EDD eligibility with short employment history - minimum work quarters needed?

u need to have earned enough $ in ur base period which is like the year before u file divided into quarters. its not about how long u worked but how much u earned in those quarters. check the edd calculator on their website

To qualify for UI benefits in California, you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter during your base period OR at least $900 in your highest quarter plus 1.25 times that amount across your entire base period. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Since you moved from Nevada, your wages from there WILL count toward your California claim if you file here. EDD will contact Nevada to verify those wages through a process called a combined wage claim. However, if most of your earnings were in Nevada, you might get a higher benefit amount by filing in Nevada instead of California.

I was in a similar situation last year. The trick is understanding your "base period." With EDD, they don't look at your most recent work history – there's actually a lag. For example, if you file in April 2025, your base period would be January-December 2024, completely ignoring January-March 2025. If you don't qualify under the standard base period, ask about the "alternate base period" which looks at more recent quarters. This saved me when I had limited work history. Also, since you worked in Nevada, you'll need to mention this when filing. EDD can do an interstate claim to count those wages too. You'll definitely want to talk to an actual EDD rep to make sure this is handled correctly.

Having dealt with this exact situation, I found that getting through to an actual EDD representative is essential when dealing with interstate wage claims. Regular UI Online doesn't handle these complex situations well. Try calling EDD at 1-800-300-5616, but be prepared to redial 50+ times before reaching anyone. I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) after wasting days trying to reach someone. They connected me to an EDD agent within 30 minutes! They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Completely worth it for my interstate claim situation, as the EDD agent was able to properly set up my claim with out-of-state wages that the online system couldn't handle correctly.

To answer your original question more directly - there's no minimum number of DAYS you need to be employed, but rather a minimum amount you need to have earned during your base period as others have explained. Important: File your claim right after your last day of work, not before. If you file before your last day, your claim will only include wages up to the week before you file, potentially reducing your weekly benefit amount.

U HAVE TO BE FIRED OR LAID OFF TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT!!!!! IF U QUIT THEY WONT GIVE U ANYTHING!!!!! My cousin quit because her boss was horrible and EDD denied her claim and said it was HER FAULT for leaving!!!! Make sure you get something in writing saying you were laid off!!!!

The whole EDD system is DELIBERATELY CONFUSING to prevent people from collecting benefits they're entitled to. I worked in 3 different states before California and had to call literally 87 times before getting someone who knew how to process my claim. The online system is a joke for anything slightly complicated like interstate wages. And then they'll probably find some reason to deny you anyway and make you appeal which takes MONTHS. Sorry for the negativity but just preparing you for what's ahead.

Yeah I did but only after waiting 11 weeks and having to upload the same documents 3 different times because they kept saying they never received them even though the website showed they were uploaded. Just document EVERYTHING and take screenshots of confirmations when you submit anything.

@OP When you file, make sure you mention your Nevada employment upfront. If you don't, and they later discover it, they might flag your claim for potential fraud which creates a whole new headache. Better to disclose everything from the start. Also, after you file, you'll need to certify every two weeks - don't miss these certifications or your payments will be delayed.

Yes, you certify online through UI Online every two weeks. It's basically answering questions about whether you were available for work, looking for work, and if you earned any income during each week. Set calendar reminders because it's easy to forget and miss your certification window.