Can my son reopen his EDD claim after short temporary work ended?

He doesn't need to file a new claim - he should reopen his existing claim since it's within the same benefit year (which runs for 12 months from when he first filed in January). He can do this by logging into UI Online and selecting the 'Reopen Claim' option. Since he's already had a claim this year, the system should guide him through the reopening process instead of starting fresh. The temporary/on-call nature of his work is totally normal and won't cause any issues. He'll just need to report any earnings during certification. Just make sure he reopens ASAP since benefits aren't retroactive beyond the week he reopens.

When i did this last yr after a contract job they made me do a phone interview befroe they would reopen my claym. Said they needed to verify why I wasnt at the job anymore. took like 3 extra weeks b4 i got paid again tho

The previous responses are partially correct, but let me clarify a few things about reopening claims: 1. Your son should definitely REOPEN his existing claim rather than filing a new one. His benefit year runs for 12 months from initial filing date in January 2025. 2. His weekly benefit amount will remain the same as before. 3. When reopening, he'll need to provide information about his temporary employment (employer name, last day worked, reason for separation). 4. Since it was temporary/on-call work that ended naturally (not a firing or quitting situation), this is considered a lack of work situation, which typically won't trigger an eligibility interview. 5. He should be prepared to explain why the temporary work ended if asked. 6. He must certify for all weeks he wants to receive benefits once the claim is reopened. The most important thing is to reopen immediately since benefits are not retroactive before the week he reopens the claim.

I was in this exact situation last year!! Just have your son call EDD directly to reopen. Online system kept glitching when I tried reopening and delayed everything by weeks. EDD agents can do it instantly over the phone. Save yourself the headache!

ur son shuld defintly reopen BUT be careful the date he puts as last worked cuz that matters. if he enters wrong date it'll mess up his certifications. i made that mistake & lost 2 weeks of payments bcause i putg the wrong date

Important update on your son's situation: Since we're in 2025, he should be aware that EDD now requires enhanced work search activities for reopened claims. This means: 1. He'll need to document at least 3 work search activities per week (up from 2 previously) 2. He should register with CalJOBS if he hasn't already 3. The new system may require him to upload work search verification periodically The good news is that once reopened, payments typically begin processing within 3-5 business days as long as no eligibility issues are detected. The temporary nature of his previous job shouldn't cause complications.

Everyone here is overcomplicating this! The EDD system is designed to handle exactly this situation. Your son just needs to: 1. Log into UI Online 2. Click "Reopen Claim" (it's right on the homepage) 3. Answer the questions honestly 4. Done! I've reopened claims FOUR TIMES in the past two years due to intermittent freelance work. Never had a phone interview, never had issues. Just make sure he understands the on-call work ended due to "lack of work" - that's the key phrase that prevents complications. Don't overthink it!

Just to update on the work search requirements discussion - the correct requirement is still 2 work search activities per week for most claimants in 2025, not 3 as someone mentioned. Your son should: 1. Keep a detailed record of all work search activities 2. Include employer names, contact information, positions applied for 3. Save copies of all job applications submitted EDD randomly selects claimants for work search verification, so having good documentation is important. The system works smoothly for temporary/on-call situations like your son's as long as everything is reported accurately.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! My son reopened his claim yesterday through UI Online. The process was pretty straightforward - he selected "lack of work" as the reason his temporary position ended. The system showed his weekly benefit amount is the same as before. Now we're just waiting for the claim to be processed. I really appreciate all the guidance!