EDD determined $0 weekly benefit after brief employment - does recent work history affect eligibility?

Yep this is typical EDD nonsense. The $0 award means he didnt earn enough in his base period. They look at earnings from like 15-18 months ago NOT the most recent work. So if he only worked Nov-Dec 2024 those earnings probably fall into whats called the lag quarter which they dont count for some stupid reason. Classic bureaucratic BS!

This is actually about how EDD calculates your base period. They look at a specific 12-month period divided into calendar quarters, but that period ends 4-6 months before you file your claim. So if your husband filed in January-March 2025, his base period would be October 2023 through September 2024, which wouldn't include his November-December 2024 work. There is something called an Alternate Base Period (ABP) that can be used if you don't qualify under the standard base period. You'd need to contact EDD to request they consider using the ABP which would include more recent quarters. This might help your husband qualify based on his recent work.

Had this exact same problem last year. You definitely need to get EDD on the phone to fix this. The $0 award isn't final - they just use whatever wage info they have initially. Call and tell them about the recent wages and request the Alternate Base Period review.

my wife had similar issue just fyi the altrnate base period is not automatic u have to ask for it specifically

The previous responses are correct. Let me clarify the complete process: 1. EDD uses a Standard Base Period which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing 2. For claims filed Jan-Mar 2025, the base period is Oct 2023-Sep 2024 3. Your husband's Nov-Dec 2024 work falls outside this period 4. You need to request an Alternate Base Period review (this is your right but not automatic) 5. With ABP, EDD will consider the 4 most recently completed quarters, which would include Oct-Dec 2024 6. If your husband earned at least $1,300 in his highest quarter, he should qualify for some benefit amount To request ABP review: 1. Call EDD at 1-800-300-5616 2. Explicitly request "Alternate Base Period review" 3. Have his recent paystubs ready as evidence 4. Be prepared to wait as the process can take 1-2 weeks If approved, benefits would be recalculated and he should receive a new award letter.

I had a nearly identical situation in 2023! Worked only for 2 months after a long gap. Got the $0 letter and panicked. Called EDD (took FOREVER to get through) and requested the ABP review. They approved it and I ended up with a weekly benefit amount of $185. Not huge but definitely better than nothing! Don't give up!

This whole system is such a joke honestly. They make everything SO COMPLICATED on purpose so people give up. Like why can't they just use your most recent work history automatically?? Why make people jump through all these extra hoops?? Ridiculous!

UPDATE: I managed to get through to EDD this morning! The representative was actually very helpful and explained everything about the Alternate Base Period. She took the request and said we should receive a new determination letter within 10 days. She also mentioned they might contact his former employer to verify the wages. Fingers crossed this works out! Thank you everyone for your help understanding this confusing system.