery!