Can I reopen my EDD claim after starting seasonal work in 2025?
Hey everyone, I've got a situation with my unemployment benefits and seasonal work. My current EDD claim was approved on January 22, 2025 after I lost my retail job right after the holidays. I just got offered a seasonal position at a local resort that starts in early May but only runs through September. What happens when the seasonal job ends? Can I reopen my current claim if I don't find another job right away? Or would I need to file a completely new claim? My previous unemployment ended around November 2023, so it's been over a year since then. I'm worried about having a gap between the seasonal work ending and finding my next job. Any advice on how EDD handles seasonal employment would be super helpful! Thanks in advance!
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Layla Sanders
Yes, you can reopen your existing claim if it hasn't expired yet! EDD claims last for 12 months from the date they're established, even if you find work in between. Since your current claim was approved in January 2025, you should be able to reopen it after your seasonal job ends in September, assuming you still have benefits remaining. To reopen, just log into your UI Online account and select "Reopen Claim." Make sure to reopen as soon as your seasonal work ends - don't wait weeks or they may question why you delayed. You'll need to meet the usual eligibility requirements (able to work, actively seeking work, etc.).
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Anna Stewart
•Thank you so much for the clear explanation! That's a relief to know. So the 12-month period starts from January 2025 when it was approved, not from when I stop collecting to work the seasonal job, right? And if I understand correctly, any remaining balance on my claim will still be available after the seasonal work?
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Morgan Washington
i did seasonal work last yr & went back on unemp after. EZ process just go on ui online and hit reopen claim button. make sure u report yr last day worked correctly tho!!!
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Anna Stewart
•Thanks for sharing your experience! That's reassuring to hear. Did you have any waiting period between ending your seasonal job and getting benefits again?
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Kaylee Cook
Don't listen to the people saying it's easy - EDD SCREWS UP SEASONAL WORK ALL THE TIME!!!! I worked a summer job last year and when I tried reopening my claim they put me under REVIEW for 6 WEEKS!!! Said I needed to do a phone interview to "verify separation" even though it was CLEARLY seasonal!!! They make EVERYTHING complicated!!! Make sure you save PROOF it was seasonal work when they hired you!!
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Oliver Alexander
•Though experiences vary, it's important to clarify that seasonal work issues typically happen when there's confusion about whether the job truly ended or if you quit. When you're hired specifically for a defined season with a clear end date, and both you and the employer agree on that, there's usually minimal issues. However, having documentation that shows the position was always intended to be seasonal is definitely good advice.
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Lara Woods
If your job ends in September 2025 and your current claim was approved in January 2025, you should be able to reopen the same claim as others have said. Just be aware that there's a bit more to understand: 1. Your benefit year (the 12-month period) ends in January 2026 2. You can only collect your maximum benefit amount once during this period 3. If you've already collected a significant portion of your benefits before starting seasonal work, you might not have much left to collect after So, while reopening is possible, check your remaining balance before your seasonal job ends so you know what to expect.
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Anna Stewart
•This is really helpful - I hadn't thought about the remaining balance issue. Is there a way to check how much I'll have left while I'm working? Also, if I use up all my benefits before the benefit year ends in January 2026, would I need to wait until then to file a new claim or could I file earlier?
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Adrian Hughes
I've been on and off unemployment for years with my construction job (always weather dependent). One thing nobody mentioned - when you reopen, they'll recalculate your weekly benefit amount if you earned enough at your seasonal job. Sometimes this means you get more per week! Just make sure you report ALL earnings from the seasonal job when you reopen.
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Lara Woods
•That's actually not quite accurate. Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is established when your claim is first filed and doesn't change during your benefit year, even if you work temporarily and then reopen the claim. What you might be thinking of is filing a completely new claim after the benefit year expires, where yes, those higher wages could potentially lead to a higher WBA on the new claim.
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Molly Chambers
Has anyone ever tried using Claimyr to get through to EDD when reopening a claim after seasonal work? I had so many problems reaching someone last time I tried to reopen my claim. I found this service at claimyr.com that supposedly helps you get through to a real person at EDD much faster. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km I'm thinking of using it when my farm work ends next month since I always have questions they can't answer through the regular UI online system.
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Anna Stewart
•I've never heard of this service! Did it actually work for you? I'm saving this info just in case I run into issues after my seasonal job. Getting through to EDD on the phone seems nearly impossible sometimes.
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Morgan Washington
•my cousin used it last month when her account got locked!!! said it worked & saved her hours of calling. she got thru in like 25 min instead of calling for days
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Oliver Alexander
To clarify a couple of important points: 1. You can reopen your claim any time within your benefit year (the 12-month period from when your claim was first filed) 2. There is typically a one-week unpaid waiting period if it's been more than 30 days since you last certified for benefits 3. When you reopen your claim, you'll need to meet the same eligibility requirements as when you first applied 4. Make sure you have documentation showing your seasonal job had a definite end date 5. If your benefit year expires before you finish your seasonal job, you would need to file a completely new claim rather than reopen This information is current as of 2025 EDD policies.
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Anna Stewart
•Thank you for all this detail! The waiting period info is especially helpful. Can you explain what kind of documentation would be best to prove my job had a definite end date? Would an offer letter that mentions the seasonal timeframe be sufficient?
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Oliver Alexander
•Yes, an offer letter or employment contract that specifically mentions the seasonal nature and end date of the position would be ideal documentation. Other useful documents include: - Email communications discussing the seasonal timeframe - A job description that clearly states it's a seasonal position - Any separation notice provided when the season ends Keep these documents accessible as you may need them if EDD has questions about your work separation. While many seasonal job claims process smoothly, having documentation ready can prevent delays if questions arise.
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Ian Armstrong
just wondering... if the seasonal job pays more than your previous job, does that affect your weekly benefit amount when you reopen? i'm in a similar situation but haven't started my seasonal job yet
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Lara Woods
•No, your weekly benefit amount remains fixed throughout your entire benefit year, regardless of any work you do during that time. The only time your wages from the seasonal job would potentially affect your benefit amount is if you file a completely new claim after your current benefit year expires.
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Layla Sanders
One more thing to keep in mind - when you're working your seasonal job, make sure you stop certifying for benefits completely rather than just reporting your earnings. Some people make the mistake of continuing to certify while fully employed, which can lead to confusion in the system. When your seasonal job ends, that's when you'll reopen your claim and start certifying again.
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Anna Stewart
•That's good to know! So I should completely stop interacting with the EDD system while I'm working full-time at the seasonal job, then reactivate when it ends. Makes sense - thanks for the tip!
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