EDD payment schedule for December 2025 - will I get all 3 payments?
Just started my unemployment claim in November and trying to budget for the holidays. I'm supposed to certify every two weeks, but I'm confused about how the payment schedule works for December. Will I actually get 3 EDD payments in December since there are 5 weeks in the month? My benefit amount is $515/week and I'm trying to figure out exactly how much money I'll have for Christmas shopping. My next certification date is Dec 7th, then I think Dec 21st... does that mean I'll also have another payment right after New Year's that counts for December? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but the EDD website doesn't really explain it clearly and I want to make sure I'm not counting on money that won't actually arrive.
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Jamal Edwards
The number of payments you receive in a calendar month depends on your certification schedule and when those dates fall. If you certify on Dec 7th, that covers the two weeks prior (last week of Nov and first week of Dec). Your Dec 21st certification covers mid-December. If your next certification after that falls on January 4th, then yes, technically that would include the last week of December, giving you benefits for 5 weeks of December - but you'd only receive the actual payment in January. So you'd really only get 2 actual payments in December unless your certification schedule is different.
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ThunderBolt7
•Thanks for explaining! So even though December has 5 weeks, I'll only get paid for weeks I've certified for? I guess I was hoping the 5-week month would mean extra money for the holidays. Do you know exactly when the payments hit after certification? Like if I certify on the 7th, will I get paid on the 8th?
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Mei Chen
You won't get 3 full payments IN December. Unemployment is paid based on your certification schedule, not calendar months. It sounds like you'll get two payments in December (after your Dec 7 and Dec 21 certifications), and then your next payment will be in January which will include the last week of December. Remember that each certification covers a 2-week period, and you get paid for those specific weeks regardless of which month they fall in.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Yep this is right. I got confused about this too when I first started gettin benefits. The EDD doesn't care bout months, they just pay u for the weeks u certify for. So December being longer doesn't mean extra money sadly lol
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Amara Okonkwo
Its so frusterating how EDD dosent explain this stuff clearly!! I had the same confusion last year. December having 5 weeks doesn't matter - what matters is your certification schedule. Since EDD pays biweeekly, you'll probably only get 2 payments IN december but your getting paid for all the weeks. The third payment would hit your card in January even though it includes December weeks. BTW if your having trouble reaching EDD about anything, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that calls EDD for you and connects you when an agent is available. Saved me HOURS of redial attempts! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km
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ThunderBolt7
•Thanks for the explanation. Does the Money Network card deposit happen immediately after certification? I'm trying to time when I can actually use the money for Christmas shopping. And I'll check out that service if I need to call - I've been avoiding calling because I heard the wait times are insane!
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Giovanni Marino
2 payments, not 3. EDD doesn't care about how many weeks in a month, they just pay every 2 weeks after u certify. December ain't special just cuz its christmas lol
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•This is correct. However, to clarify for the original poster - while you'll only receive 2 actual payments in December, you're still getting paid for all weeks of December. The payment for the final week(s) of December will simply arrive in January after you certify. EDD pays biweekly based on certification dates, not based on calendar months.
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Dylan Hughes
I have the same certification schedule! After you certify on Dec 7 and 21, the money usually hits your card within 24-48 hours if there aren't any issues with your claim. So you'll get payments around Dec 8-9 and Dec 22-23. That's it for December. The next payment that includes the last week of December will come in January after you certify. I'm planning my Christmas budget the same way - only counting on those two payments in December. Hope that helps!
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ThunderBolt7
•This is super helpful, thanks! At least now I know exactly what to expect and won't be waiting for a magical third payment before Christmas. Appreciate the timeline on when the money actually becomes available too!
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Fatima Al-Sayed
To answer your question precisely: 1) If you certify on December 7th, that covers November 23rd through December 6th. This payment will arrive in December. 2) If you certify on December 21st, that covers December 7th through December 20th. This payment will also arrive in December. 3) If you certify on January 4th, 2026, that covers December 21st through January 3rd. This payment will arrive in January, even though it includes December weeks. So technically, you'll receive benefits for all December weeks, but only 2 actual payments will arrive in December. The payment schedule is based on biweekly certification periods, not calendar months.
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Giovanni Marino
•u know what drives me nuts is that sometimes they dont pay right away even after u certify. last month i certified sunday morning but didnt get paid til TUESDAY night. anyone else? seems random when it hits
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