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I worked full-time between mid-March 2014 and mid-Aug 2014 (exactly 5 months) and it was through a temp agency.
Prior to that I was unemployed and stopped collecting benefits at the end of 2013 when the extensions were exhausted. My previous claim year expired mid-April 2014, even though I did not collect anything in 2014
Now, I assume if I file for unemployment benefits these days, it will be considered a new claim, but how long is it allowed to wait before I can apply?
The reason I am asking is that If I apply now, only Q1 2014 earnings would be considered as the standard base period and my weekly payment would be around rather low as I worked only half a month in Q1.
Is it possible to wait until Oct. 2014 (the beginning of Q4) and apply then? I suspect in that case Q2 2014 earnings would be taken into account.
I think that I read somewhere that a claimant should file as soon as possible, in the first week after becoming unemployed, but not sure.
Is there anything preventing me from waiting until Oct. 2014 to apply and still be eligible for benefits?
I appreciate any advice from anybody more versed in all things EDD.
Now, I assume if I file for unemployment benefits these days, it will be considered a new claim, but how long is it allowed to wait before I can apply?
You are allowed one claim in a 52-week period. Since your previous claim expired 4/2014, you are eligible for another claim.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KalifOcean
The reason I am asking is that If I apply now, only Q1 2014 earnings would be considered as the standard base period and my weekly payment would be around rather low as I worked only half a month in Q1.
Did you earn at least $1,300? If not, if you file now, CA will use its Alternate Base Period to qualify you and will include earnings through 6/30/2014 (base period 7/2013-6/2014).
Quote:
Originally Posted by KalifOcean
Is it possible to wait until Oct. 2014 (the beginning of Q4) and apply then? I suspect in that case Q2 2014 earnings would be taken into account.
Yes. If you file no earlier than Oct. 5, under its Standard Base Period, CA will use base-period earnings July 2013-June 2014.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KalifOcean
I think that I read somewhere that a claimant should file as soon as possible, in the first week after becoming unemployed, but not sure.
You can apply anytime. If there are sufficient earnings in the base-period when you apply, you are eligible for a claim.
Per CA:
Quote:
To establish a monetarily valid claim, you must have earned at least
(1) $1,300 in one quarter of your base period, or
(2) at least $900 in your highest quarter and total base period earnings of 1.25 times your high quarter earnings.
Is there anything preventing me from waiting until Oct. 2014 to apply and still be eligible for benefits?
No.
Before you decide, look at total earnings 4/2013-3/2014 - and 7/2013-6/2014. CA determines weekly benefit on basis of high quarter, then determines total monetary award based on 50% of TOTAL earnings in base period, not to exceed 26x WBA.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 08-19-2014 at 09:55 PM..
Is it possible to wait until Oct. 2014 (the beginning of Q4) and apply then? I suspect in that case Q2 2014 earnings would be taken into account.
I think that I read somewhere that a claimant should file as soon as possible, in the first week after becoming unemployed, but not sure.
Is there anything preventing me from waiting until Oct. 2014 to apply and still be eligible for benefits
You may not need to wait. CA has a standard and an alternate base period. There is nothing wrong about gaming the system to get the best benefit. You should use the benefit calculator because if you qualify for A benefit, CA won't use the alternate base period, but it's possible that Mar earnings aren't enough for a benefit, so by applying now, the alternate base period today will be the same as the standard base period by waiting until Oct 5, and you can get the money now rather than waiting.
The tell you to apply when you first get laid off because it's generic advice that makes sense for a lot of people, but when you have spotty earnings, you have to do what you're doing and look at the calendar and calculate your base period so you do what is right for you, and not some guess that may not work for you.
The only reason you'd want to wait is if by doing so gets you the best benefit for your circumstances.
Thank you both very much. It looks like I have to wait till Oct. 5 because I earned more than $1300 in Q1 2014 and If I apply now, the award would be too low.
I wonder if I need to update my CalJobs resume now or wait just before I apply?
You're not required to do anything with CalJobs until you're collecting. Do yourself a favor and apply for benefits, and then worry about Caljobs. I'm still waiting for that first post that says, "CalJobs found me the best job I ever had." I think it's a total waste of time of resources, so worry about it when you have to.
Does anybody know if there is in fact a reasonable waiting period? I am in the same position and if I make a claim in the next week or two....my claim will allow for a very low rate. If i wait 3 months......I will get a rate that is 4 times that. Can I wait that long?
Yes, you can wait that long. You can wait as long as you want right up until your quarters age out of the system.
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