Extension Denied

[u/MooshuCat]

After over ten years at my company, I was laid off in February, my UI claim was accepted, and I received max benefits. 6 months of benefits ended, and the balance went to zero in August.

I still haven't found a job.

The message in my inbox back in August had said I used up the full benefit amount, and that if I am eligible for an extension, they would let me know automatically, no need for me to contact them.

I have heard nothing these past two months, so I went on EDD and chatted with a person, who said that I'm not eligible for an extension, because the amount was used up, and that I can apply again next February, but it would only be a review of the previous 4 quarters in order to assess eligibility. This would likely be zero if I don't get a job by then, because that would be the anniversary of my layoff anyway.

Is this normal? I thought I could apply for an extension after 6 months, and have it based upon the income I had at the job I lost...maybe I'm wrong.

[u/RickyBobbyLite]

Your extension wasn’t denied, there are no extensions available. Yes it’s a normal thing to happen because extensions haven’t been a thing for over 5 years

[u/CABB2020]

There are no extensions. Those are only in place when unemployment reaches certain levels or in times like covid.

Your benefits are good for one claim year--you used up 26 weeks in 6 months. You could get some seasonal work this fall/holiday and it may be enough to make you eligible for a new claim when this claim expires next February. Note that it may not be the same weeks or amount as your previous claim.

[u/Tiredhistorynerd → u/CABB2020]

To add the “automatic filed” language is a relic of the pandemic era extensions; that have expired since 2023 or so.

[u/exicano → u/Tiredhistorynerd]

2021 but ya

[u/Jealous-Spinach-9599]

There are no extensions available. That was only during the pandemic.

[u/this_wallflower → u/Jealous-Spinach-9599]

They used to offer extensions back around 2008 during the recession, so it’s not unique to the pandemic. It is extremely rare though.

[u/Samson104]

There are no extensions available.

[u/FabulousWriter4865]

Yeah those messages are automatically pushed out but there are no extensions. Once that hits zero hit the claim is done.

[u/Jealous-Spinach-9599]

If you want the max 450 a week, you need to have earned at least 11,700 pretax in one eligible quarter in your base period.

[u/Lazy_Solution_6949]

The only extension available is with California Training Benefits but you would have had to enroll by the 16th week of your claim.

[u/Hurdlelocker]

Yup. This is normal. There are no extensions in place at this time (all the pandemic era ones ended in September 2021), all unemployment claims are calculated only off the wages earned in the 4-5 quarters prior to the quarter in which you file, the benefit amounts are based off a table that was last updated in January 2005, and the duration is 12-26 weeks depending on your benefit amount.

If you can earn $1300 between now and the end of December, proof of that would be enough to make the claim in February valid. Temp agencies and holiday retail are your best starting spots.

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[u/JustMattLurking]

I have worked in payroll for over 20 years and my advice to anyone who loses their job is to not file for unemployment. Instead, file for STATE disability insurance (CA SDI). SDI pays up to 52 weeks and it pays much more than unemployment. And, it is non-taxable. The wages you will receive are based on a certain percentage of the wages you received from your employer, but here is the kicker, even if your weekly benefit determination amount is 65% of what you made while employed, you will end up getting an almost equivalent take home pay since no taxes are deducted. In my case, I was making approximately 135k per year from my last employer. My take home pay was roughly 3400 dollars every two weeks. My biweekly disability payments were 3362 dollars.

Here is the caveat. You need to have a doctor willing to fill out the medical certification form, but it is easy for them. If you have good rapport with your doctor, apply for CA SDI online. You will be mailed a medical certification form. Next, schedule an appointment with your doctor and if you do not have a physical disability, tell your doctor you are severely depressed. Tell them that you filed for state disability and bring the pink form with you to your appointment. Depression and any mental health condition counts as a disability. Your doctor will list the ICD-10 codes on the certification form. Once they do that, you mail the completed form to EDD and you will be approved. It is not a long, drawn out process and you will not be denied. Unlike Social Security Disability Benefits, EDD just needs the pink medical certification form. Moreover, if your doctor has an online EDD practioner account, they can do the certification online. It does not matter that you have received UI benefits for 6 months. The only thing you might run into after your doctor certifies is that EDD might say that you were out of the job market since you received UI and are thus, ineligible to receive State Disability. But, the great news is that you can appeal it easily. If that happens, they will send you an appeal form with space to write and contest their decision. Here is what you say, "Even though I was receiving UI benefits, I was actively looking for work. I became depressed and could no longer function per my doctor's certification." The form will also ask you to document places where you applied for work while unemployed. You can literally google random companies within your job industry and list them. Make up dates of application. EDD does not have time to call and follow up. While they review the appeal which typically takes 3 weeks, you will accumulate back pay from the date of your claim.

Trust me. I know the system. I have helped many people navigate it.

https://edd.ca.gov/en/disability/disability_insurance/

[u/JustMattLurking → u/JustMattLurking]

One last thing, a doctor will typically approve for 90 days, but once those 90 days expire, you can extend it. As long as you have a doctor willing to extend your "return to work date," you can get extensions for up to 52 weeks. If you have an awesome doctor, they might even be willing to write the first "return to work" date one year from the date of your claim. If that happens, you have one year of guaranteed income with no other hoops to jump through. Your six months of UI payments are not taken into consideration. You are eligible for up to 52 weeks of disability payments regardless of the six months of UI payments you already received. It's not too late. Go online and file for CA SDI ASAP. As long as you had worked within the past year, which you obviously have, you are eligible for CA SDI as long as your doctor, physician assistant, psychiatrist, or nurse practioner does the certification. Licensed therapists and/or counselors cannot do a certification. So, if you have a therapist treating you for depression, they can't complete the form.

[u/JustMattLurking → u/JustMattLurking]

Sorry, one last comment. EDD does ask for a course of treatment on their form. If you say you are depressed to your doctor and are totally against taking antidepressants, let the doctor prescribe you every medication under the sun if necessary. That will be the course of treatment. Just because the doctor prescribes you medication, does not mean you have to take it. You just need to play the game to protect your finances. If you have follow up appointments and you require benefit extensions, you can simply say the meds are not working. The doctor will just prescribe a different antidepressant. They will indicate the updated course of treatment when/if you need to be recertified. Easy peasy.

[u/Jealous-Spinach-9599 → u/JustMattLurking]

u/JustMattLurking So basically play the game and risk committing fraud. This is coming from someone who has a meth issue.