Confused about ESD benefit extension - Do I need to reapply when benefits expire at year-end?

You'll need to file a new application when your benefit year ends. It's not automatic. When you log into eServices after your benefit year expires, you'll see a prompt to file a new claim. Make sure you have all your employment information from this past year ready, especially the job you had from August to November. Your benefit amount might change based on those earnings.

same thing happened 2 me last year! got laid off twice too. you definitely gotta reapply, its NOT automatic. took me forever to figure that out lol

WRONG INFORMATION ABOVE!! The system DOES automatically start a new benefit year review, BUT only if you continue filing weekly claims without interruption. If you stop filing for even one week, you'll need to restart/reapply. That's what the ESD agent told me when I called last month about my situation.

To clarify what others have said: You will need to file a new application when your benefit year ends (which is 12 months from when you first applied, not necessarily at the calendar year end). Here's what you need to know: 1. Your benefit year is separate from your benefit amount. You can exhaust your benefits before your benefit year ends. 2. When your benefit year expires, you must file a new application even if you've been continuously claiming. 3. You need to have worked and earned wages in covered employment after the beginning date of your previous claim to be eligible for a new claim. 4. The work you did from August to November will factor into your new benefit calculation. 5. There's usually a 1-week waiting period for new claims, so plan for that gap.

i thought my benefits would automatically continue too but they didn't and i went 3 weeks without any money because i didn't know i had to reapply! make sure you file the new application as soon as you can after your benefit year ends.

I've been through this exact scenario! Trying to reach ESD to get clear answers was absolutely frustrating. I spent days calling that impossible-to-get-through phone line. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 25 minutes instead of trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent confirmed what others are saying - you'll need to file a whole new claim when your benefit year ends. But they also told me you can actually file up to a week BEFORE your benefit year officially ends to avoid any payment gaps. That's what I did and it worked perfectly - no delay in payments!

the esd website is so confusing it should tell u these things!!!! why make it so hard for people who r already struggling???? i had same problem last yr

One more important detail: when you file your new claim, you'll need to satisfy the requirement of having worked at least 680 hours in your base year (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your new claim). Make sure the work you did from August to November gives you enough hours to qualify.

Just to add another important point: when you file your new claim, your weekly benefit amount might change based on your earnings in the new base year. The calculation is based on your highest-earning quarters, so depending on what you made at that job from August to November, your weekly amount could go up or down compared to your current claim.