Step 5: Certify for Benefits

You already applied for benefits, but you’ll need to answer a few more questions before you can receive your first payment. Certifying is the process of answering basic questions every two weeks to tell us you’re still unemployed and eligible to receive benefit payments. You’ll first certify for benefits about two weeks after we process your application and again every two weeks.

We will send you an email, or we will contact you by mail, when it’s time to certify. If you fail to certify accurately or on time, it will delay or prevent payment.

The fastest way to certify is online through myEDD. You can also certify by telephone (1-866-333-4606 for English and Spanish) or by mail, but your payments may take longer to process.

The certification questions can be confusing. Read them carefully, and visit Understanding the Certification Questions for helpful tips.

Report any work and wages—even if you were not paid yet.

myEDD is the fastest way to certify for benefits and report work and wages.

To get started, log in to myEDD and select UI Online.

Check the Notifications section of your homepage. If weeks are available, select Certify for Benefits and answer all questions. If no weeks are available, the system will tell you when to check again and will send you an email reminder.

Note: The Work Search Record screen is optional and provides a helpful tool to record your work search efforts. To skip this screen, select Next.

Online Resources:

EDD Tele-Cert is an easy and convenient way to certify for unemployment benefits over the phone.

Follow these steps to request your benefits:

  1. Call the Unemployment Automated Self-Service Line at 1-866-333-4606.
  2. Select Menu Option 1.
  3. Enter your four-digit PIN. If you don't have a PIN, the system will tell you how to create one.
  4. Answer all certification questions and confirm your answers.

Note: If you need to report work and wages, a change of address, or a phone number, certify through myEDD or by mail.

If you certify for unemployment benefits by mail, you must complete, sign, and mail a Continued Claim Form (DE 4581CTO) (PDF) to us every two weeks. You will receive your first claim form within 10 days of the EDD processing your application. Additional claim forms will be mailed to you each time you need to certify for benefits.

Important: For faster processing, and to avoid mail delays and common errors with the paper claim form, submit your certifications through myEDD.

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