EDD quarterly wage requirements - can I qualify for UI after only 5 months of work?

The quarterly system can be confusing! EDD looks at your earnings in a "base period" - the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. Calendar quarters are Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, and Oct-Dec. Since we're in April 2025, your base period would be Jan-Dec 2024 (4 quarters). To qualify, you need: 1. At least $1,300 in your highest quarter, OR 2. At least $900 in your highest quarter PLUS total base period earnings of 1.25x your highest quarter If you worked Nov 2023-Apr 2025 earning regular wages, you likely qualify. You'll also need to have earned SOME wages in the base period from an employer who paid into UI (not self-employment). You should definitely file - worst case they say no, but 5 months of work is often enough if your earnings were decent.

I went thru something similar last year!!! worked for like 4 months after my benefits ran out and then got let go again. they denied me at first but then I appealed and got approved!! make sure u report ALL income even from short jobs it matters for ur calculation

the quarters thing is so stupid imo. i worked 6 months and somehow didn't qualify because of WHICH months i worked. the system is designed to deny people

I went through this exact situation in February. The most important thing is not how many months you worked, but how much you earned in those specific quarters they look at. When you file a new claim, you'll get a notice of wages that shows what EDD has on record for your base period. Double-check that it includes all your work! My employer from December was missing and I had to call to get it fixed. By the way, since you mentioned having trouble reaching EDD in the past - I discovered a service called Claimyr that gets you through to an EDD representative quickly instead of dealing with busy signals and disconnects. It literally saved me hours of frustration when I needed to fix my wage issue. You can check them out at claimyr.com or see how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

The quarterly thing is SO confusing!!! I'm in a similar boat and even talked to an EDD rep who gave me conflicting info. First she said I qualified then she said I didn't?! Has anyone actually spoken to someone who KNOWS the rules?

Let me clarify how the quarterly system works specifically for your situation: Since we're in April 2025, your standard base period would be January 2024 through December 2024 (all of 2024). However, if you don't qualify using the standard base period, EDD can use an alternate base period which would be April 2024 through March 2025. With 5 months of work from November 2023 through April 2025, you would have wages in multiple quarters of either base period. The key factor is whether those wages meet the minimum earnings requirements mentioned above. Each employer reports your wages quarterly to EDD, so all of your work should be captured in their system. When you file your new claim, the system will automatically determine if you qualify based on these reported wages. One important note: You need to have earned at least some wages in the base period, so if all your work was in the last 4 months (not part of either base period), you might need to wait until July to file when those months would be included in the alternate base period.

just apply! they'll tell u if u qualify or not. i always just apply right away when i lose a job and let them figure out the math lol

Based on what you've shared, you should definitely qualify for a new UI claim. Here's why: 1. Your previous benefit year has ended (UI claims are good for one year from filing date) 2. You worked 5 months (Nov 2023-Apr 2025) after your previous claim 3. At $4,200/month, you easily meet the earnings requirements for the base period When you file your new claim, the system will ask if you've filed a claim in the past, and you should answer honestly. The system will automatically check if your previous benefit year has ended and if you have enough new wages to establish a new claim. One tip: File your claim online rather than by phone if possible. The online system tends to process more quickly and you'll get a clearer picture of your eligibility status. Your new weekly benefit amount will be calculated based on your highest quarter of earnings during the base period, up to the maximum benefit amount (currently $550/week).

The pandemic-related supplements ($300 FPUC and others) ended back in September 2021, so the maximum is just the regular California maximum of $550 per week. There are currently no federal supplements being added to regular UI payments.