EDD benefits eligibility confusion - how much do you need to earn to qualify for unemployment?

To qualify for UI in California, you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter during your base period OR at least $900 in your highest quarter plus 1.25 times that amount across your entire base period. Base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. Based on what you shared, if you worked 7 months and made $16,500, you should definitely qualify! The minimum amounts aren't that high. You can check which quarters fall into your base period using the EDD calculator on their website. Since you filed in February 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

u dont need much in california 2 qualify. i got approved making only like $4k total in my base period last year. as long as u got laid off and didnt quit or get fired ur good

The base period calculation is SO FRUSTRATING! When I applied last year, I thought I had enough earnings but EDD denied me because they used an older quarter I wasn't counting. Make sure you're looking at the right timeframe. Also be prepared for them to contact your employer about why you were terminated. Target might classify it as a "temporary seasonal position" which is actually GOOD for your claim since that means it was expected to end and wasn't your fault. Have you been able to talk to an actual person at EDD about your claim? That made all the difference for me.

Since you mentioned you've been applying for jobs with no response, make sure you're keeping detailed records of your work search activities. Under current EDD requirements, you need to be making at least 3 job contacts per week and documenting them. This includes job applications, interviews, networking, etc. Regarding your earnings: Based on your 7 months at Target making $16,500, you're well above the minimum threshold. For context, I qualified with about $11,000 in my base period last year. Your weekly benefit amount will be roughly 50% of your average weekly earnings up to the maximum of $450/week. If you need to actually speak with an EDD representative (which I recommend to confirm your eligibility), check out Claimyr.com - I used their service to get through to EDD last month after trying for days on my own. They have a good video explaining how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

It is legitimate. They don't make the call for you - they basically hold your place in line and call you when it's your turn. Saved me hours of redial frustration. But yes, it feels wrong having to pay just to access a government service we should be able to reach normally.

DONT FORGET ABOUT THE WAITING WEEK!!!! They never pay u for the first week after u file! wish someone had told me that when i filed my claim LOL I kept checking my account wondering where my $ was

A quick clarification about your Target job ending - since you mentioned you were "terminated," how exactly did they phrase it? There's an important distinction between: 1. Laid off / lack of work / position eliminated (good for your claim) 2. Terminated for cause / misconduct (potential disqualification) 3. End of temporary/seasonal assignment (generally good for your claim) If Target hired you specifically as seasonal help and the position was always intended to end after the holidays, that falls under #3 and you should be eligible as long as you meet the earnings requirements.

Yes, "reduction in workforce" is essentially a layoff and should qualify you for benefits. That's considered a termination without fault, which is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed for. Make sure to use those exact words if you have an eligibility interview with EDD.

UPDATE - I should probably correct my earlier comment. I went back and checked my notes from last year. The base period IS the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters, but they use the quarters that were completed when you filed. So for February 2025, the last completed quarter would be Q4 2024 (Oct-Dec), so that's the "lag quarter" they don't count. Then your base period would be Q4 2023, Q1 2024, Q2 2024, and Q3 2024. So only your earnings from Oct 2023 - Sep 2024 would count toward your claim. Any earnings from Oct 2024 - Feb 2025 DONT count toward eligibility or benefit amount!!!! This trips up SO MANY PEOPLE.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I've learned so much. To summarize what I understand now: 1. I should qualify based on my earnings ($16,500 over 7 months is above minimum) 2. My "reduction in workforce" termination should be considered no-fault 3. I need to check exactly which quarters count in my base period 4. I should prepare for my eligibility interview by having my termination details ready 5. There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start 6. I need to keep detailed records of my job search (at least 3 per week) I'll update this thread after my eligibility interview next week! Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

Good luck with your interview, Zara! You seem well-prepared now. Just wanted to add one more thing - during your eligibility interview, be honest and straightforward about everything. Don't try to overthink your answers or volunteer extra information they don't ask for. They're mainly verifying the basic facts: when you worked, how much you earned, and why your employment ended. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have your last pay stub and any termination paperwork from Target handy during the call. Sometimes they ask for specific dates or wage amounts and it's good to have the exact numbers ready. You've got this! The fact that you're being proactive about understanding the process puts you ahead of a lot of people. Keep us posted on how it goes!