California Unemployment ? regarding waiting to file (claim, qualify, work, number)

[MaddieGal]

Hi all,

I am an avid reader here but new member and poster.
Here is my situation & question.

I was laid off last month (May 2014).

I have not yet filed unemployment CA

I earned $800 more during Jan Feb Mar quarter 2014 than Jan Feb Mar 2013. This would be my highest standard base period. ((I worked hourly that varied week to week)).

I am thinking it would make sense to File next month (July 2014) rather than now so the higher quarter is included?

Thank you for your thoughts! : )

[Ariadne22]

Actually, waiting improves your weekly benefit possibly by $30, or $130/mo.

http://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de1275a.pdf

However, should you work during your benefit year and still need a requalifying claim a year from now - either due to another layoff or part-time work - that new claim might pay for a substantially shorter length of time because a quarter of LAG earnings has been excluded because of the later filing now.

If you decide to go for the higher benefit and potentially shorter claim a year from now, file no earlier than July 6. If you file the preceding week, CA will backdate the claim to 6/29 and exclude that high quarter.

CA determines your WBA by high quarter earnings; total Monetary Award would be 50% of base-period earnings - divided by WBA - to determine number of weeks benefits, explained in the handbook linked above.

[MaddieGal]

Thank you for your info Especially regarding not filing before July 6th