California and FED ED problem (based on old claim from 2008)

I had just exhausted my regular 26-week claim of which I had benefits of $365/week. I had been working on and off so that 26-week claim actually lasted me quite a bit. I was about to start my first extension (Tier 1) when suddenly EDD tells me that my benefits would not be $365/week, but rather a mere $104/week. They cited that it was due to me continuing my extension all the way from 2008, instead of using the last open claim that just got exhausted. I only have $700 until I exhausted this old 2008 extension. But then if I hit Tier 2, Tier 3, etc it would all still be the much-lower $108/week.

My question is simple: Is there anything that I can do to fight their decision on putting me on an extension from more than 3 years ago? I find it outrageous and clearly I have worked more since that year/that claim. They said my only option is to wait until April until I can start a new claim. That is 5 months away and to be honest, I was barely getting by as is. Now that my benefits would be more than 3x less, I do not see how I could reasonably survive.

Any advice? Is this common? I read a few other horror stories on here so I am curious if there is a solution other than hoping to survive 5 months on benefits 3x less than my last claim (most current employers).

Thanks in advance!