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Lincoln Ramiro

EDD only counted two quarters for my claim - can I reapply to include 3rd quarter earnings?

I'm really confused about my unemployment benefits situation. I got approved for UI in November 2023 after applying back in September. When I looked at my award letter, I noticed they only calculated my benefit amount based on my earnings from the first two quarters of 2023 (January through June). Now EDD is telling me I've exhausted my benefits completely! Here's the thing - I was actually working and earning decent money through September 2023 before getting laid off. Shouldn't that 3rd quarter (July-September) count toward my claim amount? Do I need to file a whole new application to get those earnings included? Has anyone dealt with this before? I'm stressed about the gap in payments since I still haven't found work.

This is actually normal with how EDD calculates benefit years. They use a base period that doesn't include your most recent completed quarter when you file. For a September 2023 application, they would only look at April 2022-March 2023 for standard claims. If you had low or no earnings during some of those quarters, you might have qualified for an alternate base period using more recent quarters, but still not including July-Sept 2023. If your benefits are exhausted but you've worked since filing, you can file a new claim. The quarters that weren't counted before might now be included in your base period. You'll need to meet minimum earnings requirements though.

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Thank you so much! So I SHOULD file a new claim then? I worked steadily through September with decent wages. The EDD website is so confusing about this.

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Emma Johnson

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yep happened to me 2 thats why my weekly benefit amount was so low!! they didnt count my best work period SMH

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Did you end up reapplying? Did they add those missing earnings when you did?

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Emma Johnson

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nah i just took what they gave me cause i was afraid of messin up my payments. probably shoulda tried tho

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Liam Brown

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The base period calculation is confusing but here's how it works: For a claim filed in September 2023, EDD uses earnings from July 2022 through June 2023 as the standard base period (not January-June 2023 as you mentioned). If you haven't worked for 12+ months since your last claim, you'll need to have earned at least $1,300 in a quarter or $900 in your highest quarter plus 1.25x that amount across the base period to qualify for a new claim. You should absolutely reapply now. Your new claim would include the quarter of July-September 2023 in the calculation. Log into UI Online and start a new application - you'll be asked if you've worked since your last claim. BTW - when did you exhaust your benefits? If it's been less than a year since your original filing date (so before September 2023), you might not be eligible for a new claim yet.

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I just checked my UI Online and my claim actually began September 17, 2023, but my benefits exhausted last week. I definitely worked enough in that July-Sept quarter to meet the earnings requirement. So it sounds like I should go ahead and file a new application now? I'm so worried about making a mistake.

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Olivia Garcia

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THE EDD SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! They deliberately make these calculations complicated so people don't get their full benefits! I had the EXACT same thing happen and they wouldn't budge when I called. Said I had to wait until my benefit year ended. Then they made me jump through 500 hoops just to get a new claim processed!!!!!

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While the system can be frustrating, these base period calculations are actually standard across most state unemployment systems. It's not designed to deny benefits but rather to have a consistent method for calculating them. Sometimes the timing just doesn't work in our favor.

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Noah Lee

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I spent DAYS trying to get through to someone at EDD to help with a similar situation last month. Kept getting that "we're experiencing high call volume" message and getting disconnected. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to an actual EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The rep confirmed I needed to file a new claim to include my more recent earnings. Having a real person explain it made all the difference, and my new claim got processed much faster than my original one.

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Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out. Talking to an actual human would be really helpful right now.

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Ava Hernandez

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wait so ur telling me if i work after filing for unemployment those earnings dont coutn for my current claim?? makes no sense

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Liam Brown

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It's not that they don't count at all, but they don't automatically increase your existing claim amount. Employment after filing can actually reduce your weekly benefits through partial unemployment if you're still claiming while working part-time. Those earnings can count toward a future claim once your current benefit year ends or you exhaust benefits.

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I had my claim exhausted early too and I just waited until my benefit year ended (which is 12 months from when you first applied). After that date I reapplied and got a new benefit amount based on more recent earnings. Not sure if thats the best approach but it worked for me!

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The problem is I can't really afford to wait until September 2024 with no income. I need to figure out if I can get a new claim started based on my earnings through September 2023.

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Liam Brown

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Based on what you've shared, you should file a new claim immediately. Since your benefits have exhausted and you have earnings in the quarter (July-September 2023) that wasn't included in your original calculation, you likely qualify for a new claim. Here's what to do: 1. Log into UI Online 2. Select "File New Claim" 3. When asked if you've worked since your last claim, select "Yes" 4. Enter all your employment information accurately 5. Submit your application EDD will then determine if you qualify. Make sure to certify for any weeks you're eligible while waiting for the new claim to process. If you have trouble with the online system, call EDD directly and explain your situation.

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Thank you so much! I'm going to try filing a new claim today. Fingers crossed it works out.

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One important thing to remember - even if you're eligible for a new claim, there might be a week or two gap between your old claim ending and the new one beginning. Make sure you're prepared financially for that possibility. Good luck with your new application!

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That's good to know. I'll budget accordingly. You've all been so helpful - I feel much more confident about what to do now. I'll update once I hear back about my new claim.

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I went through this exact same situation last year! Filed in October 2022 and they only used earnings from earlier quarters, missing my highest earning period. I was nervous about filing a new claim too, but it was totally worth it. My new weekly benefit amount was almost $200 higher because they included those missing quarters. One tip - when you file the new claim, make sure you have all your pay stubs and employment records ready. They might ask for verification of your earnings from that July-September period. Also, don't worry about "messing up" your claim - if you've truly exhausted your benefits and have qualifying earnings, filing a new claim is the right move. The worst they can say is no, but based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify.

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Nolan Carter

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That's really encouraging to hear! $200 more per week would make a huge difference for me right now. I do have all my pay stubs saved from that period, so I should be prepared if they ask for verification. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's exactly what I needed to hear to feel confident about moving forward with the new application.

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Miguel Ramos

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I'm dealing with almost the exact same issue right now! Filed my claim in August 2023 and they only used my earnings from early 2023, completely ignoring my best earning quarters from the summer. It's so frustrating because those were my highest-paying months before I got laid off. I've been hesitant to file a new claim because I'm worried about creating complications or delays, but reading everyone's responses here is really helpful. It sounds like filing a new claim is definitely the right move when you have qualifying earnings that weren't included in the original calculation. @Lincoln - definitely go for it with the new application! From what everyone is saying, you have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain. I think I'm going to follow your lead and file mine too. Keep us posted on how it goes!

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