Can I collect unemployment while on leave of absence from my job in California?

That's helpful context thank you. I did initiate the leave request but genuinely because there weren't enough hours to make it worth coming in. Like they had me down to maybe 6-8 hours a week from a regular 40 hour schedule.

That's a really important distinction. Reduction in hours to that degree - from 40 hours to 6-8 hours per week - is typically considered a significant change in your employment conditions. California EDD has specific guidelines about this. You should document everything about when your hours were cut, by how much, and any communication with your employer about it.

This is correct. California EDD looks at whether you had 'good cause' for leaving. A dramatic hour reduction like that usually qualifies. Keep all your pay stubs showing the hour drop.

Oh interesting - so they did approve it eventually? That gives me some hope. Did you have to do anything specific to get through the adjudication?

mostly just waited lol. they sent me a questionnaire asking about the circumstances of the leave and I answered it honestly. just explain the hours situation clearly and youll be ok

Same here, my adjudication took forever but got resolved. The questionnaire is important, answer every question thoroughly don't leave anything blank

Wait this is really important - does being on an 'approved leave of absence' count as not being available for work? Like does the leave status affect my able and available certification?

It can. If your leave is medical leave and you're physically unable to work, that would make you ineligible for UI. If it's just unpaid personal leave and you would actually accept a job offer from another employer, you'd likely qualify as available. California EDD's definition of available for work is pretty broad - it means available to ALL employers not just your current one.

this is the part that confuses people most. you can be on leave from job A but still be considered available for work for UI purposes if you'd accept a job from employer B. the leave of absence is technically from your specific employer not from the workforce

I've been trying to call EDD for days with no luck. I'll definitely check that out, I really want to talk to a real person about my specific situation before I answer any adjudication questions wrong.

does that actually work?? I've been trying to reach edd for 2 weeks

Yes it worked for me. Took a few hours but I got a callback and actually spoke with a live EDD agent. Way better than hitting redial for hours.

gonna try this. been getting the busy signal for so long I gave up calling

This is super helpful, especially point 4. I do have a tentative return date but it's not firm, my manager just said 'when hours come back.' Is that considered a definite return date?

An indefinite return date like 'when hours come back' is generally not considered a firm return date by EDD. That actually works in your favor - it supports the position that you were effectively displaced from your job due to the hour reduction, not just taking a temporary personal vacation from work.

Agreed. The indefinite return timeline plus the 40-to-6-hour reduction is a strong case for eligibility. Make sure those details are in your claim narrative.

That's a bit scary to hear - did you eventually win the appeal?

yes but it took forever. the appeal hearing was actually fine once I explained the whole situation in detail with documentation. the initial determination just goes off what you write in the form which isn't always enough context

This is why being thorough in your initial filing is so important. The more detail you provide upfront the less likely it goes sideways in adjudication

Yes, job search requirements generally still apply for UI claims in California. There are exceptions - like if you're on an approved 'standby' status because you have a definite return to work date within 60 days, EDD can waive the job search requirements. But if your return date is indefinite like OP's, you'd likely need to be conducting job searches.

ohhhh ok I didnt know about the standby thing. so if your boss gives you an actual specific return date you might not have to job search?

Correct. Standby status is specifically for situations where you have a definite return to work date. You apply for it separately and if approved, you're exempt from the normal job search activity requirements while still collecting UI benefits.

I haven't told them I filed. Should I? I'm worried about how they might respond.

You're not required to tell them but EDD will contact them. Just make sure your version of events is accurate and detailed in your claim. If your employer disputes it, EDD will hold a fact-finding interview with both sides.

The employer's response doesn't automatically determine the outcome - EDD does their own investigation. But consistency between what you say and what your employer says does matter.

Medical leave significantly complicates UI claims. If you're physically unable to perform work due to a medical condition, you would NOT be eligible for UI because you don't meet the 'able to work' requirement. However, California has SDI (State Disability Insurance) through EDD which might cover you in that situation. You'd want to file for SDI rather than UI if the medical condition is preventing you from working.

Oh I didn't know SDI was an option. I'll look into that. My injury is mostly healed now but it was the reason I originally took leave.

If your medical condition has resolved and you're now able to work, you could potentially qualify for UI going forward. The 'able to work' determination is based on your current status when you're certifying, not necessarily what initially caused the leave.

Honestly the line between those two things feels really blurry in my situation. My employer didn't lay me off, I requested the leave. But the request was because they basically had no hours for me.

Right that's the gray area a lot of people end up in. The key thing EDD looks at is - who took the action that resulted in you not working? If your employer reduced hours so much that you had no real option but to leave, that's closer to a constructive layoff than a voluntary leave.

Constructive' layoff is exactly the right framing. Look up California'EDD s definition of good cause for leaving - an employer substantially changing the terms of (employment like a massive hour) reduction is specifically listed as goodcause.

This is helpful guidance on what to actually ask when I get through. Thank you for the follow up.

tried claimyr yesterday after seeing this thread, got a call back from EDD this morning. asked them exactly these questions and they were super clear about it. definitely recommend

ok this thread convinced me to try it too I've been avoiding calling because it seemed pointless

I'm hoping I don't need to appeal but it's good to know the 30-day window. Does the appeal process take a long time?

It varies but you're usually looking at 4-8 weeks after you file the appeal before your hearing is scheduled. During that time you keep filing weekly certifications. If you win the appeal you get all the weeks you were certified for.

mine took about 6 weeks for the hearing date. the hearing itself was pretty quick like 30-45 minutes. just be prepared to explain everything and bring your documentation

I have some text messages from my manager about the schedule and I have my old pay stubs showing the hour drop. I'll save all of those.

Perfect. Pay stubs are excellent documentation because they're official records. If EDD requests documentation you can upload it through your UI Online portal.

Yes UI Online document upload is way better than faxing or mailing. Makes the process faster in my experience.

How many job search activities are required per week in California right now?

Currently it's a minimum of one job search activity per week in California, though some regions may require more. Activities can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, using CalJOBS, taking career workshops, etc. Keep a log of everything including dates, employer names, contact info, and type of activity.

Good clarification. And keep those records for at least 18 months because EDD can audit your job search activities retroactively during that window.

Potentially yes, depending on your circumstances. You can file a back claim with California EDD but there are time limits - generally you need to file within certain timeframes or you may lose those weeks. I'd suggest filing immediately and explaining the circumstances.

oh no. going to file right now. wish I had found this thread sooner

File the claim and explain you had a good faith belief you were ineligible. EDD can sometimes approve backdated claims if there's reasonable explanation for the late filing.

This is probably the most directly useful advice in this whole thread honestly. Thank you for sharing the framing language.

Good luck! The waiting is the hardest part. Make sure you keep certifying every single week no matter what.

Really good advice. The framing of 'employer action caused the situation' vs 'personal choice' is exactly what EDD adjudicators are looking for when they evaluate good cause claims.

That's both reassuring and kind of unsettling. Fingers crossed my adjudication comes out on the right side.

The odds are in your favor given the hour reduction you described. Keep us updated!

This is true about inconsistency. Which is why talking to an actual EDD agent through claimyr.com before or during adjudication can help - you can ask them specifically what information they need to see in your claim to make the right determination.

Yes, you need to report any return to work on your weekly certification. If you return to full-time hours you would stop being eligible for UI. If you return to partial hours, you might still qualify for partial UI depending on how much you're earning. California EDD has earnings rules where you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without reduction, and between 25-100% there are partial benefit calculations.

Oh interesting so even if I go back part time I might still get something. That's good to know.

Correct. And you're required to report all earnings accurately on your weekly certification. EDD cross-checks with employer wage records so don't underreport - the overpayment process is much worse than just being honest.

Congrats! Glad it worked out. Your update is going to be really helpful for the next person who finds this thread wondering if they can collect unemployment during a leave of absence.

Great news! Make sure you keep up with those weekly certifications and job search requirements going forward.

This is the update we needed! Happy for you. This thread has really good info for anyone in the same boat.

Awesome outcome! The combination of good documentation, clear framing of the situation, and getting direct confirmation from an EDD agent really does make a difference. Congrats!