Can I file for EDD if hours cut by 50% but employer refuses to approve?

Yes, you absolutely CAN apply for partial unemployment benefits when your hours are reduced - your employer cannot prevent you from applying! This is exactly what partial UI benefits are designed for. Your employer doesn't "approve" your claim - that's not how the system works. The EDD makes the determination based on information from both you and your employer. When your hours are reduced through no fault of your own (like lack of work), you're likely eligible for benefits. Your employer might be concerned about their UI tax rate increasing, but that's not your problem - it's a normal business expense for them.

omg my boss tried the same thing last year!! they get scared about their unemployment insurance rates going up. its total BS. file anyway, its your RIGHT!!

To add some specifics to what others said: 1. You can apply at https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ 2. When you certify, you'll report your reduced hours and any wages earned 3. EDD will calculate a partial benefit based on your wages 4. You must be able and available for full-time work 5. You must conduct work search activities What your employer is doing is unfortunately common but potentially illegal. Employers cannot interfere with your right to file for benefits. Document everything - dates, times, who said what about "not approving" your claim. This could be considered retaliation if they take negative action against you for filing.

Regarding work search requirements: For reduced hours where you expect to return to full-time, you may qualify for the "Partial Claims" program where traditional work search requirements can sometimes be modified. When you file, make sure to clearly indicate this is a temporary hours reduction with an expected return date. However, be prepared that EDD might still require you to look for full-time work during this period. The system is designed to help people find full employment, not necessarily to supplement reduced income at a job you want to keep. You'll need to certify every two weeks and honestly report any work and wages. If your employer tries to block your claim, EDD will investigate during the determination process.

I went thru THE EXACT SAME THING but with a retail job! They cut my hours from 38 to 15 per week and my manager gave me a whole speech about how "unemployment isn't for people who still have jobs" which is COMPLETE NONSENSE!! I applied anyway and got approved for partial benefits. My boss was pissed but couldn't do anything about it. The first week I got $0 because I earned too much from my remaining hours, but the second week I got like $175 which helped a lot. Just be super accurate when reporting your hours worked each week!!!

My manager was definitely cold toward me for a while, but honestly there wasn't much she could do. It would be illegal for them to fire you JUST for filing unemployment. They might look for other reasons to write you up though, so just make sure you're doing everything by the book at work. Remember this is YOUR RIGHT and you pay into this system with every paycheck! Don't let guilt trips stop you from accessing benefits you're entitled to!

if they cut ur hours in half ur eligible periodt. i dunno why companies think they can scare people out of applying. like we not supposed to pay rent?? edd exists for exactly this situation

Has anyone here tried calling EDD to get clarification on a situation like this? I'm in a similar boat (hours cut by 40%) and I've been trying to get through on the phone for DAYS with no luck. Always get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and then it hangs up on me. So frustrating when you just need to ask a simple question about eligibility!

One more important thing to be aware of: if your employer does try to contest your claim, EDD will schedule a phone interview with you to get your side of the story. Make sure you answer that call! Have documentation ready showing your previous work schedule and the reduction in hours. If you miss that interview, it could significantly delay your claim or even result in denial.

so my uncle works for the state and he says employers ALWAYS fight unemployment claims cuz it raises their insurance rates. but he also says that as long as ur being truthful about ur hours being cut, u should get approved no matter what. just my 2 cents

btw when you file make sure you have your last paystub handy showing your normal hours and then get one with the reduced hours too as proof!! screenshots of schedules are good too!!

Thanks everyone for all this great advice! I'm going to file my claim tonight. I'm still nervous about my boss's reaction, but I need to be able to pay my bills. I'll update here if I run into any issues with the application process or if I have trouble with my employer.

Your employer absolutely cannot block you from filing for unemployment benefits - that's not how the system works at all! When your hours are reduced by 50% through no fault of your own, you're likely eligible for partial unemployment benefits in California. Here's what you need to know: - Apply online at edd.ca.gov - your employer has no say in whether you can apply - You'll report your reduced hours and wages when you certify every two weeks - EDD will calculate partial benefits based on your earnings - Your employer may contest the claim, but EDD makes the final determination The fact that your boss said they "don't approve unemployment claims" shows they don't understand how the system works. They're probably worried about their unemployment insurance tax rate going up, but that's a normal cost of doing business - not your problem. Document everything your boss said about blocking your claim, just in case. And don't let them guilt you out of applying for benefits you've earned and are entitled to!

Just wanted to add that I went through this exact situation at my previous job - boss cut everyone's hours by 60% during a "slow season" and then tried to intimidate us out of filing for UI benefits. I filed anyway and got approved within about 2 weeks. One thing to keep in mind: even though your boss is being difficult about this, make sure you maintain a professional relationship if possible. You'll likely need to go back to full-time hours in September, so try not to burn bridges even though they're being unreasonable. Also, when you file your claim, be very specific about the reason for the hours reduction (lack of client work during summer months) and the expected duration. This helps EDD understand that it's a legitimate reduction in work availability, not something you caused. Your boss's attitude about UI claims is unfortunately super common with small business owners who don't understand that unemployment insurance is there to protect workers, not punish employers. You're absolutely doing the right thing by filing!

Your employer is 100% wrong and what they're doing could actually be considered interference with your right to file for benefits. In California, employers cannot prevent employees from filing unemployment claims - period. When your hours are reduced by 50% due to lack of work, you're exactly the type of situation partial unemployment benefits were designed for. A few key points: - File your claim immediately at edd.ca.gov/unemployment - Your employer doesn't "approve" claims - EDD makes that determination - Document your boss's statements about "not approving" your claim - this could be seen as retaliation - You'll need to report your reduced earnings each time you certify - Keep records of your old schedule vs new schedule as proof Don't let your employer intimidate you out of benefits you've paid into with every paycheck. Their concern about UI tax rates is a normal business expense, not grounds to discourage you from filing. You have bills to pay and this is exactly why the unemployment system exists!

Your employer is completely out of line and doesn't understand how unemployment benefits work at all! You absolutely have the right to file for partial unemployment when your hours are cut by 50% - that's exactly what these benefits are for. A few important things to know: - Your employer cannot "block" or "not approve" your unemployment claim - they don't have that power - EDD makes the determination, not your employer - Being intimidated out of filing could actually violate your worker rights - You've been paying into this system with every paycheck - it's YOUR benefit What your boss is really worried about is their unemployment insurance tax rate going up, but that's a standard business cost they need to deal with, not your problem. Small business owners often don't understand this and try to scare employees out of filing. File your claim online immediately and don't let them guilt trip you. Make sure to document everything your boss said about "not approving" claims - if they retaliate against you for filing, that could be illegal. You need to pay your bills and this temporary income support is exactly why the system exists!

Your boss is completely wrong and what she's doing is actually illegal! Employers cannot interfere with your right to file for unemployment benefits. When your hours are reduced by 50% due to lack of work (not your fault), you're exactly the type of case partial UI was created for. Here's what you need to know: - File immediately at edd.ca.gov - ignore your boss's "disapproval" - EDD determines eligibility, not your employer - You'll report reduced hours/wages when certifying bi-weekly - Keep documentation of your schedule changes as proof - Document what your boss said about "not approving" - this could be retaliation Your employer is probably worried about their UI tax rate increasing, but that's their business expense to handle, not a reason to deny you benefits you've earned. Don't let them guilt you into not filing when you legitimately need help covering your bills during this temporary reduction. You've been paying into this system with every paycheck - these are YOUR benefits to claim when you qualify!

Your employer absolutely cannot prevent you from filing for unemployment benefits - that's not how the system works! When your hours are cut by 50% through no fault of your own, you're likely eligible for partial UI benefits in California. Here's what you need to know: - Apply online at edd.ca.gov - your employer has zero say in whether you can file - EDD makes the eligibility determination, not your boss - You'll report your reduced wages when you certify every two weeks - Document everything your boss said about "not approving" claims - this could be illegal interference Your boss is probably worried about their unemployment insurance tax rate going up, but that's a normal business cost they need to handle. It's not your problem and definitely not a reason to deny you benefits you've paid into with every paycheck. Don't let them intimidate you out of getting help you're entitled to. You have bills to pay and this is exactly what partial unemployment benefits were designed for - temporary income support when work hours are reduced due to lack of business!

Your boss is absolutely wrong and what she's doing could actually be considered illegal interference with your right to file for benefits! When your hours are reduced by 50% due to lack of work, you're exactly the type of situation partial unemployment benefits were created for in California. Here's what you need to know: - Your employer has ZERO authority to "approve" or "disapprove" unemployment claims - that's EDD's job - File your claim online at edd.ca.gov immediately - don't let her intimidate you - You'll report your reduced hours and wages when you certify bi-weekly - Keep documentation of your old vs new schedule as proof - Document everything she said about "not approving" claims - this could be retaliation The real reason she's upset is because successful unemployment claims can increase their UI tax rates, but that's a normal cost of doing business, NOT your problem. You've been paying into this system with every single paycheck - these benefits are YOURS to claim when you qualify. Don't let guilt or fear stop you from getting financial support you desperately need and are legally entitled to. You have rent and car payments that don't disappear just because your boss doesn't like unemployment claims!

Your employer is completely out of line and has no legal authority to prevent you from filing for unemployment benefits! When your hours are cut by 50% due to lack of work, you're exactly the type of situation partial UI benefits were designed for. Here's the reality: - Your employer cannot "approve" or "disapprove" unemployment claims - only EDD makes that determination - File your claim online at edd.ca.gov immediately - don't let them intimidate you - You'll report your reduced wages when certifying bi-weekly - Keep records of your old schedule vs new reduced schedule as documentation What your boss is really worried about is their unemployment insurance tax rate potentially increasing, but that's a standard business expense they need to handle - NOT your financial problem to solve. You've been paying into this system with every paycheck, so these are benefits you've already earned. Document everything she said about "not approving" your claim, including dates and times. Employer interference with unemployment filing can actually be illegal retaliation. Your bills don't get cut in half just because your hours did - file that claim and get the support you're entitled to!

Your employer is totally wrong and has no legal right to block you from filing! This is exactly what partial unemployment benefits are for - when your hours are reduced through no fault of your own. I went through something similar last year when my restaurant cut my shifts from 35 to 16 hours per week. My manager tried the same intimidation tactics, saying it would "hurt the business" if I filed. I applied anyway and got approved within 10 days. Here's what you need to know: - File online at edd.ca.gov immediately - your boss has ZERO say in this - EDD determines eligibility, not your employer - You'll report your reduced hours when you certify every two weeks - Keep screenshots of your old vs new work schedule as proof Your boss is worried about their UI tax rate going up, but that's their business expense to handle, not your financial crisis to absorb. You've been paying into this system with every paycheck - these are YOUR benefits! Don't let them guilt you into struggling financially. Document what she said about "not approving" claims (that could actually be illegal interference) and file tonight. You deserve to be able to pay your rent!

Your employer absolutely cannot prevent you from filing for unemployment benefits - that's completely false and potentially illegal! When your hours are reduced by 50% due to lack of work, you're exactly the type of situation partial UI benefits were designed for in California. Here's what you need to know: - Your employer has NO authority to "approve" or "disapprove" unemployment claims - only EDD makes that determination - Apply immediately at edd.ca.gov - don't let their intimidation tactics stop you - You'll report your reduced hours and wages when you certify every two weeks - Keep documentation of your schedule changes (old vs new) as proof What your boss is really worried about is their unemployment insurance tax rate potentially going up, but that's their business expense to handle - NOT your financial burden to absorb. You've been paying into this system with every single paycheck, so these are benefits you've already earned and are entitled to. Document everything she said about "not approving" your claim, including dates and exact words used. Employer interference with unemployment filing can actually constitute illegal retaliation under California law. Your rent and car payments don't magically get cut in half just because your hours did - file that claim tonight and get the support you need and deserve!

Your employer is absolutely wrong and what they're doing could actually be illegal interference! You have every right to file for partial unemployment benefits when your hours are cut by 50% due to lack of work - that's exactly what these benefits were designed for. Here's the truth your boss doesn't want you to know: - Employers cannot "approve" or "disapprove" unemployment claims - only EDD makes that determination - What she said about "not approving" your claim shows she doesn't understand how the system works - You've been paying into unemployment insurance with every paycheck - these are YOUR benefits - Her real concern is that successful claims can increase their UI tax rates, but that's a normal business cost File your claim online at edd.ca.gov immediately. When you certify bi-weekly, you'll report your reduced hours and any wages earned. Make sure to document everything your boss said about blocking your claim - employer retaliation for filing unemployment can violate California labor law. Don't let her intimidate you out of benefits you've earned and desperately need. Your financial obligations don't disappear just because your employer doesn't like the unemployment system. This is exactly the temporary support UI was created to provide!