As someone who just went through the unemployment process myself, I can confirm what others have said - it's exactly 26 weeks maximum for regular UI benefits in California, no extensions currently available. What really helped me was treating the job search like a full-time job from day one. I set up job alerts on multiple sites (Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites), applied to at least 3-5 jobs per day, and networked like crazy. The 26 weeks sounds like a lot until you're actually living it. For manufacturing workers specifically - don't overlook smaller companies that might not post on the big job boards. I found my current position through a local staffing agency that specialized in industrial work. They had relationships with companies I'd never heard of but were actively hiring. Also, consider reaching out to your former colleagues who moved to other companies. Sometimes they know about openings before they're posted publicly. Your industry knowledge is valuable even if the specific company you worked for is struggling. The key is staying proactive and not getting discouraged. The job market is tough right now, but there are still opportunities out there if you cast a wide enough net. Good luck!

I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been incredibly informative! I was laid off from my job in food service last month and was also confused about the duration. Thank you to everyone who confirmed it's 26 weeks maximum - that's what I was told when I filed but wasn't sure if there were any exceptions. One thing I wanted to ask - has anyone had experience with working part-time while collecting benefits? I've been offered some catering gigs that would be maybe 10-15 hours a week, but I'm worried it might mess up my unemployment claim. I know you have to report earnings, but I'm not clear on how it affects the weekly benefit amount or if it's even worth taking the work. Also really appreciate the tip about treating job search like a full-time job. I've been pretty casual about it so far (only 3 weeks in) but reading everyone's experiences about how fast 26 weeks goes by is making me realize I need to step it up immediately!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to this thread! I was in almost the exact same situation - had an old EDD card from early 2021 that I thought might still work when I got approved for a new claim in late 2024. The good news: if your card hasn't expired, they'll absolutely use it! Mine worked perfectly and I saw my first payment within 24 hours of certifying, which was way faster than I remembered from 2021. The not-so-good news: like others mentioned, you'll probably need to reset your automatic transfer settings. Mine were completely gone after the long gap. But honestly, setting them back up in the Money Network app took maybe 5 minutes tops. One thing I wish someone had told me - even if your transfer settings need to be reset, you can still access your money immediately through ATMs or by using the card for purchases. I was stressed about rent too, but I just used the card directly at my bank's ATM to get cash. No fees and no waiting around for transfers to process. Also definitely call the number on your card first to make sure it's active - that tip from others here is gold. My card was valid but needed to be reactivated after sitting unused for so long. Quick 5-minute call saved me days of worry!

Just wanted to jump in here since I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago! My EDD card from 2021 was still good (expires 2027) and they definitely used the same one for my new claim. The Money Network system has gotten SO much better since 2021 - payments now show up within 1-2 days instead of the 3-5 days it used to take. My auto-transfer settings were still there and working, which surprised me since I'd heard mixed reports about that. One thing that might help with your rent timing - if you're really worried about access to funds, you can always do a quick balance transfer to a friend or family member through the Money Network app (if they also have a Money Network card) or use Zelle/Venmo once the money hits your card. That way you're not dependent on ACH transfers to your bank if timing is tight. Sounds like you're in good shape though if your card is still valid and you can log into the account! The whole process is much smoother now than it was during the pandemic chaos.

As someone who works in HR and has helped many employees navigate this exact situation, I wanted to add a few procedural points that might help: 1. **Document Everything**: Keep a detailed log of every interaction with EDD - date, time, rep name/ID, and what was discussed. This becomes crucial if there are any discrepancies later. 2. **Weekly Certification Timing**: Your pension payment date vs. your UI certification week can affect calculations. If your pension comes mid-week, be prepared to explain the timing to avoid confusion. 3. **Appeal Process**: If EDD makes an error in your pension offset calculation (which happens more often than it should), you have 30 days to file an appeal. Don't assume their math is always correct - double-check using the formula others have shared. 4. **Work Search Requirements**: Even with reduced benefits due to pension offset, you still need to meet the same work search requirements. Keep detailed records of your job search activities. 5. **COBRA Considerations**: If you're on COBRA from your previous employer, budget for those premiums continuing even with reduced UI income. Many people forget this additional expense when calculating their monthly budget. The key takeaway from everyone's experiences is clear: proactive communication with EDD prevents 90% of the problems people encounter with pension offsets.

I'm 56 and went through this exact situation last year after being laid off from a defense contractor. Got my pension ($1,875/month) and was terrified about the UI implications after hearing conflicting advice from everyone. The pension offset is real, but manageable if you handle it right. My weekly UI benefit went from $485 to about $52/week after the offset. Not much, but it kept me connected to EDD services and helped with small expenses during my 4-month job search. Two critical things I learned: 1) Call EDD BEFORE your first certification - I spent 2 days calling but finally got through and had them note my pension details properly. This saved me from the overpayment nightmares others experienced. 2) Save every pension document in a dedicated folder. EDD asked for my pension verification letter THREE different times during my claim. Also want to mention - don't overlook CalJOBS registration even if your UI amount is small. The career counseling services were actually really helpful for someone in their 50s transitioning industries. They connected me with employers who valued experienced workers rather than just focusing on age. The whole process is stressful but definitely doable. Just be transparent, keep good records, and don't let the reduced benefit amount discourage you from applying. Every bit helps when you're job hunting at our age!

FINAL UPDATE: All my pending payments were released yesterday! The EDD specialist I spoke with must have expedited my case. Received all 3 weeks of back payments via direct deposit. Such a relief. For anyone else facing this issue - don't wait around hoping it resolves itself. Getting through to an actual human at EDD is absolutely necessary with the "more info needed" status.

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this entire journey from start to resolution! As someone who's currently dealing with a similar "more info needed" status (going on week 2 now), your experience gives me hope that there IS a solution. The fact that your employer contested the claim without EDD properly notifying you is infuriating but unfortunately not surprising based on what I've been reading here. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service you mentioned - at this point the phone system seems completely impossible to navigate on your own. Quick question - when you spoke with the EDD rep, did they mention anything about whether this kind of employer contest is common? I'm wondering if my former company might have done something similar since my situation sounds almost identical to yours. Thanks again for taking the time to update everyone. Posts like this are exactly what people in our situation need to see!

Just wanted to add my experience to help ease your mind. I missed an eligibility interview back in February because I was in the hospital (didn't even know about it until after). I called EDD as soon as I found out, explained the situation, and they rescheduled me without any penalties. The key was contacting them right away and having a legitimate reason. Working to pay back an overpayment is definitely a legitimate reason! Document all your call attempts and keep trying to reach them before the interview date. Best of luck!

I've been in a similar situation and here's what worked for me: Try calling EDD at exactly 8:01 AM (not 8:00) - sometimes there's a tiny window where the system isn't completely overloaded yet. Also, if you have a smartphone, try using the "redial" feature repeatedly while doing other things. I got through after about 200 redials one morning. Another tip - if you can't reschedule and absolutely have to take the call during work, prepare a one-page summary of your overpayment situation beforehand. Having all your dates, amounts, and explanations ready can cut the interview time down to under 10 minutes. I know it's stressful, but don't panic - EDD deals with scheduling conflicts all the time and most reps are understanding if you're proactive about communicating.