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Sean Kelly

EDD claim with remaining weeks but exhausted benefits - what are my options?

Just got the notice that my benefit amount is completely exhausted even though my claim doesn't officially end until late January 2025. I'm working part-time (about 18 hours weekly) at a warehouse, but I have a 5-year-old with a medical condition that causes seizures with fevers. No employer will accommodate my need for sudden time off when my child is sick, which is why I can't transition to full-time work right now. Has anyone successfully received an extension or additional benefits in a similar situation? I've heard about SDI or Paid Family Leave, but I'm not sure if either applies since I'm the caregiver, not the one who's sick. My part-time income isn't enough to cover rent and medical expenses.

Zara Malik

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just get a full time job already and stop milking the system

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Sean Kelly

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Did you miss the part about my child's medical condition? I HAVE a job. I WANT full-time work. But when you have a child with unpredictable seizures that require immediate medical attention, most employers aren't willing to accommodate those emergency absences. I've tried.

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Luca Greco

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You might be eligible for PFL (Paid Family Leave) actually. It covers caregiving for family members with serious health conditions. Your child's seizure disorder should qualify if you have medical documentation. You can get up to 8 weeks of benefits at 60-70% of your wages. The application process is different from regular UI - you'll need to file through SDI Online, not UI Online. Here's what you need: 1. Medical certification from your child's doctor 2. Employment information 3. Your last day worked before needing to provide care PFL can be taken intermittently too, which might work with your part-time schedule.

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Sean Kelly

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Thank you so much for this information! I didn't realize PFL could be taken intermittently - that might be exactly what I need. Do you know if there's a minimum number of hours I need to work to qualify? And would I apply through the same EDD website or is it completely different?

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Nia Thompson

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have you talkd to your child's doctor? sometimes they can help with paperwork for disability accommodations at work. My sister has a kid with epilepsy and got FMLA protection at her job

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Sean Kelly

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That's a good point. We have documentation from his neurologist, but I haven't specifically asked about workplace accommodations. The issue is that most warehouse jobs aren't flexible with attendance, and as a newer employee, I don't qualify for FMLA yet (need to be at a job for 12 months first).

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I'm in a similar situation with my mother who has dementia. Regular UI benefits run out but the need for care doesn't! It's SO frustrating that the system doesn't recognize caregivers properly. Have you contacted your local assemblyperson's office? Mine helped push through some benefit issues when I was getting nowhere with EDD directly.

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Aisha Hussain

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You should definitely look into PFL as someone else mentioned, but also check if you qualify for work sharing benefits. If your employer is willing to participate in the Work Sharing program, you might be able to receive partial unemployment benefits to supplement your part-time wages. It's designed for exactly this kind of situation where full-time work isn't possible. Another option: if your child's condition is documented by a doctor, you might qualify for a "compelling family reason" exemption that allows you to limit your work search to part-time jobs without losing benefits. You'd need to request this specifically though - it's not automatic.

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work sharing only works if your employer agrees to it tho. most small businesses don't want to deal with the paperwork

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Sean Kelly

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I'll look into the "compelling family reason" exemption - that sounds promising. My employer is a large company but I doubt they'd participate in Work Sharing since they're always trying to get people to work more hours, not fewer.

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Ethan Brown

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Call EDD and explain your situation. I tried for WEEKS to get through on the phone lines with no luck until I used Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an actual EDD rep in about 20 minutes after I'd been trying for days on my own. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep I spoke with was actually super helpful and knew about special circumstances like yours where there are medical issues involved. Sometimes you just need to talk to the right person who knows all the programs.

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Zara Malik

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sounds like a scam

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Ethan Brown

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Not a scam at all. I was skeptical too but it actually works. I wouldn't have gotten my claim fixed otherwise after weeks of trying.

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Sean Kelly

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I'll check out that service - at this point I'm desperate to talk to someone at EDD who can actually help. The automated system is useless for complicated situations.

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Luca Greco

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Just wanted to add - make sure you continue certifying for benefits even though your claim shows as exhausted. If they determine you're eligible for an extension or additional program, you don't want to have gaps in your certification history.

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Sean Kelly

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That's good advice - I wasn't sure if I should keep certifying. I'll definitely continue doing that while I explore these other options.

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Nia Thompson

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sorry people were mean to you before. this group can be toxic sometimes. I hope you find a solution for your situation!

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have u applied for calfresh? might help with food costs while ur sorting this out

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Sean Kelly

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Yes, we do receive CalFresh benefits which has been a huge help. Every little bit counts right now.

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Aisha Hussain

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After reading through this thread, I think your best options are: 1. Apply for Paid Family Leave through SDI Online for intermittent caregiving 2. Request the compelling family circumstances exemption for your work search requirements 3. Contact your local assemblyperson if you hit roadblocks 4. Consider reaching out to disability rights organizations as they often have resources for parent caregivers The California Work & Family Coalition might also have resources specific to your situation. Their website has guides for navigating these benefits.

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Sean Kelly

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Thank you for summarizing all this! I'm going to start with PFL and the exemption request. I really appreciate everyone's helpful suggestions.

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I went through something similar last year with my elderly father who has Alzheimer's. The PFL option that others mentioned was a lifesaver - I was able to get benefits for about 6 weeks while still working part-time. Just wanted to add that when you apply, make sure the doctor's certification is very specific about the need for intermittent care. My first application got denied because the form wasn't detailed enough about the unpredictable nature of the condition. The second time, his doctor specifically mentioned that emergencies could occur at any time requiring immediate attention, and it was approved. Also, don't get discouraged if it takes a while to process - mine took about 3 weeks but they backdated the payments. Hang in there, you're doing everything you can in a really tough situation.

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Luca Esposito

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This is really helpful advice about the doctor's certification! I was wondering how specific it needed to be. The unpredictable seizures are exactly the issue - they can happen anytime and I need to drop everything to get him to the hospital. I'll make sure his neurologist includes that language about emergencies requiring immediate attention. Thank you for sharing your experience and for the encouragement - it's been really stressful trying to navigate all this while juggling work and his care.

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StarSailor

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Also wanted to mention that if you're dealing with medical expenses for your child, you might want to look into the California Children's Services (CCS) program if you haven't already. It covers specialized medical care for children with certain chronic conditions including seizure disorders, and can help with costs that regular insurance doesn't cover. The income limits are pretty generous and it could free up some of your budget while you're working through the PFL application. I know it's a lot to juggle but having that extra medical support might give you more flexibility with work arrangements too.

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