What Do I Need if My Unemployment Claim Has Expired in California?

A claim for unemployment insurance benefits expires 12 months from the effective date of your claim. However, extension benefits may permit you to collect unemployment insurance benefits for up to 99 weeks. If you are not eligible for extension benefits, and your regular claim expires, you are no longer entitled to collect unemployment insurance benefits.

In California, an unemployment insurance claim expires after 12 months and pays up to 26 weeks of regular benefits. The California Employment Development Department determines whether you are entitled to collect unemployment insurance benefits based on past quarterly earnings. The maximum benefits amount is $450 per week.

After you exhaust your regular benefits, you may receive up to 73 weeks of additional benefits. Federal extension benefits are disbursed through four tiers. A separate extension of benefits known as the FED-ED extension is also available to qualified workers. You may collect up to 99 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits under one claim.

Twenty additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits are payable under the first tier of federal extension. Fourteen additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits are payable under the second tier federal extension. Thirteen additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits are payable under the third tier of federal extension. And six additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits are payable under the fourth tier of federal extension.

The California Employment Development Department automatically files your federal extension claims to avoid delay or loss of benefits. Complete your weekly claim form and work search log to maintain your eligibility status. Once you've exhausted all federal extension benefits, you are no longer able to collect unemployment insurance benefits.