EDD WBA showing $0 after seasonal UPS job - do I qualify for benefits?
I'm confused and worried about my unemployment claim. I just got laid off from my seasonal position at UPS (worked from October 7 to December 24, 2025, earning around $14,500 total). When I filed for unemployment and received my award letter in the mail, all my weekly benefit amounts were listed as $0! I didn't have any employment before this UPS job during the base period they use to calculate benefits. Does this zero WBA mean I'm completely disqualified from receiving any unemployment benefits? This was my only employment during the year and I really need some income while I search for a new job. Has anyone dealt with this situation or know what I can do?
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Tate Jensen
Unfortunately, this is how EDD calculates benefits. They look at a specific base period (typically 12-15 months before you file) to determine your WBA. Since you only worked for a short period and didn't have wages in the quarters they're looking at, you're getting $0. However, you might qualify for what's called an "Alternate Base Period" which looks at more recent earnings. Call EDD and specifically ask about this option - they won't automatically check it for you.
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Marcelle Drum
•Thank you for the explanation! I've been trying to call EDD for three days now but keep getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and it hangs up. Is there any other way to request this Alternate Base Period thing?
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Adaline Wong
OMG this happened to me last year!! i did xmas seasonal work at Target and got $0 too when i tried to file. so frustrating!!!! the EDD system is so messed up, they make everything impossible
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Marcelle Drum
•Did you find any way to fix it? Did you end up getting any benefits at all?
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Gabriel Ruiz
The problem is that EDD uses a base period system that typically looks at your earnings from about 3-15 months before you file your claim. Since you only had the seasonal job, those earnings might not fall within the standard base period. There are two potential solutions: 1. Ask about the Alternate Base Period (ABP) which uses more recent earnings 2. File an appeal of your $0 award (you have 30 days from the notice date) I'd recommend trying to get through to EDD on the phone to discuss these options specifically. Be sure to have your exact employment dates and earnings ready.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•I think there's a third option too - if the OP was working somewhere else before the 18-month lookback period but got laid off, they might be able to reopen an old claim? That's what happened with my brother
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Peyton Clarke
Check your award letter carefully! Sometimes EDD makes mistakes in calculating your base period wages. I worked seasonal retail last year and my first notice showed $0, but it turned out they had the wrong employer ID number. I had to send in wage documentation and they fixed it. Don't just accept the $0 without investigating!!!
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Marcelle Drum
•That's a good point - I'll double check all the employer info on my paperwork. The UPS job was definitely my only employment though, so I think the issue is the base period thing people are mentioning.
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Vince Eh
I struggled with the EXACT same issue trying to reach EDD about my $0 WBA. After 2 weeks of constant calling and never getting through, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD agent confirmed I was eligible for the Alternate Base Period and updated my claim on the spot. My WBA went from $0 to $327! Definitely worth talking to an actual human at EDD about this.
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Marcelle Drum
•Thank you for the recommendation! I'm getting desperate after days of calling. Did you have to explain anything special to the EDD rep to get them to check the Alternate Base Period?
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Sophia Gabriel
this whole base period thing is super confusing to me... so if u work for 3 months but its the wrong 3 months u get nothing?? that makes no sense!!! the system is rigged against seasonal workers
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Gabriel Ruiz
•It's definitely confusing. The standard base period looks at earnings from 3-15 months before your claim, divided into quarters. If your only work falls outside that window, you get $0. But the Alternate Base Period can include more recent work - this is specifically designed to help people in situations like seasonal work. The problem is you have to specifically request it.
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Marcelle Drum
Update: I finally got through to EDD this morning! The representative confirmed I'm eligible for the Alternate Base Period since my seasonal work was recent. She's updating my claim and said I should receive a new award letter in 7-10 days with an actual weekly benefit amount. She also mentioned I'll need to provide additional verification of my income since it was so recent. Just wanted to update everyone in case someone else has this issue!
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Tate Jensen
•That's great news! Make sure to submit any income verification they request right away. The Alternate Base Period claims sometimes take a bit longer to process, but it sounds like you're on the right track now.
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Adaline Wong
thats awesome!! wishing u the best with everything!! unemployment is so stressful i know exactly how ur feeling
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Peyton Clarke
Don't forget to certify for benefits as soon as they tell you to, even while waiting for the new award letter! I made that mistake and it delayed everything by another 2 weeks. The system is frustrating but at least you're making progress!
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Marcelle Drum
•Thanks for the reminder! I'll make sure to certify on time. Looks like my first certification will be due this Sunday.
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