Can I get a new EDD claim based on 2023 earnings after my previous benefit year expired?

You can definitely file a new claim! The base period for UI claims in 2025 works like this: if you file in the first quarter (Jan-Mar), they look at your earnings from Oct 2023-Sep 2024. Second quarter (Apr-Jun) looks at Jan-Dec 2024. So with your May 2023 layoff, you need to check if you had enough earnings in the correct quarters to qualify. I had this exact situation last year. I called EDD using Claimyr.com (they connect you directly to an EDD agent instead of waiting on hold for hours). The video shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep told me exactly which quarters counted for my new claim and confirmed I qualified based on my earlier work history. Totally worth having that conversation with a rep to know for sure!

You're going to run into an issue with your base period. For a claim filed in early 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. Since you've been unemployed since May 2023, you won't have any earnings in this base period. The minimum qualifying earnings are roughly $1,300 in your highest quarter and at least $900 total across the base period. Unfortunately, your January-April 2023 earnings won't be included in any 2025 base period calculation. You could try applying using the Alternate Base Period if eligible, but even that only goes back one additional quarter, which still wouldn't include your 2023 work.

The previous response is correct about the standard base period, but there's a critical detail you should know: EDD also offers what's called an "Alternate Base Period" (ABP) in some situations. However, even with the ABP, your January-April 2023 earnings would still fall outside the qualifying periods for a claim filed in 2025. For a valid claim, you need wages in at least one quarter of your base period. If you haven't worked at all since May 2023, you unfortunately won't qualify for a new UI claim. Your options now might include: 1. Finding even part-time work to establish new earnings in a qualifying quarter 2. Checking eligibility for CalWORKs or CalFresh if you have financial need 3. Exploring job training programs through EDD's workforce services If you believe you might qualify based on other unreported earnings or special circumstances, it's worth speaking directly with an EDD representative for a definitive answer.

Has anyone tried filing a new claim anyway just to see what happens?? Sometimes the EDD reps give different answers and the system is so complicated. Maybe if you call and explain your situation they might have some exception? Worth a try imo

Sorry if my earlier comment was misleading! I think I misunderstood your timeline at first. After reading the other responses, they're right - if you haven't worked since May 2023, you wouldn't have wages in the base period for a 2025 claim. One thing though - you mentioned "2023 earnings" but we're in 2025 now. Have you had ANY work at all in 2024? Even part-time or gig work? Because if you had even a little bit of qualifying income in the right quarters, you might still be eligible for a small claim. Worth double-checking your exact work history against the base period calendar.

That freelance income could potentially help if you reported it correctly as self-employment income and paid self-employment taxes. However, there's a complication: self-employment income is handled differently for UI purposes. Typically, standard UI benefits are based on W-2 employment. Self-employment earnings generally don't count toward regular UI qualification. During the pandemic, there was the PUA program that covered self-employed workers, but that program has ended. I would recommend having an explicit conversation with an EDD representative about your specific situation. Sometimes there are exceptions or special circumstances that might apply to your case that wouldn't be apparent from general advice online.

My friend just went thru this!! She had to take a temp job for like 6 weeks and then was able to file a new claim after that. The pay was terrible but it got her back in the system and now shes getting benefits again while looking for something better. its stupid u have to do this but might be ur best option right now

To qualify for a UI claim in California, you need to earn at least $1,300 in your highest quarter of the base period, and your total base period earnings must be at least 1.25 times your highest quarter earnings. For example, if your highest quarter was $1,500, your total base period earnings would need to be at least $1,875 ($1,500 × 1.25). If you take temporary work, you'd need to work long enough to meet these minimum requirements in the appropriate quarters. And yes, you'd need to wait until those earnings fall within a valid base period for your new claim date. The EDD's benefit calculator can help you estimate potential benefits based on your earnings: https://edd.ca.gov/en/unemployment/UI-Calculator

The previous comment is correct about the minimum earnings requirements. However, there's another important factor: if you qualify with only minimal earnings, your weekly benefit amount will be quite low. UI benefits in California range from $40 to $450 per week, based on your highest quarter earnings. If you only earn the minimum $1,300 in a quarter to qualify, your weekly benefit would be at the lower end of that scale. For example, $1,300 in qualifying earnings might result in a weekly benefit of only $50, compared to your previous claim which was likely higher based on your tech sector salary. Still, some benefits are better than none. If you pursue temporary work to qualify for a new claim, try to maximize your earnings in at least one quarter if possible.