When your unemployment runs out what happens with California EDD?

Wait so there's seriously no extensions available at all right now? I thought there was always some kind of backup program. This is really stressing me out.

Yeah unfortunately the federal PEUC and EB programs that were around during the pandemic are all gone. Regular UI is what it is right now in California.

That's devastating news honestly. I was counting on having some kind of fallback.

Oh interesting - I didn't know about the Training Benefits program. Can you explain more about how that works?

Basically if you enroll in approved vocational training EDD can continue paying you while you train. You'd need to apply for it through EDD before your benefits run out ideally. Look up 'California Training Benefits' on the EDD website.

Is that the same as the Trade Act benefits or something different? I always get confused by all these different programs.

Different program. Trade Act (TAA) is specifically for people displaced by foreign trade/imports. California Training Benefits is broader and through EDD directly.

Ugh I've been trying to call EDD too and can't get through. I'll check out that link, thanks.

same i tried calling for days and gave up. might try this

does claimyr actually work or is it just another scam? feel like everything promising to help with EDD is either useless or shady

I was the same level of skeptical lol. But it worked for me - got connected to an actual agent who answered all my questions about my exhausted claim. Just go to claimyr.com and see for yourself.

lol yeah I kept checking my account for like 2 weeks after mine ran out thinking maybe I missed something

That's honestly kind of a relief to know it doesn't like... have bad consequences I just stop getting paid. Still terrifying financially though.

Okay this is helpful. My benefit year I think ends in about 2 months. If I find even part time work before then would that potentially qualify me for a new claim down the road?

Possibly yes. EDD looks at your base period wages - you'd need to have earned enough to meet the minimum threshold. Even part time wages count. When the time comes just file a new claim and EDD will calculate whether you qualify.

This is correct. The base period calculation is the key thing. People assume once UI runs out they can never claim again but that's not true at all if you've accumulated new wage credits.

wait so if i worked even like 2 months part time that might reset my eligibility? that seems too good to be true

Okay I will definitely keep filing. That's scary to think about - a gap in certification could cause issues?

I honestly don't know the exact consequence but my EDD agent made it sound like maintaining the record mattered. Better safe than sorry imo.

I've heard mixed things on this. The official EDD guidance says to keep certifying if your benefit year is still open. But if both your balance AND benefit year are exhausted there may be no point. Still probably doesn't hurt to continue.

Thank you that's actually really reassuring to hear. Congrats on the job!

thanks! it took forever but i kept at the job search and something finally clicked. don't give up on CalJOBS and also look outside CalJOBS - LinkedIn and Indeed got me more traction honestly

Oh I didn't even think about county programs. I don't have kids so CalWORKs probably won't apply but I should look into the others. Do you apply through the county directly?

Yes through your county's social services or human services agency. Not through EDD. Different system entirely.

SNAP is actually way easier to get than I thought when I applied. Don't sleep on it if money gets tight

how long does it take to actually get connected through that service?

For me it was way faster than trying on my own. The video at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 shows the whole process pretty clearly.

i might try this. been putting off calling edd because i just know i'll be on hold for 4 hours and then get disconnected

SDI (State Disability Insurance) and UI are separate programs. SDI is for when you can't work due to illness or injury - it's not an extension of unemployment. But yes, if someone genuinely has a medical condition preventing work they could apply for SDI through EDD. Different eligibility rules apply.

yeah thats what i thought just wanted to mention it in case. some people don't know SDI exists at all

Accurate clarification. Also worth noting - if you're over 65 and your unemployment runs out, make sure you're accessing any Social Security you might be entitled to. Not relevant for most people but worth mentioning.

Once your claim is exhausted and you're no longer receiving payments, the job search requirement is effectively moot since you're not certifying for benefits anymore. The requirements only matter during active certification periods.

ok that makes sense. was worried i'd get in trouble for not logging activities after the money stopped

No you're fine. The job search requirement enforcement is tied to the weekly certification process. No certification = no requirement to report.

Great update! Glad you got through. That temp work potentially helping you refile is a real silver lining.

This is the best case scenario outcome - you have a potential path forward. Keep those pay stubs from the temp work documented just in case EDD needs verification.

So happy you got actual answers! Two hours is rough but at least you got through eventually. That wage credit situation could really save you.

Yes! Partial weeks where you earn wages but still qualify for partial benefits DO stretch your claim. You receive a reduced payment and EDD calculates the partial week based on your earnings vs your weekly benefit amount. So picking up those occasional shifts is actually helping extend your claim duration AND building wage credits for a potential future claim. Double benefit.

oh wow that's actually really good to know. i was debating whether to bother with the occasional shifts. definitely keeping them up now

Exactly right. And make sure you're reporting those earnings accurately on your weekly certification. Underreporting or over-reporting can cause adjudication issues. The calculation EDD uses for partial weeks is: you keep the first $25 or 25% of your weekly benefit amount (whichever is larger) then it reduces dollar for dollar after that.

Good question. Your benefit year is the 12-month window during which you can collect UI. Your maximum benefit amount is the total dollars available in that year. Running out of money = balance hits zero. Benefit year ending = the 12-month clock expires. You can run out of money before the year ends (balance exhausted), the year can end before you run out of money (rare but happens), or both can happen around the same time. For refiling purposes, the benefit year end date matters a lot.

okay that actually makes sense now thank you. so two separate clocks basically

Yeah this confused me too at first. The agent I spoke to explained it the same way.

wait so if my benefit year ends but i still have a balance left over what happens to that money??

This is honestly really helpful perspective. Thank you for sharing. The anxiety IS probably worse than reality right now.

Hang in there. Also on a practical note - gig work counts as wages so if you do enough of it it could help you refile eventually. Just make sure you're tracking everything.

solidarity. the first few weeks after exhaustion are rough but people figure it out. rooting for everyone in this thread

SAME. The notice I got was so unhelpful I thought I was missing a second page or something. Just 'your balance is $0' basically. Thanks for nothing EDD.

To be fair the EDD website does have a lot of info on exhausted benefits if you dig for it. But yeah they don't make it easy.

their website is also kind of a maze tbh. took me forever to find the california training benefits info even when i knew what i was looking for

ok i finally watched that video and i think i'm gonna try it. the regular edd phone experience is genuinely traumatic

let us know how it goes if you try it

The frustrating thing is that EDD agents DO have the ability to give you really specific useful information - the barrier is just physically getting to one which is its own nightmare.

Bookmarking this comment. This is the clearest summary of everything covered in this thread. Thank you.

Great summary. I'd add - document everything. Keep records of your job search activities, any wages earned, and all EDD correspondence even after benefits end. If you refile you'll want that history.

this should be pinned honestly