EDD benefits after accepting a lower-paying temp job - will my claim restart automatically?

When you take a temp job, your claim doesn't automatically restart after it ends. You'll need to reopen your claim through UI Online when the job is over. As for your benefit amount - good news is that taking a lower-paying temp job won't reduce your weekly benefit amount when you return to unemployment. Your WBA is calculated based on your highest-earning quarter during your base period (which is already set from your original claim). What you should know though is that EDD will recalculate your available benefit balance. Since you've only used 9 weeks, you should still have a good amount left in your claim year. Just make sure you report your earnings accurately each week while working the temp job.

u should take the job! better to have somthing than nothing right? plus it looks good that your trying to work instead of just collecting edd

I went through almost the exact same scenario last year. Took a 2-month contract that paid WAY less than my regular salary. Here's what you need to know: 1. There won't be an automatic restart - you'll need to reopen your claim when the temp job ends 2. No new waiting period if it's within the same benefit year 3. Your weekly benefit amount won't change, but remember that your benefit year end date doesn't extend just because you worked 4. If you're making more than your weekly benefit at the temp job, you'll report your earnings and receive $0 for those weeks (effectively pausing your claim) For me, the temp job was worth it because it led to other connections, but purely financially - it was about the same as staying on unemployment. Make sure to reopen your claim immediately after the temp job ends!

Whhy are they offering you so little??? That's insulting! I would tell them to increase the pay or no deal. Unemployment is there for a reason - so we don't have to take whatever scraps employers decide to throw at us.

Been through this exact situation twice! Here's what happens: 1. While working the temp job, you can either stop certifying OR continue certifying and report your earnings (if you earn too much, you'll get $0 for those weeks) 2. When the temp job ends, you'll need to REOPEN your claim - it won't automatically restart 3. If you're still within your benefit year, your weekly amount stays exactly the same as before (since it's based on your highest-earning quarters in your base period) 4. You should have immediate access to benefits after reopening (no new waiting week) I learned the hard way that getting through to EDD to reopen a claim can be a nightmare. After my second temp job ended, I couldn't get through for THREE WEEKS. I finally used Claimyr.com to connect with a rep and got my claim reopened in one day. They have a service that helps you reach an EDD agent faster - saved me so much stress. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. Worth it when you're trying to restart benefits quickly and the regular phone line is impossible.

Wait Im confused.... I thought if you turn down work you get disqualified from EDD?? Isnt any job better than no job?

The system is BROKEN! They want us to take whatever garbage pay is offered just to get us off unemployment. Then when that temp job ends, they make it almost IMPOSSIBLE to reopen your claim. I spent WEEKS trying to get through on the phone after my contract ended. The EDD website is a disaster - constant glitches, error messages, and when you try to call, all you get is "we're experiencing high call volume, try again later" CLICK. And don't get me started on how they calculate your benefits - they use some mysterious formula that nobody understands. The whole system is designed to be confusing and difficult to navigate. Just be prepared for a bureaucratic nightmare when that temp job ends!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I've decided to take the temp job. Even though it pays less than my benefit amount, I think the experience and networking might lead to something better. I'll make sure to reopen my claim as soon as the contract ends and follow the advice about using the UI Online system. I appreciate all the insights about how the benefit calculation works - definitely helps me make a more informed decision.

Good luck with the temp position! You made a smart decision considering all the factors. One thing I'd add - since you're taking a significant pay cut, make sure to document everything about this job (pay rate, hours, duration) in case you ever need to reference it later. Also, temp agencies sometimes have other opportunities that come up, so definitely maintain a good relationship with them. The networking aspect alone could be worth more than the immediate financial difference. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this exact scenario! You absolutely made the right choice taking that temp position. I was in a similar situation last year - took a 6-week contract at about 60% of my previous salary. While the immediate pay was lower than my EDD benefits, it ended up being one of the best career moves I made. The temp agency ended up placing me in a permanent role 3 months later that paid even more than my original job! A few practical tips for when you start: Make sure you understand exactly when your last day will be so you can reopen your EDD claim immediately. Also, even though it's temp work, treat it like any other job - show up early, volunteer for extra projects, and network with everyone you meet. You never know which connection might lead to your next opportunity. The financial break-even might seem discouraging now, but having recent work experience on your resume is invaluable, especially in today's competitive job market. Employers definitely notice employment gaps, and being able to say you were working (even temporarily) rather than unemployed for 4+ months can make a real difference in interviews.