EDD claim balance zero - are regular UI extensions available in 2025?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a panic here. I just checked my UI Online account and my claim balance has dropped to $0 after my payment this week. I've been on regular UI for about 6 months after getting laid off from my restaurant management job. I know all the pandemic extensions (PUA, PEUC, etc.) ended years ago, but are there ANY extensions available for regular UI claims in 2025? My job search is going nowhere - I've applied to like 40 places but the restaurant industry is still struggling in my area. Not sure what to do now that my benefits are exhausted. Do I need to file a new claim or is there some kind of extension I can apply for? My rent is $2,300 and without UI, I'm completely screwed. Any advice would be super appreciated!
16 comments
Join the conversation
The Boss
Unfortunately, the standard UI extensions that existed during COVID (like PEUC and Fed-Ed) are no longer available. In 2025, California is back to just the standard UI benefit period which is typically 26 weeks. Once your balance hits zero and you've used all available benefits, that's it until you qualify for a new claim. You'd need to have worked and earned enough wages in a new base period to qualify for a new claim. If you haven't worked since starting your current claim, you probably won't qualify for a new one yet. I'd recommend checking out CalFresh (food stamps) and possibly CalWORKs if you have children. Also, if you're really struggling to reach EDD to confirm your options, check out Claimyr.com - they helped me get through to an actual EDD rep when I was in a similar situation. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km
0 coins
Mia Roberts
•Thanks for the straight answer, even if it's not what I wanted to hear. I've been working part-time here and there (like 10 hours a week at a coffee shop) while on UI, but I reported all those earnings. Would that be enough to qualify for a new claim, or do I need more substantial work history?
0 coins
Evan Kalinowski
Ugh same boat!!! My benefits ran out last month and its been AWFUL trying to figure out next steps. The EDD website is so confusing about what happens after your claim is exhausted. I spent 3 days calling their number and couldn't get through to anyone. Ended up applying for CalFresh which at least helps with food.
0 coins
Victoria Charity
•The EDD phone system is a complete disaster. I spent WEEKS trying to get through about my disqualification before finding a workaround. The system is DESIGNED to prevent you from reaching a human. They don't want to help us - they just want us to give up and go away! This is exactly why so many people end up homeless after losing their jobs. The system is BROKEN.
0 coins
Jasmine Quinn
i think maybe you can get an extension if you enroll in some kind of job training program? not 100% sure but my cousin did something like that last year. you should def call and ask them
0 coins
Oscar Murphy
•You're thinking of the California Training Benefits (CTB) program, but that's not exactly an extension. It allows you to maintain eligibility for your existing benefits while in approved training, but doesn't add additional funds once your claim balance hits zero. It's mainly useful if you want to attend training without having to look for work during your regular benefit period.
0 coins
Nora Bennett
Have you checked if you're eligible for State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL)? Those are different programs with separate funding. Sometimes people can transition to those if they have a qualifying medical condition or family care situation. Also, definitely apply for CalFresh - they've increased the income limits recently. Apply online through BenefitsCal website.
0 coins
Mia Roberts
•I don't have any disabilities or family care needs, so I don't think SDI or PFL would apply to me. But thanks for the CalFresh suggestion - I'll definitely look into that. Anything helps at this point!
0 coins
Ryan Andre
when my benefits ran out i just filed a new claim lol they automatically denied it but then i got a letter saying i might qualify for a Fed-Ed extension but that was like during the pandemic so probably different now anyway i ended up moving back in with my parents which sucked
0 coins
Oscar Murphy
•Filing a new claim is actually the correct first step when benefits are exhausted, but as you mentioned, the Fed-Ed extension was a pandemic-era program. The system will automatically determine if you qualify for a new regular UI claim based on any work you've done since your original claim began. For the original poster: When you file a new claim, one of three things will happen: 1) You'll qualify for a new regular UI claim if you've earned enough wages in a new base period, 2) You'll be denied because you don't have enough new wages, or 3) In rare cases, you might qualify for some type of extension if one becomes available (though currently none exist in 2025).
0 coins
Victoria Charity
THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED! They cut off your benefits right when you need them most and make it IMPOSSIBLE to get answers. I spent HOURS trying to reach someone about my exhausted claim and kept getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message. They're LYING - they just don't staff the phones properly! It's a SCAM to make us give up. Meanwhile they keep collecting employer taxes for unemployment that WE CAN'T EVEN ACCESS!
0 coins
The Boss
•I understand your frustration with the phone system - it is truly terrible. When I was desperately trying to reach EDD about my disqualification issue, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to a rep in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km But regarding the benefits structure - while it's frustrating, the regular UI program was always designed to be temporary (26 weeks). The extensions during COVID were special federal programs that had definite end dates. Not defending the system, just clarifying how it was set up.
0 coins
Evan Kalinowski
wait, does anyone know if the weeks you worked part-time while on unemployment count toward qualifying for a new claim? i did some gig work while collecting UI and reported all my earnings, wondering if that helps at all for a new claim
0 coins
Oscar Murphy
•Yes, part-time wages you earned while on UI do count toward establishing a new claim, as long as they fall within the new base period. EDD looks at your earnings in a 12-month period that ends about 5-6 months before you file your new claim. However, you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest-earning quarter to qualify for a new claim. If you've only worked very sporadically, it might not be enough, but it's always worth applying to find out.
0 coins
Nora Bennett
One thing to keep in mind: if you do qualify for a new claim based on part-time work, your weekly benefit amount will likely be much lower than your previous claim since it's based on your highest-earning quarter. So prepare for that possibility. Also, be sure to keep certifying for weeks even after your balance hits zero (if the system lets you). Sometimes there are retroactive extensions or programs that get applied, and if you've maintained your certifications, you can get paid for those weeks without having to go through extra steps.
0 coins
Mia Roberts
•That's a great tip about continuing to certify - I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm definitely going to file a new claim and see what happens. Even a smaller benefit amount would be better than nothing while I keep looking for full-time work. Thanks for all the helpful advice, everyone!
0 coins