The law defines equivalent wages as either: First. base period earnings equal to 1112 times the wages earned in the highest quarter of the base period. or second. base period earnings equal to 40 times the claimants weekly benefit amount. In determining eligibility for the extended compensation program. most States must choose only one of three methods to apply to all cases. In California. the legislature chose the 40 times weekly benefit formula. This formula benefits a majority of the claimants who file for emergency benefits. however. it denies people who are seasonal and migrant workers. These workers earnings are simply not high enough in the specified base period. They qualify for State benefits but they dont qualify under EUCA for emergency Federal benefits.