Can I reapply for EDD benefits after exhausting my remaining $2,000?
I got laid off from my sales job at the end of June and waited about a month before filing for unemployment (probably a mistake, I know). I've been certifying regularly since then and noticed I only have about $2,000 left in my claim balance. At my weekly benefit amount, that's going to run out in less than 2 months! I'm still job hunting but the market is tough right now in my industry. Does anyone know what happens after I exhaust these benefits? Can I reapply for a new claim? Do I just get cut off completely? I've heard conflicting things about benefit year and extensions. Really stressing about this as my savings are nearly gone.
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Emma Davis
Unfortunately, you can't just reapply for a new claim after exhausting your benefits within the same benefit year. Your current claim has a 12-month benefit year that started when you first filed in July 2025. Once you exhaust your claim balance, you won't be eligible for a new claim until after your benefit year ends (which would be July 2026). The only exception would be if you worked and earned enough wages AFTER the beginning of your current claim to qualify for a new claim. EDD requires you to have earned wages in at least one quarter of your base period to qualify.
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Javier Torres
•Thanks for explaining! So even if I find a temporary job for a few months and then get laid off again, I wouldn't qualify for a new claim until my benefit year ends? That's really scary considering how things are going with my job search.
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Malik Johnson
same thing happened 2 me last yr... ran out of $$ and couldnt get more til the benefit yr ended. its BS imo
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Isabella Ferreira
•The whole EDD system is deliberately designed to be frustrating and inadequate. They WANT you to give up. They set arbitrary time limits and benefit caps so they can claim they're "helping" while actually leaving most people high and dry when they most need support. The corporation I worked for got millions in government subsidies but when they laid off 200 of us, we got crumbs that run out in months. DISGRACEFUL SYSTEM!!!
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Ravi Sharma
my cousin had this problem in september she said you need to get a job for like 1-2 months then you can qualify again or something. not sure if thats right tho
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NebulaNomad
•Your cousin is partially correct, but it's more complicated than that. You need to earn enough wages in your base period to qualify for a new claim. For a claim filed in 2025, you would need to have earned at least $1,400 in your highest quarter of the base period, and your total base period earnings need to be at least 1.25 times your highest quarter earnings. If you work for 1-2 months, those earnings might not be enough to qualify for a new claim, especially if they fall in the same quarter. Also, any work performed after the beginning of your current claim would only count toward a new claim if you've exhausted your current benefits AND your benefit year has ended. Don't hesitate to request an eligibility interview with EDD if you need clarification about your specific situation. Getting through to an agent can be challenging though.
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Freya Thomsen
Just wondering but did you check if you qualify for the maximum weeks? Sometimes people get approved for less than the full 26 weeks depending on their work history.
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Javier Torres
•I think I got the full 26 weeks based on my work history (I was at my last job for 3 years), but with my weekly benefit amount being around $450, the total claim balance is running out faster than I expected. I didn't realize how quickly unemployment benefits can disappear until I started seeing my claim balance drop each certification period.
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NebulaNomad
Here's what I'd recommend doing now to prepare for when your benefits run out: 1. Double down on your job search - even consider temporary or part-time work to build up some income 2. Apply for CalFresh benefits if you haven't already - you may qualify for food assistance which can help stretch your budget 3. Look into local assistance programs through your county's social services office 4. Start researching what, if any, extensions might be available (though currently there aren't automatic extensions like during COVID) 5. If you do find work and then lose it again after your benefit year ends, make sure to apply for a new claim immediately Also, don't forget that any severance pay, vacation payout, or other income must be reported during certification which may have reduced your overall benefit amount. This might explain why your balance seems lower than expected.
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Malik Johnson
•the calfresh thing is good advice!! i got like $250/month for food wen i was on ui and it helped a ton
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Isabella Ferreira
Unpopular opinion maybe, but you should've applied immediately after being laid off instead of waiting a month. You essentially left money on the table that you were entitled to. The system already gives us the bare minimum - don't give them reasons to give you even less!
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Javier Torres
•Yeah, you're right. I waited because I thought I'd find another job quickly and honestly I was a bit embarrassed about filing for unemployment. Big mistake on my part. Lesson learned for sure.
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Emma Davis
One thing to keep in mind: if your unemployment benefits are going to expire soon and you're still struggling to find work, make sure you update your résumé on CalJOBS and actively use the platform. Not only is this required for your work search activities, but sometimes employers specifically look for candidates who are nearing the end of their benefits, as there are occasional hiring incentives for employers who hire people in that situation. Also, depending on your industry and circumstances, you might want to look into whether you qualify for any retraining programs through EDD's Training Benefits program. This won't extend your benefits, but it can provide valuable skills that might help you land a job faster.
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Javier Torres
•I hadn't heard about employers potentially looking for candidates near the end of their benefits - that's interesting info! I'll definitely make sure my CalJOBS profile is updated. And I'll look into the Training Benefits program too. Thanks for these suggestions!
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