Why did my Weekly Benefit Amount decrease drastically after one year? (extension, file)

[barbzba]

I received unemployment for one year and am about to enter my third tier extension. I received a Benefit Award Notice that states that my new weekly benefit amount will be less than half of my old weekly benefit amount. I imagine that they are calculating this based on the amount I made just prior to filing my initial claim. I have not worked since being on unemployment.

Before March of 2012 I had a full time, well paying job. From March until June, I only worked less than part time. For my first year of unemployment they were calculating my standard base rate with the period where I had a well paying job. For my new base rate I imagine they are calculating my WBA from the part time work.
Is it possible that they change my base period even if it is an extension?
Is an extension the same as a new claim altogether?

Would the Deferred New Claim Program be applicable in my case?


Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ariadne22]

You mention DNCP - I assume you are in California?

If this is a valid claim and the benefit is $100 or 25% lower than your previous benefit, CA will automatically transition you to DNCP, and will not pay the new claim until after you've exhausted EUC from the first claim. You should have received a letter on that.

Inasmuch as you have not worked, this probably is not a a valid claim. CA commonly sends out notices of new claims at the bye, only to invalidate them later.

Is it possible that they change my base period even if it is an extension?

CA is not changing your base period on an extension. You've reached your bye (benefit year end). CA is testing for new claiming eligibiity, which it is required to do, before continuing the extensions.

Is an extension the same as a new claim altogether?

No. See above.

I think you have an invalid claim. You will get another notice, probably next week, saying the claim is invalid.

If the claim is valid, CA will automatically transfer you to DNCP - you will get a letter on that, as well.

If you get claim forms for this new claim - which I don't think you will - call CA about DNCP. Call early in the am. CA is only answering phones 8-12. I think if you wait a few days this will resolve itself.

Use the suggestions on last few pages of this thread to get through if you need to call CA. Use 800 no., dial 5-1-1-0 - or 5-5-1-0.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/unemp...alifornia.html

[barbzba]

Thanks for your response. I did not mention that I had already received an invalid claim form before I received this new Award letter. Does this make any difference?
Thanks!

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by barbzba

Thanks for your response. I did not mention that I had already received an invalid claim form before I received this new Award letter. Does this make any difference?
Thanks!

Yes. Now we know you have an invalid claim. The letters just arrived at different times. CA confuses people all the time on this issue.

[that1man]

barbzba, did you ever get a new claim, an extension or whatever going? im in the same situation. i was able to file a new claim but now i only get half of what i was getting at first for 6 months

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by that1man

barbzba, did you ever get a new claim, an extension or whatever going? im in the same situation. i was able to file a new claim but now i only get half of what i was getting at first for 6 months

OP hasn't been on this board in three years, so she won't be answering you.

Your new claim is based on whatever you've earned during the first benefit year plus any LAG earnings from your other job not used in the first claim. Unless you had a very high unused quarter in LAG, the 2nd claim will naturally not be as large as the first.

CA bases the Weekly Benefit Amount on high quarter earnings.

So, look at your first claim. What was the highest quarter? Then look at total earnings in that first claim. The number of weeks you are paid is determined by dividing the WBA into 50% of the total earnings. You can receive up to 26 weeks benefits.

Now look at the high quarter for the current claim?
Then look at the total earnings?

In both cases, those amounts are lower. That is why your 2nd claim has a smaller weekly benefit. In addition, depending on the numbers involved, the claim may not pay a total of 26 weeks, either.