Can I file for unemployment after my benefit year ended? Need advice before tax season
My benefit year just ended last week and I'm still unemployed. Got laid off from my warehouse job 13 months ago, and found temp work for a few months, but now I'm jobless again. Been applying everywhere but nothing's coming through. Do I need to wait until I file my taxes to submit a new unemployment claim, or can I apply right away? Not sure if there's a waiting period after your benefit year ends before you can file again. Anyone gone through this? Really need the money soon since rent is due in 2 weeks.
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Noah Torres
You don't need to wait until tax season to file a new claim! When your benefit year ends, you can immediately file a new claim if you're still unemployed. Just log into UI Online and select "File New Claim" - the system will know your previous benefit year ended. You'll need to have worked and earned wages during your previous benefit year to qualify for a new claim though. Did you work at all since your original claim?
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Natalie Wang
•Thanks for responding! Yes, I did work for about 3 months at a temp place between September-November. It wasn't much, only made like $7,200 total there. Is that enough to qualify for a new claim?
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Samantha Hall
u dont hav 2 wait for taxes, file now!! but they mite deny u if u didnt work enough during ur last benefit year. i think u need like $1300 minimum in one quarter to qualify but not 100% sure on the amount
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Ryan Young
•This is actually correct! You need at least $1,300 in your highest quarter during your base period OR at least $900 in your highest quarter plus total base period earnings of 1.25 times that quarter. So OP should be fine with $7,200 over 3 months.
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Sophia Clark
I WENT THROUGH THIS EXACT THING!! Filed my new claim the DAY after my benefit year ended and got DENIED!!! They said I didn't have enough wages in my base period even though I worked 4 months at a retail job. Been fighting with EDD for 6 weeks trying to get someone who understands my situation. The whole system is RIGGED to deny people!!
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Natalie Wang
•Oh no, that's really worrying. Did you ever get it sorted out? I'm hoping since I made $7200 in 3 months it'll be enough, but now I'm concerned they'll deny me too.
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Sophia Clark
•STILL FIGHTING THEM!!! Make sure you have ALL your pay stubs ready because they lost half of mine somehow. Also screenshot EVERYTHING when you submit your application. They'll try to say they never got documents you uploaded!!!
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Katherine Harris
Quick note - the Base Period for your new claim will be different than your last claim. If you file now in January 2025, your base period will be October 2023 through September 2024. So any work from those quarters will count toward eligibility. Based on what you said about earning $7,200 in three months of work, you should qualify for a new claim as that exceeds the minimum earnings requirements. BTW - I had the same issue trying to reach EDD when my claim was pending after filing. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to an actual EDD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Definitely recommend - the agent was able to fix everything and expedite my first payment.
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Natalie Wang
•Thank you for breaking down the base period - that makes sense now! My temp work was definitely within that timeframe so hopefully I'm good. I'll check out that service if I run into problems reaching EDD. Right now I just want to get the application submitted as soon as possible.
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Madison Allen
Did you already certify for all weeks on your previous claim? Sometimes people leave weeks uncertified and don't realize they could have been paid for those weeks. Double-check your UI Online account to make sure you've claimed everything you're entitled to from the previous benefit year before starting a new claim.
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Natalie Wang
•Yes, I certified for everything. My claim actually ran out of money about 2 months before the benefit year ended, so there were no more weeks to certify for. My account shows $0 balance and "Maximum Benefits Paid".
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Joshua Wood
this happened to my cousin he had to do a phone interview before they approved his new claim something about why he wasn't working anymore he said it was super stressful but he finally got approved
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Noah Torres
•That's a good point - often when you file a new claim after your benefit year ends, EDD schedules an eligibility interview to verify why you're unemployed again. Make sure your phone number is up to date in the system and answer ALL calls from unknown numbers during the first few weeks after filing!
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Samantha Hall
i heard theres a 1 week waiting period when u file a new claim so dont expect money right away
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Ryan Young
•You're right about the waiting period! The first week of a new claim is always a "waiting week" where you certify but don't get paid. It's basically a deductible week. So even if approved immediately, the earliest payment would be for the second week.
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Madison Allen
To directly answer your question - no, you absolutely do not need to wait until you file taxes to start a new unemployment claim. The two systems are separate. EDD verifies your wages through employer reporting, not your tax returns. File your new claim immediately if you're currently unemployed, and make sure you're completing your work search activities every week.
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Natalie Wang
•That's a relief! I was getting confused between the two systems. I'll file my new claim today then. And yes, I've been keeping track of all my job applications just in case they ask for verification.
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