Can I get EDD benefits for reduced hours due to wildfire evacuations?
Just got evacuated from the Sierra Mountains area due to the wildfires. My workplace is still standing but closed for at least 10 days. I heard from a coworker that the one week waiting period for EDD benefits was waived because of the emergency declaration. Can anyone confirm if this is true? And bigger question - can those of us with just reduced hours (not completely unemployed) apply for partial benefits during this fire situation? I normally work 38hrs/week but will have zero for at least 2 weeks. Rent is due in 12 days and I'm getting nervous. Thanks for any help!
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Zoe Stavros
Yes, the waiting period waiver is accurate for disaster-impacted counties with the emergency declaration. And you absolutely CAN apply for partial unemployment if your hours are reduced because of the fires. It's called a partial claim. Your situation (normal 38hrs reduced to 0hrs temporarily) would likely qualify. When you certify, you'll report zero earnings for those weeks. Make sure to answer the disaster question "yes" and indicate it's fire-related.
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Andre Rousseau
•Thank you so much!! This is exactly what I needed to know. Should I apply online right away or wait until my boss gives an official reopening date?
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Jamal Harris
i got thru this last year durring fires... definetly file asap dont wait for reopening date. you can alwys go back to work when its safe. just make sure u certify properly each time
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Andre Rousseau
•Oh that's good to know. I'll start the application today then. Did you have to call them at all or was everything handled online?
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GalaxyGlider
The fire disaster declaration DOES waive the waiting period, but be prepared for delays in processing anyway. If you're showing $0 income due to workplace closure, you'll qualify even though it's temporary. Just make sure when you certify to clearly state the reduction is due to the disaster. You're supposed to be looking for other work while collecting, but disaster situations have different rules sometimes.
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Mei Wong
•This is NOT entirely accurate. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has different work search requirements than regular UI. With a temporary layoff due to fires, OP might not need to search for other work. It depends whether they're getting regular UI or DUA. Always answer the work search question truthfully based on your situation.
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Liam Sullivan
My sister work at a restaurant that close for 2 months in 2023 fires. She get benefits but take SO LONG to process!! Almost 5 weeks!! She call everyday and nobody answer.
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Amara Okafor
•I had to deal with EDD last month and found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have this system that keeps calling EDD until they get through, then connects you. Saved me days of frustration! Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km
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Giovanni Colombo
Make sure you understand the difference between regular UI and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). If you qualify for regular UI because you have sufficient wages in your base period, you should apply for that first. DUA is for people who don't qualify for regular UI but are unemployed due to a disaster. For your reduced hours situation: yes, you can receive benefits. If your weekly earnings are reduced, you may receive partial benefits as long as you don't exceed your weekly benefit amount. Since your hours went from 38 to zero temporarily, you should qualify for the full weekly benefit amount during those weeks. And yes, the one-week waiting period is waived for disaster-related claims. Apply as soon as possible - don't wait for a reopening date from your employer.
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Andre Rousseau
•This is so helpful, thank you! I've worked at my job for 3 years so I should qualify for regular UI. I just submitted my application online and mentioned the wildfire evacuation as the reason. Fingers crossed it gets processed quickly!
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Jamal Harris
when u certify make sure u say ur ready and available for work or they WILL deny u!!
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Andre Rousseau
•That makes sense. I am able to work, just can't access my workplace because of evacuation orders. I'll make sure to indicate that. Thanks!
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
NONE of this matters if your employer doesn't report it right!!! My boss messed up our disaster layoff paperwork last year and we ALL had to wait 6+ weeks and do appeals. Check that your employer knows what they're doing!!!! The system is BROKEN.
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Zoe Stavros
•While it's true employer reporting affects claims, individuals can still apply independently. If there are discrepancies, EDD typically conducts a phone interview to resolve them. The system has improved since 2023, with better disaster claim processing protocols. I'd recommend applying regardless of what your employer does - worst case, you might need to provide additional documentation.
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GalaxyGlider
I almost forgot - make sure you're answering the certification questions correctly for a disaster situation. For the question "Were you too sick or injured to work?", answer NO unless you were actually sick/injured. For "Was there any other reason you could not accept full-time work?", also answer NO. The key is answering "Yes" to being ready and available for work, even though your specific workplace is closed. The disaster questions will be separate and that's where you explain the fire situation.
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Andre Rousseau
•That's super helpful, thanks for the clarification! I'll be careful with those questions when I certify.
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