Can I collect Social Security and unemployment at the same time in California?

This is such a relief to hear. So EDD won't reduce my weekly benefit amount because I'm getting Social Security? They're completely separate?

Completely separate as far as California EDD is concerned. You do need to report your Social Security income when you initially file your claim, but it will not reduce your weekly benefit amount. The only income that typically affects your weekly UI benefit is wages from actual work you perform during the benefit week.

wait really?? i thought they took half your social security out of your unemployment check or something. learned something new today

Got it. And I do need to be doing the job search activities right? Like logging my work search contacts each week?

Yes, California EDD requires you to complete a minimum number of work search activities each week. Currently it's typically three job search activities per week. Keep a log of what you do — employer name, contact method, position applied for, date — because EDD can audit your work search records at any time. Don't skip this step just because you're also on Social Security.

this is the part that trips people up. the work search requirement is real and they do check. my buddy got disqualified for a few weeks because he wasn't keeping records

The voluntary separation issue is exactly what I'm worried about. My paperwork says 'voluntary' even though we were given like zero real choice. Did you have to provide documentation to prove it wasn't truly voluntary?

Yes. I wrote a detailed statement explaining that the 'voluntary' separation was part of a reduction in force, that my position would have been eliminated regardless, and that the company used the voluntary package framing to avoid formal layoffs. I also attached any emails or documents that supported this. EDD does consider involuntary separations that are framed as voluntary — they look at the underlying circumstances.

This is really important context. EDD adjudication on voluntary separations can take extra time but the key question they're asking is whether you had a real choice. Being told your role is being eliminated and offered a package to leave quietly is generally treated as a layoff for UI purposes.

I've been trying to call EDD for days too. That phone system is absolutely brutal. I'll look into this, thank you.

i used claimyr when my claim was stuck in adjudication. got through in like 2 hours instead of the usual week of trying. definitely worth it if you need an actual human answer

Does this actually work? I'm always skeptical of third party stuff when it comes to government agencies

I get the skepticism, totally had it too. But it just automates the hold process — you don't give it anything sensitive. It literally just waits on hold and calls you back. Saved me probably 10+ hours of attempts.

So neither program reduces the other? It really is just completely separate in California?

Correct. Report your Social Security income when you initially set up your EDD claim as you would any other income source, but going forward it doesn't factor into your weekly certification calculations. The thing that DOES matter for weekly certifications is if you earn any wages from part-time or temporary work during a benefit week — that WILL be deducted based on EDD's formula.

What IS the formula for part time work? I always get confused about how much you can earn before it starts reducing your check

Please file! Don't leave that money on the table. You have up to 12 months from your benefit year start date to collect on an approved claim. There's absolutely no reason not to file if you lost your job through no fault of your own.

ok filing tomorrow. thank you for this. do i apply before or after i start social security? does timing matter?

Timing doesn't really matter for the California EDD interaction with Social Security. Apply for UI as soon as possible after losing your job regardless of where you are in your Social Security timeline — delays in filing can delay your benefit year start date and cost you weeks of benefits.

I am genuinely looking for work. I'm not ready to fully retire and honestly the income helps. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything correctly.

Then you're in good shape. Keep your job search log current, do your three activities per week, certify on time every two weeks, and report any wages from work accurately. You'll be fine collecting both.

three activities per week has been the requirement for a while now right? i remember during covid it was suspended but it came back

Yes I did disclose it when I filed. Glad to hear that was the right move.

Perfect. Disclosing it upfront and having it reviewed is way better than it being flagged later. Your claim should be straightforward from that standpoint.

Yep that's correct in California. The policy rationale is that Social Security is something workers paid into throughout their careers — it's not means-tested income, it's deferred compensation essentially. So California decided it shouldn't penalize workers for receiving benefits they earned when calculating UI. Other income types like pension payments can sometimes reduce UI depending on circumstances, but Social Security retirement specifically does not.

huh. what about pension payments? i've heard those can be different

Pension payments are more complicated. If the pension is from a base period employer — meaning the same employer you're filing the UI claim based on — it can potentially reduce your weekly benefit amount depending on who contributed to the pension. EDD looks at whether your former employer contributed to the pension fund. Social Security is different because it's federal, universal, and contributed to by employees across all employers.

Mine is retirement benefits so I think I'm in the clearer category. Good to know about the disability distinction though.

Yeah the disability situation is way more complicated because SSDI by definition means SSA considers you unable to work, which conflicts with EDD's requirement that you be able and available for work. Retirement is straightforward.

This is a really important distinction that doesn't get mentioned enough. SSDI vs retirement is night and day for UI eligibility purposes.

Yeah I'm mentally preparing for adjudication on that front. Do they reach out during adjudication or do you just wait?

usually just wait. they might send you a notice asking for more information or scheduling a phone interview. check your UI Online account regularly and also your postal mail because some notices still come by paper letter

If they schedule a phone interview for adjudication, PLEASE make sure you answer. Missing that call can seriously delay your claim. If you miss it and can't get through to reschedule, that's another situation where something like Claimyr (claimyr.com) comes in handy to actually reach a live EDD agent to fix it.

i was literally one of those people before this thread lol. would have just not filed

exactly my point. the information barrier IS the barrier for a lot of people. EDD should have like a plain-language FAQ on their website that specifically addresses common misconceptions like this one

There is actually some information about this on the EDD website but it's buried and not prominently communicated. You're right that it should be clearer — this question comes up constantly.

Oh this is really helpful. So on the weekly certifications I should NOT be reporting my Social Security as income earned that week?

Correct. Social Security is not 'wages' in EDD's context. You already disclosed it during your initial claim application. For weekly certifications, the income question refers to wages earned from employment. If EDD wants clarification on your Social Security it'll come from the initial disclosure, not the weekly certs.

This is accurate and important. Don't double-report your Social Security on every weekly certification. Report it once during initial setup and then only report actual wages from work on certifications going forward.

Good practical tip. The wording of those weekly certification questions can definitely trip people up, especially the 'did you receive any income this week' type questions.

I've been going back and forth on calling vs just trusting what's on the website. Might just use this to get a definitive answer for my peace of mind.

For something like this where you're worried about getting it wrong, hearing it directly from an EDD rep is worth it. The forum advice here is solid but your own specific claim details might have nuances worth clarifying.

Oh interesting — part time work history still counts for UI qualification?

Yes, as long as you earned enough during the base period to qualify. EDD looks at your wages over approximately the 12-18 months prior to filing. Part time wages count. The weekly benefit amount will be lower if your wages were lower, but you can still qualify.

Correct. The base period wage threshold in California is relatively low — you just need to have earned sufficient wages in enough calendar quarters. Part-time work over several years can absolutely meet that threshold.

Good point. I hadn't even thought about the tax angle. I'll mention it to my accountant.

Yeah the programs don't interact with each other in terms of benefit calculation, but for federal income tax purposes both are reportable income. EDD will send you a 1099-G for your unemployment benefits. Social Security has its own reporting. Just something to plan for.

Also you can actually request voluntary federal tax withholding from your EDD benefit payments to avoid a big bill at tax time. I think it's 10% federal. Worth considering.

I'm 62 so yes taking it early. I hadn't thought about the earnings limit angle if I actually find part time work while on UI.

worth looking into with SSA directly. the 2025 earnings limit is something like $22,000 per year before they start withholding SS dollars. UI benefits don't count toward that limit but actual wages from work would

This is accurate — SSA has an annual earnings test for early retirees. UI benefits are explicitly excluded from that test but wages from work are not. Good thing to monitor if you pick up any employment while collecting UI.

Yes I'll definitely update. Currently in week 2 of waiting with the claim showing as pending. Still completing my weekly certifications and job search log. Will report back when something moves.

Good luck! Based on my experience with a similar voluntary separation situation, just document everything and be patient. The adjudication process for these cases is slower but the outcomes for reduction-in-force packages are usually favorable.

Thanks for committing to update. These follow-up posts are genuinely helpful for everyone who searches this topic later.

This is reassuring. I am genuinely available and looking. Some days I wonder if EDD will somehow question that given my age and SS situation but you're right I shouldn't overthink it.

EDD doesn't age-discriminate in its eligibility determinations. Available and seeking work is available and seeking work. Keep your records, answer honestly, and collect what you're entitled to.

this is the right take. people second guess themselves out of benefits they earned and deserve. the system is hard enough without psyching yourself out

Exactly. The rules are the rules. You paid into this system throughout your working life. If you meet the eligibility criteria, collect your benefits without guilt or second-guessing.