When can I reapply for EDD benefits after claim exhausted? Need to know timing rules

You generally need to wait until your benefit year ends, which is 12 months from when you first filed your claim. Even if you've used all your benefits before the year is up, you usually can't file a new claim until that original benefit year expires. HOWEVER, there's an important exception: if you've earned enough wages during your current benefit year to qualify for a new claim, you might be able to file a new claim when your benefits exhaust. To qualify for a new claim, you typically need to have worked and earned wages in at least one quarter since filing your last claim. Check your EDD account for your benefit year end date. If you're getting close to that date, you can reapply. If not, and you worked during your benefit year, call EDD to see if you qualify for the exception. I had to deal with this last year - my benefit year wasn't over but I'd worked part-time for 3 months. Called EDD and they confirmed I could file a new claim. Used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person instead of fighting the phone system for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

you definitely have to wait a year no exceptions thats just how it works sorry

THIS SYSTEM IS SUCH A JOKE!!!! I dealt with this EXACT issue last year and got 6 different answers from 6 different EDD reps!!! One told me I had to wait till benefit year end NO MATTER WHAT, another said I could file immediately if I had ANY work, and a third said I needed enough work to qualify (whatever that means??). Finally got someone who actually knew the rules, and here's the TRUTH: you need wages in the LAG QUARTER (the quarter between when you filed and when they calculate benefits) OR wages equal to at least 5-7 times your weekly benefit amount. But honestly, these reps make up their own rules half the time. BTW the whole "new claim after benefit year" thing is ALSO misleading because even when you CAN apply after your benefit year, they still check if you worked enough during the base period. UGHHHHH.

To qualify for a new UI claim in California, you need to have earned at least $1,300 in your highest quarter during your base period, or at least $900 in your highest quarter plus 1.25 times that amount across your entire base period. Your base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you've worked part-time during your current benefit year and earned around $6,200 as you mentioned, you might qualify depending on how those earnings were distributed across quarters. Here's what I recommend: 1. Check your Notice of Unemployment Insurance Award from your current claim to see your benefit year end date 2. Gather documentation of all work and wages during your current benefit year 3. Contact EDD (using the service someone mentioned above if needed) to ask specifically about your situation If you've earned enough in a single quarter, you may be able to file a new claim before your benefit year ends. But if not, you'll need to wait until your benefit year expires in November.

My husband was in this same situation last year. Had to wait until the full benefit year was up even though his benefits ran out 3 months earlier. So frustrating with bills piling up! We ended up having to borrow money from family until he could reapply. The system really doesn't account for people who can't find work quickly.

Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in the replies: 1. The standard rule is that you must wait until your benefit year ends (12 months from initial filing) before filing a new regular UI claim. 2. Exception: If you've exhausted benefits and worked during your benefit year, you may qualify for a new claim before your benefit year ends IF you earned enough wages in your new base period. 3. To qualify for a new claim, you generally need wages in at least one quarter of your base period AND meet the minimum earnings requirement ($1,300 in highest quarter OR $900 in highest quarter plus 1.25x that amount total). 4. If you don't qualify for a new claim when your benefits exhaust, you must wait until your benefit year ends. I recommend checking your specific situation with EDD directly. Based on your $6,200 part-time earnings, you might qualify depending on which quarters you earned that money. Documentation is key - have pay stubs ready when you call.

i filed a new claim right after my benefits ran out and got denied they said i had to wait until november even tho i worked a little bit during my claim year so idk maybe rules changed?

Just wanted to follow up on my earlier comment. I was in a similar situation last year - claim exhausted but benefit year wasn't over. I worked 3 months part-time and earned about $5,400. When I called EDD, they told me I didn't have enough wages in my base period for a new claim because my earnings were spread across quarters and didn't meet the minimum threshold in any single quarter. With your $6,200 in earnings, it will depend on when you earned it. If most of it was concentrated in one quarter, you might qualify. Definitely worth calling to check your specific situation. The Claimyr service I mentioned earlier got me connected to a rep in about 15 minutes instead of fighting busy signals all day.

Hey Jayden! I was in almost the exact same situation a few months back - exhausted benefits in January but my benefit year didn't end until May. Super stressful with bills piling up! Here's what I learned from my experience: The $3,100 per quarter you mentioned might actually work in your favor. California's minimum is $1,300 in your highest quarter, so if you earned $3,100 in one quarter, that should meet the threshold. The tricky part is making sure those earnings fall within the right base period when you apply. I'd definitely recommend calling EDD ASAP to check your specific situation. Don't wait - if you do qualify for the exception, you want to get that claim filed sooner rather than later. The worst they can say is no, and then you'll know for sure that you need to wait until November. One thing that helped me was having all my pay stubs organized by quarter before calling. Made the conversation with the rep much smoother. Good luck! The waiting game is brutal but hopefully you can get some clarity soon 🤞

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My benefits just ran out last month and I'm in that confusing limbo period too. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful - sounds like the key is whether your earnings during the benefit year meet those specific thresholds. From what I'm gathering, since you earned $6,200 split between two quarters at about $3,100 each, you might actually qualify for the exception since $3,100 is above that $1,300 minimum threshold. But like everyone's saying, the EDD reps seem to give different answers depending on who you talk to. I'm planning to call this week too - might try that Claimyr service since so many people mentioned it works better than the regular phone system. This whole process is so stressful when you're already worried about money. Hope you get some good news when you call! Keep us posted on what they tell you.

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who recently went through this exact process! I exhausted my benefits in December but my benefit year didn't end until February. I was super stressed about the gap too. The good news is that based on what you've shared, you might actually qualify for the exception! Your $3,100 per quarter definitely meets the $1,300 minimum threshold that California requires. The key thing EDD will check is whether those earnings fall within the right base period when you file your new claim. I ended up qualifying for a new claim even though my benefit year wasn't over because I had worked enough during my original benefit year. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I got through to someone who knew the rules (which took a few tries, unfortunately). My advice: Call EDD as soon as possible to check your specific situation. Have your pay stubs organized by quarter and your original claim documents ready. If you do qualify, you'll want to file that new claim ASAP rather than waiting until November. The waiting period between exhausting benefits and potentially getting a new claim approved is nerve-wracking, but there's a good chance you might not have to wait the full 8 months until your benefit year ends. Fingers crossed you get some good news! 🤞

Hey everyone, I'm going through a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My benefits just exhausted last week and I'm also in that stressful limbo period trying to figure out next steps. I worked part-time for about 4 months during my benefit year and earned around $8,000 total. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like I might qualify for the exception since my earnings were concentrated mostly in two quarters (about $3,500 and $3,200). The conflicting information from EDD reps that people have mentioned is so frustrating - it really shouldn't be this confusing to understand basic eligibility rules! I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service everyone's recommending since the regular phone system seems impossible to get through. @Jayden Reed - really hope your call goes well tomorrow! Please keep us updated on what they tell you. It would be super helpful to know how it goes since we're in such similar situations. This whole process is so stressful when you're already worried about finances, but at least we're not dealing with it alone. Good luck everyone! 🤞

I just went through this exact situation a few weeks ago! My benefits exhausted in February but my benefit year didn't end until August. I was panicking about the 6-month gap, but it turns out I qualified for the exception. Here's what happened: I had worked part-time during my benefit year and earned about $7,500 total across three quarters. When I called EDD (used Claimyr - definitely worth it to skip the phone maze), the rep confirmed that since I had over $1,300 in my highest earning quarter, I could file a new claim immediately. The key thing they told me is that your new base period gets recalculated when you file the new claim, and if your earnings during the original benefit year create a qualifying base period, you're good to go. With your $6,200 split between two quarters at roughly $3,100 each, you should definitely qualify since both amounts exceed the $1,300 threshold. One tip: when you call, have your quarterly earnings breakdown ready and ask them to check your "lag quarter" wages specifically. That seemed to be the magic phrase that got the rep to look at the right information in their system. Don't wait - if you qualify, filing sooner rather than later means you'll start getting benefits again faster. The worst case scenario is they say no and you wait until November, but there's a really good chance you'll qualify for immediate relief! Good luck and definitely keep us posted on what happens! 🙏

I'm in a very similar boat right now - exhausted my benefits two weeks ago and have been stressing about the timing for reapplying. This thread has been incredibly helpful in clearing up the confusion! From everything I'm reading here, it sounds like the key factor is whether you've earned enough wages during your benefit year to establish a new qualifying base period. The $1,300 minimum per quarter threshold that people keep mentioning seems to be the magic number. I worked freelance gigs during my benefit year and earned about $4,800 total, but it was spread pretty unevenly across quarters. Now I'm wondering if I concentrated enough in any single quarter to meet that threshold. Guess I need to dig out all my 1099s and get organized before calling EDD. The Claimyr service that multiple people have mentioned sounds like a lifesaver - I've tried calling EDD directly three times and never got through to a human. That tip about asking specifically about "lag quarter" wages is gold too. Really hoping some of you who are calling this week get good news and can share updates! It's so much less stressful knowing other people are dealing with the same situation and that there might actually be a path forward before waiting until the full benefit year expires. 🤞

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through this process recently! I exhausted my benefits in January and was initially told I'd have to wait until my benefit year ended in September - an 8 month gap that would have been financially devastating. However, after reading threads like this one and getting organized with my documentation, I discovered I actually qualified for the exception. I had worked temp jobs during my benefit year and earned about $5,400 total, with $2,800 concentrated in one quarter. The key things that helped me when I called EDD: 1. Used Claimyr to actually get through to a human (seriously worth every penny) 2. Had all my quarterly earnings calculated and ready 3. Asked specifically about "lag quarter" wages like others mentioned 4. Emphasized that I had worked during my current benefit year The rep was able to confirm I qualified and I filed a new claim the same day. My new weekly benefit amount was lower than my original claim (based on the reduced earnings), but getting ANY benefits was better than waiting 8 months with nothing. For anyone in this situation: don't assume you have to wait! If you worked at all during your benefit year and earned over $1,300 in any quarter, it's absolutely worth calling to check. The system is confusing but the exception does exist and it can save you months of financial stress. Good luck to everyone calling EDD this week - hope you all get good news! 🙏

I'm in almost exactly the same situation! Just exhausted my benefits last week and been stressing about when I can reapply. This thread has been SO helpful - I had no idea about the exception for people who worked during their benefit year. I worked part-time retail for about 3 months during my claim and earned around $4,200 total. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like if I earned over $1,300 in any single quarter, I might qualify to file a new claim right away instead of waiting until my benefit year ends in October. The tip about using Claimyr to actually get through to EDD seems like a game-changer - I've been dreading trying to call because I know how impossible it is to reach anyone. And that advice about asking specifically about "lag quarter" wages could make all the difference in getting a rep who knows what they're talking about. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences instead of just guessing! It's so much less scary knowing other people have successfully navigated this process. Going to organize all my pay stubs by quarter and call EDD this week. Fingers crossed! 🤞

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now too! Just joined this community because I've been so stressed about the gap between exhausted benefits and being able to reapply. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea there was potentially an exception for people who worked during their benefit year. I worked contract work for about 4 months during my claim period and earned roughly $5,800 total. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key is whether I earned over $1,300 in any single quarter to meet California's threshold. I need to dig through my records to see how those earnings were distributed. The Claimyr service that so many people have mentioned sounds like a total game-changer for actually getting through to EDD. I've been putting off calling because I know how brutal their phone system is, but hearing multiple success stories makes me want to try it this week. That tip about asking specifically about "lag quarter" wages seems crucial too - it's amazing how much insider knowledge you need just to get the right information from their own system! Thanks to everyone who's shared their real experiences here. It's so much less overwhelming knowing other people have successfully navigated this confusing process. Going to get all my documentation organized and make that call. Fingers crossed for all of us dealing with this stressful situation! 🙏

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! My benefits just exhausted two days ago and I've been panicking about the potential 6-month wait until my benefit year ends in September. I worked part-time at a warehouse for about 10 weeks during my benefit year and earned around $4,100 total. Based on all the helpful info shared here, it sounds like the magic number is earning at least $1,300 in any single quarter to potentially qualify for the exception. I need to calculate exactly how my earnings were distributed across quarters. The consistent recommendations for Claimyr to actually reach EDD and asking specifically about "lag quarter" wages seem like the key strategies that work. I've been dreading trying to call EDD directly after hearing horror stories about their phone system, but seeing so many success stories here gives me confidence to try. It's honestly such a relief to find this community and realize I'm not alone in this confusing situation. The EDD website is completely unhelpful about explaining these exception rules, but hearing from people who've actually been through the process successfully makes all the difference. Planning to get all my pay stubs organized by quarter this weekend and call first thing Monday morning. Really hoping I can avoid that long gap with no benefits! Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - it gives those of us just starting this process so much hope 🙏

I'm in almost exactly the same situation as you! Just exhausted my benefits last week after 26 weeks and my benefit year doesn't end until December. I've been so stressed about the potential 9-month gap with no income while I'm still job searching. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the exception for people who worked during their benefit year. I did some freelance marketing consulting during my claim period and earned about $5,200 total, mostly concentrated in two quarters. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like if I earned over $1,300 in any single quarter, I might qualify to file a new claim immediately instead of waiting until December. That would be such a huge relief! The consistent advice about using Claimyr to actually get through to EDD and asking specifically about "lag quarter" wages seems like the winning strategy. I've been putting off calling because I know how impossible their phone system is, but hearing so many success stories gives me confidence to try. Thank you to everyone who's shared their real experiences here - it makes this whole confusing process so much less scary! Going to organize all my quarterly earnings this weekend and call EDD first thing Monday. Fingers crossed we all get some good news! 🤞

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been lurking and reading all these incredibly helpful responses! I'm in a very similar situation - my benefits exhausted about 10 days ago and I've been really stressed about potentially having to wait until my benefit year ends in August (that would be a 5-month gap with no income 😰). I worked part-time at a local bookstore for about 3 months during my benefit year and earned roughly $3,800 total. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key question is whether I earned over that $1,300 threshold in any single quarter. I think most of my earnings were concentrated in one quarter since I worked more hours during the holiday season, so I'm cautiously optimistic! The advice about using Claimyr and asking specifically about "lag quarter" wages keeps coming up from people who successfully got through this process. I've been avoiding calling EDD because their phone system seems like a nightmare, but seeing so many success stories here gives me hope it might actually be worth trying. Thank you to everyone who's shared their real experiences - this thread has been such a lifesaver for understanding what should be straightforward rules but EDD makes so confusing! Planning to get all my pay stubs organized by quarter and make that call this week. Fingers crossed for all of us dealing with this stressful situation! 🤞

I'm in a really similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My benefits just exhausted yesterday and I was panicking about potentially waiting until my benefit year ends in October - that would be a 6+ month gap that I honestly can't afford. I worked part-time doing freelance graphic design during my benefit year and earned about $4,600 total. From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the critical factor is whether I hit that $1,300 threshold in any single quarter. Most of my freelance work was concentrated in two big projects, so I'm hoping the timing works out in my favor. The consistent recommendations for using Claimyr to actually reach a human at EDD and asking specifically about "lag quarter" wages seem like the key to success. I've been dreading calling EDD directly after hearing so many horror stories about their phone system, but seeing multiple people here get through with good results gives me confidence to try. It's honestly such a relief to find this community and realize I'm not alone in this confusing situation! The EDD website is completely useless for explaining these exception rules, but hearing from people who've actually navigated the process successfully makes all the difference. Planning to organize all my invoices by quarter this weekend and call first thing Monday using Claimyr. Really hoping my freelance earnings were distributed in a way that qualifies me for the exception. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - you've given those of us just starting this process so much hope! 🙏