I'm going through this exact same situation right now after losing my job at a local coffee shop three weeks ago. The stress of navigating all these different government programs while already dealing with job loss is overwhelming! This thread has been incredibly reassuring - I was literally lying awake at night worried I might accidentally report something wrong and mess up my benefits. Everyone's explanation about the difference between "income" and "assistance" makes so much sense now. I was definitely overthinking it and treating EBT like it was some kind of income I needed to report everywhere. It's such a relief to know that when EDD asks about income during certification, they're only looking for actual money I earned from work - not food assistance benefits. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to share their real experiences with both programs. It means so much to hear from people who've actually been through this process successfully. Now I can stop stressing about this part and focus my energy on finding a new job. Thank you all for being so helpful to newcomers like me!

I'm currently in the exact same situation after being laid off from my warehouse job last week. This whole thread has been such a lifesaver! I was panicking about whether I needed to report my EBT benefits during unemployment certification, but everyone's explanations have made it crystal clear. The way you all broke down the difference between "income" (actual money earned from work) and "assistance" (food benefits) really helped it click for me. I was definitely making this way more complicated than it needed to be. It's such a relief to know that EBT/CalFresh and unemployment are separate programs that don't interfere with each other in this direction. I've been losing sleep over these certification questions, but now I feel confident that I can just answer honestly about any actual work income and not worry about reporting my food assistance. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - it means so much to hear from people who've successfully navigated both systems. Now I can focus my energy where it belongs - on finding a new job!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might help your mother-in-law feel more confident about her job search approach. I went through a similar situation after being laid off from my customer service role at a logistics company last year, and what really helped was understanding that EDD's work search requirements are designed around effort and consistency, not results. What I learned from my experience is that those "not accepting applications" conversations are actually some of the most valuable documentation you can have. They show EDD that you're actively engaging with employers despite market conditions beyond your control. I started keeping what I called a "market intelligence log" where I'd note things like staffing changes companies mentioned, seasonal hiring patterns, or even general economic factors they discussed. One tip that really helped me was preparing a brief "elevator pitch" about my background to use during these visits. Even when companies weren't hiring, having that 30-second summary of my experience often led to more substantial conversations with managers who would remember me or offer insights about when they might start hiring again. Your mother-in-law's consistent documentation over 6 weeks with no payment issues is exactly what success looks like in this process! The manufacturing sector has unique challenges right now, but her 17 years of experience shows the kind of stability and expertise that employers value. Keep encouraging her - she's handling this perfectly and building a strong foundation for when the job market improves.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience as someone who recently completed EDD's work search requirements after being laid off from my office job last year. Your mother-in-law is absolutely on the right track! What really helped me was treating each "not accepting applications" response as a successful contact rather than a failure. I learned that EDD actually values these interactions because they demonstrate you're actively testing the job market and gathering real-time information about hiring conditions. One thing that made a huge difference was how I framed my documentation. Instead of just writing "Company X - not hiring," I started noting details like "Company X - hiring freeze due to budget constraints, manager suggested checking back in April" or "Company Y - currently fully staffed but expecting turnover in summer." This extra context shows EDD that you're having meaningful conversations about employment opportunities, not just going through the motions. I also found it helpful to prepare a few standard follow-up questions: "When do you typically see the most hiring activity?" or "What skills are you looking for when you do hire?" These often led to valuable conversations that provided great documentation material. The fact that your mother-in-law has received payments consistently for 6 weeks with this approach proves she's meeting EDD's expectations perfectly. Manufacturing has been hit particularly hard lately, but her persistence and thorough documentation are exactly what EDD wants to see during these challenging times!

I've been lurking and reading through all these responses as someone who's currently in week 3 of a very similar situation. The comprehensive advice here is honestly better than anything I've found from official EDD resources or employment lawyers I've consulted with. What strikes me most is how methodical and strategic this process needs to be. I initially thought I could just quit and explain my situation to EDD, but it's clear that without proper documentation and following the exact procedural steps, you're setting yourself up for denial. I'm starting to implement the advice from this thread: - Began detailed incident logging with @NeonNova's voice memo technique - Scheduled a doctor's appointment to document work-related anxiety following @Ravi's advice about medical causation - Started gathering positive performance reviews as @StarGazer101 suggested to counter employer pushback - Planning my formal HR complaint with specific remedies and timeline per @Malik's professional guidance One thing I want to add: I called the EDD technical support transfer trick that @Fatima mentioned and it actually worked! After three weeks of the "too many callers" message, I got through to speak with someone about the general process for hostile work environment claims. They confirmed much of what's been shared here about the importance of documentation and attempting internal resolution first. For anyone else following this thread, the collective wisdom here has been life-changing. Thank you @Liam for starting this conversation and everyone who's shared their experiences. It's given me a roadmap for what felt like an impossible situation.

This thread has been absolutely incredible to follow - the depth of practical advice and real experiences shared here is honestly mind-blowing. I'm currently in a similar situation where my manager's verbal abuse and manipulation has escalated to the point where I'm having physical symptoms just thinking about work. What really stands out to me is how this has evolved from one person's question into a comprehensive guide for navigating EDD claims for hostile work environments. The combination of professional insights from @Malik and @Ravi, along with personal success stories and specific tactical advice, has created something more valuable than any official resource I've found. I'm particularly grateful for the emphasis on documentation strategy - I've started using the voice memo technique immediately after incidents, and I'm working on getting medical documentation that specifically links my symptoms to workplace stress. The warning about employer counter-claims was eye-opening; I never would have thought to gather positive performance reviews as defensive evidence. One thing I want to add for anyone else reading this: don't underestimate how much courage it takes to start this process. Reading everyone's experiences has helped me realize that what I'm experiencing isn't normal or something I just have to endure. Sometimes you need that external validation to recognize that the situation truly is intolerable. Thank you to everyone who's shared their knowledge and experiences here. This thread should honestly be required reading for anyone dealing with workplace abuse. The fact that so many people have successfully gotten benefits after following these steps gives me hope that there is a path forward, even when it feels impossible.

One thing I'll add that might help - when you get your determination letter from EDD, pay close attention to the "benefit year" dates they establish. Even though your severance might delay when you can start collecting benefits, your benefit year clock starts ticking from when you first file the claim. This is important because you only have one year to collect all your eligible benefits. So filing early (like you did) protects you from losing potential weeks of benefits at the end of your benefit year. Also, if you have any questions about their determination, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of receiving the letter. Good luck with everything!

Just wanted to share my recent experience since it's so relevant to your situation! I was laid off in December 2024 with a 6-week severance package and went through this exact process. Like everyone advised, I applied immediately and reported my severance honestly. EDD sent me a determination letter about 3 weeks later explaining that my severance counted as wages for the 6-week period, so I wouldn't receive benefits until after that period ended. I kept certifying every two weeks during the severance period (marking "yes" for other income and selecting severance), and sure enough, as soon as my severance period ended, my benefits kicked in automatically. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected once I understood what to expect. The key really is applying right away and being completely transparent about everything. You're definitely on the right track!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just filed my claim after getting laid off from my retail job last week, and that instant 'paid' status totally caught me off guard when I certified yesterday. I kept thinking there was some kind of error because I remembered it taking forever back when my roommate was on unemployment a couple years ago. I'm on day 4 waiting for my Money Network card and already starting to stress about it, especially reading about some people waiting 12+ days. The advice about creating an account on the Money Network website is genius - just did that and can see my first payment sitting there waiting for me. Such a relief to know the money is actually there even though I can't access it yet. One thing I'm wondering about - for those who got their cards around the 8-9 day mark, was there any pattern to when they were mailed? Like did EDD send them out on specific days of the week, or is it pretty random? Trying to figure out when I should realistically expect mine to arrive so I can plan accordingly for bills coming up. This whole thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding the new system. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and timelines!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Just got laid off from my office job three weeks ago and the instant 'paid' status completely threw me off when I certified on Sunday. I kept refreshing thinking it was a glitch because I remember my dad having to wait days for payments to process back in 2020. Currently on day 7 waiting for my Money Network card and the anxiety is definitely building with bills coming up. Already set up that online Money Network account everyone's recommending - such a smart tip! At least I can see my $980 sitting there even though I can't touch it yet. Reading through all these experiences has been so helpful. It sounds like calling Money Network around day 10 is the magic number if the card doesn't show up. That emergency transfer option Carmen mentioned sounds like it could be a real lifesaver too - definitely going to ask about that if I need to call them. Thanks for posting this Dylan, and thanks to everyone sharing their timelines. It's so reassuring to know the instant 'paid' status is normal now and that I'm not the only one dealing with this card waiting game while unemployed!