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Malik Jenkins

Can I get EDD benefits after losing one full-time job while keeping my other full-time position?

I'm currently in a weird situation and not sure if I'd qualify for unemployment. I've been working two full-time jobs for the past year (yes, I'm exhausted but bills don't pay themselves!). Just found out yesterday that Company A is eliminating my entire department in the next 2-3 weeks - much sooner than the rumors suggested. I'll still have my position at Company B, which is also full-time (40 hrs/week) but pays about 40% less than what I make at Company A. Does anyone know if I can claim partial unemployment benefits for losing one job while still keeping the other? My monthly expenses were manageable with both incomes, but with just Company B's salary, I'm looking at having to dip into savings each month until I find another second job. This reduction is going to hit hard. Has anyone dealt with this dual-employment situation with EDD before? What documentation would they need from both employers? Really appreciate any insights!

u cant get edd if ur still full time somewhere else. full time = full time, doesn't matter if it pays less. they only care about hours not $$$

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Thanks for responding. That's what I was afraid of... so there's no consideration for the significant drop in income? Really frustrating since I'm essentially losing half my household income overnight.

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The previous comment isn't entirely correct. Whether you qualify depends on your specific circumstances. EDD typically looks at your total earnings and hours during your base period. If your earnings drop significantly (even while maintaining some employment), you MIGHT qualify for partial benefits. You should apply and let EDD make the determination. On your application, be sure to report both jobs and clearly explain that you were laid off from one position while maintaining the other. You'll need to report your ongoing income from Company B during certification, which will reduce your weekly benefit amount. Make sure to have documentation ready: termination notice from Company A, pay stubs from both jobs, and proof of your hours at Company B.

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Thank you so much for this detailed response! I'll definitely apply and let EDD make the determination rather than assuming I don't qualify. Do you know if I need to wait until I'm actually laid off to submit the application, or can I start the process now since I have the official notice?

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You should wait until you've actually been laid off before filing your claim. If you file before your last day of work at Company A, it could complicate your claim. Once you're laid off, file immediately - you can backdate a claim by a few days if needed, but it's best not to delay. Make sure to save the termination letter and any official communication about the layoff.

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I was in a similar situation last year (though not with two FULL-time jobs, I had one full-time and one part-time). When I lost the part-time job, I applied for partial benefits but was denied because my full-time income was above the threshold. But definitely apply anyway - your situation might be different!

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Yeah this happened to me too! Lost one of my jobs but still had the other. I did apply and got denied because I was still making "too much" at my other job. The EDD system is SO FRUSTRATING! They don't understand that we work multiple jobs because we NEED that income to survive. It's not like we're doing it for fun!!! BUT I have heard from others that if your total income drops by enough, you might qualify for something. The worst they can say is no, right?

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I'm sorry that happened to you - and yeah, I'm definitely going to apply. You're right that nobody works two full-time jobs just for fun! I've been doing this for over a year and barely seeing my family. Really hoping there's some consideration for the significant income reduction.

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A key point that hasn't been mentioned: California uses an "Unemployment Insurance (UI) formula" that calculates benefits based on your highest-earning quarter in the base period. If Company A was your higher-paying job, and your income drops significantly while maintaining employment at Company B, you might qualify for partial benefits. What matters is whether your current earnings (from Company B) fall below a certain threshold compared to your potential weekly benefit amount. During your certification, you'll report your ongoing income, and if it's low enough compared to your previous combined income, you might receive partial benefits. When you apply, be absolutely clear about both jobs and the layoff situation. Provide detailed information about your hours and pay at both companies. The EDD will calculate your benefit amount based on all earnings during your base period (typically the 12-18 months before your claim).

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Thank you for explaining this so clearly. I didn't realize it was based on my highest-earning quarter. Company A definitely paid more, so maybe I'll have a chance at some partial benefits. I'll make sure to be super detailed when I apply and include documentation for both jobs.

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If anyone ever needs to reach EDD directly to ask about special situations like this, I found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an EDD rep when I had a similar complicated situation. Got connected within 30 mins when I had been trying for weeks! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Seriously saved me so much frustration when I needed to explain my unique employment situation that the online system couldn't handle properly.

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I tried calling EDD 37 times last week with no luck - just that annoying "we're experiencing high call volume" message over and over. Is this service legit? Has anyone else used it?

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Totally legit - they basically navigate the phone system and wait on hold for you, then call you when they get a rep on the line. Saved me hours of frustration. I needed to explain my specific situation to a human because the online system wasn't handling it correctly.

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Thanks for sharing this. If I get stuck trying to explain my two-job situation to EDD, I might try this service. The online system doesn't always have options for less common situations.

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MAKE SURE you understand how certification works if you're still employed somewhere!!! When I was partially unemployed, I messed up my certification by not reporting my earnings correctly and ended up with an overpayment notice. TOTAL NIGHTMARE to fix. Just be super careful to report ALL earnings from Company B every two weeks if you do start getting benefits.

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Yikes, that sounds stressful! Thanks for the warning - I'll definitely be careful about reporting everything accurately if I do qualify for any benefits.

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One more thing to consider: If you apply and get denied initially, you have the right to appeal the decision. Sometimes the automated system doesn't properly account for unique situations like yours. An appeal gives you the opportunity to explain your case to a judge who can look at your specific circumstances more carefully. Documentation is critical - keep records of all communications regarding the layoff, hours worked at both jobs, pay stubs, and any evidence showing your need for both incomes to meet financial obligations. This can help your case if you need to appeal.

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That's really good to know about the appeal option. I'll start gathering all my documentation now - pay stubs from both jobs, the layoff notice, my mortgage statement and bills to show my financial obligations. Thanks for the detailed advice.

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just curious - how did u manage 2 full time jobs at once?? thats like 80 hours a week??

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One job is remote with flexible hours (Company B), and the other (Company A that I'm losing) has set shifts. I basically work from 5am-1pm at Company A, then 2pm-10pm at Company B. Weekends are a mix of both. It's been absolutely exhausting but necessary to pay off medical debt and keep up with the increased cost of living. Not sustainable long-term, but I was hoping to do it for another 6 months to build up savings.

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