EDD claim balance hit zero but benefit year still active - what happens next?

When your UI balance hits zero, that means you've exhausted your maximum benefit amount for this claim, even if your benefit year is still active. The benefit year just means the period during which you can collect those benefits, not a guarantee of benefits for the entire year. Unfortunately, EDD won't automatically add more funds to an exhausted claim. Your husband would need to wait until his current benefit year expires in March 2026 before filing a new claim, AND he would need new qualifying wages after his last claim began. There are a few options though: 1. If he qualifies for any extensions that might be currently available (check EDD's website for current extension programs) 2. If he's in an approved training program through EDD, he may qualify for California Training Benefits (CTB) which can extend benefits 3. File for other assistance programs while he completes his training I'd recommend trying to speak with an EDD representative to explore all options, especially about the California Training Benefits if his training is approved.

THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST YEAR!! It's so messed up that they don't explain this better when you first apply. I thought I was good for the whole year too and then BOOM - no more money but my "benefit year" was still active for like 7 more months. EDD system is a joke honestly.

When I had this happen, I was actually able to get through to an EDD rep who walked me through my options. Here's what they told me: 1. Regular UI claims have a maximum benefit amount (MBA) that's calculated when you first apply 2. Once you use up that amount, there's no more money on that claim, even if your benefit year isn't over 3. You can't file a new UI claim until your benefit year ends 4. You need new qualifying wages since your last claim began to qualify for a new claim If your husband is in training, he should ask specifically about CTB (California Training Benefits) or other training extension programs. They won't volunteer this info - you have to ask! The real challenge is reaching someone at EDD who can help. I wasted days trying to get through until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Worth it to get clear answers about his specific situation rather than guessing.

i think ur husband might qualify for the fed-ed extension program if its still available?? my brother got extra weeks after his regular ui ran out. not sure tho, the rules change all the time

A little off topic but this happened to my wife back in 2023 and we were freaking out too. The thing about UI that most people don't understand (I sure didn't!) is that your benefit amount is calculated based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. This determines your weekly benefit amount AND your maximum benefit amount. So let's say someone qualifies for $450/week. Their maximum benefit amount would be $11,700 (26 weeks × $450), even though their benefit year is 12 months long. Once they collect all $11,700, that's it for that benefit year. Vocational training is tricky - did your husband notify EDD when he started his training? If not, he should definitely call and ask about California Training Benefits even this late in the game. It might be a longshot, but worth asking about.

My claim balance hit 0 last month and I just applied for CalFresh while looking for work. It's not much but helps with groceries at least. There's also rental assistance programs depending on your county. Just throwing out some ideas to help in the meantime.

Just to clarify something I'm seeing in the comments - many people confuse benefit year with guaranteed benefits for a year. The benefit year is simply the 12-month period during which you can collect your maximum benefit amount. Your maximum benefit is approximately 26 times your weekly benefit amount (in most standard cases). For anyone facing a similar situation: 1. Double-check if you qualify for California Training Benefits if in an approved training program 2. Look into other safety net programs like CalFresh, CalWORKs (if you have children), or county general assistance 3. Contact your local America's Job Center of California (AJCC) for employment services and possible training opportunities 4. Apply for any extensions that might be available (though currently none are available for standard UI claims) And as others have mentioned, getting accurate information directly from EDD is crucial, though admittedly challenging due to call volumes.

Update: We finally got through to EDD this morning after using the Claimyr service that someone recommended here. The rep confirmed what everyone said - once the balance hits zero, that's it until the benefit year ends, and then only if there are new qualifying wages. However, she did say that because my husband has been in training (even though not EDD-approved), we could request a training extension by submitting specific paperwork. She's sending us the forms to apply for California Training Benefits retroactively. Not guaranteed approval, but at least there's a chance. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! Will update once we hear back about the training benefits application.