Reapplying for EDD after benefit year ended - what's different in 2025?

I just went through this in January! The reapplication process is pretty similar to your first time, but there are some key differences to be aware of: 1. They're definitely looking more closely at your work search activities since your last claim, so have detailed records of all your job applications, interviews, networking, etc. 2. You'll need to complete a new eligibility interview where they'll ask specifically what prevented you from finding work during your previous benefit period. 3. Make sure to honestly report any income, even small gigs or temporary work during your previous claim period. 4. The EDD online system might show your old claim for a few days after you submit your new application - don't panic, this is normal while they process the new claim. 5. You might experience a 1-2 week gap between the end of your old benefits and the start of new ones. The good news is that if you've been continuously unemployed, the process is usually straightforward. Just be prepared to explain your job search efforts in detail!

they make it wayyyyy harder the 2nd time around trust me. i got denied when i reapplied last month even tho nothing changed in my situation. now im stuck in appeals hell

I reapplied 3 months ago after my benefit year ended and it was MUCH MORE difficult than my first claim. For me, the biggest issue was the eligibility interview - they asked for extensive documentation of my job search efforts and questioned why I hadn't found employment. They were particularly interested in whether I had expanded my job search beyond my preferred industry. My advice: 1) Document EVERYTHING - every job application with dates, company names, position, contact information, and follow-ups 2) Be prepared to explain why you've turned down any offers if applicable 3) Show evidence that you've expanded your job search criteria over time 4) Have specific examples of networking, skills development, or training you've done One thing they specifically flagged for me was that I wasn't applying to enough jobs outside my previous salary range. They said I needed to show willingness to accept lower-paying positions after extended unemployment. The whole process took about 5 weeks from application to first payment, with the interview happening in week 3.

They wanted to see my actual job search records during the interview. The interviewer specifically asked for examples of applications outside my industry and at different pay levels. I wasn't expecting this level of detail and it caught me off guard. If I could do it again, I would have created a much more organized job search spreadsheet that clearly showed I was expanding my search over time. They seemed particularly concerned about whether I was being too selective with jobs.

make sure u have a way 2 talk to a real person at EDD cuz when i reapplied online my claim got stuck for like 6 weeks with no update. couldnt get thru on phone until i used claimyr.com which got me past the busy signals. they have a demo video here https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km that shows how it works. totally worth it cuz once i talked to a rep they fixed my claim in like 5 minutes, turns out it was just sitting there waiting for someone to push a button basically lol

one more thing!!!!! dont forget to check the box that says ur reapplying!!! i accidently applied like it was my first time and it caused a huge mess and took like 9 weeks to sort out

To answer your follow-up questions: 1. It took about 3 weeks from reapplication to first payment for me. That included a 10-day waiting period for the interview. 2. I didn't have to redo the full ID.me verification, but they did send me a link to reconfirm my identity through the EDD system. Much simpler than the first time. Also, I forgot to mention that they'll review your work search activity for your ENTIRE previous benefit year, not just recent months. So if there were weeks where you didn't do as much job searching earlier in your claim, they might question that. The interviewer specifically asked me about gaps in my work search activities from 8 months prior.

I don't want to scare you, but they're definitely cracking down on second-year claims now. My neighbor's daughter got denied because she couldn't prove she applied to enough jobs outside her field. The EDD lady told her that after 6 months of unemployment, they expect people to be applying to pretty much any job they're qualified for, not just ones in their preferred industry. Seems really unfair to me, but that's what they're doing now.

One more thing I forgot to mention - they'll recalculate your weekly benefit amount based on any work you did during your base period. So if you had any employment at all during the last 18 months, even part-time or gig work, make sure you have documentation of those earnings ready. And yes, definitely broaden your job search before the interview. When they asked me why I hadn't found work yet, having examples of applications to various industries and position levels definitely helped my case. The interviewer seemed satisfied once I showed I wasn't just limiting myself to one type of job.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to spend the next few weeks applying to a much wider range of positions and creating a detailed spreadsheet of all my job search activities for the past year. Sounds like the key is showing I'm being flexible with the types of jobs I'm willing to accept at this point. I'll update once I go through the process in case it helps someone else.

Just want to add that if you're reapplying, make sure you have ALL your wage information ready from the past 18 months, including W-2s, 1099s, and any cash payments you might have received. They're going to verify everything against tax records and any discrepancies can cause major delays. I learned this the hard way when my claim got held up for 6 weeks because I forgot to mention a small consulting gig I did last year. Also, if you worked for any of your previous employers during your benefit year (even just a few shifts), they'll contact those employers to verify you were actually available for work. The whole process feels like they're looking for reasons to deny rather than approve, so document everything and be overly thorough rather than risk missing something important.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who successfully reapplied last fall - one thing that really helped me was keeping a weekly journal of my job search activities throughout my entire benefit year, not just when I was getting ready to reapply. I wrote down every application, every networking contact, every skills course I took, etc. When they asked for documentation during my eligibility interview, I had everything organized by week which seemed to impress the interviewer. Also, if you haven't already, consider signing up for some free online certification courses (like through Coursera or LinkedIn Learning) in areas related to retail management or adjacent fields. They specifically asked me what I was doing to improve my skills while unemployed, and having concrete examples of courses completed really helped show I was being proactive about my career development. The whole "continuous improvement" angle seemed to resonate well with them. One last tip - start applying to jobs at lower salary ranges now, even if you don't really want them. Having those applications in your records shows you're willing to be flexible about compensation, which they definitely look for in second-year claims.

I'm about to go through this same process next month - my benefit year ends in April and I've been unemployed the whole time too. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful but also pretty nerve-wracking! It sounds like they really scrutinize second claims much more heavily than first-time applications. Based on what everyone's shared, I'm going to start preparing now by: - Creating a detailed spreadsheet of every job application I've made over the past year - Expanding my job search to include positions outside retail management and at lower pay rates - Signing up for some relevant online courses to show I'm working on skill development - Gathering all my wage documentation from the past 18 months Has anyone dealt with the situation where you've been doing occasional gig work (like DoorDash or Instacart) during your benefit year? I've done some food delivery when I really needed extra money, but I'm worried about how that might complicate things. Did you report those earnings during your weekly certifications, and if so, did it affect your reapplication process? Also wondering if anyone knows whether the eligibility interview is always required for reapplications or if some people skip that step? Trying to mentally prepare for what sounds like a pretty intense questioning process!