I just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I was in almost the exact same boat about 8 months ago - working at a restaurant (30 hrs/week) and doing part-time retail (12 hrs/week) when the restaurant suddenly shut down due to health code violations. Like so many others here, I had no idea partial unemployment was even a thing and almost didn't apply because I thought any remaining income would disqualify me completely. What really helped me was calling the EDD phone line (yes, it took forever to get through) and speaking with a representative who walked me through exactly how partial benefits work. They explained that since I lost the majority of my weekly income through no fault of my own, I absolutely qualified for help while searching for replacement hours. The application process was much more straightforward than I expected, and I've been receiving partial benefits for the past several months while building up my hours at a new job. For anyone still hesitating - this program exists specifically for situations like ours where you lose significant income but aren't completely unemployed. Don't let uncertainty stop you from getting the financial assistance you're entitled to during this transition period!

I'm really glad I found this thread! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where I lost my main job at a dental office (35 hrs/week) but still have my weekend job at a farmers market (8 hrs/week). I was completely unaware that partial unemployment benefits existed until I stumbled across this discussion. Reading through everyone's experiences has been so educational and encouraging - it's clear that this type of situation is exactly what these benefits are designed to address. I'm planning to apply this week and feel much more confident about the process after seeing so many success stories here. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and advice!

I'm new to this community and wanted to share something that might help since I just went through this exact situation last month. When my UI benefits were ending, I discovered that some counties have "Emergency Rental Assistance" programs specifically for people transitioning off unemployment benefits. These programs can provide 3-6 months of rental assistance while you're job searching, which takes a huge financial pressure off during the transition. I also found out that many food banks have "job seeker pantries" that provide not just food assistance, but also professional clothing, interview preparation help, and sometimes even gas cards for getting to interviews. The food bank in my area actually had a partnership with a local staffing agency that held monthly hiring events right at the food bank location. One resource that really surprised me was that some auto dealerships and car repair shops have "job seeker assistance" programs where they provide discounted or deferred maintenance services for people actively job hunting. Having reliable transportation is so crucial for interviews and starting a new job, but car problems can derail everything when you're already financially stressed. Finally, don't overlook your alumni network if you went to college - many career services offices provide lifetime job placement assistance to graduates, even decades later. I reconnected with my college career center and they had an alumni mentorship program that connected me with someone in corporate event planning who gave me invaluable advice about transitioning my skills to other industries. The transition off UI is scary, but there really are more safety nets available than most people realize. You just have to be willing to ask and explore every option. Hang in there!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that helped me when I was in a similar situation earlier this year. When my UI benefits were running out, I discovered that many hospitals and healthcare systems have "workforce development partnerships" with local employment agencies specifically for administrative and project coordination roles - and they often provide on-the-job training even if you don't have healthcare experience. What really helped me was that these programs often have accelerated hiring timelines because they're trying to fill critical support roles quickly. I ended up getting placed in a patient services coordination role that used all my event management skills - vendor coordination became medical equipment coordination, client management became patient relations, and timeline management translated perfectly to healthcare project deadlines. Many of these healthcare workforce programs also offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance, plus they typically have excellent benefits that start immediately. Even if healthcare isn't your target industry, it could provide stable income and work history while you continue looking for something more aligned with your career goals. I also wanted to mention that some credit unions offer "career transition loans" specifically for people whose UI benefits are ending - these have much better rates than regular personal loans and are designed to cover living expenses during job searches. My credit union even connected me with a financial counselor who helped me budget for the transition period. The healthcare industry really values organizational skills from event management, and there are way more opportunities than I initially realized. Don't overlook it as an option - it ended up being a great bridge for me and led to better long-term prospects than I expected!

Adding to what everyone has shared - as someone who's been through this process recently, I can confirm that the system is indeed funded by employer taxes, not your personal income taxes or general government funds. One thing that might help ease your mind is that since you were laid off (not fired for cause), your former employer shouldn't have any reason to contest your claim. Layoffs are considered "no-fault" separations, which is exactly what unemployment insurance is designed to cover. The fact that you worked there for 3 years also works in your favor - you've definitely earned these benefits through your work history. Don't feel guilty about collecting what you're entitled to!

Just wanted to add something that might help you feel more confident about your claim - California has some of the strongest worker protections when it comes to unemployment benefits. Since you mentioned you worked in retail for 3 years before being laid off, you've definitely built up sufficient work history and earnings to qualify. The EDD typically processes legitimate layoff claims pretty smoothly since there's no misconduct involved. One tip: make sure to keep any documentation from your employer about the layoff (like a termination letter or WARN notice if they provided one) just in case, but honestly, straightforward layoff cases rarely get contested. You've earned these benefits through your years of work, so don't hesitate to use them while you're job searching!

Just following up - were you able to get clarity on this? For anyone finding this thread later, here's the official word: According to the EDD's UI benefit determination guide, distributions from qualified retirement plans (including 401k, IRA, etc.) are NOT considered wages for UI purposes. These distributions should not affect your weekly benefit amount. However, ongoing pension payments (not one-time distributions) might reduce your benefits, depending on whether your base period employer contributed to that pension. The safest approach is always to report and let EDD make the determination rather than risk an overpayment situation.

Great to hear you got confirmation from EDD! This is such a common source of confusion for people dealing with layoffs. Your experience perfectly illustrates why it's worth the hassle of getting through to an actual representative when you're unsure - better to get the official word than stress about it or potentially miss out on benefits you're entitled to. Thanks for following up with the resolution - this thread will definitely help others in similar situations!

I just went through this exact situation last month and it was absolutely horrible! The waiting is torture when you can see your money sitting there but can't access it. Here's what finally worked for me: I called Money Network at exactly 8 AM PST (as Paolo suggested) and got through in about 25 minutes instead of hours. When I got a rep, I specifically asked to speak with a supervisor about "emergency card replacement due to financial hardship" - those exact words that Paige mentioned are key! The supervisor was actually sympathetic and expedited my card for free (normally $15) because I explained I was about to be evicted. It arrived in 2 business days. Also, while waiting, I used the 211 helpline tip and got connected to a local food pantry that helped with groceries. Don't give up - be persistent with the calls and try multiple approaches. The system is broken but there are people who will help if you keep pushing. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to this exact problem! Currently on day 7 waiting for my Money Network card and reading through this entire thread has been both incredibly helpful and deeply frustrating - helpful because of all the amazing tips everyone shared, but frustrating because it's clear this is a widespread systemic issue that shouldn't exist in 2025. I'm going to try several of the suggestions here: calling at 8 AM sharp using the "emergency card replacement due to financial hardship" language, checking with my credit union about emergency loans, and calling 211 for local assistance. It's honestly heartbreaking that people have to become experts in workarounds just to access their own unemployment benefits when they're already in vulnerable situations. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread is like a masterclass in surviving the Money Network nightmare. Hoping we all get our cards soon and can switch to direct deposit to never deal with this again!