Can I claim UI benefits when employer reduced hours to zero but didn't officially lay me off?

Yes! This is exactly what partial UI benefits are for. When your employer reduces your hours involuntarily, you can absolutely file. The technical term is being "partially unemployed" and EDD specifically covers this situation. I went through this last year when my retail job cut me from 30 hours to 8 hours weekly. Just be ready to report ANY earnings from your main job when you certify every two weeks. EDD will calculate how much partial benefit you qualify for based on your total earnings. Don't hide income or you'll end up with an overpayment notice later!

they might flag ur claim for a eligibility interview btw. happened to me when my boss cut my hrs. edd wants to make sure u didnt like quit or get fired for misconduct. just be honest and ull be fine.

This is called a "lack of work" situation and yes, you absolutely qualify for UI benefits. When you file your claim, make sure to select "Still working but hours reduced" as your reason for separation. EDD will send your employer a notice about your claim so they can verify you didn't quit or get fired. Just be aware that if your earnings from your main job exceed a certain amount each week, you might not qualify for benefits that week. EDD uses a formula where they deduct a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit amount. Also make sure you're meeting the work search requirements. Since you're still partially employed, EDD might only require you to be "available for work" rather than actively seeking new jobs, but check your specific claim details to be sure.

I HATE when employers do this!!! It's a sneaky way to avoid layoffs while basically cutting you completely. They keep you on as "employed" so they don't have to pay as much into the unemployment insurance system. My cousin got stuck in this exact situation for MONTHS with a restaurant job. File for UI immediately and don't feel bad about it. That's literally what the system is for. Your employer doesn't want to make the tough decision to actually lay you off? Fine, the UI system will protect you anyway.

Have you tried calling EDD directly to ask? Good luck with that lol... I spent 3 weeks trying to get through to ask a similar question and kept getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message before it hung up on me. So frustrating!!

My daughters friend had same situation at a salon. They just stopped putting her on schedule but wouldn't fire her. She filed for UI and got approved no problem. Just be honest about everything and report all income when you certify every two weeks.

One more important thing - make sure you understand how the EDD calculates your benefit amount with partial employment. They use this formula: If you earn less than $100, they'll deduct 25% of what you earn from your weekly benefit amount. If you earn more than $100, they'll deduct 25% of $100 (which is $25) PLUS 100% of anything over $100. So if your weekly benefit amount is $300 and you earn $250 from your main job, they would deduct $25 (25% of the first $100) plus $150 (the amount over $100) for a total deduction of $175. You'd receive $125 in UI benefits that week ($300-$175). It gets complicated so just report accurately and let them do the math!

dont forget id.me verification when u apply its a pain but required now

Based on your situation, I think you'll have a straightforward claim. The key things to remember are: 1. Apply immediately - benefits aren't retroactive before your filing date 2. Select "still employed with reduced hours" as your reason 3. Report ALL earnings during certification (even small amounts) 4. Complete the ID.me verification promptly 5. Be prepared for a possible eligibility interview 6. Keep detailed records of your hours reduction Your fitness studio employer may try to contest your claim, but as long as you're truthful about the situation, EDD will likely rule in your favor. This is a textbook case of partial unemployment.

Just want to add - when you file online, make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment records handy. The system will ask for specific dates when your hours were reduced, so if you have any texts or emails from your boss about removing your class from the schedule, keep those as documentation. Also, don't stress too much about the application process. The online portal walks you through everything step by step. The hardest part is usually just getting started, but once you submit that initial claim, you'll feel so much better knowing you're taking action to protect your finances during this frustrating situation.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year with a yoga studio! They "temporarily" suspended my classes due to "scheduling changes" but kept me as an employee. I was so confused about whether I could file for UI, but it turned out to be a straightforward partial unemployment claim. One thing I wish I had known - start documenting everything NOW. Screenshot any texts or emails about the hour reduction, save your old schedules showing your regular hours, and keep records of any conversations about when (or if) they might bring your class back. EDD may ask for this information during the eligibility review. Also, don't let your employer make you feel guilty about filing. You paid into the unemployment insurance system through your payroll taxes, and this is exactly what it's designed for. They made a business decision that affected your income - you have every right to seek benefits to bridge the gap. The good news is partial UI claims are usually processed faster than full unemployment claims since you're still working. Just be super accurate with your earnings reporting and you should be fine!