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EDD benefits if I refuse work with drastic schedule change and 40% pay cut
Hey everyone, I'm in a tough situation with my job and trying to figure out my EDD options. My company is 'restructuring' and my position is being eliminated, but they're offering me an alternative role with pretty major changes. I'd go from M-F 6am-3pm to a completely variable schedule (potentially including weekends) AND they want to cut my pay by about 40%! With daycare costs, I'd basically be working to pay for childcare or barely breaking even. I'm wondering if I can refuse this offer without losing unemployment eligibility? Also, if I start applying to positions at other companies that are closer to my previous salary and would work with daycare hours, would that satisfy the work search requirements while I'm on unemployment? Has anyone dealt with something similar? Thanks for any advice!
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EDD denied my benefits when school started - can they do this with my IHSS job loss?
I'm really stressed and confused about my unemployment situation. I had two jobs - one at a local elementary school (part-time, about 20 hours a week) and another as an IHSS provider (15-18 hours weekly) for an elderly client. Unfortunately, my IHSS client passed away last month, so I lost a significant chunk of my income. I applied for partial unemployment benefits since I still have my school job, and initially got approved! I was so relieved. However, I just spoke with an EDD operator who told me that once the new school year starts in August, I'll be completely ineligible for benefits because I need to be 'totally unemployed' to qualify. This doesn't make sense to me - I genuinely lost one of my jobs through no fault of my own. Shouldn't I be eligible for partial unemployment to cover the lost IHSS income? Has anyone dealt with this type of situation before? Is the EDD rep correct or should I try to speak with someone else?
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this happened to my friend and she had to appeal because they denied her claim at first. dont give up if they say no!
That's good to know. How long did her appeal process take? I'm worried about bills in the meantime.
Since you mentioned your client passed away, just to give you another option: have you looked into whether there are other IHSS clients you could work with to replace those hours? Sometimes the IHSS office can help match providers with clients in need. That way you wouldn't have to worry about the unemployment situation at all.
That's a great suggestion I hadn't thought of! I'll definitely reach out to the IHSS office to see if they have any clients in my area. In the meantime, I still want to sort out this unemployment situation since finding a new client might take some time. Thank you!
EDD eligibility interview confusion after employer misreported my termination reason
I'm seriously worried about my unemployment claim right now. I was terminated from my job when I asked for an extension on my maternity leave (which I believe was illegal). However, when I filed for unemployment, I discovered my employer reported that I was 'laid off due to lack of work' which completely contradicts what actually happened. Now EDD has flagged a conflict in my application and scheduled a phone interview. I already have an employment attorney working on a possible wrongful termination case, but I'm confused about how this will affect my unemployment benefits. Has anyone dealt with conflicting termination reasons on their EDD claim? What typically happens after the eligibility interview in cases like this? Will I need to get my attorney involved with EDD too?
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Just wanted to add - if your interview doesn't go well and you get denied, don't give up! The appeal process actually has a pretty good success rate. Almost 50% of appeals get reversed in the claimant's favor. Just make sure you request the appeal within the 30-day window.
UPDATE: I had my eligibility interview yesterday. The interviewer was actually really thorough and let me explain everything. They asked for specific dates and details about my leave request and termination. I provided the email where I requested the extension and my termination letter. They said they'd be contacting my employer for follow-up and I should receive a determination in 7-10 days. My attorney prepped me well for the questions. Fingers crossed! Thank you all for the advice and support.
Sounds like you handled it perfectly! Keep us posted on the outcome. Based on what you've shared, I think you have a good chance of approval.
EDD denied benefits after interview despite reduced hours at school - appeal form confusion
I'm completely lost after my EDD phone interview last week! The interviewer told me I wouldn't qualify for regular UI benefits because of my school job, but mentioned I'd still be eligible for some other type of benefit (she used a specific term but I can't remember what it was). She said I'd get more info in 7-10 days. Well, I just received a letter completely DENYING me with an appeal form attached! No mention of that other benefit type she talked about. I've called EDD at least 15 times trying to get clarification, but can't get through to an actual person. Just endless recordings and disconnections. My situation: I work at a local elementary school and have received "reasonable assurance" of returning next school year, BUT my hours are being cut from full-time (40hrs) to on-call substitute work with maybe 10-15 hours weekly. My income will drop by about 70%! The interviewer seemed to understand this was a significant reduction and said that's why I'd qualify for some type of partial benefit. Should I file the appeal? Wait longer? Keep trying to call? I'm getting really anxious since my full-time pay ends next week. Any advice appreciated!
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ya this happns alot with school workers. my neighbor works as a janitor at highschool and got hours cut last year and had to appeal twice b4 getting benefits. keep trying to call them cuz sometimes they can fix it without appeal if u get a good person
Thanks for sharing that. I'll definitely keep trying to call alongside filing the appeal. It's good to know that your neighbor eventually got it resolved!
One more important tip: When you file your appeal, request a telephone hearing rather than in-person if that's an option. Telephone hearings are typically scheduled faster, sometimes 2-3 weeks sooner than in-person hearings. This can make a big difference when you're waiting for benefits to start. Also, don't stop looking for additional work while this process plays out. If you find other employment to supplement your reduced school hours, you may still qualify for partial benefits depending on how much you earn each week. Make sure to report all work and earnings accurately when certifying.
Can't get through to EDD by phone and unable to recover old account - help!
I'm at my wit's end trying to contact EDD! My husband needs to reopen his claim but we've been hitting roadblocks everywhere. We've been calling since exactly 8:00am this morning, taking turns dialing nonstop, and keep getting the dreaded 'we're experiencing high call volume' message before it hangs up. We tried logging into his UI Online account but he created it years ago (probably around 2019) and completely forgot the password. The password recovery asks for the amount of his last payment which is impossible to remember from so long ago. We don't have any old paperwork with that information either. Has anyone found a backdoor method to either: 1) Actually get through to a real person on the phone, or 2) Recover an ancient UI Online account when you don't remember payment amounts? Getting desperate here!
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One more thing I forgot to mention... if all else fails you can actually fax EDD a written request to reset your account! I know it sounds ancient but my neighbor did this when she couldn't get through on the phone or recover her password. Send it to the UI Online support fax number.
fax? what is this, 1995? 😂 but seriously if it works it works i guess
Government agencies still use fax extensively. It's often faster than mail and creates a paper trail. The UI Online support fax number is 1-855-726-5608 for account reset requests. They typically respond within 3-5 business days.
UPDATE: Success! We tried the Spanish queue trick this morning and got through after only 15 minutes on hold! The rep was super helpful and was able to both reset the UI Online account AND file the new claim all in one call. She said they've been having major phone system issues this week which is why it's been even harder than usual to get through. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions - this community is amazing!
Great to hear! That Spanish queue trick works almost every time. Glad you got it sorted out.
nice!! gonna remember that trick for next time
Laila Fury
The EDD system is such BS!!! They always side with employers and make it impossible for regular people to get benefits we PAID INTO. I went through something similar and had to appeal THREE TIMES before getting approved. The whole system is rigged against workers!!!
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Josef Tearle
While I understand your frustration, I don't think this kind of response is helpful to the OP's specific situation. They're asking for practical advice on navigating the system as it exists, not commentary on its fairness.
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Laila Fury
OK fine whatever. @OP just be ready for a fight. Document EVERYTHING. Record your eligibility interview if they let you. Don't trust anything they say verbally without getting it in writing.
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Chris Elmeda
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to draft a formal letter declining the position and clearly outlining the reasons (40% pay cut, variable schedule incompatible with childcare, etc.). I'll gather documentation about my childcare costs to show how the new position would be financially impossible. Just to clarify one more thing - a few of you mentioned an eligibility interview. How long does it typically take to get scheduled for one after filing my claim? I'm trying to budget for how long we might be waiting for benefits to start coming in.
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Quinn Herbert
Currently, eligibility interviews are taking about 2-3 weeks to schedule after your initial claim is filed, but it can vary depending on case volume. Make sure you still certify for benefits every two weeks even while waiting for the interview. If you're ultimately found eligible, you'll receive back payments for all weeks you certified for.
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Chris Elmeda
AuthorGreat, that's really helpful to know. I'll make sure to keep certifying while waiting for the interview. Hopefully the process goes smoothly!
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