Benefit Year End. It’s hard to believe the impacts of the pandemic have been felt for more than a year now.
We wanted to reach out to you and let you know what’s next. Now that new unemployment benefits legislation was signed.
First, we need to understand the basics. A standard Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim lasts for a one year period. Usually the benefits in these claims last up to 26 weeks, depending on your weekly benefit amount.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, known as PUA claims, are different.
These claims originally lasted for 39 weeks at a rate of 167 dollars, up to 450 dollars, depending on your documented self-employed earnings.
Why does this matter?
It matters because it has been a year since most of us have filed a claim.
What happens now?
When your original claim expires, you will need to file a new claim.
Why do I have to do this?
User: I haven’t been back to work. There’s still a pandemic.
Answer: Yes, We know, but the EDD is required by law to look and see if you worked and earn any money in the last year, and that policy requires you to file a new claim each year.
How will I know when to do this?
Good question! You will be notified in three different ways.
One: A message will display on the stub of your final check.
Two: A banner message will display on the top of the page when you log into UI Online, alerting you to open a new claim.
And Three: The Benefit Year date available from your UI Online home page tells you when your claim began. If it has been one year, then it’s time to file a new claim. Also, you may have certified for benefits and only been paid for one week while the other is pending.
Once you receive the notification that your claim is ending, log into UI Online and file a new claim. If you don’t remember how, it has been a year, and we have multiple tutorial online to assist you.
Don’t worry about trying to figure out if you’re eligible — just answer the questions and leave the rest to them.
Are you sure?
I haven’t been working because of the pandemic.
Answer: We know.
The California Edd team of agents will help with your claim-filing request.
One: If you’re eligible for the same amount or more, that’s great! You will collect on your new claim.
Two: If you’re already on an extension, but your new claim is eligible for a smaller amount, not a problem.
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we will file the claim but then place you back on your previous extension to get you paid until benefits on those claims run out. You don’t have to do anything since you already filed your claim.
Three: If you’re not eligible for a new claim, not a problem. We will put you back on your previous extension and continue to pay you.
What happens when my extension ends?
They check to see if you’re eligible for any additional extensions. If not, then they place you on the new claim you filed when your original claim expired. That is why it’s very important to check your UI Online account for when your benefit year will end, and submit an application for a new claim, the system can continue to provide you unemployment benefits.
But what about a PUA claim?
User: I heard you can only have one of those claims.
Answer: That’s true, but you now get up to 89 total weeks of benefits, which hopefully will be enough to get you back on your feet. There is no need to reapply.
How long will it take before my payments get back on track?
The California EDD are going to work very hard to process your new claim, and much of that is automated.
It typically takes us two to three weeks to complete this process, it’s very important to make sure you submit a new application as soon as your benefit year expires. Also, make sure to watch for any notifications in UI Online, and respond promptly to any request for additional information. Check for their notifications. File your claim after receiving our request to and let them handle the rest.
Help us in helping you get paid. That will help all of us get through this pandemic together. If you have any other questions see at Ask EDD online (ASKEDD.EDD.CA.GOV), I’m happy to answer many questions!