EDD benefit year confusion - Do 26 weeks start from application date? Can I continue benefits with part-time work?

The 26 weeks start from when your benefit year begins, which is typically the Sunday of the week you filed your claim. But those weeks aren't necessarily consecutive - they're only counted when you actually receive benefits. So if you don't certify or don't qualify for a particular week, that week doesn't count toward your 26-week total. As for your part-time work, you can absolutely receive partial unemployment benefits as long as you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount (or sometimes even a bit more, thanks to the earned income disregard). You'll need to report your part-time earnings when you certify every two weeks, and EDD will reduce your benefit accordingly. Once you've exhausted your regular 26 weeks of UI, you normally wouldn't be eligible for an extension unless there's a federal extension program in place (which there isn't currently). However, if your benefit year ends and you're still underemployed, you might be able to file a new claim if you've earned enough in the base period.

ur partial benefits still count toward ur 26 weeks. i did this last yr, worked 15hrs a week and got small ui payments but it used up my weeks just like if i wasnt working at all. sucks but thats how they do it

To add some clarity here: Your 26 weeks of benefits are measured in terms of the amount you're eligible to receive, not just a calendar timeframe. EDD calculates your maximum benefit amount (MBA) when you file your claim. Each week you claim benefits (whether full or partial) reduces that total amount. For example, if your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is $450, your MBA would be $11,700 (26 weeks × $450). If you're working part-time and only collecting $200 in partial benefits each week, you'd technically be using your benefits at a slower rate, potentially extending beyond 26 calendar weeks until you reach your MBA. However, regardless of how you use it, your claim expires at the end of your benefit year (12 months from when you filed), even if you haven't used all available benefits. At that point, you'd need to qualify for a new claim based on wages earned during your most recent base period.

when i got laid off they told me id get 6 months and thats it, doesnt matter if ur working or not. EDD is always changing the rules tho so who knows

This is EXACTLY why the EDD system is so frustrating! They make everything confusing on purpose!! I went through this same thing back in December - had my hours cut to 25/week and was getting partial benefits. The customer service people gave me THREE different answers about how long my benefits would last. One thing I learned the HARD WAY is that you HAVE TO keep certifying every two weeks and report your part-time income ACCURATELY. If you make a mistake, they'll hit you with an overpayment notice months later and then you're really screwed!!! And don't bother trying to call EDD to ask questions - you'll never get through!!!

Just wanted to share my experience - I was in almost the exact same situation last year. Got laid off, then found part-time work after about a month. I was able to collect partial unemployment for about 8 months (which was longer than the standard 26 weeks) because I was only collecting a portion of my weekly benefit amount each week. One thing that really helped me was using Claimyr to actually get through to an EDD rep when I had questions about my specific situation. It's at claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It was super helpful because I had some weeks where my hours varied a lot, and I needed clarity on how to report everything correctly. The EDD rep I spoke with explained everything about my benefit calculation and how long I could expect payments to continue with my part-time work.

My sister works at an Amazon warehouse part time and gets unemployment too. She said it depends on how much you make each week. If you make too much money in a week you don't get benefits for that week but it doesn't count against your 26 weeks. You can still claim the next week if you make less money. I think theres a calculator on the EDD website.

To clarify a few points from the conversation: 1) Yes, each week you receive ANY benefits (full or partial) counts toward your 26-week maximum. 2) However, your claim balance is based on your maximum benefit amount. If you're receiving reduced payments due to part-time work, your benefits will last longer in calendar time (potentially beyond 26 calendar weeks) until you exhaust your maximum benefit amount. 3) Your benefit year lasts for 12 months from when you filed. Once that year ends, any remaining balance disappears even if you haven't used all 26 weeks worth. 4) When reporting part-time wages, always report gross earnings (before taxes) for the week in which you worked, not when you get paid. 5) The formula for partial benefits is: If you earn less than $100, EDD will disregard the first $25. If you earn $100 or more, EDD disregards the first 25% of your earnings. The remainder is subtracted from your weekly benefit amount.