Can I get EDD benefits after a 6-month W-2 contract job ends?

yes u can apply but they look at ur base period earnings. google edd base period calculator to see if ull qualify and how much ud get. u need enough w2 earnings in the right quarters

Yes, you can absolutely qualify for unemployment after a W-2 contract position ends, even as someone who normally freelances. Here's what you need to know: 1. Your eligibility will depend on your earnings during the base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file) 2. You need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter during the base period 3. You must be able and available for work when you certify 4. Most importantly, you need to show you're looking for suitable W-2 employment, not just freelance opportunities The key thing is that you can't just voluntarily return to freelancing and expect to collect benefits. EDD will expect you to be looking for traditional employment similar to the contract position. You'll need to document your work search efforts when you certify every two weeks.

I was in the EXACT same boat last year!!!! Took a 9-month contract with a marketing agency (W-2) and when it ended I got unemployment no problem. The only weird thing was during my eligibility interview they kept asking if I was "still looking for permanent work" and not just waiting to freelance again. I just said yes and got approved lol. Just document some job applications each week and you'll be fine!!!

The real issue isn't if you CAN apply (you can), but whether you'll be able to certify properly. When you certify every 2 weeks, EDD asks if you refused any work and if you're looking for work. If you're turning down W-2 opportunities to return to freelancing, technically you're refusing suitable work. Also, the "going back to freelance" plan gets tricky because if you're earning any money as a freelancer, you have to report that income when certifying. If you earn over a certain threshold, your weekly benefit amount gets reduced or eliminated. The system is really designed for people transitioning between W-2 jobs, not for contractors who take temporary W-2 positions and then return to self-employment.

I had this exact situation and trying to get through to EDD to ask questions was a NIGHTMARE. Spent literally 4 days calling non-stop getting busy signals or disconnected. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 30 minutes. They have a good video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The agent confirmed I was eligible after my 6-month contract ended and explained exactly what I needed to do during certification to avoid problems. Basically said I needed to be available for and seeking "suitable employment" which meant similar W-2 work, not necessarily another contract position.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL with how you answer the certification questions!!! I was in almost your exact situation and checked the wrong boxes during certification. Said I was "self-employed" because I was doing a tiny bit of freelance work while looking for a new job, and they disqualified me and I had to appeal. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN and they will use ANY excuse to deny you benefits. If you do ANY freelance work while collecting, report the income but don't identify as self-employed!

i dont get why theyr making u do w2 anyway. sounds like they just dont wanna pay employer taxes lol. but ya you can get bennies after as long as u dont quit

One more thing to consider: If your contract position pays well, you might qualify for a higher weekly benefit amount than someone with lower earnings. California's maximum weekly benefit is $450, and you need to earn at least $11,674 in your highest quarter to qualify for that maximum. Make sure to check the EDD benefit calculator to estimate what you might receive: https://edd.ca.gov/en/uiben/ui-calculator

Important: When you certify every two weeks, there's a question that asks, "Were you self-employed or did you work for yourself?" Be VERY careful with this question. If you're doing small freelance jobs while collecting unemployment, you should report any earnings but answer "NO" to this question. Otherwise, EDD often flags you as ineligible because they consider you employed. Their system is very black-and-white and doesn't handle hybrid work situations well.

Just wanted to add - make sure you understand the timing of when to apply. You can't file for unemployment until your contract actually ends, not before. And there's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits start (though California waived this during COVID, not sure if it's back). Also, keep all your contract documentation! EDD may ask for proof that your contract ended (not that you quit), so having your original contract agreement showing the end date can be really helpful if they question your eligibility. The fact that your employer is requiring W-2 status actually works in your favor here - it shows this is legitimate employment, not just contract work disguised as employment.

Quick tip from someone who's been through this - when your contract ends, apply for unemployment immediately! Don't wait thinking you need to job search first. The sooner you apply, the sooner your claim gets processed (and trust me, EDD takes forever even under the best circumstances). Also, since you're getting good pay at $42/hour, you'll likely max out the weekly benefit. But remember that your benefit amount is calculated from your base period earnings, which might not include this 6-month contract depending on when it starts/ends and when you file. The timing of quarters matters a lot for EDD calculations. One last thing - keep detailed records of your work search activities from day one. I use a simple spreadsheet with company name, position applied for, date, and method of application. Makes the weekly certification process much smoother and protects you if they ever audit your claim.

One thing to keep in mind is that even though your contract is only 6 months, you'll still need to pay into the unemployment insurance system during that time (it gets deducted from your paychecks automatically). So you're literally paying into the system that you might need to use when the contract ends - there's nothing unethical about collecting benefits you've contributed to! Also, make sure you get a clear termination letter or email from your employer when the contract ends stating that it was due to the contract completion, not performance issues or you quitting. This documentation can be super helpful if EDD questions your eligibility later. The transition from freelancing to W-2 and potentially back again is becoming more common, especially in tech. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about using unemployment benefits during that transition period - that's literally what the system is for!

Just want to add another perspective as someone who's done multiple contract-to-unemployment transitions - the key thing EDD cares about is that you're "able, available, and actively seeking work." The beauty of W-2 contracts is that they establish you as a traditional employee in their system, which makes everything cleaner than trying to transition from pure 1099 work. One tip I learned the hard way: when you do your weekly certifications, be consistent in how you describe your work search. If you say you're looking for "similar employment" in week 1, don't suddenly switch to saying you're open to "any work" in week 3. EDD's system flags inconsistencies and can trigger reviews. Also, California has pretty generous unemployment benefits compared to other states, and with your $42/hour rate, you'll likely qualify for close to the maximum. Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so don't forget to set aside money for taxes or elect to have taxes withheld from your benefit payments. The timing might actually work out well for you - if this contract goes well, it could open doors to other similar W-2 contract opportunities, and having that unemployment safety net gives you negotiating power and breathing room between contracts.