Regular UI benefits exhausted after 26 weeks - can I file new claim or extension when benefit year isn't over?

Unfortunately, the standard UI benefit period is 26 weeks maximum within a benefit year, regardless of whether your benefit year has technically ended or not. The benefit year just means the period during which you can collect those 26 weeks - it doesn't guarantee benefits for the entire year. Right now, there are no federal extensions available like there were during COVID. Your options are: 1. Continue your job search while your current claim is open (until March 2025) 2. If you find part-time work and then lose it again, you may be able to reopen your current claim if there are any remaining benefits 3. You cannot file a new claim until your current benefit year ends in March 2025, unless you've earned enough wages since filing your original claim

same thing happened 2 me last year. super frustrating!!! the benefit year is misleading, once ur 26 weeks r up thats IT unless theres some emergency extension program going on which there isnt rn

You might qualify for other assistance programs even if UI is exhausted. Look into: 1. CalFresh (food assistance) 2. County General Assistance/Relief 3. Housing assistance programs through your county 4. If you're 58, check with your local American Job Center about the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Also, if you had any weeks where you reported wages during your claim and didn't receive full benefits, you might still have some small balance left. Check your UI Online payment history to confirm you received exactly 26 payments. One last thing - if you earned enough wages from ANY employer after you filed your initial claim, you might be able to file a new claim. You need sufficient earnings in a calendar quarter after your original claim date.

THE EDD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CUT YOU OFF!!! They make it IMPOSSIBLE to reach anyone when you have questions. I spent 4 WEEKS trying to talk to someone last year. The whole "benefit year" thing is deliberately misleading - they make you think you'll get help for a year but then cut you off at 26 weeks and leave you stranded. The system is rigged against workers!

If you're struggling to reach EDD by phone, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me actually get through to a real person after weeks of failed attempts. They have this system that navigates the phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent is available. Totally worth it when I was desperate for answers about my claim. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km I was in a similar situation - exhausted benefits but my benefit year wasn't over yet. The agent confirmed what others are saying here, but at least I got a definitive answer and they explained other resources I might qualify for.

I want to thank everyone for the helpful responses. I'm going to try Claimyr to speak with EDD directly, and also look into the Senior Community Service Employment Program that was suggested. It's disappointing to learn there are no extensions available, but at least now I understand how the system works instead of getting my hopes up. I'll also check out CalFresh and the other assistance programs while I continue my job search. If anyone has tips for finding caregiver work for someone with my experience, I'd appreciate that too!

just wanna say i had a similar career path, was caring for a elderly lady for 11 yrs and when she passed i had to start over. its rly hard but there r definitely jobs out there for experienced caregivers! check hospitals too they sometimes hire patient care assistants w/o certification if u have experience

Good luck! The whole system is confusing. I thought I could get benefits for the whole year too when I first applied. Hang in there!

when i started looking into all this i was SO CONFUSED about benefit year vs actual benefits too! EDD should really make this clearer in their communications, would save everyone a lot of stress. hope you get through to someone with the phone service thing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD system can be really confusing, especially for first-time users. Just to add to what others have said, when you do get through to EDD (hopefully through that Claimyr service), make sure to ask them to confirm your exact benefit balance and whether those part-time earnings you reported affected your total weeks available. Sometimes there can be partial payments that don't count as full weeks. Also, since you mentioned healthcare assistance job searching, have you looked into medical temp agencies? They often need experienced caregivers for short-term assignments while permanent positions open up. Places like Maxim Healthcare, Visiting Angels, or Home Instead often hire people with your background quickly. The pay might bridge you over while you look for something more permanent. Don't give up - 13 years of caregiving experience is incredibly valuable, and there's definitely demand for experienced workers like you in California's aging population!

Anastasia, I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD system really is confusing, especially when you're dealing with it for the first time. I went through something similar a few years ago when I aged out of my job in retail management. One thing I wanted to mention that I haven't seen brought up yet - since you worked as a private caregiver for 13 years, make sure when you're applying for new positions that you emphasize your experience with things like medication reminders, mobility assistance, meal preparation, and companionship care. A lot of people don't realize how transferable those skills are to assisted living facilities, memory care units, and even hospital patient care roles. Also, I'd suggest checking out Care.com and Caregivers.com - they're platforms where families post directly for experienced caregivers, and your 13-year track record would really stand out there. Sometimes private families pay better than agencies and are more flexible with scheduling. The waiting and uncertainty is the hardest part, but please don't lose hope. The fact that you maintained employment with one family for 13 years says everything about your character and reliability. That's exactly what families and healthcare facilities are desperately looking for right now. You're going to find something - it's just a matter of time!

Anastasia, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this confusing situation! As someone who works in HR at a healthcare facility, I can tell you that your 13 years of consistent caregiving experience is incredibly valuable - don't let the EDD system make you doubt that. A few additional suggestions that might help while you're navigating this gap: 1. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - it's a free service that connects you to local resources for food, housing assistance, and emergency financial help. They often know about programs that aren't widely advertised. 2. Look into your local community health centers - many are hiring patient care coordinators and health assistants, and they often value life experience over formal certifications. 3. Consider medical transportation companies - with your caregiving background, you'd be perfect for non-emergency medical transport roles that assist elderly or disabled patients. The combination of suggestions everyone has given you here is really comprehensive - from Claimyr to IHSS to the senior employment programs. You have so many options to explore, and your dedication over 13 years with one client shows exactly the kind of reliability that's in high demand right now. This is definitely a scary transition, but you're clearly a fighter who doesn't give up easily. That perseverance is going to serve you well in finding your next opportunity!