Can I collect EDD after receiving severance pay in January 2025?

You can definitely apply for unemployment after receiving severance, but there are some important things to know. In California, severance pay doesn't disqualify you from receiving EDD benefits, but it can affect WHEN you can start receiving them. Your part-time job will reduce your weekly benefit amount, not disqualify you completely. The EDD uses a formula where they subtract a portion of your part-time earnings from your weekly benefit amount. Make sure you report all income accurately when certifying!

when i got laid off they gave me 8 week severence and i still applied for edd right away. u should do that too. they'll ask about severence on the application just be honest. my part time gig reduced my benefits but i still got some money from edd every week

I'm going through this exact situation right now. Here's what I can tell you based on my experience: 1. Apply for EDD as soon as your job ends, even if you're getting severance. 2. Report your severance pay when you certify for benefits. 3. Your part-time job will reduce your weekly benefit amount but NOT disqualify you completely. 4. You'll need to certify for benefits every two weeks and report ANY income from your part-time job. The most important thing is being 100% honest about all income. EDD will eventually find out about any unreported income through tax records and that can lead to overpayment notices and penalties.

Exactly right! When you certify every two weeks, you'll report your severance pay for the specific weeks you receive it. For example, if you get a lump sum severance on January 15, you'd report that amount for that certification period. For your part-time job, you report those earnings for each week worked. Some companies distribute severance over multiple pay periods while others give one lump sum. The way your company handles it affects how you'll report it. FYI - getting through to EDD with questions can be nearly impossible due to high call volumes. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with an agent when I had questions about my severance reporting. They have a good video demo of how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Don't panic about your application - the online system walks you through everything step by step.

CAREFUL!!! My cousin got in huge trouble when he didn't report his severance correctly. EDD made him pay back all the benefits PLUS penalties! The whole system is designed to trap people and take back money. Just saying be super careful with how you report everything!!!!

I went thru a similar situation in 2023 when my job at the hospital closed. Here's what I learned: - Severance does NOT disqualify you from unemployment - Your part-time job earnings will reduce your weekly benefit but NOT disqualify you - You must CERTIFY for benefits every 2 weeks and honestly report ALL income - Make sure you satisfy the work search requirements each week The way EDD calculates partial benefits is: if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount, they subtract a portion of your earnings and pay you the difference. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount in a given week, you won't receive benefits for that week but your claim stays open.

Yes, you still need to meet the work search requirements even with your part-time job. Since you're considered partially employed, EDD expects you to be looking for full-time work to replace your lost income. Typically, you need to make at least 3 work search activities per week. These can include: - Applying for jobs - Submitting resumes - Going to job interviews - Registering with placement agencies - Networking for employment opportunities Keep a detailed record of all your work search activities in case EDD requests verification. They sometimes do random eligibility interviews to check that you're meeting the requirements.

This has all been so helpful! I think I understand now - I'll apply for EDD as soon as my job ends in January, be honest about my severance and part-time earnings when I certify, and make sure I'm doing enough job searching activities each week. One last question - is there a minimum number of hours I need to work at my part-time job to keep my claim active? I might have the opportunity to pick up more hours at the coffee shop while I'm job hunting.

im in same boat right now lol. my manager said my last day is feb 1 and im gettin 4 weeks severence. nobody told me nothin about how unemployment works with this stuff. thanks for askin this question im learning too!

Great advice from everyone here! I went through something similar last year and want to add a few practical tips: 1. Start gathering your employment documents NOW - pay stubs, tax forms, etc. You'll need these when filing your claim. 2. If your company offers any career transition services or job placement assistance as part of the severance package, take advantage of those. They often count toward your work search requirements. 3. Consider setting up direct deposit for your EDD payments when you apply. It's faster than waiting for debit cards or checks to arrive. 4. Screenshot or save confirmation pages when you certify online. Sometimes the system has glitches and having proof you submitted on time can save you headaches later. You're smart to plan ahead - January gives you time to get organized instead of scrambling after your last day. The combination of severance, part-time work, and EDD benefits should help bridge you to your next full-time opportunity. Don't panic, you've got this!

As someone who's been through the EDD process multiple times, I want to emphasize one thing that hasn't been mentioned yet - keep DETAILED records of everything! Create a simple spreadsheet or notebook to track: - Your severance payment dates and amounts - Every hour worked at your part-time job with exact earnings - All your work search activities (job applications, interviews, networking events) - Screenshots of your certification submissions I learned this the hard way when EDD requested documentation during an eligibility review. Having everything organized saved me weeks of stress trying to reconstruct my records. Also, if you haven't already, create your EDD online account now so you're familiar with the system before you actually need to file. The interface can be confusing when you're already stressed about losing your job. One more tip: if your severance comes as a lump sum, ask your HR department exactly which pay period it will be reported under for tax purposes. This helps you report it correctly on the right certification weeks. Good luck!