Laid off twice within 6 months - reopen existing EDD claim or file new one?

This happened to me in January! If it's been less than a year since you initially filed your claim, you can just reopen your existing claim through UI Online. Log into your account, click on "Reopen Claim" and follow the steps. Since you worked at your new job for 5+ months, you might qualify for a higher benefit amount if you choose to file a new claim instead. BUT don't file a new claim until you talk to an EDD rep who can review your specific situation - you don't want to accidentally mess things up. I struggled getting through to EDD for days until I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an EDD rep within 20 minutes. It was totally worth it for me. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. The rep I spoke with was able to tell me exactly what to do based on my earnings history.

I woudnt trust random services. My cousin tried somethin like that and had his identity stollen! Just keep calling EDD early in the morning right when they open. Thats what worked for me.

In your situation, whether you should reopen or file new depends on several factors: 1. Benefit Year: If you're still within your benefit year (12 months from when you first filed), you can reopen your existing claim. 2. Base Period Wages: If your earnings at the marketing job would give you a higher weekly benefit amount (WBA), filing new might be better. 3. Remaining Balance: If you had substantial funds left on your previous claim, reopening might be advantageous. DON'T just guess - this is something you need to speak with an EDD representative about. They can calculate both scenarios and tell you which option maximizes your benefits. To reopen: Log into UI Online, select "Reopen Claim" from the menu, complete the questionnaire about your most recent employment. To file new: You'd complete a new application, but I recommend getting EDD guidance first since this could potentially delay your payments if not necessary.

they make this stuff so confusing on purpose i swear!! when i got laid off twice in 2024 i just filed a new claim and then got stuck in pending for like 2 months because apparently i wasn't supposed to do that?? such a nightmare

I went through this EXACT situation in February. Here's what happened to me: 1. Got laid off in July 2024, collected EDD for 4 months 2. Started new job in November 2024 3. Got laid off again in February 2025 I tried reopening my claim online but got stuck in this weird loop where it kept asking for more documentation. After calling EDD (it took 23 attempts over 2 days), a rep advised me that since I had earned enough at my new job, filing a NEW claim would give me a higher benefit amount ($550/week vs $425/week on my old claim). However, there was a catch: filing a new claim meant going through eligibility determination again, which took almost 3 weeks before payments started. The rep said if I needed money immediately, reopening would be faster but for less weekly benefit. Since your situation sounds similar, you'll probably face the same decision: faster payments (reopen) vs. higher payments (new claim). Only an EDD rep can run the calculations for your specific case.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!! I got laid off 3 times in 18 months and EDD kept telling me different things each time I called. One rep said reopen, another said file new, then they PENALIZED me for "following incorrect advice from their own reps!!" I had to appeal and wait 5 WEEKS with NO INCOME. This system is DESIGNED to confuse people so they give up!!!

@OP - wanted to follow up. In my situation, I ended up filing a new claim because I had worked for 7 months at a higher-paying job. The EDD rep ran the calculations and showed me I'd get about $120 more per week with a new claim vs reopening my old one. There was about a 2-week processing delay, but the higher weekly amount was worth it for me. The rep I talked to mentioned something important: if you reopen your old claim, you'll still receive the same weekly benefit amount as before, regardless of what you earned at your new job. But if you file a new claim, your new earnings could qualify you for a higher weekly amount.

any update?? i'm in a similar situation now and curious what you ended up doing

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation (laid off after 4 months at a new job) and was completely lost on what to do. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the key factors are: 1) whether you're still in your benefit year, 2) how much your new job paid compared to the old one, and 3) whether you need immediate payments or can wait for potentially higher benefits. @Heather Tyson - really appreciate you sharing your decision-making process and keeping us updated! The $115/week increase ($375 to $490) definitely seems worth the 2-3 week wait. Hope your new claim processes smoothly. One question for anyone who's been through this: if you file a new claim but then get denied for some reason, can you still go back and reopen your old claim, or are you stuck without benefits?

Great question @Pedro Sawyer! I actually asked my EDD rep about this exact scenario when I was deciding between filing new vs reopening. She told me that if you file a new claim and it gets denied, you CAN still go back and reopen your previous claim as long as you're still within the benefit year and haven't exhausted the balance. However, there might be additional delays while they process the reopening request after the denial. She emphasized that this is why it's so important to speak with a rep first - they can review your work history and earnings to assess whether your new claim is likely to be approved before you make the leap. In my case, since I had clear separation documentation from my employer and sufficient earnings in my base period, she was confident the new claim would go through. The rep also mentioned that some people try to hedge their bets by reopening first to get immediate payments, then filing a new claim later, but this can create complications and isn't recommended. Better to make one informed decision upfront based on your specific situation and financial needs.

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact situation last month! I was laid off in March after only 3 months at a new job, and like many of you, I was torn between reopening my old claim vs filing new. What helped me decide was actually logging into UI Online first and checking my claim summary - it showed my remaining balance ($2,800) and my current weekly benefit amount ($340). Then I calculated what my new job earnings would potentially give me using the EDD benefit calculator online (roughly $425/week based on my higher salary). The math made it pretty clear that filing new was worth it despite the processing delay. I used the early morning calling strategy (started dialing at 7:58am) and got through on my 4th attempt. The rep confirmed my calculations and helped me file the new claim right over the phone. One tip that saved me time: have all your employment documentation ready before you call - last day worked, reason for separation, gross wages for each quarter, etc. The rep was able to process everything in about 25 minutes because I had all the info handy. My new claim was approved in exactly 2 weeks and I started receiving the higher payments. Definitely worth speaking with a rep first, but don't be afraid to file new if the numbers clearly favor it!