EDD benefits ending - 6 month limit or possible extension in 2025?

Standard ui in CA is 26 weeks. Has been that way for a looooong time. The 1yr thing ur thinking of is just the benefit YEAR - the period during which u can collect those 26 weeks. Extensions only happen when govt passes special laws like during covid or major recessions. Right now theres no extensions available sorry

im in the same boat mine ends in 2 weeks!!!! been applying everywhere but nothing. so scared about paying rent. did u try calling edd to ask about extensions?? i cant get thru to anyone on the phone its so frustrating

To clarify a few things about your claim: 1. Regular UI benefits in California have been 26 weeks (not a full year) for decades. The year you're thinking of is your benefit year - the 12-month period during which you can collect those 26 weeks. 2. There are currently NO federal or state extensions available as of May 2025. Extensions only exist during periods of high unemployment declared by the government (like during COVID or the 2008 recession). 3. After your benefits exhaust, you'll need to wait until you qualify for a new claim, which requires new work and earnings after your current claim's start date. 4. To qualify for a new claim, you'll need earnings in your base period (typically 5-18 months before filing) that meet the minimum requirements. Focus on documenting all your work search activities thoroughly in case you need to apply again in the future. Also look into other assistance programs like CalFresh or county general assistance while you continue your job search.

I noticed you mentioned having trouble with the job search. Have you tried connecting with your local America's Job Center (formerly known as EDD Workforce Services)? They offer free job search assistance, resume help, and sometimes have connections with employers looking to hire. It might give you an edge in this tough job market. As for your original question, the others are correct. UI in California provides up to 26 weeks of benefits within a 12-month benefit year. There are no extensions currently available. Your claim doesn't automatically renew - you'd need to have new qualifying wages to establish a new claim after this one ends.

you should be calling EDD everyday to talk to someone about your options!!! I was having a similar issue back in January and it took me THREE WEEKS of calling every single day before I could get through. Seriously the phone system is a nightmare, I would spend hours just redialing and getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message over and over.

To follow up on your question about finding work to establish a new claim: Yes, exactly. If you find even part-time work after your current claim started, those wages can potentially qualify you for a new claim later. But there are minimum earnings requirements: 1. You need earnings in at least one quarter of your base period 2. Total base period earnings must be at least $1,300 in your highest quarter OR 3. Total base period earnings must be at least $900 in your highest quarter AND total base period earnings must equal at least 1.25 times your highest quarter So even gig work or temporary positions can help you establish a new claim down the road if needed.

Don't waste time with EDD!!! Look i was in ur EXACT situation last yr and I just focused on applying EVERYWHERE. Took a warehouse job i HATED but it paid the bills until I found something better. The system is designed to cut u off after 26 weeks whether ur ready or not!!

btw I think I read somewhere that EDD has some training programs that can sometimes extend benefits if ur learning new skills but Im not 100% sure how that works

i ran out of benefits last year and it SUCKED but i eventually found something. dont give up!! also check out food banks in your area, they helped me get through the rough patch between benefits ending and finding work

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are ending next month too and I'm really stressed about it. Reading through all these responses has been helpful though. It sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) No extensions available right now, 2) Need to find ANY work to potentially qualify for a new claim later, and 3) Look into other assistance programs in the meantime. Has anyone had luck with temp agencies? I'm wondering if that might be a good way to get some income and build up qualifying wages for the future. Also @Vincent Bimbach - hang in there, we're all in this together!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - my benefits end in about 10 days and I'm terrified. The job market feels impossible lately, especially with so many companies doing layoffs. I've been applying to everything I can think of but barely getting any responses. Reading through all these comments has been really eye-opening though. I had no idea that California UI was only 26 weeks - I definitely thought it was longer too. It's frustrating that there's no safety net beyond that, but I guess I need to focus on what I can control. I'm going to start looking into temp agencies tomorrow and maybe some of those job centers people mentioned. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it helps to know I'm not alone in this struggle.

Just wanted to add another perspective here - I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago. My benefits ran out and I was panicking, but I ended up taking a retail job at a grocery store chain just to keep some money coming in. It wasn't glamorous and the pay wasn't great, but it kept me afloat while I continued looking for something better in my field. The key thing I learned is that ANY work helps - both financially and for building up those qualifying wages everyone mentioned. Plus having a job made me feel less desperate in interviews for better positions. I know retail can be tough (you mentioned struggling with that industry) but grocery stores, pharmacies, and big box stores seem to be hiring more consistently than clothing/department stores right now. Don't give up - this is temporary even though it doesn't feel like it!

I'm in a very similar boat - my benefits run out in about 3 weeks and I've been stressed about it for weeks now. Reading through everyone's responses has been both sobering and helpful. It's frustrating that there's no safety net beyond the 26 weeks, especially when the job market feels so competitive right now. I've been primarily looking in my field (marketing) but I think I need to follow the advice here and start applying more broadly. @Ava Johnson your story about taking the grocery store job gives me hope - I've been worried about being seen as overqualified but you're right that any income is better than none. And @Leo McDonald thanks for breaking down the earnings requirements so clearly. It's good to know that even part-time work could help me qualify for a new claim down the road if needed. Has anyone had experience with those apps like Indeed Flex or similar gig work platforms? Wondering if that type of work would count toward the qualifying wages or if it needs to be traditional W-2 employment.

Hey Vincent, I was in almost exactly your situation about 6 months ago - benefits ending, job search going nowhere, and that same panic setting in. I know it feels overwhelming right now, but there are a few things that helped me get through it: 1. Apply EVERYWHERE, not just in your field. I ended up taking a part-time job at a local warehouse that I found through a temp agency. It wasn't what I wanted, but it kept money coming in and helped me build those qualifying wages for a potential future claim. 2. Don't overlook smaller local businesses - they often have less competition than the big companies everyone applies to. I found my warehouse job by literally walking into places and asking if they were hiring. 3. Look into your local food bank and other assistance programs NOW before your benefits end. There's no shame in using these resources - that's what they're there for. The hardest part is accepting that this might take longer than you hoped, but it's not permanent. You mentioned retail is brutal right now - have you considered expanding to grocery stores, pharmacies, or even cleaning services? These seem to have more consistent openings than traditional retail. Hang in there - you'll get through this even though it doesn't feel like it right now.