Is EDD still offering COVID-related unemployment benefits in 2025?

No, all the special COVID unemployment programs ended back in 2021. Programs like PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance), PEUC (Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation), and the $300 federal supplement were temporary and have been discontinued for years now. You'll need to apply for regular UI (Unemployment Insurance) through EDD. The maximum weekly benefit amount is now $650 (as of 2025), but what you actually get depends on your previous earnings. Make sure you report all your income correctly when you file your claim.

my cousin got somthing called disaster assistance last yr when he lost his job bc of the floods but thats diffrent from covid i think

The COVID benefits were AMAZING when they were available. I got almost $1,000/week with the federal boost back then! But yeah, that ship sailed YEARS ago. Regular unemployment is WAY less generous. The whole system is RIGGED against workers now that the pandemic is gone from the headlines. I waited 11 WEEKS for my claim to be processed last month and had to call EDD like 73 times before I got through to a human! RIDICULOUS!

To clarify what others have said - all pandemic-specific unemployment programs have ended. Here's what you need to know for a regular UI claim in 2025: 1. Regular UI is still available - apply through UI Online on the EDD website 2. You'll need to serve a one-week unpaid waiting period 3. You must be able and available for work 4. You need to complete work search activities each week 5. You must certify for benefits every two weeks If you're having trouble reaching EDD (and you probably will), I'd recommend Claimyr. It helped me get through when I was calling for weeks with no success. Their system connects you directly to an EDD agent without the endless redials. Check out their site at claimyr.com or watch how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

I'm going through this right now! For work search activities, you need to do at least 3 job-seeking activities per week. This can include: - Applying for jobs - Going to interviews - Registering with CalJOBS - Going to networking events - Taking job skills workshops Make sure you keep records of everything! They sometimes ask for proof during eligibility interviews. And yes definitely use that Claimyr service the other person mentioned if you need to talk to EDD. I spent 2 days trying to call before I used it and got through in like an hour.

Yes, you need to perform work search activities each week you certify. If you haven't been doing them, you should start immediately. When you certify and answer "Yes" to being ready and able to work, you're confirming you've been looking for work. If EDD finds out you haven't been actually searching, they could determine you were ineligible and create an overpayment situation where you have to pay back benefits. They can also check with employers to verify if you applied.

They typically find out during random eligibility interviews or if they conduct a benefits audit. Not everyone gets selected for these, but if you do and they discover you weren't meeting requirements, you could face disqualification and overpayment issues. Since you're already 6 weeks in, start documenting your work search activities now. If they do contact you, be honest but emphasize that you're now fully compliant with requirements. Sometimes they'll just issue a warning if it's your first violation.

This thread has been super helpful, thanks everyone! I'm going to apply for regular UI tomorrow and make sure I keep track of all my job applications. Definitely disappointed the COVID benefits are gone, but at least there's something available. If I have trouble getting through to EDD I'll try that Claimyr service.

i heard theres a new program for restaurant workers who lost jobs bc of minimum wage increases but my cousin applied and never got approved so maybe its not real