EDD and Certification FAQs

CA EDD is compatible with Google Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox. 

If you are experiencing difficulties with CA EDD UI Online, check your browser. 

The time of day and the volume of people filing may factor in the slowness the system down.

If you performed work outside of California, either full or part of the year, you must file the CA EDD form DE 1101. It is a paper version of the Unemployment Insurance Application (UI Online). You will not be able to file online. Once completed, you can either mail or FAX in the DE 1101 form. 

Members have been reporting a quick turnaround on applications when faxed in.

If you are still waiting for your CA EDD Customer Account Number, it can take up to ten (10) business days. If it’s taking longer, you can go to AskEDD (asked.edd.ca.gov) to request it. CA EDD suggests completing the request form and emailing it. 

As members are starting to get past the filing stage, you move into the two-week certification reporting stage. 

Many members are receiving compensation even if they were not expecting it. 

CA EDD wants you to report that money for the week it was “earned” not when it was received. 

In the case where you did not expect compensation, you can give a brief explanation in #6. This is to prevent a hold on your CA EDD weekly benefit.

CA EDD 2-Week Certification

These are guidelines in order to certify for benefits, you must meet the EDD eligibility requirements each week to certify your benefits.

You must be:

1.  Physically able to work.

2.  Available for work.

3.  Ready and willing to accept work immediately.

4.  Actively looking for work each week benefits are claimed

To request benefit payments, you must certify for benefits by submitting a certification online, by phone or by mail.

If the information on the certification shows that you did not meet eligibility requirements, EDD will schedule a phone interview to determine your eligibility.

If you disagree with EDD decision to reduce or deny benefits, you may file an appeal.

You have 20 days to file your appeal to the CA EDD. You may file your appeal only by mail, to the address shown on the determination notice.

When you file your appeal, make sure to briefly explain why you believe you should receive benefits.

EDD Certification Questions and Answers

1.  Were you too sick or injured to work?

YES - You would have been unable to work due to illness or injury. Or, you had to delay starting a new job because of illness or injury. If you are unable to work the entire seven-day week, you will be scheduled for an eligibility interview. You must enter the number of days that week you were unable to work.

NO - You were physically able to work every day of the week if you had a job or were going to start a new job.

Unemployment benefits are paid according to the number of days you would have been able to work during this week.

Your benefits are reduced one-seventh for each day you cannot work due to an illness or injury.

2.  Was there any reason (other than sickness or injury) that you could not have accepted full-time work each workday?

YES - You are not immediately available to accept work for any reason, such as lack of childcare or transportation, or you were taking care of an ill family member. If you are not available for work, you will be scheduled for an eligibility interview.

NO - You are ready and willing to accept work that matches your occupational skills and educational background.

If offered a job, there is nothing that would prevent you from accepting that job.

Unemployment benefits are paid if you are available to accept full-time work.

There are certain conditions when you may limit yourself to part-time work and still be paid benefits.

3.  Did you look for work?

YES - You looked for work this week. Looking for work includes contacting employers about a job in-person, by mail, by telephone, or on the Internet.

It also includes searching the Internet, newspapers, or other publications for jobs, and contacting prior employers about job openings.

Local 728 members should answer YES to this question if you are registered “On the Books” with Local 728.

NO - You did not contact any employers, submit any applications, or search for job openings during the entire week.

Failure to look for work each week or not being “On the Books” may result in the denial of benefits.

Unemployment benefits are paid when you follow the work search instructions on the Notice of Unemployment Certification.

If you choose to certify by paper and the box under Question 3 on the paper Continued Claim is marked with an "X,” you are required to list your job contacts on the back of the form.

4.  Did you refuse any work?

YES - You refused an offer of work from any employer during this week. If you refused an offer of work, you will be scheduled for an eligibility interview.    

NO - You did not refuse any offers of work this week. This means you did not receive an offer of work or you received an offer and accepted it.

Unemployment benefits are paid when you do not refuse an offer of work that is suitable for your occupation and educational background.

5.  Did you begin attending any kind of school or training?

YES - You if you began attending school or training full-time this week.

This does not include CSATF Safety Pass or Local 728 skills training. 

If you are not available for full-time work because you are attending school or training, you will be scheduled for an eligibility interview or you will be mailed a questionnaire to complete and return.



NO- You did not begin attending any kind of school or training.      

Unemployment benefits are paid when you are available to accept full-time work, regardless of whether you are attending full-time training.

Only report school or training during the week you started attending.

6.  Did you work or earn any money?

YES - You performed work during the week or earned wages.

All work and wages must be reported, even if you have not collected payment from the employer.

Report your work and estimated wages during the actual week when you worked, and the actual wages when you receive your pay.

NO - You did not work this week and you did not earn any money. Do not enter information on item 6a or 6b.    

6a. Enter earnings before deductions here.   

Instead of mailing in your paper form, use UI Online to report work and wages electronically.

If you use CA EDD Tele-Cert, you must complete and mail the paper form.

Enter any earnings before taxes (gross earnings prior to payroll deductions).

If your earnings are $1,000.00 or more in a week, enter $999.99 in the boxes on the paper form.

If your payroll weeks are different than the weeks that the EDD has issued, CA EDD suggests you keep a record of work and the wages earned for each day in order to correctly report work and wages under the appropriate week you worked.

Look at the date each week begins and ends.

Make sure your answers in 6a apply to only the weeks shown.

If you misreport your earnings, contact CA EDD immediately as you may be subject to fines and penalties if you are overpaid benefits.

If you are working part time, you may be able to receive reduced unemployment benefits even if your earnings are higher than your weekly benefit amount.

CA EDD will calculate the amount to deduct and the amount you are eligible to receive.

6b. Report employment or source of earnings information. 

Enter the last day worked and employment information or the source of your earnings (e.g., carry, compassion, severance, etc.).

Look at the date each week begins and ends.

Make sure your answers in 6b apply to only the weeks shown.

If you are still working, write “still working.”