EDD benefit year ending Sept 2025 but running out of funds early - possible to extend?
Hi everyone, I'm in a bit of a panic here. My unemployment claim is set to expire in September 2025, but I'm burning through my benefits way faster than expected due to only qualifying for the minimum weekly amount ($78). At this rate, I'll probably run out of funds by late May. I've been applying for jobs like crazy in the healthcare field after being laid off from my nursing assistant position, but the market is brutal right now. Does anyone know if there's a way to extend my claim once the money runs out but before the benefit year officially ends? Or am I just out of luck when the funds are gone? I know there used to be extensions during covid but not sure what's available now. Any advice would be really appreciated as I'm starting to worry about making rent this summer.
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Anna Kerber
Nope ur done once the $$$ runs out. benefit year just means the MAX time u can collect, not guaranteed time. good luck
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Roger Romero
•Seriously? That's what I was afraid of. So even though my claim technically goes until September, once my balance hits zero that's it? No extensions or anything?
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Niko Ramsey
Unfortunately, regular unemployment benefits cannot be extended once you've exhausted your claim balance, even if your benefit year hasn't ended. The benefit year (12 months) is just the window during which you can collect your maximum benefit amount, which is based on your previous earnings. The only way to qualify for additional benefits would be if the government implements special extension programs (like they did during COVID with PEUC and FED-ED), but there are currently no such programs available in 2025. Your only options right now would be: 1. Find employment before benefits run out 2. If you become disabled, you might qualify for SDI 3. In some cases, you might qualify for a new claim if you had sufficient wages in the last 18 months from an employer who paid into the UI system I recommend speaking directly with an EDD representative to discuss your specific situation. They can review your claim and confirm if there are any other programs you might qualify for.
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Roger Romero
•Thank you for the detailed explanation. This makes more sense now, though it's not what I was hoping to hear. I'll keep applying for jobs and hope something comes through before May. The healthcare job market is so competitive right now - I've applied to 37 positions in the last month with only one interview that didn't pan out.
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Seraphina Delan
I went thru the EXACT same thing last year!!! My benefit year was till November but my funds ran out in July and that was IT. EDD doesnt care if ur still looking for work or that rent is due - when ur balance hits $0 thats it ur DONE. The system is totally broken!!! They should extend benefits for ppl who are ACTUALLY LOOKING for work not just cutting everyone off!!!
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Roger Romero
•That's so frustrating to hear but thank you for sharing your experience. Did you end up finding work before your benefits ran out? I'm wondering if I should start looking at jobs outside my field at this point just to have some income coming in.
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Seraphina Delan
•I had to take a retail job making WAY less than my previous job. Still looking for something in my field but bills gotta get paid. The whole system is designed to push ppl into taking WHATEVER job they can get even if it's a huge step down. So messed up.
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Jabari-Jo
my sister had this happen and she tried calling edd for weeks to ask about extensions but couldnt get through. anyone know a good way to actually talk to someone there? she gave up after like 40 calls
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Kristin Frank
•I had the same problem trying to reach EDD about my exhausted benefits. After days of frustration, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a live EDD agent in about 20 minutes. They basically call EDD for you and transfer you once they get through. Saved me hours of redial hell. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep confirmed what others here are saying - once benefits are exhausted, that's it unless there's some special extension program in place (which there isn't right now). But at least I got a definitive answer instead of wondering.
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Micah Trail
While your regular UI claim can't be extended once exhausted, I'd recommend exploring these options: 1. If you had any W-2 income during your current benefit year from a different employer than the one on your original claim, you might qualify for a new claim after this one ends. 2. Consider applying for CalFresh (food assistance) and other support programs through your county social services department to help stretch your budget. 3. Look into rapid retraining programs through your local America's Job Center (formerly OneStop). Healthcare has specialized programs that can help nursing assistants move to other in-demand healthcare roles with short-term training. 4. Ask for a review of your weekly benefit amount. The $78 minimum seems very low - if you think your earnings history wasn't properly calculated, request a wage investigation. Sometimes not all employers are properly reported. Make sure you're doing your work search activities and certifying correctly in the meantime. Keep good records of all your job applications.
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Roger Romero
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I didn't know about the rapid retraining programs - I'll definitely look into that. And yes, I thought the $78 seemed low too. I worked part-time at two facilities but I'm wondering if only one employer was counted. I'll request that wage investigation right away.
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Nia Watson
Im confused about something... are you getting $78 a week for unemployment? That seems super low. Minimum weekly benefit amount in California should be around $40 I think. Are you on partial unemployment or something? Maybe theres a mistake with your claim that needs fixing?
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Niko Ramsey
•The current minimum weekly benefit amount in California is $40, and the maximum is $450. The OP's $78 is within that range, though on the lower end, which suggests limited qualifying wages in their base period. It's possible they worked part-time or for a short period before becoming unemployed. The WBA is calculated based on earnings in the highest quarter of the base period - roughly 1/23rd to 1/26th of those earnings, depending on the exact amount. However, you raise a good point - if the claimant worked at multiple employers, it's worth verifying that all wages were properly reported and calculated in their benefit determination. A wage investigation could potentially increase their weekly benefit amount if missing wages are found.
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Alberto Souchard
wait i thought there was a thing where if you used up all your benefits before your year ends you could file a new claim? someone told me that once.
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Micah Trail
•That's a common misconception. You can only file a new claim under these circumstances: 1. Your current benefit year has ended (the full 12 months has passed) 2. You have sufficient wages in the new base period (typically needing to work and earn wages after opening your previous claim) You cannot file a new claim simply because you've exhausted your benefit amount while still within your benefit year. The only exceptions would be during periods when special extension programs are in effect, which are usually only implemented during major economic downturns through federal legislation.
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Roger Romero
Thank you all for your help and advice! I've decided to: 1. Request a wage investigation to see if my benefit amount can be increased 2. Look into the rapid retraining programs at the local job center 3. Continue job searching but expand to related fields 4. Apply for CalFresh to help with food expenses I'll update if anything changes with my claim. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences!
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