What to do if unemployment runs out in California EDD - options and next steps

Wait so the benefit year ending vs exhausting the balance are different things? I always thought they were the same. Can you explain that more? Because my letter says my benefit year ends June 30th but I'm not sure if I've used all my benefits yet.

Yes they're totally different! Your benefit year is a 12-month window during which you can collect. Your maximum benefit amount is the total dollar amount you can receive. If your benefit year ends June 30th and you still have a balance left, that balance disappears - you can't use it after the benefit year closes. But if you've earned enough wages in a new base period (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), you might qualify to file a fresh new claim with a new benefit year starting. Log into UI Online and look at your claim details to see both your benefit year end date AND your remaining balance.

this is actually really helpful info. i had no idea about the benefit year vs balance thing and i'm in a similar boat as OP

Good call on the bank info - I actually changed banks two months ago and I'm not sure I updated it. Going to check right now.

THIS. I waited like two weeks after my benefit year ended thinking I should give it some time and it ended up causing a 6 week delay in getting my new claim approved. File immediately.

does filing a new claim automatically cancel any remaining balance from the old claim or do they run parallel somehow

I've been avoiding calling EDD because every time I try I just get the busy signal and hang up. Maybe I'll try this - I really do need someone to look at my actual account and tell me if I qualify for a new claim.

claimyr actually worked for me too when I needed to talk to someone about my adjudication issue. Definitely not a scam if that's what you're worried about

gonna look into this because I have been calling EDD for TWO WEEKS straight and cannot get a single human being on the line

I did some freelance work during my claim and reported everything - maybe that counts? I probably earned around $2,800 total over four months doing small projects.

That $2,800 could definitely matter depending on how it's distributed across quarters. The rule is you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter, OR have earned at least $900 in your highest quarter AND your total base period wages are at least 1.25 times your high quarter wages. File the new claim and let EDD's system calculate it - worst they can say is you don't qualify.

Correct on the base period wages. Also worth noting - wages are credited to the quarter in which they were EARNED, not when they were paid. For freelance this sometimes gets tricky if a client paid late.

Yes you can switch from UI to California SDI (State Disability Insurance) if you have a medical condition preventing you from working, but you can't collect both simultaneously. If you're certifying for UI you're certifying that you're able and available to work - if that's not true because of a health issue, SDI would be the appropriate program. Talk to your doctor about certification.

ok thanks that makes sense. i wasn't sure if it was one or the other or if you could do both

You absolutely have to file a new application - California EDD does NOT automatically start a new claim for you. Nothing is automatic. Log into UI Online and file a new claim as soon as your current benefit year ends. Set a reminder on your phone.

Setting a reminder right now oh my god. Why doesn't EDD just send a notice or something reminding you to refile?? This is such an easy thing they could do.

They actually do send a notice but it goes to the address on file and half the time arrives after the benefit year already ended lol. Check UI Online don't wait for mail.

Also pro tip - you can actually check UI Online a few days before your benefit year ends to see if your new claim is already in the system. Sometimes EDD pre-processes renewals when they can see your benefit year is ending.

This is exactly what I'm afraid of happening to me omg

Just check UI Online every single day leading up to your end date. That's all you can do because you definitely cannot rely on EDD to communicate with you proactively about anything.

same experience here. found out via a stopped payment not a notice. infuriating

Yes - if your new claim gets approved after adjudication, you should receive backpay for all the certified weeks going back to your claim effective date, as long as you filed your weekly certifications on time even while in adjudication. Never stop certifying even if your claim is under review.

Okay that's a relief. So I should file the new claim, start certifying weekly immediately, and just keep certifying even if the claim status shows pending?

Exactly right. And keep your job search log current too - you still need to be meeting the 3 employer contacts per week requirement during adjudication. If you get approved and they ask for job search records, you need to have them.

How long did it take to get connected through Claimyr? Like same day or did you have to wait until the next day?

I got a callback with an EDD agent the same day I signed up, within a few hours. I was honestly shocked because I had basically given up on ever talking to a real person at EDD.

bookmarking this for when I inevitably need it

Your CalJOBS registration carries over - you don't need to re-register. But you may want to log in and update your resume and job seeker profile since some offices check whether your profile is current when you file a new claim. Keeping your CalJOBS profile active and updated is just good practice throughout your job search anyway.

Good to know, thanks. I kind of abandoned my CalJOBS profile after the first month because it felt redundant with everything else I was doing for job searching.

I didn't know you could request your wage records! That's really useful to know especially since I did some freelance work and I'm not 100% sure how the clients reported it.

Yes go to UI Online, look under the account management section. You can see what wages EDD has on record for you. It's worth checking before you file so you're not surprised.

This is great advice. I'd also add - if you find an error in your wage records, contact California EDD BEFORE your benefit year ends to get it corrected. Trying to fix wage record issues AFTER you've filed a new claim and been denied is a much bigger headache.

Practically speaking the options are: apply for any other benefits you might qualify for (CalFresh food assistance, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs if you have kids), contact your local AJCC which sometimes has emergency assistance funds and job training programs, reach out to local nonprofits and community organizations that offer emergency financial assistance, contact your landlord and utility companies proactively - many have hardship programs, and of course keep job searching aggressively. It's a hard situation with no perfect answer.

CalFresh is something I've been avoiding applying for because of the stigma I guess but maybe it's time to just do it. It's there for situations like this right

Absolutely what it's there for. No shame in using programs that exist specifically for difficult periods. CalFresh applications can be done online at benefitscal.com and if you've been receiving UI you may already be close to the income threshold for eligibility.

What kind of certification program was it if you don't mind sharing? I've been wondering if I should add to my credentials while I have the time.

It was a digital marketing certification through a community college, covered through workforce development funds. The AJCC counselor identified it as a fit for my background. They have a whole catalog of approved programs, it really depends on your field and career goals.

That's actually really encouraging. Marketing is my background too so this feels very relevant. Going to contact my local AJCC next week.

Part time work doesn't mess up your ability to refile - in fact as discussed upthread, those wages may actually HELP you qualify for a new claim by adding to your base period wages. The key is to report all earnings correctly on your weekly certifications. If you earn wages while on UI and report them, EDD reduces your weekly benefit amount accordingly, but it doesn't disqualify you. The problem only arises if you fail to report earnings.

okay good because i was considering taking a part time retail job but was scared it would cause some kind of problem with my claim

Take the part time job. Report the earnings each week on your certification. You'll still get partial UI benefits to make up some of the difference and you'll be building your base period wages for a potential new claim. Win win.

This is literally why I ended up trying Claimyr - same situation, couldn't get anyone at EDD to respond through any normal channel. Claimyr connects you directly to an EDD phone agent. I know it sounds too good to be true when you've been hitting walls for weeks but it actually works. claimyr.com has more info and there's a demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10

Honestly at this point I'll try anything. Going to check it out tonight. The stress of not being able to get answers while my benefit year is ending is genuinely affecting my mental health.

The EDD contact form is basically a black hole in my experience. Don't wait for a response to that. Try every channel simultaneously and Claimyr if you need to escalate.

Sorry about that $847 - unfortunately yes, remaining balances don't carry over. On the bright side, filing even when you're unsure is the right move. A lot of people don't qualify under the standard base period but DO qualify under the alternate base period because of how their wages fall across quarters. EDD checks both automatically when you file.

I didn't know they check both automatically - that's reassuring. At least I don't have to know which one applies, I just have to file.

Exactly - just file and let the system work. The worst outcome is a denial, and even a denial gives you the right to appeal if you think the wage calculation was wrong.

I didn't realize county social services could give you like an overview of everything. I've been going program by program trying to figure stuff out separately. That sounds way more efficient.

Yes! They call it a multi-benefit application in some counties. One appointment, one worker, they screen you for everything at once. Look up your county's DPSS or HSA office - different counties have different names for the same agency.

This is genuinely one of the most useful things in this thread. Thank you.

You did everything right. Keep certifying weekly without fail, keep your job search log updated with your 3 employer contacts per week, and try not to refresh UI Online obsessively even though it's tempting.

The refreshing obsessively part is going to be the hardest part honestly

haha we've all been there. Set yourself a rule like only check it once per day otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy

Good luck on the interview! And solid plan regardless of outcome. You've got the steps laid out and you're not going to get caught flat-footed.

That's exactly what I needed - to not feel like I was just waiting for disaster with no plan. Having the steps makes a huge difference mentally.

Rooting for you on the interview. Either way you're prepared now which is the best position to be in.

good luck!! update us either way