EDD biweekly certification questions explained

Every two weeks you answer a short set of questions in UI Online (or on the paper form) to get paid. This page lists the questions as EDD words them today and what EDD says each one means. It explains the question, not how you should answer: your answers must be true and are made under penalty of perjury.

Last checked: October 18, 2026

Who uses it: Everyone who has an unemployment claim.
When you get or need it: About two weeks after EDD processes your application, then every two weeks. EDD's April 2026 update reworded question 2 and added examples to question 3.
How to submit it: Online in UI Online (myEDD), by phone on EDD Tele-Cert at 1-866-333-4606 (English and Spanish; it cannot take work or wage reports or an address change), or on the paper form DE 4581.
Deadline: Certify every two weeks. Late certification can delay or deny payment.

Open on the EDD site

What each part means

Labels are quoted from the form; the explanation is EDD's own meaning in plain words, not advice on how to answer.

1. Were you too sick or injured to work?: Enter the number of days (1–7) you could not work because of sickness or injury, including a new job you had to delay. Your benefit is reduced for each day you could not work. A yes answer can bring an eligibility interview and delay payment.
2. Were you not available to work full time for a different reason?: A reason other than sickness or injury that kept you from working or starting a new job. EDD's wording was changed in April 2026. You must be able to accept work that fits your skills; some part-time situations are allowed. A yes answer may bring an interview.
3. Did you look for work?: EDD counts looking for work that matches your skills this week, such as searching, applying, networking, sending resumes, using staffing agencies, going to job events or taking helpful training. Union members count being registered and meeting dispatch rules.
4. Did you refuse any work?: Refusing means turning down a job offer from any employer or a union referral. If you did not get an offer, or you accepted it, EDD treats it as no. A yes answer means you will be scheduled for an eligibility interview, which could delay your payment.
5. Did you start attending school or training?: Yes only if you started school, training, a new term or a class this week. You must still be available for full-time work, or EDD will schedule an interview or send a form. EDD-approved training needs no provider signature.
6. Did you work?: Yes if you worked, even if you were not paid. Report the week you worked, not the week you were paid. A follow-up asks whether you received any income other than wages for work, such as vacation pay, severance or a bonus.
6a. Enter earnings before deductions here: Your gross earnings for the week, before taxes. On the paper form enter $999.99 if you earned $1,000 or more. It is usually hours worked times your pay rate; EDD's example is 10 hours at $12, or $120.00. EDD has a Weekly Wage Reporting Tool.
6b. Report employment or source of earnings information: The last day you worked that week and details about the employer or the source of the money (for example severance). With several employers, list the last one you physically worked for; write “still working” if you still work there.
7. Federal income tax (optional): Select your choice if you want federal income tax withheld; leave it blank (or say no on Tele-Cert) if not. You can change your choice at the next certification. The withholding rate is 10 percent, per EDD's DE 2320.
8. Change of mailing address or phone number (optional): Update your contact information in your myEDD profile. Tele-Cert users must complete and mail the paper form.

What EDD warns about

Your answers are made under penalty of perjury. If a question does not fit your situation, ask EDD (1-800-300-5616) before you certify rather than guessing.

Sources

Last checked: October 18, 2026. Legal information from the agency's own materials, not legal advice. Rules and forms change: confirm with EDD before you rely on a detail. We are not the EDD or the State of California. We never ask for your EDD login, Social Security number or any claim details.