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EDD says my claim is closed but won't let me open a new one - 'Not enough wages' error despite sufficient earnings

I'm beyond frustrated right now. I've been trying to reopen my unemployment claim after a 3-month break (found temp work that just ended), but the system keeps blocking me. When I log into UI Online, it shows my previous claim is closed (ended in January 2025), but when I try to file a new claim, I get an error message saying I 'haven't earned enough wages in the base period' - which is absolutely NOT true! I worked full-time making $68K/year for 18 months before my initial layoff and then another 3 months at this temp position making $4,200/month. I definitely meet the minimum earnings requirement! Has anyone else dealt with this? Is this a glitch or am I missing something? The online system won't let me proceed at all and I've already been without income for 2 weeks.

Javier Morales

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same thing happened 2 me last month!! the system is totally broken. they ALWAYS say not enough wages even when u had plenty. u gotta call them and talk to a TIER 2 rep not the first person who answers

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Natasha Petrova

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Thanks for responding! Did you eventually get it fixed? How long did it take? I'm getting really worried about bills piling up...

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Emma Davis

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This sounds like a base period calculation issue. When you file a new claim after your benefit year ends, EDD looks at a different base period than your original claim. The standard base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if your temp work was recent, it might fall outside that period. Two possible solutions: 1. Request an Alternate Base Period calculation if your recent work would qualify you 2. Call EDD and speak with a claims specialist who can review your wage history Do you have your wage records from all employers during the last 18 months? Having those ready will help when you speak with EDD.

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GalaxyGlider

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Solid advice. I'd add that sometimes the system also has a lag in reporting employer wages, especially if your temp job just ended recently. The quarterly wage reports from employers might not be in the system yet.

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Malik Robinson

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UGH THE STUPID BASE PERIOD!! I hate that nonsense. It makes zero sense why they can't just look at your most recent work instead of this weird calculation that leaves out your newest income. EDD is living in 1975 I swear.

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Isabella Silva

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I went through this exact problem in February. After my benefit year ended, I tried filing a new claim but got the 'not enough wages' message. Turns out my recent work wasn't in the base period they were looking at. I spent THREE DAYS trying to reach someone at EDD before I discovered Claimyr. It got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes who fixed the issue immediately. They reclassified my claim using the alternate base period which included my more recent work history. Worth every penny instead of wasting days hitting redial. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their site is claimyr.com.

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Natasha Petrova

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Thanks for the tip! I'll check that out. I've been calling for days without getting through.

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Javier Morales

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ya i got it fixed but took me calling like 57 times!! when i finally got thru they had to file somethin called an 'alternate base period' claim 4 me cuz my work was 2 recent and wasnt showing up in their system or somethin dumb like that

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Ravi Choudhury

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Wait I'm confused - is this about regular UI or disability? Because I thought if you had enough wages for your first claim you'd automatically qualify for a second one? That's what the guy at the EDD office told me when I went in person last month for my SDI claim.

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Emma Davis

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You're mixing up two different programs. SDI (State Disability Insurance) has different qualification requirements than UI (Unemployment Insurance). For UI, each new benefit year requires a new calculation of qualifying wages during the base period. You can't just automatically qualify based on a previous claim.

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Freya Andersen

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To add to what others have said, this is a common issue after a benefit year ends. The system is actually working as designed (though not very user-friendly). Your new claim's base period likely doesn't include your recent temp work. Here's what to ask when you reach an EDD representative: 1. Request they check if you qualify under an Alternate Base Period (ABP) 2. Ask them to verify all employers are correctly listed in their system 3. If your wages aren't showing up, ask about filing a wage protest with proof of income Bring pay stubs or W-2s from both your long-term job and temp position. Sometimes the computer system doesn't have the most updated wage information from employers, especially if they're small businesses or your employment was very recent.

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Natasha Petrova

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Thank you for breaking this down so clearly! I just found all my pay stubs and my W-2 from last year. I'll have everything ready when I call. Really appreciate the help.

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Omar Farouk

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my neighbor said he just kept calling them BEFORE 8:30am and somehow got through??? worth a try maybe?? the whole system is rigged to deny ppl i swear

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GalaxyGlider

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After you resolve this issue, make sure to backdate your claim to when you actually became unemployed. When the rep helps you file the claim properly, specifically ask them to set the start date to when your temp job ended. This way you won't lose those two weeks of benefits you mentioned. Once your new claim is processed, you'll need to certify for those weeks retroactively. Just a heads-up that they might ask for additional verification since there was a gap between claims - completely normal procedure.

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Natasha Petrova

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Oh I didn't even think about backdating! That's super helpful, thank you. I'll definitely ask about that when I get through.

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