EDD benefit calculator showing fewer than 26 weeks - what's wrong with my claim balance?

Your claim balance is based on your earnings during your base period, not a guaranteed 26 weeks. The maximum is 26 weeks, but you only get that if you earned enough during your base period quarters. Your weekly benefit amount is determined by your highest quarter earnings, while the total claim balance depends on your total base period earnings. Since you worked for 3 years at the same company, there might be an issue with how your wages were reported or calculated. Did you check your Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award letter to make sure all your wages are correctly listed for each quarter?

same thing happend to me!! only got like 20 weeks and i worked for 2 years straight. its not fair how they do the calculations tbh

This is completely normal. The 26 weeks is a maximum, not a guarantee. EDD calculates your claim amount based on your base period earnings (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed). The formula is roughly: - Weekly benefit amount (WBA): Based on your highest quarter earnings - Total claim: Either 26 x WBA OR a percentage of your total base period earnings, WHICHEVER IS LOWER Many people don't realize this, but you need approximately 1.5x your highest quarter earnings spread across your other base period quarters to qualify for the full 26 weeks. If most of your earnings were concentrated in just one or two quarters, you'll receive fewer weeks of benefits.

I had the same question when I filed last year! Turns out I was only eligible for 17 weeks because I had a few months where I wasn't working before I started the job I got laid off from. The whole base period thing is super confusing.

The EDD system is such a joke. They use these complicated formulas DELIBERATELY to confuse people and pay out less. Notice how they never clearly explain this 26 week maximum vs. actual calculation on their website?? They just say "up to 26 weeks" in tiny print and hope you don't notice when they shortchange you. I got 19 weeks despite working for 4 YEARS at my company. Had to fight for weeks to get them to fix an "error" in my wage reporting. ALWAYS check their math!!

If you need to call EDD to ask about your claim balance calculation, try using Claimyr to connect with an agent. I was in your same position and spent days trying to get through. Claimyr got me connected with an EDD rep in about 20 minutes who explained exactly how my claim was calculated and even found some wages that weren't included. You can check out how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and the website is claimyr.com. Seriously saved me weeks of frustration.

Just to add some more clarity, the exact formula EDD uses for total claim balance is either: 1. 26 x your Weekly Benefit Amount OR 2. 80% of your total Base Period earnings Whichever amount is LOWER. So if your base period earnings totaled around $10,800 (which would be roughly the case based on your claim balance of $8,640), then 80% of that would be $8,640, which is less than 26 weeks at $480/week ($12,480). This is why it's crucial to make sure ALL your wages are properly reported, especially if you had multiple employers or variable income like commissions, overtime, or bonuses.

My cousin works at the EDD and she told me they're SUPER strict about the formulas they use. Like they literally can't change it even if they wanted to because it's all automatic in their system.

Update: I finally got through to EDD after trying for two days (thanks to everyone who suggested ways to contact them). The rep confirmed what you all said - my benefits are lower because my earnings were concentrated in just two quarters. She checked my reported wages and everything was correct. I'm disappointed but at least I understand it now. Going to adjust my budget and step up my job search. Thanks everyone for your help explaining this!