EDD claim balance running out - can I renew or file new claim after multiple layoffs?

Unfortunately once your claim balance runs out, that's it for this benefit year. Each UI claim has a 1-year benefit period from when you first filed. Since you filed in August 2022, your benefit year would have ended August 2023. You'd need to file a new claim after your benefit year ends, but you need to have earned enough wages in the base period to qualify for a new claim.

your claim is still active if ur still getting paid lol ur benefit year might have been automatically extended. just keep certifying until the money runs out then call edd to see whats up

Based on what you've shared, it sounds like you're actually on a newer claim that started after August 2023. The key thing to understand is: 1. Benefit year = the 12-month period your claim is valid 2. Claim balance = the total money available during that benefit year 3. Weekly benefit amount = how much you can receive each week When your claim balance runs out, you cannot file a new claim until your current benefit year ends. After that, you'll need to have earned enough wages in the base period (usually the 5-15 months before filing) to qualify for a new claim. For example, if your current claim started in September 2023, your benefit year would end September 2024, and you'd need wages from roughly April 2023-June 2024 to qualify for a new claim.

Same thing happened to me last year! So frustrating how they don't make this clear. You can see your benefit year end date on your UI Online homepage where it shows your claim summary. It should be right near where you see your claim balance and weekly benefit amount.

The EDD system is such garbage. I ran out of money in January and they said I didn't qualify for a new claim even though I worked for 6 months!!! They count weird quarters for the base period and I missed the cutoff by TWO WEEKS. Now I have to wait until April to reapply. The whole system is designed to deny benefits!!!!

I went through something similar with multiple layoffs. When my balance got low, I tried calling EDD to understand my options but couldn't get through for DAYS. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an EDD rep within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The rep confirmed I needed to wait until my benefit year ended before filing a new claim, but they also checked if I had any other programs I might qualify for. Definitely worth talking to a real person about your specific situation rather than guessing.

To clarify what happens when your balance runs out: 1. You'll keep certifying until the balance reaches $0 2. After that, you'll get a notice saying your benefits are exhausted 3. You cannot file a new claim until your current benefit year ends 4. When your benefit year ends, you can file a new claim IF you have enough wages in the base period There are no federal extensions available right now (those were only during COVID), so if you exhaust your balance before your benefit year ends, there will be a gap until you can file a new claim.

One additional thing to keep in mind - even if you qualify for a new claim after your benefit year ends, EDD compares your weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the new claim to your old one. If the new WBA is $25+ less than your old one, you may be able to continue on your old claim rate instead of the lower new one. This is called the "Determination of Continued Eligibility" process. Given your work history with the period of employment at the startup, make sure you have documentation of all your earnings for when you file your next claim. EDD sometimes misses employer-reported wages, especially from newer companies.

I've been in a similar situation with multiple layoffs and the uncertainty is really stressful. One thing that helped me was creating a timeline of all my employment dates and claim activity to better understand where I stood. Since you mentioned filing 20+ applications weekly, make sure you're keeping detailed records of your job search activities - EDD can ask for this information during audits or if there are any issues with your claim. Also, if you haven't already, consider expanding your search to include contract or temporary work. Even short-term employment can help build your wage base for future claims. The job market has been brutal lately, especially in marketing with all the tech layoffs. Don't get discouraged - it's not a reflection of your skills or worth. Keep networking and consider reaching out to recruiters who specialize in your field. Sometimes they have insights about upcoming openings that aren't posted publicly yet.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I learned from calling EDD last month. When your claim balance runs out, you'll need to wait until your benefit year ends to file a new claim. The tricky part is that with multiple layoffs, you need to make sure you have enough qualifying wages in the base period for the new claim. Since you worked at the startup from November 2022 to March 2023, those wages should count toward a future claim depending on when your current benefit year ends. I'd recommend logging into UI Online and checking your "Claim Summary" page - it should show your benefit year begin and end dates. Also, keep detailed records of all your job search activities. EDD has been doing more audits lately and they can request proof of your work search efforts. The fact that you're applying to 20+ jobs weekly is great - just make sure you're documenting company names, positions, and dates. One last tip: if you do run out of benefits before finding work, look into your local workforce development programs. Many offer additional support services and some have connections to employers that aren't advertising openings publicly. Good luck with your search!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. When my claim balance got down to around $3,000, I started panicking and calling EDD constantly to understand my options. Here's what I learned: First, log into UI Online and look for your "Claim Summary" - it will show your benefit year begin and end dates. This is crucial information that determines when you can file a new claim. Second, start gathering ALL your wage documentation now, especially from that startup job. I had issues with EDD not finding wages from a small company I worked for, and having my paystubs saved me weeks of delays. The waiting period between when your balance runs out and when you can file a new claim is really tough financially. I ended up picking up some gig work (DoorDash, Instacart) during that gap just to have some income coming in. It's not ideal, but it helped bridge the gap and actually added to my wage base for the next claim. Also, don't just rely on online job applications. I know it's hard with 20+ applications weekly, but try to get some informational interviews or coffee chats with people in your network. That's actually how I found my current position - through a former coworker who knew about an opening that wasn't posted yet. One more thing - if you're in the Bay Area or LA, there are some really good nonprofit career centers that offer free services to unemployed professionals. They helped me revamp my resume and practice interviewing skills. The whole process is overwhelming, but you'll get through it!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was laid off from my tech job in January 2023, found another position in April 2023, then got laid off again in September 2023. I've been on unemployment since then and my balance is getting low too. Reading through all these responses, I realize I need to get better organized about tracking my benefit year dates and wage history. The point about startups sometimes having wage reporting issues really resonates - my second employer was a small fintech company that seemed pretty chaotic with their HR processes. For those mentioning job search documentation, I've been using a simple Google Sheet with columns for date, company name, position, and application method (LinkedIn, company website, etc.). EDD hasn't asked for it yet, but I figure it's better to be prepared. The networking advice is spot on too. I've been so burnt out from the constant rejection that I kind of retreated from reaching out to my professional contacts. Time to swallow my pride and start having those coffee conversations again. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this broken system!

I just want to echo what others have said about getting your exact benefit year dates from UI Online - that's going to be the key piece of information for planning your next steps. When I was in a similar situation last year, I found it really helpful to create a timeline showing my layoff dates, when I filed claims, and when my benefit years started/ended. It made the whole confusing process much clearer. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to consider reaching out to your local One-Stop Career Center (part of the American Job Center network). They're federally funded and completely free, and they often have resources that go beyond just job searching - like skills training programs that could make you more competitive in the current market. Some even have partnerships with employers who are specifically looking to hire people coming off unemployment. Also, since you mentioned you're in marketing and applying to 20+ jobs weekly, make sure you're tailoring your applications as much as possible. I know it's time-consuming, but with all the competition from other laid-off marketing professionals, a generic application often gets lost in the pile. Consider focusing on 10-15 really targeted applications per week instead of 20+ generic ones. The whole multiple layoffs situation is unfortunately becoming more common, so don't let it discourage you. Your work history shows you can land jobs - the market is just really tough right now. Keep documenting everything for EDD and stay persistent with your search!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! My claim balance is down to about $4,200 and I've had three different layoffs since 2022. The stress of not knowing what happens next is keeping me up at night. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the benefit year vs claim balance distinction, and I definitely need to check my UI Online account for those exact dates. The advice about gathering paystubs from previous employers is spot on too, especially for smaller companies that might have reporting issues. One thing I wanted to add based on my experience: when you're job searching while on unemployment, try to keep track of any skills gaps you're noticing in job postings. I started a separate note in my phone of certifications or skills that kept coming up in job descriptions but that I didn't have. It's helped me prioritize what to work on during this downtime, and some of the free online courses actually look good on applications even if they're not formal certifications. Also, for anyone else dealing with multiple layoffs - I've found it helps to have a standard explanation ready for interviews. Something like "Unfortunately my industry has seen significant restructuring over the past year, and I've been impacted by workforce reductions at two companies. Despite these setbacks, I've maintained my skills through continued learning and am eager to contribute to a more stable organization." Practice saying it until it feels natural rather than defensive. The whole system is definitely confusing and stressful, but this community has been a lifesaver for getting real answers instead of trying to decode EDD's website. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm in a very similar boat and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! My claim balance is around $3,800 and I've been stressing about what comes next. Like you, I had multiple layoffs - first from a tech company in July 2022, then a brief stint at a startup that folded in February 2023, and I've been unemployed since. Reading everyone's responses made me realize I need to immediately check my benefit year dates in UI Online. I think I might have filed a new claim last spring but honestly the whole process was so overwhelming that I didn't fully understand what was happening. The advice about documenting everything is so important. I've been keeping a basic spreadsheet of my job applications but after reading about potential EDD audits, I'm going to beef it up with more details. Also planning to gather all my paystubs from that startup - they were pretty disorganized so I'm worried about wage reporting issues too. One thing that's helped me cope with the stress is setting up Google alerts for job postings in my field. Instead of constantly refreshing job boards, I get notifications sent to my email which feels less frantic. I've also started volunteering with a local nonprofit doing marketing work - it keeps my skills sharp and might lead to networking opportunities. The multiple layoffs thing is so emotionally draining. Some days I feel like I'm cursed, but seeing how many people are going through similar situations helps me realize it's really about the broader economic situation, not personal failings. Thanks for starting this conversation - it's exactly what I needed to read today!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! My claim balance is down to about $4,500 and I've had two layoffs since early 2022 - first from a marketing agency, then from a small tech company that had budget cuts. The uncertainty about what happens when the money runs out has been causing me so much anxiety. After reading through everyone's responses, I realize I need to stop procrastinating and actually log into UI Online to check my exact benefit year dates. I've been avoiding it because the whole system feels so overwhelming, but clearly that information is crucial for planning next steps. The advice about keeping detailed job search records really resonates too. I've been pretty casual about tracking my applications, but given what people are saying about potential audits, I'm going to create a proper spreadsheet with dates, company names, positions, and application methods. Better to be over-prepared than caught off guard. What's really struck me reading through this conversation is how many of us are in nearly identical situations with similar timelines and claim balances. It definitely helps combat that feeling of "what's wrong with me that I keep getting laid off?" When you see it's happening to so many people, it's clearly about the broader job market and economic conditions, not individual failures. I'm going to look into those workforce development programs and One-Stop Career Centers that were mentioned - I had no idea those resources existed. Sometimes you get so tunnel-visioned on just the EDD side of things that you miss other support options. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and advice!

I'm in almost the exact same situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! My claim balance is around $4,100 and I've had two layoffs since mid-2022 - one from a digital marketing company and another from a startup that ran out of funding. The stress about what happens when the money runs out has been overwhelming. After reading everyone's responses, I finally logged into UI Online today to check my benefit year dates (thanks for the push!). Turns out my current benefit year ends in October 2024, so I have a clearer timeline now for when I could potentially file a new claim if needed. One thing I wanted to add that's helped me cope with the job search burnout - I started doing informational interviews instead of just cold applications. Even when they don't lead directly to jobs, they've helped me understand what skills are most in-demand right now and sometimes people mention openings that haven't been posted yet. It feels more productive than sending applications into the void. The point about this being a widespread issue rather than individual failure really hits home. I was starting to wonder if there was something fundamentally wrong with my career choices, but seeing so many people with nearly identical experiences and timelines shows this is clearly about broader economic conditions. It doesn't make the financial stress any easier, but it helps with the emotional side of dealing with multiple layoffs. Going to start implementing the job search tracking spreadsheet and look into those workforce development programs that were mentioned. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - knowing we're not alone in this makes such a difference!

I'm in a nearly identical situation and this entire thread has been so incredibly helpful! My claim balance is at about $5,200 and I've been through the same pattern - laid off from my first marketing job in September 2022, found a position at a small tech company in December 2022, then got hit with layoffs again in April 2023. Still searching despite applying constantly. Reading through everyone's experiences has finally motivated me to stop avoiding my UI Online account and actually check those benefit year dates. I've been putting it off because the whole system feels so intimidating, but clearly that information is essential for understanding my timeline and options. What really stands out to me is how many of us have almost identical stories - similar industries, similar timeframes for layoffs, similar claim balances running low. It's honestly both reassuring and depressing that this pattern is so widespread. At least it confirms this isn't about individual failures but about broader economic conditions that have hit certain sectors particularly hard. I'm definitely going to implement the detailed job search tracking spreadsheet that people mentioned, and I'm really intrigued by the workforce development programs and One-Stop Career Centers. I had no idea those resources existed - I've been so focused on EDD and online job applications that I completely missed these other support options. The advice about gathering paystubs from previous employers is spot-on too, especially for smaller companies. My second employer was pretty chaotic with their HR processes, so I wouldn't be surprised if there were wage reporting issues down the line. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and practical advice. This conversation has given me both concrete next steps and much-needed emotional support. It helps so much to know we're not navigating this confusing system alone!

I'm in an incredibly similar situation and this thread has been a godsend! My claim balance is down to about $4,800 and I've been through two layoffs since late 2022 - first from a marketing agency, then from a fintech startup that downsized. The anxiety about what happens when the money runs out has been eating at me for weeks. After reading through everyone's responses, I finally bit the bullet and checked my UI Online account today. Found out my benefit year ends in November 2024, which gives me a clearer picture of my timeline. It's amazing how much that one piece of information helps with the planning anxiety. What's really striking is how many of us have nearly identical experiences - same industries, same timeframes, similar claim balances. It's definitely helped me realize this isn't about personal failings but about broader economic shifts that have hit marketing and tech particularly hard. The startup funding issues especially seem to be a common thread. I'm going to start implementing the detailed job search tracking that people mentioned - I've been pretty casual about documentation but clearly that could be important if EDD ever audits. Also planning to look into those workforce development programs and One-Stop Career Centers. I had no idea those resources existed beyond just the standard online job boards. One thing that's helped me recently is shifting from quantity to quality in applications. Instead of applying to everything, I'm focusing on 12-15 really targeted applications per week where I can customize my materials properly. It's less overwhelming and feels more strategic. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community has provided more clarity and support than months of trying to navigate the EDD system alone. It really helps to know we're not dealing with this confusing situation in isolation!

Reading through this thread has been incredibly reassuring - I'm in almost exactly the same boat with my claim balance at around $5,100 and dealing with multiple layoffs in marketing/tech since 2022. The pattern everyone's describing is so familiar it's almost eerie. What's been most helpful from this discussion is realizing I need to stop avoiding the administrative side and actually get organized. I'm going to log into UI Online today to check my benefit year dates (thanks for the motivation!), create that detailed job search tracking spreadsheet, and gather all my paystubs from previous employers, especially the smaller companies that might have reporting issues. The advice about workforce development programs and One-Stop Career Centers is something I never would have thought to look into - I've been so tunnel-visioned on EDD and online applications that I completely missed these other support options. Also planning to try the informational interview approach instead of just sending applications into the void. It's honestly both comforting and sobering to see how many of us are dealing with nearly identical situations and timelines. Clearly this is about broader economic conditions hitting our industries hard, not individual career failures. The constant layoffs and funding issues in tech/marketing have created this perfect storm that so many of us are navigating. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and practical advice. This thread has given me both concrete next steps and much-needed perspective that I'm not alone in this confusing process. Time to stop procrastinating and start taking action on all these great suggestions!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been so helpful! My claim balance is at about $4,700 and I've had the same pattern - laid off from a marketing role in late 2022, brief employment at a startup that folded in early 2023, and searching ever since. What's really helped me recently is setting up a simple tracking system for everything - job applications, networking contacts, and all my EDD information. After reading through these responses, I'm definitely going to check my benefit year dates in UI Online today (I've been putting it off too long!). One thing I'd add is to consider reaching out to your state assembly member's office if you run into issues with EDD. They have constituent services that can help cut through the bureaucracy when you can't get through on the phone lines. I used this when I had a payment delay issue and they were able to get me connected to someone who could actually help within a few days. The job market has been brutal, especially in marketing with all the tech layoffs affecting our industry. But seeing how many people are dealing with nearly identical timelines and situations really drives home that this isn't about individual performance - it's about broader economic shifts that have hit certain sectors particularly hard. Thanks for starting this conversation - it's exactly what I needed to read to feel less alone in navigating this confusing system!