Do Penalty Weeks Count Toward The 26 Max? (collect, claim, payment)

[Cali1000]

I live in California.


If I serve 23 penalty weeks, does that mean I will only get three weeks of paid unemployment benefits (due to the maximum of 26 weeks)?

Or do I have until the end of my benefit year to collect?

Thank you.

[Chyvan]

No. You'll still have 26 weeks to collect AFTER the penalty is served, BUT if your claim expires before you've collected all your money, it's lost. So it's kind of a it depends on the future as to whether it costs you or not.

[Rabrrita]

Just to clarify; are these actual penalty weeks or are they repayment offset weeks?

[Cali1000]

They are penalty weeks.


But your response brings up another question ...

If I'm on a payment plan at the time I start getting my benefit payments, will they offset the balance I owe them BEFORE they start paying me (my benefit amount is $450 per week)? Or will I get paid and just continue [to pay them] with the payment plan?

[Chyvan]

They'll offset 100%

https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/...erpayments.pdf

Page 6-6 unless it's nonfraud then page 6-3 at 25% but I think you have to then call and call to get through and ask for the lower amount.