Can I claim EDD unemployment after my temp contract job ends? Need advice!

Yes, you can file for unemployment again after your temp contract ends. When you start your contract work, you'll stop certifying for benefits. Once the contract ends, you would reopen your claim if it's still within the benefit year (which lasts 12 months from when you first filed). If your benefit year has expired by then, you would need to file a completely new claim. Either way, make sure to report your earnings properly while working the temp job (if you work partial weeks at the beginning or end).

just fyi they're gonna ask WHY the job ended. temp contracts that reach natural end date are fine reason but if u quit or get fired from the contract that can mess up ur eligibility. make sure ur clear it was temp position when u reapply

I was in this EXACT situation last year and let me tell you it was a NIGHTMARE getting through to EDD when my contract ended!!! Spent 2 weeks calling every single day and couldn't get anyone to help me reopen my claim. The online system kept giving me errors saying I needed to speak to someone. SO FRUSTRATING!!!!

To directly answer your question about minimum hours - technically there isn't a minimum number of hours you need to work during your temp contract to qualify again. What matters is that you earned enough wages during your base period (the 12-month period EDD uses to calculate your benefits). Since you mentioned your temp job pays more than your previous position, that's actually helpful because those higher wages may increase your weekly benefit amount when you refile or reopen your claim. One important thing to note: if you reopen an existing claim, your weekly benefit amount stays the same as it was originally calculated. If you file a new claim (after your benefit year ends), they'll recalculate based on your highest-earning quarters, which would include this temp job.

EDD generally doesn't question why you chose temp work instead of permanent positions. That's a legitimate career choice, and many people work temp contracts by preference or necessity. As long as the end of employment is due to no fault of your own (like a contract reaching its natural end date), you should be eligible. Just make sure to keep documentation showing it was a temporary position with a defined end date.

I did somethin similar back in january. temp job for 2 months. when it ended i just went on ui online and clicked the button to reopen my claim. took like 5 mins and i got my benefits again the next week. was super easy actually. dont stress too much

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to accept the temp position tomorrow and will make sure to get documentation that clearly states it's a temporary contract with a defined end date. I'll stop certifying once I start working and then try reopening my claim when the contract ends. If I run into trouble reaching someone at EDD, I'll check out that Claimyr service. Really appreciate all the help!

Congrats on the temp offer! Just wanted to add that you should also keep track of your work hours and earnings during the contract period in case EDD asks for documentation later. I've seen some people get tripped up when they couldn't provide exact dates/hours worked. Also, if the contract does get extended or converted to permanent like they mentioned, you'll obviously want to stay with that rather than go back on unemployment. But having that safety net knowledge is definitely peace of mind. Best of luck with the new gig!

Just wanted to share my recent experience with this exact situation! I worked a 4-month temp contract that ended in January and was able to reopen my claim online without any issues. The key things that helped me: 1) I saved all my contract paperwork showing the specific end date, 2) I made sure to report the job separation reason as "temporary work assignment completed" when I reopened, and 3) I had my pay stubs ready in case they needed them. The whole process took about 10 minutes online and I was back to receiving benefits within a week. Definitely take that temp job - the extra income plus the ability to get back on unemployment after makes it a win-win situation!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand how this temp work might affect your remaining benefit balance. When you reopen your claim after the contract ends, you'll continue using benefits from your original claim (assuming you're still in the same benefit year). So if you had, say, 15 weeks of benefits left when you started the temp job, you'll still have those same 15 weeks available when you reopen. The temp work doesn't "reset" or add to your benefit balance unless you file a completely new claim. Just something to keep in mind for planning purposes, especially since temp contracts can sometimes lead to gaps between assignments.

As someone who's been through multiple temp contracts and EDD claims, I'd say go for it! The higher pay rate alone makes it worthwhile, and you're getting valuable experience. One thing I'd add is to check if your temp agency offers any benefits or if they have other contracts lined up - sometimes they can transition you directly to another assignment so you avoid unemployment gaps altogether. Also, when you do reopen your claim after the contract ends, be prepared that it might take a few days longer to process than normal since they need to verify your work separation. But overall, temp work is a great way to stay active in the job market while maintaining your safety net. The fact that it pays more than your previous job is just icing on the cake!

Another thing to consider - make sure you understand the temp agency's policy on contract extensions or early termination. Some agencies are really good about giving advance notice if a contract might end early or get extended, while others might only give you a few days heads up. It's worth asking about this upfront so you can plan accordingly. Also, if you're working through a staffing agency, they might have insights about whether the client company typically converts temp workers to permanent employees. Having that kind of information can help you make decisions about job searching while you're still on the contract. Either way, sounds like a great opportunity - temp work often leads to unexpected permanent opportunities!

Hey Malik! Sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice here. Just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who's dealt with EDD multiple times - when you do restart your benefits after the temp contract, make sure you have your final paystub from the temp job ready. Sometimes EDD wants to verify your last day of work and final earnings, especially if there's any overlap between when the contract officially ended and when you file to reopen your claim. Also, if the temp agency offers you another contract right after this one ends, you might want to take it even if it's shorter term - staying active in temp work can sometimes be better than going back on unemployment, plus you're building relationships that could lead to permanent opportunities. The fact that this pays $6/hr more than your previous job is huge - that experience at a higher pay rate will help you negotiate better salaries in future permanent positions too. Congrats on the opportunity!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been working temp contracts for the past two years - this thread has so much great advice! One thing I'd add is to make sure you ask about the temp agency's rehire policy. Some agencies will automatically consider you for new contracts once your current one ends, which can create a nice pipeline of work. Also, don't forget to update your LinkedIn and resume with this new experience and higher pay rate while you're working the contract - it's much easier to job search when you're currently employed, even if it's temporary. The $28/hr rate you mentioned is solid and will definitely strengthen your position for future negotiations. Best of luck with the new role, and remember that temp work often leads to unexpected permanent opportunities when you least expect it!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm actually in a similar situation myself - just got offered a 6-month contract position while on EDD. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring. One question I have - for those who have worked multiple temp contracts, do you typically let EDD know about upcoming contract end dates in advance, or do you just wait until the contract actually ends to reopen your claim? I'm wondering if giving them a heads up helps with processing time or if it just creates unnecessary complications. Also, has anyone had experience with contracts that end right around the holidays? I'm worried about potential delays in getting benefits restarted if my contract ends in December.

I'm in a similar boat and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add something I learned from my employment counselor - when you're working that temp contract, keep documenting everything (contract terms, pay stubs, hours worked) but also keep an eye on job postings in your field. Sometimes employers use temp contracts as extended interviews, so if you do great work, they might offer you something permanent before the contract even ends. That happened to my cousin last year - she was supposed to work a 4-month temp contract but they hired her full-time after just 6 weeks because she was killing it. Even if that doesn't happen, you're still in a great position to restart benefits afterward. The higher pay rate you mentioned ($28/hr) is definitely going to help your situation no matter how this plays out!

This has been such an informative discussion! I'm actually considering a similar temp opportunity myself and wasn't sure about the EDD implications. One thing I wanted to ask - for those who've worked temp contracts, did you find it helpful to stay in touch with the hiring manager or team during your contract? I'm wondering if building those relationships could lead to referrals or recommendations for permanent positions elsewhere, even if the temp role doesn't convert. Also, does anyone know if EDD counts temp contract work differently than regular employment when calculating benefit amounts for future claims? The higher hourly rate Malik mentioned ($28/hr) got me thinking about how that might impact benefit calculations down the road.

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm also considering a temp contract offer and was worried about the EDD implications! One thing I haven't seen mentioned is what happens if you get sick during your temp contract or need to take time off. Do you have to report that to EDD differently than you would for a regular job? Also, I'm curious about whether temp agencies typically provide any kind of benefits (health insurance, etc.) for longer contracts like the 3-month one Malik mentioned. The lack of benefits is one of my main concerns about leaving unemployment for temp work, but the higher pay rate and work experience seem worth it. Has anyone dealt with the benefits gap issue when transitioning from unemployment to temp work?