California Unemployment Extension

California unemployment extension is a program where you can get extended benefits if you have used all your regular unemployment benefits.  In July 2008, Federal legislation established a law that provides up to 13 weeks of extended benefits.  In November 2008, new legislation added up to 7 more weeks.  This makes it possible to get extended benefits for up to 20 weeks.  The new legislation provided a second extension for up to 13 weeks, but this extension only applies to high unemployment states like California.  If you’re eligible and live in California or another high employment state, then you may qualify for a total of 33 weeks of extended benefits.  According to the new legislation, the new added benefits are only payable for weeks beginning on or after November 23, 2008.

For a California unemployment extension, you will notified by the Employment Development Department to fill out an application if the additional extended benefits or the second extension is relevant to you.  You can apply for the extended benefits before you receive a notification.  If you aren’t receiving regular unemployment insurance benefits and still not working, then you can apply for extended benefits anytime.  The same application that is used for regular unemployment benefits can be used for extended benefits.  It’s required that all the benefits of your current claim are collected before you can file for federal extended benefits.

You can file for a California unemployment extension on or after July 6, 2008 if it’s your first extension.  Necessary requirements include:  a regular UI claim has been completely collected; you’re not qualified to file a new regular claim, and you had a legitimate claim that began on or after May 7, 2006.  You may be eligible to file a second extension claim after you collected all the benefits on your first claim.  You can apply online or call the EDD to find out if you’re eligible for either the first or second unemployment claim.

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