I just went through this in March. Applied March 5, interview March 18, got my first payment March 21. But then my second certification got stuck on pending for some reason and I had to call in to fix it. The whole process is so unpredictable honestly.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim on April 3rd and my interview is scheduled for April 25th. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It sounds like most people do get their backpay pretty quickly after approval, but the inconsistency is stressful when you're counting on that money. I've been keeping all my documentation organized just in case. Has anyone had experience with appeals if the interview doesn't go well the first time?

To clarify what others have mentioned: Prior to 2021, there were various extension programs like PEUC and Fed-ED that would automatically kick in after regular UI exhaustion. These programs expired nationwide and were not renewed. Currently, California only offers the standard 26 weeks of regular UI benefits in a benefit year (which lasts 12 months from your application date). When your benefit year ends, you'll need to file a new claim if you're still unemployed and have earned sufficient wages in the base period. If you're experiencing financial hardship, I'd recommend: 1. Apply for CalFresh (food assistance) 2. Contact your county's General Assistance/Relief program 3. Look into local rental assistance programs 4. Visit your nearest America's Job Center of California for employment services The EDD website should remove those outdated messages about automatic extensions, as they cause unnecessary confusion.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and it's so frustrating! The system message is definitely misleading - I waited almost a month thinking something would automatically happen before I realized there are no extensions available anymore. What helped me during the gap was immediately applying for CalFresh and checking with my local food banks. Also, if you're facing eviction, many counties have emergency rental assistance programs that can help buy you time while job searching. I found out about mine through 211 (just dial 2-1-1). The job search is tough right now but don't give up! I ended up finding something after about 3 months of searching. In the meantime, those assistance programs can really help bridge the gap. Hang in there!

Has anyone else noticed that the unemployment website is always down when you need it most? Like, do they do that on purpose or what? 🤔

yall ever think about how wild it is that we gotta jump through all these hoops just to get help when we're already stressed about not having a job? system's broke af 😤

To address your follow-up question - yes, definitely mention the reduction in hours during your interview. A significant reduction in hours (typically 20% or more) from what you were originally hired to work can strengthen your case. This is sometimes called a "constructive discharge" - essentially, the employer materially changed your working conditions. Document exactly what hours you were promised when hired versus what you were actually scheduled. If you have any written evidence of being hired as full-time (offer letter, employee handbook defining full-time hours, etc.), have that ready for your interview. Also, when you have your eligibility interview, make sure to emphasize that you tried to resolve the issues before quitting. The EDD interviewer will be specifically looking to determine whether: 1. The conditions were truly intolerable 2. You took reasonable steps to preserve your employment before quitting 3. You had no reasonable alternative but to quit Be prepared with specific examples and dates.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand the timeline requirements when you file. You have to file your claim within a certain time period after leaving your job, and there are specific deadlines for appealing if you get denied initially. Also, start looking for work immediately even while your claim is being processed. EDD requires you to be actively seeking employment, and if your claim gets approved, you'll need to show job search activities for each week you're claiming benefits. Keep detailed records of every job you apply for - company name, position, date applied, method of application. They can audit this stuff and will cut off your benefits if you can't prove you're actively looking. The good news is that even if you get initially denied (which is likely), you can continue to file weekly claims during the appeals process. If you eventually win your appeal, you'll get backpay for those weeks. Just don't spend money you don't have counting on that outcome!

UPDATE: I finally got through to EDD this morning! Called over 30 times using the trick of calling right at 8:00am. The rep confirmed what many of you said - my account was flagged for earnings verification because of my part-time work reported on the last certification. They removed the paper requirement flag and I can certify online again! For anyone else facing this issue, definitely try to speak with a rep directly - the paper forms would have taken weeks to process. Thanks everyone for your help!

Congrats on getting it resolved! This is such a common issue and it's frustrating that EDD's system automatically flags accounts for earnings verification without any clear notification to claimants. Your experience really highlights how important it is to speak directly with a rep rather than getting stuck in the paper form loop. For anyone else dealing with this, I'd recommend keeping detailed records of any part-time work before reporting it - having pay stubs and employer info ready can sometimes help prevent these automatic flags from triggering in the first place. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - these success stories really help others who might be going through the same thing!