CA unemployment: reopen claim

[Smartkaz]

Hi, I accepted work for an ongoing commission-only job as an independent contractor. Some weeks I'm working full time and others I am not--some weeks I make more than my previous benefit amount and others I make less or none. My question is: can I reopen my claim (I believe the claim period is still ongoing since it was in March that I started working) and collect benefits on weeks that I make little to no money?

[Ariadne22]

Originally Posted by Smartkaz

Hi, I accepted work for an ongoing commission-only job as an independent contractor.

Some weeks I'm working full time

You are not allowed to claim benefits when you are working full-time - whether or NOT you have earned any money that week.

California defines full-time as:

For the purposes of determining UI eligibility, full-time work in a week consists of the number of hours considered to be the standard or customary workweek for an occupation in a geographic or labor market area.

http://www.edd.ca.gov/uibdg/Total_an...ment_TPU_5.htm

Originally Posted by Smartkaz

others I am not--

You can reopen the claim, report the hours worked and gross earnings for the week - WHETHER OR NOT PAID - CA will pay its partial benefit - which means CA deducts 75% of your gross earnings (whether or not paid) from your benefit and pays the difference.

Originally Posted by Smartkaz

some weeks I make more than my previous benefit amount

Don't claim that week, or report earnings. CA will close the claim, you will need to call CA to reopen.

Originally Posted by Smartkaz

others I make less or none.

You can claim that week, report hours worked and gross earnings - WHETHER OR NOT PAID.

Originally Posted by Smartkaz

My question is: can I reopen my claim (I believe the claim period is still ongoing since it was in March that I started working) and collect benefits on weeks that I make little to no money?

Your current benefit year expires in March 2016. Yes, you can reopen the claim, report hours worked and earnings. CA will pay as per above.

CA Handbook, here:

http://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de1275a.pdf

It clearly explains how you are to claim benefits when working.

[mikem2016]

How long does it take to reopen a claim? I reopen mine online after not collecting for a few weeks. How quick will they make my ui benifits go active again?

[Chyvan]

The best and fastest way is to call EDD. I know it's a pain, but it's the surest way to be able to resume filing your biweekly claim forms. Just too many prior posts on this issue that the online submission just doesn't seem to work reliably.