Can I reapply for EDD after benefit year ends with money still in my claim balance?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a confusing situation with my unemployment claim. I've been working part-time at a restaurant (20-25 hours/week) while collecting reduced UI benefits. My benefit year is ending in late April 2025, but I still have around $4,700 left in my claim balance. Does that money just disappear after my benefit year ends? Can I reapply for a new claim and somehow access the remaining balance? My hours at work are still reduced compared to before my layoff, so I'm worried about losing that safety net. Has anyone dealt with this situation before? Any advice would be super appreciated!
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Mei Zhang
The short answer is no, you can't carry over your remaining balance to a new benefit year. When your benefit year ends, any unused balance essentially 'expires' and doesn't transfer to a new claim. If you qualify for a new claim after your benefit year ends (meaning you earned enough wages in your base period), you'll get a completely new balance based on those earnings. If your hours are still reduced, you should definitely reapply when your current benefit year expires!
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Jamal Brown
•Thanks for explaining! That's disappointing but makes sense. Do you know if there's any way to estimate what my new weekly benefit amount might be if I reapply? My earnings have been lower this past year because of the reduced hours.
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Liam McConnell
I went through this exact situation last year. What usually happens is EDD calculates your highest quarter of earnings during your base period (usually the 12-18 months before you file). Since you've been working part-time, your new claim will likely have a lower weekly benefit amount than your current one. When you reapply, make sure to report ALL employment during the past 18 months so they have accurate wage information. Also worth noting - there's typically a one-week waiting period when you start a new claim that you won't get paid for.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•this is super helpfull! im in the similar boat my benefit year ends next month and i still have like 6k left. such a waste!!!
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CosmicCaptain
LISTEN UP - don't let them screw you out of your money!!!! The EDD WANTS you to lose that balance, they count on people not knowing the rules!!! I had $5,200 left when my year ended and I just let it go because the rep told me I couldn't use it. LATER found out if I had filed an extension within 30 days I MIGHT have been able to keep claiming!!! The system is designed to confuse us!!!!
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Giovanni Rossi
•There's no extension option for regular UI unless there's a federal program in place (like during covid). You're thinking of something else. Balance expires at end of benefit year, period.
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Fatima Al-Maktoum
when i had this problem last summer i tried calling edd for 2 weeks straight but couldnt get thru. they never picked up the phone and the automated message kept saying too many callers try again later. super frustrating when ur trying to figure out ur financial situation!
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Dylan Mitchell
•I had the same issue trying to reach EDD about my remaining balance! After days of frustration, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent within an hour. They have this service that basically navigates the phone system for you and calls you back when they have an agent on the line. Saved me so much time and stress! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. The agent confirmed what others are saying - the balance disappears when your benefit year ends, but you can file a new claim if you still qualify.
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Mei Zhang
Since you're working part-time, make sure you understand how the new base period will work for your reapplication. EDD uses your highest quarter of earnings during the base period to calculate your weekly benefit amount. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So timing your new application can sometimes make a difference in your benefit amount, especially if your earnings fluctuate.
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Jamal Brown
•That's a really good point about timing! My hours have actually been increasing slightly over the past few months. Would it be better to wait a bit after my benefit year ends to reapply, or should I file right away? I'm trying to maximize my new potential benefit amount.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
i think the whole system is confusing on purpose lol. my roomate had the same thing happen and she just filed a new claim right away and got approved but with a smaller weekly amount. better than nothing tho!
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Giovanni Rossi
•The system isn't purposely confusing - benefit years and claim balances are standard across all states' unemployment systems. It's just that most people never dealt with unemployment until recently, so they don't understand how it works. The basic rule is simple: benefit year = 12 months, and any unused balance disappears when that year ends. New claim = new calculation = new balance.
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Liam McConnell
To answer your follow-up question about timing - it's usually best to apply immediately after your benefit year ends if you still need benefits. While waiting might theoretically give you a better base period with more recent earnings (if your hours are increasing), you'd be giving up weeks of potential benefits by waiting. Remember that your base period won't include the most recent completed quarter anyway, so small increases in recent work hours might not affect your calculation as much as you think.
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Jamal Brown
•Thanks for this detailed explanation! I'll definitely reapply right away when my benefit year ends. Better to have continuous coverage. I guess I'll just have to accept the new benefit amount, whatever it turns out to be. Really appreciate everyone's help with this!
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Fatima Al-Maktoum
also dont forget when u reapply u gotta do the whole id.me verification thing again and that was soooo annoying last time! make sure ur drivers license isnt expired lol
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