Easier and Accurate Wage Reporting for Unemployment

Published: December 16, 2025

We know that being unemployed can be stressful. While you look for that next great job, we want to make sure that applying for unemployment benefits and continuing to certify your eligibility to receive those benefits are easy and as clear as possible.

The unemployment program is complex. When receiving benefits, it requires that you answer a few basic questions every two weeks to tell us that you’re still unemployed and eligible to receive benefit payments. These questions include letting us know if you were working or earning any wages, which could impact the amount of your benefit payment.

You must report wages the week they are earned, even if they haven’t been paid yet. If you don’t report wages, or inaccurately report your income, you may receive an overpayment — benefits you’ll have to pay back later.

We’ve heard from our customers that this process can be confusing, especially between when wages are earned and when they are actually paid and not knowing the difference between gross wages (earned before any deductions) and net wages.

“Most people want to do the right thing but may be unsure how to report their income when paychecks vary or when it is unclear what to count as wages,” says Unemployment Deputy Director Todd Swenson. “These are honest mistakes, yet too often lead to payment delays or larger problems down the road.”

That’s why this October, we launched a new Weekly Wage Reporting Tool to make reporting wages easier and help you get paid faster. We designed an online tool to walk customers through the wage-reporting process step by step. The tool uses plain language, practical examples, and a built-in wage calculator to help users understand what information is needed and when to report it. The helpful instructions explain the types of incomes customers need to report.

What this Means for You

• Accurate wage reporting: Avoids payment delays and overpayments.
• Faster payments: Fewer errors mean we can process claims quicker.
• Better support: With fewer wage issues, we can help you where it matters most.

“When wages earned are entered more accurately, EDD can pay the appropriate amount of unemployment benefits faster and without interruption,” says Swenson.

Since its launch, our new tool has helped more than 13% of our customers submit more than 191,000 certifications with more accurate wage reporting. Notably, that’s a meaningful 2% increase in certifications reported with wages over last year.

How It Works

We’re launching two ways for customers to report wages.

1. Anytime

• Select Report Wages on the top menu and begin to enter and save your wages anytime.
• When you certify, your saved wages will automatically load into your claim.

2. When You Certify

• If you answer Yes to question six — “Did you work or earn any money?” — you’ll enter them directly into the certification.

Visit Reporting Work and Wages FAQs for more information, including how wages earned impact the weekly benefit amount.

We’re here to make your experience with us easier and faster.