Hello,

I was laid off in April 2008. I did not claim for unemployment until Jan 2009 since I was receiving severance from my employer. I was actively looking for job since September 2008. My unemployment benefit is approved with effective date as December first week because when I filed by calling the UC center I asked them if I can file an earlier effective date.
But now when I am looking at the unemployment benefit that is approved, it will miss one entire quarter that I worked since they consider first 4 quarters of last 5 completed quarters. If I have effective date as some time before september 30 then I would have worked all 4 quarters they consider 2nd, 3rd, 4th quarter of 2007 and first quarter of 2008.
I still have time to petition the approved claim. Can I petition for earlier effective date?

thanks

I couldn't find anything in the law or regulations, but I think I remember in my particular case, a representative from the DLI stating that was a possibility, but I didn't get under what circumstances. The only thing I can think of is to call them (and, if I may suggest, call after 4:30 or so, maybe you'll get into the queue).

If the petition gets denied, can it have negative impact on my benefits?

I'm not sure what "negative effects" you're thinking of. It would just mean that the standard base period determination would continue to apply.

Thank you for the answers. I will try calling them.

Thank you for the answers. I will try calling them.

Good luck. They have expanded their calling hours until, I think it's 6:30 or 7:30 on weeknights and some offices are even open on Saturdays. I tried 8-10 times a day for two weeks before I finally even got into the call queue. And that, again, was by calling about 4:45, 5 p.m., somewhere around there.