Maximum weeks for EDD benefits? Regular UI vs extensions in 2025
Can someone clarify exactly how many weeks we can collect EDD unemployment benefits now in 2025? I'm getting confused because I've heard different things from different people. My HR department said 26 weeks, but my neighbor swears she got benefits for almost a year during COVID (though I know that was different). I was laid off from my admin position at a tech startup last month and just got my first payment, but I need to budget and know how long I can potentially receive benefits. Is it still 26 weeks? Are extensions still a thing? Does it depend on the unemployment rate or something? Any info would be helpful!
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Sasha Reese
The standard UI benefit period in California is 26 weeks (about 6 months). That's the basic answer to your question. However, there are some nuances: - Regular UI claims: 26 weeks maximum - Fed-Ed extensions: Only available during periods of high unemployment (not currently active) - Training extensions: If you qualify for certain training programs, you might get up to 26 additional weeks The COVID extensions like PUA, PEUC, etc. all ended years ago, so your neighbor's experience isn't applicable anymore. The system is back to pre-pandemic rules now. Your weekly benefit amount stays the same throughout your claim period. Make sure you certify on time every two weeks and report any income accurately to avoid problems!
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Muhammad Hobbs
•wait i thought it was 13 weeks??? did they change it???
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Christian Burns
•Thank you so much for this clear explanation! So it looks like I should plan for 26 weeks max unless the economy tanks and they activate those Fed-Ed extensions. Good to know! I'm hoping to find a job well before the 26 weeks are up, but this helps me budget realistically.
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Noland Curtis
when i got laid off in 2023 i got exactly 26 weeks and thats it. nothing more nothing less. been the same for years except during covid times
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Diez Ellis
They give you 26 weeks but they DON'T tell you that they can RANDOMLY disqualify you at ANY POINT!!!! I was getting benefits last year and in week 18 they suddenly said I wasn't eligible and STOPPED EVERYTHING. Had to appeal and wait 2 MONTHS with NO INCOME while they "reviewed" my case. Found out later it was because my employer contested my claim. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!! 😡
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Sasha Reese
•That's unfortunate but it's not exactly random - employers have the right to contest claims, and if that happens, EDD has to investigate. But you're right that the appeal process can take a long time. For anyone reading this who faces a similar situation, make sure you continue certifying for benefits each week during your appeal so you can get backpay if you win.
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Diez Ellis
•OK so maybe not "random" but it FEELS random when you're the one whose payments suddenly stop!!! And YES definitely keep certifying! That's the only reason I got backpay.
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Vanessa Figueroa
I'm in the middle of my benefit year right now and can confirm it's 26 weeks for regular UI. But I'm wondering... does anyone know if using less than your maximum weekly benefit amount somehow extends how long you can collect? Like if I'm eligible for $450/week but only collect $350 because I reported some part-time income, does that extra $100 get added to the end somehow?
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Sasha Reese
•That's a good question! But no, that's not how it works. Your claim has a maximum benefit amount (MBA) which is your weekly benefit amount × 26 weeks. When you work part-time, you're just drawing down your MBA more slowly, but you don't get extra weeks. There's no advantage to trying to stretch out your benefits by working part-time other than the obvious benefit of having both some wages and some UI income during that time. You'll still only get your MBA total regardless of how quickly or slowly you use it.
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Vanessa Figueroa
•Ahh I see, that makes sense. Thank you for clarifying!
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Abby Marshall
I had unemployment last year and it was definitely 26 weeks. But I couldn't even get through to EDD when I had questions about my claim for like 3 weeks straight. Their phone system is the WORST.
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Sadie Benitez
•I had the same problem but then I discovered this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to a live EDD agent without spending all day calling. It automates the calling process so you don't have to keep redialing. Changed everything for me when I needed to resolve an issue with my identity verification. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Seriously worth it when you absolutely need to talk to someone and can't get through the normal way.
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Christian Burns
Does anyone know if there's a waiting period after the 26 weeks before you can apply again? What happens if I still don't have a job after my benefits run out?
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Sasha Reese
•After you exhaust your benefits, you can't apply for a new claim until your benefit year ends (which is 12 months from when you first filed). Even then, you need to have earned enough wages in the period after your initial claim to qualify for a new claim. If you're still unemployed after benefits run out, you might want to look into: 1. CalFresh (food assistance) 2. CalWORKs (if you have children) 3. General Assistance/Relief (through your county) 4. EDD's training programs that might extend benefits Also, make sure you're visiting your local America's Job Center of California (AJCC) for job search assistance.
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Christian Burns
•Thank you, this is super helpful information. I'm really hoping I find a job before exhausting benefits, but it's good to know what other assistance might be available just in case.
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Muhammad Hobbs
my aunt said something about getting an extension for going to school or something? anyone know about that?
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Sasha Reese
•Yes, that's the California Training Benefits (CTB) program. If you enroll in approved training while on unemployment, you might qualify for a training extension of up to 26 additional weeks of benefits. You need to apply for CTB and get approval from EDD. Not all training programs qualify, but many vocational training programs do. If approved, you can receive benefits while training without having to look for work each week. To apply, you need to submit a DE 8736 form through your UI Online account or by mail.
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Noland Curtis
•actually this is real i did this in 2022. took a coding bootcamp and got the extension. it really helped me change careers completely. best decision i ever made tbh
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Diez Ellis
OK but what they DON'T tell you is that if you get ANY kind of overpayment notice, even if it's THEIR mistake, they'll take FOREVER to resolve it and meanwhile your benefits STOP completely!!! Then they'll put you on "conditional payments" which means they'll pay you but might ask for it ALL BACK if they decide against you later!!! The whole system is designed to frustrate people into giving up!!!
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Vanessa Figueroa
•That sounds terrifying. Has anyone actually experienced this conditional payment situation? I'm worried now because I accidentally reported my hours wrong one week (fixed it the next day) and I'm paranoid they're going to flag my whole claim.
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Sasha Reese
•While overpayments can certainly happen, the system isn't designed to make people give up. Mistakes (by both claimants and EDD) do occur, which is why there's an appeals process. If you make a mistake in reporting, the best thing to do is contact EDD immediately to correct it, which it sounds like you did. Small corrections like this usually get resolved without major issues. Conditional payments are actually designed to help claimants by continuing to provide some income during investigations rather than cutting off all support. It's not perfect, but it's meant to be helpful rather than punitive.
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