Can you reapply for EDD benefits after a year of unemployment? Benefit year expiration question
I'm currently going on 11 months without work after I got laid off from my warehouse job. My EDD benefits ran out about 3 months ago (used all 26 weeks). A friend at my job search workshop mentioned that once it's been a full year since my initial claim, I might be eligible to file a brand new claim with EDD even if I haven't worked since. Is this actually true? I thought you needed to have new work/wages to qualify for a new benefit year. Has anyone successfully filed a new claim after a year without working between claims? The one-year mark from my layoff is coming up next month and I'm desperate for any help at this point.
19 comments


Abigail Patel
This is partially correct but also misleading. You can file a new claim when your benefit year ends (which is 12 months from when you first filed), but you still need to have qualifying wages in your base period to establish a new claim. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing. If you haven't worked at all in that time, you likely won't qualify for a new regular UI claim. However, don't give up! Contact EDD directly to ask about your specific situation. There might be other options available depending on your circumstances.
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Rhett Bowman
•Thanks for explaining. So basically I can file again, but will probably get denied since I haven't worked? That's what I was afraid of. Are there any extensions or other programs available now? I know they had those during COVID but I'm not sure what's still around in 2025.
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Daniel White
Yeah u can APPLY after a year but u need new work history to actually get approved lol. they wont just give u more $$ if u havent worked at all. maybe look into calfresh or general assistance from ur county?
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Rhett Bowman
•Yeah that makes sense... just hoping there was some loophole I didn't know about. I'll check out those other programs, thanks.
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Nolan Carter
I went through this exact situation last year. When your benefit year ends, EDD's system will allow you to file a new claim, but without new wages in your base period, you'll receive a $0 award notice. The EDD representative I spoke with explained that you need to have earned at least $1,300 in one quarter during your base period OR at least $900 in your highest quarter and 1.25 times that amount in your total base period. Without meeting one of these requirements, a new claim won't be payable even if you can file one. Your best bet is to focus on finding any employment, even part-time work, which could help you qualify for a partial UI claim in the future if you can't find full-time work.
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Natalia Stone
•This is 100% correct. You need qualifying wages in your base period to establish a new claim. The specific requirements are exactly as stated above. Without new wages, you won't qualify for a new UI claim regardless of how much time has passed since your last claim.
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Tasia Synder
hav u tried calling EDD directly? sometimes the phone reps know of options that arent on the website
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Rhett Bowman
•I tried a few times but keep getting the 'too many callers' message or disconnected after waiting forever. It's super frustrating!
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Selena Bautista
I feel your pain about not being able to reach EDD! I was in a similar situation trying to get answers about my claim status for WEEKS. I finally discovered a service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes after trying for days on my own. They basically call EDD for you and connect you when they get through. Saved me so much frustration! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Anyway, definitely worth asking an actual EDD rep about your specific situation. Sometimes they know about options or programs that might apply to your case.
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Rhett Bowman
•Thanks for the tip! At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some answers. I'll check out that service.
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Mohamed Anderson
THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO KEEP U BROKE!!!! they make these rules complicated ON PURPOSE so people give up trying to get benefits they deserve!!!! i been fighting with EDD for 9 months over a stupid "eligibility interview" that they keep rescheduling!!! its all GAMES they play to avoid paying hardworking ppl!!!
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Natalia Stone
•While the system can certainly be frustrating, the qualification requirements are actually based on federal guidelines for unemployment insurance. The work history requirements exist to ensure that UI remains an earned benefit based on recent work attachment. It's not a perfect system, but there is a rationale behind the base period wage requirements.
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Nolan Carter
Another option to consider: if you've been actively looking for work, make sure you document all your job search efforts. In some cases, if you can demonstrate unusual barriers to employment despite consistent efforts, you may qualify for additional assistance through your local America's Job Center or Workforce Development program. They sometimes have special grants or programs for long-term unemployed individuals. Also check with your county's Department of Social Services about other financial assistance programs you might qualify for while continuing your job search.
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Rhett Bowman
•That's really helpful, thank you. I've been keeping a spreadsheet of all my applications but didn't know there might be special programs through the job centers. I'll definitely check that out this week.
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Abigail Patel
Just to add to the excellent advice already given - when you do get back to work, even if it's part-time, make sure you work enough hours to potentially qualify for a future UI claim. The minimum earnings threshold isn't actually that high ($1,300 in one quarter as mentioned above), so even a part-time job could help you qualify for a future claim if needed. And once you do find work, try to stay employed for at least 2 quarters to build up some qualifying wages. That way, if you face unemployment again, you'll have some base period wages to potentially qualify for a new UI claim.
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Rhett Bowman
•Thanks for the advice - I hadn't thought about planning ahead like that. I'll definitely keep this in mind once I find a job, even if it's just part-time to start.
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Keisha Robinson
I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time finding work. Just wanted to add that while you're exploring all these options, don't forget to check if your local library or community college offers free job training programs or certifications. Many of them have partnerships with employers and can sometimes lead directly to job placement. Also, temp agencies might be worth trying - even short-term assignments could help you start building those qualifying wages everyone mentioned, plus give you recent work experience to put on your resume. Hang in there!
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Natalie Wang
•That's really great advice about the library and community college programs! I actually hadn't thought about temp agencies either - you're right that even short-term work could help me start building up those qualifying wages. I've been so focused on finding a permanent full-time position that I might have been overlooking these stepping stone opportunities. I'll definitely look into both options this week. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Nia Harris
I went through a very similar situation about 8 months ago. After my benefit year ended with no new wages, I was devastated to get that $0 award letter. What helped me was getting connected with my local One-Stop Career Center (part of the America's Job Center network). They not only helped with job search strategies but also informed me about a program called WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) that provides training funds for eligible individuals who've been unemployed long-term. I was able to get certified in forklift operation and warehouse safety, which directly led to my current job. The whole process took about 6 weeks, and they even provided supportive services like gas cards for interviews. Definitely worth looking into - you can find your local center at careeronestop.org. Don't give up hope!
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