Confused about EDD UI claim after partial return from SDI - IHSS worker with reduced hours

i had something similear happen wit my ihss clients. u dont need the EXACT start date just get it close as possible like month/year. for the earning just look at ur old paystubs or bank statements

You're in what's called a "partial unemployment" situation, which is actually quite common for IHSS workers. Here's how to handle it: 1. For start dates: Month and year is sufficient if you can't remember the exact date. EDD just needs a general timeframe. 2. For earnings: The best approach is to gather your wage statements from the past 18 months. For IHSS, you can request your payment history from your county IHSS office. For respite care, request a wage history from your employer. 3. For overtime explanation: In the "Additional Information" section, clearly explain that you previously worked over 40 hours weekly with multiple IHSS clients which generated overtime pay, but now you're working reduced hours with only one client. 4. For variable respite hours: Report the average weekly hours and note in the additional section that hours vary week to week. You qualify for partial unemployment if your hours/wages have been reduced through no fault of your own, which is exactly your situation with the lost IHSS client.

Yes, the county IHSS office should be able to provide a breakdown by recipient (client). When you call, specifically request a "payment history by recipient" for the quarters they're asking about. Regarding the additional information section - it does have character limitations, but you can keep it concise while hitting the key points. Something like: "Previously worked 57 hours weekly across 2 IHSS clients + respite care, including regular overtime. One IHSS client lost services while I was on SDI. Now working 36 hours weekly without overtime. Seeking partial unemployment while searching for additional clients." If the online system doesn't let you fully explain, document everything thoroughly for yourself in case you need it for a phone interview later.

I'm actually in the middle of this EXACT situation right now! Lost a client while I was on disability for back surgery, and I'm trying to get partial unemployment too. I've been trying to reach someone at EDD for THREE WEEKS to explain the IHSS overtime situation but it's completely impossible to get through on their phone lines. I keep getting disconnected or stuck on hold for 3+ hours before the call drops. I finally gave up trying to call them directly.

I actually found a solution! After weeks of frustration, I used a service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. Basically they call EDD for you and then connect you when they reach a real person. Was totally worth it because the agent was able to walk me through exactly how to file with my complicated IHSS situation. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd and their website is claimyr.com. The EDD rep I spoke to actually understood the IHSS overtime rules (miracle!) and explained exactly how to document everything correctly.

As an IHSS worker for 12+ years, here's my practical advice on your partial unemployment situation: 1. For the start date: EDD primarily needs this to establish your base period for calculating benefits. If you've been working steadily since 2019, being off by a month won't impact your claim. Just use your best estimate. 2. For IHSS earnings: Contact your Public Authority and request a wage statement breakdown by client. This is MUCH faster than going through the county. They can usually email it to you within 24-48 hours. 3. For the overtime explanation: EDD systems ARE designed to handle this, but the form doesn't make it obvious. When reporting wages, include your straight time AND overtime separately for each pay period. The key is consistency in reporting. 4. For variable respite work: Report actual earnings for each week. If you don't have records, request them from your respite agency's payroll department immediately. Don't stress too much about perfect accuracy on the initial claim. EDD will verify everything with employer records and adjust if needed. The important thing is filing promptly since benefits aren't retroactive beyond your filing week.

Ask the Public Authority specifically for an "IHSS Provider Earnings Statement by Recipient" - that's the official name. Most Public Authorities now have an online portal where you can access these statements yourself without waiting. As for filing, I recommend completing the online application first, even if it's not perfect. This establishes your claim date. Then try to speak with an EDD representative to clarify the details. The online system is limited in how it handles complex situations like yours, but filing online gets you in the system faster. One more tip: In the section asking about "reason for separation" from your lost IHSS client, select "Laid Off/Reduction in Force" NOT "Job Ended" - this classification matters for how EDD processes your claim.

ok but what about the disability?? u said u just went back from SDI? make SURE u report that properly because they will check if the dates overlap and if u mess that up they will come after u for FRAUD. happened to my sister and they made her pay back thousands!!!!!

I'm going through something similar right now - just started working as an IHSS provider and the whole system is so confusing! Reading through everyone's advice here is really helpful. I had no idea about the Public Authority earnings statements or that you could select "Laid Off" for losing a client. One question - for those of you who've been through this process, how long did it typically take from filing your partial unemployment claim to actually receiving benefits? I'm worried about the gap between losing income and getting any assistance, especially since it sounds like EDD might need multiple follow-ups to get everything sorted correctly. Also, does anyone know if there are any advocacy organizations that help IHSS workers navigate these kinds of benefit issues? It seems like we face unique challenges that the standard EDD system isn't really designed for.