Can I extend my EDD benefits when my claim balance hits zero after 6 months?
Hi everyone, I started getting unemployment back in January after my tech company downsized. My claim shows I have benefits until late June (about 6 months total). I'm applying for jobs every week but the market is brutal right now. What happens when my 6 months run out? Can I somehow extend my claim if I still haven't found work by then? My claim balance is going down faster than I expected and I'm getting nervous about what happens next. Does EDD automatically review and extend, or do I need to file something new? Really appreciate any advice from people who've been through this!
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Anita George
they dont extend claims anymore like during covid. once ur claim balance hits $0 ur done
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Austin Leonard
•Seriously?? That's terrifying. I thought there might be some kind of extension process. What are people supposed to do when the money runs out but there's still no jobs??
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Abigail Spencer
The previous reply isn't entirely accurate. When your regular UI claim exhausts after the standard 26 weeks (which is the maximum benefit period in California), you cannot "extend" that specific claim. However, if you still qualify for unemployment after your benefit year ends (which is 12 months from when you first filed), you can file a new claim at that point. But there's an important distinction - you can't file a new claim just because your balance hits zero. You need to wait until your benefit year actually expires. If you've worked and earned wages during your current benefit year, those wages might qualify you for a new claim when your benefit year ends. But you need to have earned enough wages in your base period to qualify for a new claim.
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Austin Leonard
•Thank you for the detailed explanation. So if I understand correctly, once my balance runs out after 26 weeks, I'm basically out of benefits until my full benefit year (12 months) expires, and then I can apply again IF I've earned enough wages in between? That's a scary gap if I haven't found steady work by then.
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Logan Chiang
ur best bet is to find ANY job even part time while ur still getting benefits. that way u can earn some wages to qualify for a new claim later. thats what i did last year. worked at target for 3 months then got laid off again but had enough wages to file a new claim.
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Abigail Spencer
•This is actually good practical advice. Working part-time while on unemployment (and reporting those earnings during certification) can both extend your current claim period (since you'll receive reduced benefits) AND help you qualify for a new claim when your benefit year expires.
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Isla Fischer
I went through this last year and it was AWFUL! My benefits ran out after 6 months and there was NOTHING else available. No extensions. No help. NOTHING! The EDD system is completely broken. They act like jobs are just waiting for everyone but that's not reality!!! I had to move back with my parents at 42 years old because there was zero safety net after my benefits expired. Start planning NOW for what happens when your money runs out because EDD doesn't care if you end up homeless!!!!
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Austin Leonard
•I'm so sorry you went through that. This is exactly what I'm afraid of. I've been applying to literally everything but it's just rejection after rejection. I might need to start looking into roommate situations or moving to a cheaper area before my benefits run out.
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Miles Hammonds
You might want to check if you qualify for other assistance programs after UI runs out. CalFresh (food stamps) and various county-specific general assistance programs can help bridge the gap. Also, make sure you're getting all the job search help available through EDD's job services and America's Job Centers. They offer resume help, interview coaching, and sometimes even training programs that can help you get into a new field.
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Logan Chiang
•those job centers r actually pretty good. they helped me get a forklift certification for free last yr
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Ruby Blake
Has anyone tried calling EDD directly to ask about this? I know getting through is impossible, but maybe there's something individual to your claim they might be able to tell you?
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Micah Franklin
•I've had good luck getting through to EDD using Claimyr (claimyr.com). Instead of calling all day and getting the "too many callers" message, their system calls EDD for you and connects you when they get through. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. I used it when I had questions about what happens after my claim balance hit zero, and the rep explained exactly what I needed to do next. Definitely worth connecting with a real person at EDD to understand your specific situation.
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Anita George
maybe u should look 4 gigs while ur still looking 4 real job? doordash, uber, taskrabbit, etc. not great money but better than zero when benefits end
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Isla Fischer
•Gig work is a TRAP! After expenses you make like $5/hr and destroy your car in the process!! Plus EDD will reduce your benefits for every dollar you report!
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Abigail Spencer
One more thing to consider - if you've worked in other states during your base period, you might be eligible for a combined wage claim. This means EDD would request wage information from other states to potentially increase your benefit amount or duration. Not applicable to everyone, but worth mentioning if you've worked outside California recently.
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Austin Leonard
•I haven't worked outside California, but this is good information to share. I really appreciate everyone's advice and suggestions. This community has been more helpful than all the official EDD information I've tried to wade through! I think my plan now is to: 1) Keep aggressively job hunting 2) Look into part-time work to extend my current benefits and build wages for a potential future claim 3) Research assistance programs I might qualify for after UI ends 4) Use that Claimyr service to speak with EDD about my specific situation. Thank you all so much!
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