Get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) we receive about UI OnlineSM. We want to help you file for unemployment quickly and easily online.
General Information
What is UI Online?
UI Onlineis a fast, convenient, and secure way for Unemployment Insurance customers to access claim information, certify for benefits,* report work and wages, view detailed payment information, and manage their claims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
*Customers on Partial or Work Sharing claims are unable to certify for benefits or reopen an existing claim using UI Online at this time, but can access all other features of the system.
Who can use UI Online?
Only customers who have an existing unemployment claim and an EDD Customer Account Number can register for UI Online.
Can I use UI Online to file any type of unemployment claim online?
Yes, but there are someexceptions. Federal employees and former military service members cannot file online.
If you are filing for regular unemployment, you can use UI Online.
After you create your myEDD account, you can start using UI Online when:
- You receive a Welcome email saying you’ve been registered. Then you can begin using UI Online immediately.
- You receive your EDD Customer Account Number in the mail. Once you have this, you can register forUI Online.
Register NowLog In
Can I access UI Online from a mobile device?
Yes. For added convenience,UI Onlineis available on your smartphone or any other mobile device.
What if I don’t have a computer or an email address?
Computers are available free of charge at your localAmerica’s Job Center of California throughout the state and at public libraries. If you don’t have a personal email account, you will need to create one. It’s quick and easy, and there are many free options available.
If I have a question about UI Online or other unemployment-related questions, what should I do?
You canask a question using UI Online. For other options such as phone or mail, visitContact UI.
Registration
What information is needed to register for UI Online?
You will need to have the following information:
- First and last name you provided us
- Date of birth
- Personal email address not shared with anyone else
- Social Security number
- EDD Customer Account Number
What is an EDD Customer Account Number?
The EDD Customer Account Number is a unique, 10-digit account number assigned by the Employment Development Department. Currently, this number is used on certain written correspondence and to register for UI Online. It does not replace your Social Security number.
When will I receive my EDD Customer Account Number?
All customers who file a new unemployment claim will receive an Employment Development Department Customer Account Number Notification(DE 5614) letter within 10 business days of filing.
If you have lost, misplaced, or never received your EDD Customer Account Number, contact the EDD:
- Online: Go toAsk EDDand select the categoryUnemployment Insurance Benefits, the subcategory UI Online (UIO), and the topicEDD Customer Account Number. SelectContinueat the bottom of the page to begin the process of submitting your message.
- By Phone: Call 1-800-300-5616 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time), Monday through Friday.
How do I register for UI Online?
Log in tomyEDDand select UI Online to get started.
What is myEDD?
Using a single and secure login,myEDDallows you to access UI Online, SDI Online, and Benefit Overpayment Services.
Why can’t I register for UI Online?
You must have amyEDD account, an active unemployment claim, and received your EDD Customer Account Number in order to register for a UI Online account.
Certify for Benefits
How do I certify for benefits using UI Online?
Log in tomyEDDand selectUI Onlineto get started. Then selectCertify for Benefitsfrom the main menu. Most customers certify for continuing benefits two weeks at a time. If you have multiple weeks that need to be certified, you’ll start with the oldest week first. You can only certify for two weeks at a time regardless of the number of weeks available. You must answer all of the certification questions. They are the same questions as on the paperContinued Claim Form(DE 4581).
After you have provided a response to all questions, you will receive a confirmation number to indicate that your certification was properly submitted. Be sure to keep a record of your confirmation number. For more information, visit Certify for Benefits.
How do I know if I have weeks available to certify for benefits?
The Notifications section of your UI Online homepage will show a message that says there are one or more weeks available to certify. If there are no weeks to certify, you will receive a notification to check back at a later date.
Are the UI Online certification questions the same as on the paper Continued Claim Form (DE 4581)?
Yes, they are the same. However, you may be asked some clarifying questions through UI Online. This will provide us with additional information and will help speed up the processing of your certification.
How do I report work, wages, and other income?
From the UI Online homepage, selectCertify for Benefits. When certifying for benefits, respond, “Yes” to question six, “Did you work or earn any money, whether you were paid or not?” The system will prompt you to provide additional information about your earnings. For more information about reporting work and wages, visit Understanding the Certification Questions.
As soon as you begin working, be sure to notify us on your weekly certification in the week in which you worked. Do not wait until you receive your first paycheck to report wages. Wages must be reported for the week they were earned, not when paid.
When certifying for benefits, can I save my information and complete the certification process at a later time?
No. UI Online does not have a “save draft” feature when certifying for benefits. You should gather all of your information, including wages, if you worked during the certification period before you certify for benefits.
Will I have a chance to review all of my answers before I submit them online?
Yes. Before your certification is complete, can review your answers on the summary screen and make changes if necessary.
Will I get a confirmation number when I submit my certifications using UI Online?
Yes. You will also have an option to print your confirmation page.
Can I view my certification once I’ve submitted it and received a confirmation number?
Yes. Access theClaim Historyscreen from the main menu. Once you’ve located the desired week, selectCertificationto view your responses to the certification questions.
Can I make changes to my certification after I have received a confirmation number?
Yes. After you submit your certification and receive a confirmation number, you can make changes by sending a questionthrough theContact Uspage in your UI Online account. Select the categoryCertify for Continued Benefitsand the topicMade a Mistake on Continued Benefits Certification. Be sure to specify the affected week(s) and provide a brief description of what happened along with the correct information.
Payment Information
Does using UI Online change how I receive my payments?
No, how you receive payments will not change. With UI Online, you can access detailed payment information for all payments made. As an added convenience, you can set an alert to be notified whenever the EDD deposits funds to your debit card. Contact Money Network onlineor call the number on the back of your card.
How do I view my payment information?
Log in tomyEDDand selectUI Online. Then selectPayment Activityfrom the UI Online main menu.
How can I view my payment details?
To view detailed payment information, including how the payment calculated wages, overpayments, and voluntary federal tax withholding amounts, select the Payment Activity link from the main menu, then selectDetailsfor the desired week. If theDetailslink is not available for a specific week, no payment was made for that week. This can be a result of excessive earnings, a disqualification, or another eligibility issue.
Why do I have a "Pending" or "Not Paid" status?
The following are some reasons for aPendingorNot Paidstatus:
- Able and available to work –If you said you were not able or available to work when you certified, you may not be eligible for benefits that week. Even if you are not eligible for benefits one week, you still may be eligible other weeks, so you should continue to certify.
- Earnings – If you earned too much in a week, you may not be eligible for benefits that week. When certifying for regular unemployment benefits, you must report total earnings for the week you worked. The first $25 or 25% of your wages, whichever is more, will not be deducted from your benefit amount, but the rest will.
- Suitable work –If you said you refused any work when you certified, we must schedule a phone interview to ask why. We will also contact the employer that offered you the job. If you refused to return to your job or other suitable work without good cause, you may not be eligible for benefits. To learn more about good cause, refer toReturning to Work.
If we need to confirm your eligibility for unemployment, we will schedule a phone interview with you and may contact your employer. For more information, visitClaim Status: Pending Payment.
Contact Information and Personal Preferences
How do I update my address or phone number?
Select Personal Profilefrom the main menu, then selectContact Information.
How do I set my language preference?
Log in to myEDD and select UI Online. Then selectPersonal Profilefrom the menu and selectPersonal Preferences. You can set a preference for both your spoken and written languages in either English or Spanish.
How do I set a preference to receive EDD correspondence electronically?
Log in to myEDD and select UI Online. Then select Personal Profilefrom the menu and selectPersonal Preferences. In Correspondence Method, selectE-mailfrom the drop-down menu. However, only certain EDD correspondence can be sent electronically. In some cases, we are required to mail correspondence to you.
How do I opt out of receiving the paper Continued Claim Form (DE 4581)?
Log in to myEDD and select UI Online. Then selectPersonal Profilefrom the menu and selectPersonal Preferences. You can set a preference to certify for benefits only online or by phone. If you select this option, the paperContinued Claim Form(DE 4581) will not be mailed to you.
Note: We may need to send some documents via US mail.
Reopen an Existing Claim to Resume Claiming Benefits
How do I reopen an existing claim using UI Online?
Log in tomyEDDand selectUI Onlineto get started. Then selectReopen Your Claimfrom the UI Online homepage. For more information, visitReopen an Unemployment Insurance Claim.
Note: Customers on Partial or Work Sharing claims are unable to reopen a claim using UI Online at this time, but can access all other features of the system.
Appointments (In-Person Appointments and Phone Interviews)
How do I view my in-person and phone interview appointments?
All appointments appear on your UI Online homepage in theAppointmentssection. If you do not have any appointments, this section will not show on your homepage.
Can I change an in-person appointment using UI Online?
No. In-person appointments, such as Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment appointments, cannot be rescheduled. Failure to report to an in-person appointment may affect your eligibility to collect benefits.
Can I change a phone interview using UI Online?
Yes. However, changing your appointment to a later date could further delay the processing of your claim. To change a phone interview appointment, selectReschedulein theAppointmentssection of your UI Online homepage and follow the instructions. You will not be able to reschedule same-day appointments.
What happens if the EDD does not call me during my appointment time?
If you do not receive a call from the EDD at your scheduled appointment time, we may have canceled your appointment because we confirmed your eligibility or resolved the issue before your interview. Check UI Online for your current payment status.
Why is my phone appointment no longer showing in UI Online?
We may have canceled your appointment because we confirmed your eligibility or resolved the issue before your interview. If your appointment has been canceled, it will no longer display in UI Online. Check UI Online for your current payment status.
Obtain Form 1099G Information
How do I access and print Form 1099G tax information?
Log in tomyEDDand selectUI Onlineto get started. Then selectForm 1099Gfrom the main menu.
How far back can I obtain Form 1099G information?
Information is available for up to five years. However, Form 1099G information will only appear in a tax year when you received Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, or Paid Family Leave payments. For more information, visit Form 1099G FAQs.
Customer Support and Online Help
Is online help available for UI Online?
We offer many online tools to help you with UI Online. These include fact sheets, instructional videos, and FAQs. Help text is available within UI Online by accessing the question mark (?) icon or selecting the Help link located in the upper-right-hand corner of each screen.
How can I get more information about unemployment or my claim?
Contact us online using UI Online. You can also speak to a representative by calling 1-800-300-5616 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, except on state holidays.
Error Messages and Technical Issues
Who can help me with technical issues in UI Online?
For technical help, including registration, password resets, EDD Account Numbers, and how to use UI OnlineSM, contact us at 1-833-978-2511 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, except on state holidays.
Note:Representatives will not have access to your claim or payment information.
What does it mean when I receive an error message in my UI Online account?
If you receive an error message, make sure all information you entered is accurate, including your full name, date of birth, etc. Be sure to complete all required fields, which are marked with a red asterisk (*). You should also close your browser and try again. In some cases the error message may display an error code number and instructions on how to contact us.
You can also submit a question by usingAsk EDD. Select the Unemployment Insurance Benefits category, then UI Online (UIO) subcategory, and the topicI Received an Error Message. Be sure to provide the error code number from the message so we can better assist you.
Why was I timed out of UI Online?
To protect your account, UI Online will automatically time out after 30 minutes of inactivity. However, five minutes before your session is scheduled to end, you will receive a warning message. The message will read: “Your current session with UI Online is about to expire. Select Yesto continue using UI Online. SelectNoto end your session, any unsaved data will be lost.” To avoid the timeout warning, select a button or link at least every 25 minutes.
Can I use any web browser to access UI Online?
Our online services are compatible with the latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer. For the best experience, use the latest version of Chrome or Firefox.
Do I need to disable pop-up blockers?
Yes. You must disable pop-up blockers to access features of UI Online.
Access Your Account
Once you have an account with myEDD, you can view the status of your claim, certify for benefits, and get up to date claim and payment information all on UI Online.
Log In
For Your Privacy and Protection
Phishing and scamming attempts come in many forms, including fraudulent phone calls. The most reliable way to know with certainty that you are interacting with us is to communicate through yourUI Onlineaccount.
Additional Resources
Can’t find what you're looking for? View these resources for more information.
- Quick Links
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- UI Online Videos
- UI Benefit Calculator
- UI Forms and Publications
- California Training Benefits
