Regular UI benefits exhausted after 26 weeks - can I file new claim or extension when benefit year isn't over?
I just lost my housekeeping job of 13 years when my elderly client passed away (I was a private caregiver). My UI benefits ran out last week after the full 26 weeks, but I'm confused because my EDD paperwork says my benefit year isn't over until March 2025. The online portal shows a message saying I have 'no more benefits to certify for' but doesn't explain what happens next. This is my first time EVER on unemployment in my entire working life (I'm 58), and I'm panicking because my job search in healthcare assistance is moving slowly. My questions: 1. Can I file for some kind of extension since my benefit year isn't over yet? 2. Or do I need to file a completely new claim even though the first one hasn't technically expired? 3. Are there any programs for older workers who need more time? I've tried calling EDD 15+ times but can't get through. Any advice would be so appreciated!
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Sean Doyle
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
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Thank you for explaining. This is really difficult news. I didn't realize the 26 weeks was a hard limit regardless of the benefit year. Are there ANY programs I might qualify for to bridge the gap? I'm sending out applications every day but at my age it's taking longer than I expected.
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Zara Rashid
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
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Luca Romano
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.
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Thank you so much! I didn't know about the Senior program - I'll definitely look into that. I did have 2 weeks where I worked part-time for another family, but I reported those earnings. Would that help me at all with extending benefits?
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Nia Jackson
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!
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NebulaNova
•omg this!! i thought i was the only one who noticed how they make the "benefit year" sound like you get benefits for a year. so misleading!
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Mateo Hernandez
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.
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Thank you! I'd never heard of this service but I'm going to check it out. I really need to speak with someone directly since my situation feels complicated and every day without income is stressful.
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Aisha Khan
•does it actually work? seems kinda sketchy to me, like how do they get thru when nobody else can?
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Mateo Hernandez
•@profile6 Yes, it worked for me. They use a system that keeps dialing and navigating the phone menu until they get through. It's basically doing what you'd do manually but automated. When I used it I got a callback in about 90 minutes when normally I couldn't get through at all.
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Anastasia Fedorov
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!
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Luca Romano
•For caregiver work, check with your county's In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. They often need qualified caregivers and your 13 years of experience would be valuable. Also look into local home health agencies and assisted living facilities, which might offer more stability than private client work. Good luck!
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Zara Rashid
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
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NebulaNova
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!
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Aisha Khan
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!
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