Can I receive unemployment after penalty weeks when my temp job ended?
I've been dealing with an EDD overpayment situation for the past few months. I started serving my penalty weeks (no benefits while still required to certify) back in January. About 3 weeks into my penalty period, I managed to find a part-time position (25 hours/week) through a staffing agency. I continued filling out all my bi-weekly certification forms correctly during this time, reporting my work hours and income. Unfortunately, my temp assignment just ended last week, and I'm back to being completely unemployed. My penalty weeks should be wrapping up very soon (I think I have 1-2 weeks left). My question is: once I complete all my penalty weeks, will I be eligible to start receiving regular unemployment benefits since my temp job ended? I've been actively applying for full-time positions (keeping detailed records), attending job fairs, and even had several interviews, though nothing has panned out yet. Just trying to understand if I'll have any income while I continue my job search.
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Molly Hansen
Yes, you should be eligible for UI benefits after your penalty weeks are finished as long as you meet all other eligibility requirements. Since your temp assignment ended through no fault of your own, that would typically qualify as a valid job separation. Make sure you reported the temp job properly on your certification forms. You'll need to have earned enough wages in your base period to establish monetary eligibility too. Keep certifying every two weeks even during penalty time - sounds like you're already doing that correctly.
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Connor Rupert
•Thank you! I've been reporting everything correctly on my certifications. I worked full-time for 2 years before the initial claim that led to the overpayment, so I think my base period wages should be sufficient. I'm just nervous about the transition from penalty time to potentially receiving benefits again.
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Brady Clean
hey i went thru this last year!! the key is making sure u dont miss ANY certifications during penalty weeks. if u miss even 1 the whole thing gets messed up & u have to call them. also make sure ur reporting the temp job income right
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Skylar Neal
I had a similar situation with penalty weeks after an overpayment and then finding temporary work. My experience was that after my penalty weeks ended, I didn't automatically start receiving benefits again - I had to call EDD to essentially "reactivate" my claim. They needed to process the end of my temporary job as a new qualifying event. The system doesn't always automatically recognize your situation has changed after penalty weeks end. Of course, calling EDD is its own special nightmare. I was getting the "too many callers" message for DAYS before I found this service called Claimyr. It basically connects you directly to an EDD rep so you don't have to keep calling back. Saved me hours of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km
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Connor Rupert
•Oh wow, I didn't realize I'd need to contact them to reactivate. I was hoping it would just automatically switch to paying benefits after the penalty period. I'll definitely check out that service if I can't get through - I've tried calling a few times already and it's impossible.
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Vincent Bimbach
Does anybody know if the weeks you work during penalty time count AGAINST your total benefit weeks? I'm in a similar situation and confused about how this works.
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Molly Hansen
•No, weeks you work during penalty time don't count against your total benefit weeks. Penalty weeks only use up your "punishment" time, not your actual benefit weeks. You only use benefit weeks when you're actually eligible to receive and do receive payment.
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Kelsey Chin
The EDD system is DELIBERATELY CONFUSING by design!!! I went through 12 penalty weeks in 2024 and let me tell you, they will find ANY REASON to deny you benefits after that. Make sure you keep DETAILED records of EVERY job search activity and don't trust their online system to work properly. I had to file an appeal even after serving all my penalty weeks because they claimed I didn't look for enough work!!!! And whatever you do, TRIPLE CHECK those certification forms. One mistake and they'll hit you with ANOTHER overpayment claim!!!
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Norah Quay
•This isn't entirely accurate. While the system can be frustrating, penalty weeks are just that - penalties for previous overpayments. Once served, you return to regular claim status assuming you meet eligibility requirements. The work search requirements are clearly stated on the EDD website - you need to make a reasonable effort to find work each week, which typically means applying to 2-3 jobs per week and keeping records. The system isn't designed to deny benefits after penalty weeks; that's not how it works.
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Connor Rupert
I'm getting confused with all the different information. So after my penalty weeks end, will I need to file a new claim or will my existing claim continue? The temp job only lasted about 5 weeks total.
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Molly Hansen
•You won't need to file a completely new claim, but you should contact EDD to report the end of your temporary assignment. Your existing claim should continue, but you need to make sure EDD has properly documented that your temp job ended through no fault of your own. Keep certifying every two weeks without interruption.
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Leo McDonald
i had 10 panalty weeks last summer n i got benifits after it was all done, just keep doing the bi-weekly thing and make sure u do the work search. the most important thing is dont mess up yr certifications bc thats how they got me with the overpayment in the 1st place lol
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Norah Quay
To give you a comprehensive answer: you should be eligible for benefits after your penalty weeks conclude, provided you meet these conditions: 1. You've completed all assigned penalty weeks 2. You've certified continuously throughout the penalty period 3. Your temp job ended through no fault of your own (layoff/assignment ended) 4. You remain able and available for full-time work 5. You're actively searching for work (minimum 2-3 job applications per week) The key is ensuring EDD recognizes your temp job separation as qualifying. Since it was less than 30 days, it likely won't significantly impact your claim, but you should report it properly. Call EDD after your final penalty week and explain your situation to ensure your claim transitions properly to paid status. Under current EDD rules (2025), you won't need to file a new claim if your benefit year hasn't expired. Your existing claim should resume paying after penalties conclude, but sometimes this requires manual intervention from a representative.
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Connor Rupert
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! My benefit year is still active (it runs until September 2025), so hopefully I won't need to file a new claim. I'll definitely call them after my final penalty week.
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