Can I get EDD benefits if my hours were cut from 40 to 15 per week?

Yes, you absolutely can apply for partial unemployment when your hours are significantly reduced! This is called 'partial UI benefits' and it's specifically designed for situations like yours. To qualify, you need to be working less than full-time and earning less than your weekly benefit amount would be if you were fully unemployed. When you certify, you'll report your reduced work hours and wages, and EDD will calculate a partial payment based on what you're earning now. The basic calculation is that the first 25% of your earnings doesn't count against your benefits, then the rest reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar. Make sure when you apply that you clearly indicate your hours were reduced (not that you quit or were fired). You'll still need to meet all the other eligibility requirements, like being able and available for work.

i got hourse cut lsat year from 38 to 22 and got partial benefits no problem. just be honest on ur weekly certification about how many horus u work each week. dont forget 2 report ur gross pay (before taxes) not ur take-home pay or they'll come after u for overpayment later!!!

When you apply, make sure to have your last 18 months of employment history ready, and know exactly what date your hours will be reduced. You'll want to use the effective date of the reduction as your date of unemployment, NOT when they informed you about it. And yes, you should definitely apply. The general rule is that if your hours/wages are reduced by 20% or more, you may qualify. Going from 40 to 15 hours is well over that threshold. For your benefit calculation, EDD will look at your highest-earning quarter in the base period (typically the 12-month period before the last completed calendar quarter). With your hourly rate, you should qualify for a decent partial benefit, but it depends on your overall earnings history. One important thing: don't wait until after your hours are reduced to apply. You can apply as soon as you know when the reduction will take effect.

The system is BROKEN!!! I had my hours cut from 40 to 12 last summer and EDD made me wait SEVEN WEEKS before I got my first payment. They required a phone interview to "verify" why my hours were cut even though my employer already confirmed everything. I almost lost my apartment waiting. If you need to actually reach someone at EDD (which you probably will), good luck getting through on their phone lines!!! You'll get the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and then they hang up on you. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Question - did your employer tell you the reduction is permanent or temporary? That matters for your claim. If permanent, you may want to look for full-time work elsewhere while collecting partial benefits. If temporary, make sure to indicate that on your application. Also, be aware that when you certify every two weeks, if your hours fluctuate, you need to report that accurately each time.

One more important tip: When you're certifying bi-weekly, you'll answer a question asking if you refused any work. If your employer offers you additional hours and you turn them down, you must report that as refusing work, which could disqualify you from benefits for that week. Also, you still need to be actively seeking work while on partial unemployment. Document all your job search activities each week. EDD can request this information at any time, and if you can't provide it, they could disqualify you retroactively and demand repayment of benefits.

To answer your follow-up about job search: You should perform at least 3 work search activities each week, which can include applying for jobs, attending job interviews, registering with placement agencies, networking, etc. Regarding your question about when your claim starts - you'll use the Sunday of the week when your hours were actually reduced as your claim start date, not when you were notified. EDD calculates everything based on calendar weeks (Sunday through Saturday). Based on your hourly rate of $25 at 40 hours, you were making about $1000/week. Now at 15 hours, you're at $375/week. Your weekly benefit amount might be around $450 (depending on your base period earnings), so you'd likely receive a partial payment after the 25% deduction and remaining offset.

Anybody else notice how EDD makes everything 10x more complicated than it needs to be?? The whole system feels designed to discourage people from claiming benefits they're entitled to.

Just wanted to add that you should also prepare for potential delays in processing. Even though partial unemployment claims are supposedly straightforward, EDD has been backed up lately. I'd recommend applying online (it's faster than phone or mail) and taking screenshots of every page during your application process. Also, make sure you have direct deposit set up - it's much faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. The whole process can be overwhelming, but you're definitely entitled to these benefits given your situation. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about needing help when your employer cut your hours through no fault of your own!

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago when my hours got slashed from 35 to 18 per week. The process was actually smoother than I expected once I got started. A few things that really helped me: 1. Apply ASAP - don't wait for your first reduced paycheck. I applied the day I got official notice and it made a huge difference. 2. Keep detailed records of everything - your old schedule, new schedule, any communications with your employer about the reduction. EDD asked for this documentation during my phone interview. 3. Be super accurate with your weekly certifications. I set up a simple spreadsheet to track my hours and gross pay each week so I never had to guess. 4. Don't stress too much about the phone interview if they schedule one - they just want to verify your story matches what your employer reported. Mine lasted about 10 minutes. The partial benefits really helped bridge the gap while I looked for additional work. You're definitely doing the right thing by applying - this is exactly what the system is designed for!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My hours just got cut from 32 to 16 per week and I was panicking about how I'd make ends meet. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - I had no idea partial unemployment was even a thing until I found this thread. One thing I learned from calling EDD (after trying for literally 3 days straight) is that they're processing applications faster if you apply online during off-peak hours. I applied at like 6 AM on a Tuesday and got my determination letter within 5 days, which apparently is pretty fast right now. Also wanted to mention that if you're union, definitely reach out to your union rep too. Mine helped me understand my rights and even provided a template for documenting the hours reduction that EDD accepted without any issues. Good luck with your application! It's stressful but you're absolutely entitled to these benefits.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - having your hours cut that drastically is really stressful! But the good news is you absolutely qualify for partial unemployment benefits. I went through something similar last year when my hours dropped from 40 to 20 per week. A few things that helped me navigate the process: 1. **Apply immediately** - Don't wait until your first reduced paycheck. You can apply as soon as you have the official date your hours will be reduced. 2. **Keep all documentation** - Save any emails, texts, or written notices about the hour reduction. EDD may ask for proof during processing. 3. **Be prepared for the weekly benefit calculation** - At $25/hour for 15 hours, you'll be earning $375/week gross. EDD will subtract 25% of this amount ($93.75) from your weekly benefit amount, then reduce the remainder dollar-for-dollar. So if your weekly benefit amount is $400, you'd get about $118.75 per week in partial benefits. 4. **Stay consistent with certifications** - Report your exact hours and gross wages every two weeks. Even small discrepancies can cause payment delays. The process can feel overwhelming at first, but partial UI benefits are designed exactly for situations like yours. You've been paying into this system through your taxes, so don't feel bad about using it when you need it! Hang in there - this should help bridge the gap while you look for additional work or wait for your hours to potentially increase again.

I just wanted to jump in and say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm actually in a very similar situation - my hours are getting cut from 37 to 18 per week starting next month, and I've been absolutely panicking about how I'll manage financially. Reading through everyone's experiences and advice has given me so much hope and practical guidance. The tip about applying at 6 AM during off-peak hours is genius, and I love the spreadsheet idea for tracking hours and wages. I had no idea about the 25% earnings rule or that you could apply before your hours are actually reduced. What really stands out to me is how supportive everyone has been here - sharing real numbers, timelines, and honest experiences (both good and frustrating). It's made what seemed like an impossible bureaucratic maze feel actually manageable. I'm planning to apply this weekend and document everything from day one. For anyone else reading this who's in a similar boat - this thread is proof that we're not alone in this situation and that the system, while imperfect, can actually work when you know what to expect. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and advice. This community is amazing!

I've been lurking in this community for a while but never posted until now. Your situation hits close to home because I went through almost the exact same thing about 6 months ago - hours cut from 40 to 16 per week due to "company restructuring." The advice everyone's given here is spot on, especially about applying immediately and keeping detailed records. One thing I'd add is to screenshot your online application confirmation page and save it somewhere safe. I had a situation where EDD claimed they never received my application (even though I had a confirmation number), and that screenshot saved me from having to restart the entire process. Also, don't be surprised if your first certification takes longer to process than subsequent ones. Mine took about 3 weeks for the first payment, but after that it was pretty regular every two weeks. The partial benefits won't replace your full income, but they definitely help bridge the gap. I used that time to pick up some freelance work on weekends which, combined with the partial UI, helped me stay afloat until I found a better full-time position. You've got this! The system exists for exactly this type of situation, and you've already gotten great advice from this community. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about using benefits you've earned through your work and tax contributions.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - having your hours cut that drastically is incredibly stressful, especially when you're trying to make ends meet. The good news is that you absolutely qualify for partial unemployment benefits in California, and this thread is full of amazing advice from people who've been through exactly what you're facing. A couple of things I'd emphasize based on what others have shared: definitely apply ASAP (don't wait for your first reduced paycheck), keep meticulous records of everything, and try applying online during off-peak hours like early morning. The 6 AM tip that someone mentioned earlier is genius! One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you run into any issues with your claim or need to speak with someone at EDD, try calling right when they open at 8 AM - you'll have the best chance of getting through. Also, consider setting up direct deposit immediately if your claim is approved, as it's much faster than waiting for the EDD debit card. With your situation (40 hours to 15 hours at $25/hour), you should definitely qualify for a decent partial benefit that will help bridge the gap while you look for additional work. This system exists exactly for situations like yours, so don't feel bad about using benefits you've earned. You've got this!

I'm really glad you found this thread and that everyone's shared experiences have been so helpful! As someone who works in employment law, I wanted to add a few additional points that might be useful: First, when you apply, make sure to clearly state that your hours were "reduced due to lack of work" rather than any other reason. This helps ensure your claim gets processed in the right category from the start. Second, keep in mind that if your employer offers you any additional shifts or overtime during this period, you generally should accept them if you're able to. Turning down offered work can affect your eligibility, even on partial unemployment. Finally, document everything your employer tells you about the reason for the reduction and whether it might be temporary or permanent. If they later restore your full hours, you'll need to report that change immediately when you certify. The calculation others have shared sounds accurate for your situation - with the significant drop from 40 to 15 hours at $25/hour, you should qualify for meaningful partial benefits. Just remember this is meant to be a bridge while you seek full-time work elsewhere, so keep up with those job search activities and document them well. You're absolutely doing the right thing by applying - this is exactly what these benefits are designed for!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - having your hours slashed like that is really tough, but you're absolutely in the right place asking about this! I actually went through something very similar about a year ago when my hours got cut from 38 to 18 per week. The great news is that you definitely qualify for partial unemployment benefits. Going from 40 to 15 hours is a massive reduction (62.5%!), and California's partial UI program is designed exactly for situations like yours. A few things that really helped me: - Apply online ASAP - don't wait for your first short paycheck - When you apply, clearly state your hours were "reduced due to lack of work/business restructuring" - Set up direct deposit immediately once approved - it's so much faster than the debit card - Keep a simple log of your weekly hours and gross pay for certifications With your $25/hour rate, you should get a decent partial benefit. The math can be confusing, but basically they'll let you keep the first 25% of your reduced earnings, then subtract the rest from your weekly benefit amount. One heads up - my first payment took about 3 weeks to process, but after that it was pretty regular every two weeks. The system definitely has its frustrations, but it does work! You've been paying into this system through your taxes, so don't feel bad about using it when you need it. That's exactly what it's there for. Hang in there - this community has tons of great advice and you're going to get through this!