I'm so sorry for the loss of your grandmother, Oliver. My heart goes out to you during this incredibly difficult time - losing a loved one while facing financial uncertainty is overwhelming beyond words. Reading through all these responses, I'm struck by how much detailed, practical advice this community has provided. You're going into this process incredibly well-prepared thanks to everyone's shared experiences. As an IHSS provider myself, I want to emphasize that you absolutely, unequivocally qualify for unemployment benefits. You've been paying unemployment insurance taxes for 2.5 years - these benefits aren't charity, they're compensation you've legitimately earned. Based on everyone's advice, you have a solid action plan: get that employment verification letter from IHSS first, file online using "State of California - IHSS" as your employer, and don't be discouraged if the first EDD rep seems confused about IHSS employment. Your consistent 65 hours per month over 2.5 years puts you in a strong position. One small addition to all the excellent advice: when you do get through to EDD, if they seem uncertain about IHSS employment status, you can reference California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1252 which covers state employees. Sometimes citing the specific code helps get you transferred to someone more knowledgeable. Your work caring for your grandmother was professional, essential employment that the state recognized by withholding taxes. You deserve these benefits with complete confidence. Wishing you strength through this transition, and please keep us updated on your progress!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Oliver. Losing your grandmother and facing financial uncertainty at the same time must be incredibly overwhelming. I want to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits as an IHSS provider. I've been working as an IHSS caregiver for 3 years now, and I've seen several providers in our support group successfully get unemployment when their clients passed away or moved to facilities. One thing I'd add to all the excellent advice here: make sure you keep a copy of your grandmother's death certificate. While it shouldn't be required for your UI claim, having it as backup documentation can help if EDD questions the involuntary nature of your job separation. Sometimes they ask for additional proof that the termination wasn't your fault. Also, when you're ready to start job searching (no rush while you're grieving), many counties have special job placement services for former IHSS providers since we have valuable caregiving experience. Ask your IHSS office about those programs too. You've provided loving, professional care for your grandmother while contributing to the unemployment insurance system for 2.5 years. You've more than earned these benefits. Take care of yourself during this difficult transition, and don't hesitate to advocate firmly for what you're entitled to.

This entire thread has been absolutely phenomenal! As someone who's been on unemployment for about 2 months after my startup folded, I had zero knowledge about any of these travel restrictions or EDD's tracking capabilities. The depth of real-world experience combined with insider knowledge here is incredible. What really stands out to me is how @Aria Washington's EDD employee perspective validates everything the community has shared through trial and error. Knowing that the "able and available" requirement from California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1253(c) that @Kolton Murphy referenced is strictly enforced makes the consensus approach here feel rock-solid. The documentation strategy that's evolved through this discussion is like a masterclass in protecting yourself - flight confirmations, passport stamps, UI Online screenshots, travel folders, calendar reminders. It's way more thorough than anything I would have thought of on my own. For anyone finding this thread in the future: the takeaway seems crystal clear. Don't certify while abroad, document everything meticulously, use the reopen feature when you return, and expect about 24-48 hours for the system to generate new certifications. The consistency across everyone's experiences (Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain planning) is really reassuring. I don't have immediate travel plans, but I'm definitely bookmarking this as the definitive guide. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community knowledge is invaluable for navigating unemployment safely and legally!

This has been such an incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! As someone who's been on unemployment for about 8 months after getting laid off from my software development role, I had absolutely no idea about the complexities around international travel and EDD requirements. What really strikes me is how this thread has evolved into a comprehensive masterclass on handling international travel while on unemployment benefits. The combination of real-world experiences from people like @Caesar Grant, @Lucas Turner, and @Daniel Price, plus the insider EDD knowledge from @Aria Washington and legal expertise from @Kolton Murphy, creates an unbeatable resource. I'm particularly impressed by how the documentation strategy has developed throughout this discussion - starting with basic travel receipts and evolving into this sophisticated approach with passport stamps, UI Online screenshots, travel folders, and timeline documentation. It's like watching collective wisdom form in real time. The consistency of positive outcomes when following proper protocol (don't certify while abroad, document everything, reopen when you return) across multiple countries and time periods is really reassuring. The 24-48 hour reopen timeline that several people have confirmed gives realistic expectations for planning. I don't have any immediate international travel plans, but I'm definitely bookmarking this entire thread as the gold standard guide. The level of detail here far exceeds anything available on official EDD resources. @CosmicVoyager - you're so lucky to have found this community before your Spain trip! You're going to handle this perfectly and have complete peace of mind. Safe travels!

I'm brand new to this community and so grateful I found this thread! I've been struggling with the exact same Money Network transfer issue for the past week. My bank account has been linked since 2021 and worked perfectly during my last claim, but now I keep getting that frustrating "Unable to process request" error every time I try to transfer my benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - I had no idea about the December 2024 system update that apparently broke so many existing bank connections. It's absolutely mind-boggling that EDD didn't send out any kind of notification about this major change that's clearly affecting thousands of people! I just downloaded the official Money Network mobile app based on all the recommendations in this thread, and you're all right - what a difference! Instead of that completely useless generic error from the website, I immediately got a "Bank verification required" message with a clear link to start the process. I've initiated the verification and am now waiting for those tiny test deposits everyone mentioned. This community has been incredibly helpful - way more useful than hours of searching EDD's confusing official website. It's ridiculous that we all have to figure this out through forums instead of proper communication from EDD, but I'm so thankful for everyone sharing their solutions here. You've all been lifesavers!

I'm new to this community but dealing with this exact same Money Network transfer nightmare! My bank account was linked back in 2022 and worked perfectly fine during my previous claim, but now I keep getting that "Unable to process request" error when trying to transfer my benefits. After reading through this incredibly helpful thread, I had no clue about the December 2024 system update that apparently broke so many existing bank connections. It's absolutely infuriating that EDD didn't send out any kind of notification about this major change - I've been thinking it was just a temporary system glitch for over a week now! I just downloaded the official Money Network mobile app based on everyone's recommendations here, and wow - you're all totally right! Instead of that completely useless generic error from the website, I immediately got a clear "Account verification required" message with a direct button to start the process. What a night and day difference! I've already initiated the verification process and am now keeping a close eye on my bank account for those tiny test deposits everyone mentioned. This community has been absolutely amazing - way more helpful than anything I could find on EDD's official resources. It's ridiculous that we all have to figure this out through community forums instead of proper communication from EDD, but I'm so grateful everyone is sharing their experiences and solutions here!

Congratulations on finally getting through! Your success story gives me hope. I'm currently dealing with a similar SDI claim issue - getting the same A1104 error online and can't reach anyone by phone. I've been trying for over a week now. Going to try the 8:01am timing and general questions line approach tomorrow morning. It's so frustrating that these work history conflicts can't be resolved online, but at least now I know what I'm dealing with. Thanks for sharing your resolution - it helps to know there's light at the end of the tunnel!

Just want to echo what others have said about the timing strategies - I had success getting through around 1:30pm on a Thursday after trying the morning rush for days with no luck. The afternoon window seems less crowded than the 8am scramble everyone talks about. Also, if you're getting that A1104 error specifically, it's almost always a data mismatch that requires manual review. I had the same issue when I had overlapping employment periods that confused their system. Once I got through to a rep, they cleared it up in about 10 minutes. The key is just staying persistent and trying different approaches. The system is definitely frustrating but most people do eventually get through if they keep at it!

Hey Keisha! Welcome to the EDD journey - I can totally relate to that mix of relief and anxiety you're feeling right now. I went through this same process about 18 months ago after 7 years at my job, so I completely understand the overwhelming feeling of trying to figure everything out. Reading through all these amazing responses, you've gotten some absolutely solid advice! I just wanted to add a couple of things that really helped me during my first few weeks: **Start Small to Build Confidence:** For your first week, focus on getting comfortable with the basic routine rather than stressing about doing everything perfectly. Apply to 3-4 jobs, log into CalJOBS once, and start your tracking system. Once that feels manageable, you can always do more. **Manufacturing Advantage:** Your 9 years of experience is honestly a huge asset right now. I have friends in manufacturing who've told me companies are really struggling to find workers with your level of hands-on knowledge and reliability. Don't underestimate how valuable that background makes you as a candidate. **Community Support:** The fact that you asked these questions publicly and got such incredible responses shows you're already tapping into one of the best resources available - this community! Don't hesitate to come back with updates or new questions as situations come up. You've clearly got a great plan now thanks to everyone's advice. The anxiety will fade once you get into your routine and start seeing that the process is totally manageable. You've got this, and we're all rooting for you!

Hey Keisha! Welcome to the unemployment world - I know it feels overwhelming at first, but you're definitely on the right track by asking these questions early. I've been through this process myself and can share what worked for me. The 3 job contacts per week is the standard minimum everyone's mentioned, and it's totally doable once you get into a rhythm. What really helped me was batch processing - I'd set aside Monday mornings to find and apply to 4-5 jobs for the week, which gave me a buffer above the minimum. For CalJOBS, you're all set if you can log in and see your profile. I never got a confirmation either, but the system works fine. Just make sure to browse jobs there occasionally to show activity. One thing that saved me a lot of stress was creating a simple Google Doc with columns for Date, Company, Position, Method (online/phone/in-person), and Result. Takes 2 minutes per application but gives you peace of mind knowing everything's documented. Your manufacturing background is actually a huge advantage right now - there's real demand for experienced workers in that field. After 9 years at one company, employers will see you as reliable and knowledgeable, which is exactly what they're looking for. Don't stress too much about making mistakes. EDD isn't trying to trick you - they just want to see that you're genuinely looking for work. The fact that you're being proactive about understanding the requirements shows you're going to do just fine. You've got this!