Can I get partial unemployment with severely reduced hours (12 hours/week)?
My retail manager just cut my schedule to only 3 days per week at 4 hours each day (so just 12 hours total per week). I used to work full-time (38-40 hours). This is barely enough to cover my rent, let alone other bills. I've heard about partial unemployment but not sure if I qualify or how it works. Has anyone successfully filed for partial benefits while still working reduced hours? Do I need to tell my employer I'm applying? I'm worried they might cut my hours even more if they find out.
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Sofia Perez
Yes, you absolutely can apply for partial unemployment! California specifically allows for partial benefits when your hours are substantially reduced. Working only 12 hours when you normally work 38-40 definitely qualifies as a substantial reduction. When you certify, you'll report your weekly earnings, and EDD will calculate a partial benefit amount. The first $25 or 25% of your earnings (whichever is greater) won't count against your benefits. Your employer already reports your wages to EDD, so they'll know either way. Go ahead and apply through UI Online ASAP.
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Dylan Cooper
•Thank you so much! That's really helpful. I'll apply tonight. Do you know if I need to have any specific documentation ready when I apply? I have my last few paystubs but not sure what else they might ask for.
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Dmitry Smirnov
i got laid off 2 years ago but before that they cut my hours like yours. i got partial benefits but it took FOREVER to get approved. had to wait like 2 months for my first payment so just be prepared for that. apply now tho dont wait
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Dylan Cooper
•Two months?? Omg that's scary. I can maybe hold out a few weeks but definitely not months. Was there anything specific that caused the delay for you?
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Dmitry Smirnov
•they said something about needing to verify my previous earnings but idk really. edd is a mess honestly
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ElectricDreamer
DEFINITELY apply! I got my hours cut from 45 to 15 per week last year and EDD saved me!!! Few things I learned that might help you: 1. Your benefit amount is based on your highest-earning quarter in the past 18 months (not your current reduced hours) 2. You HAVE TO report ALL earnings each week during certification even tips 3. If you work "too much" in a week you might not get benefits for that specific week but thats ok!!! just keep certifying 4. Your employer WILL know (they get notified) so don't try hiding it 5. This isnt fraud or anything - this is LITERALLY what partial unemployment is for!! Good luck!!
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Ava Johnson
•Minor correction - EDD bases your weekly benefit amount on your highest-earning QUARTER in the 12-month base period, not 18 months. Otherwise your advice is spot on! 👍
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ElectricDreamer
•Oh yeah you're right! My bad! I was thinking of something else with the 18 months. Thanks for catching that!
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Miguel Diaz
Has anyone here dealt with the nightmare of actually REACHING someone at EDD if there's a problem with your claim??? I applied for partial unemployment and my claim has been stuck for 3 weeks with no movement. Called like 50 times and can't get through.
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Zainab Ahmed
•After weeks of getting those frustrating "we're experiencing high call volume" messages, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They basically keep calling for you until they get through. Saved me days of redial hell. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km and their website is claimyr.com. Totally worth it when you're desperate to get your claim unstuck.
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Miguel Diaz
•omg thank you!! gonna try this tomorrow. at this point i'd do anything to talk to a real person
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Connor Byrne
Be careful about applying for unemployment!! My cousin's hours got cut and he applied and his boss found out and fired him for it! I know technically that's not legal but it happened and now he's in an even worse situation. Maybe talk to your manager first to see if they plan to give you more hours soon before you apply??
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Sofia Perez
•That's retaliation and it's illegal. Your cousin should file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner's Office. Employers cannot legally fire someone for filing for unemployment benefits - that's a protected right. To the original poster: you do NOT need to ask your employer's permission to file for benefits you're legally entitled to.
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Connor Byrne
•yeah i know its illegal but doesnt mean it doesnt happen. just warning them to be careful is all
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Dylan Cooper
Update: I applied last night and it was pretty straightforward! My only confusion now is about the certification process. When I certify each week, do I need to list the jobs I applied for even though I'm still employed? The form asks about job search activities but I'm not sure if that applies to me since I'm not fully unemployed.
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Ava Johnson
•Great question. For partial unemployment in California, you still need to meet work search requirements unless EDD specifically waives them. This doesn't necessarily mean applying for jobs - it can include activities like updating your resume, networking, or looking for additional part-time work to supplement your reduced hours. When you certify, you'll answer "yes" to looking for work and then list at least one work search activity per week. Document everything you do just in case EDD requests proof later.
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Dylan Cooper
•Thank you! That makes sense. I'm actually considering looking for a second part-time job anyway, so I'll document those efforts.
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Zainab Ahmed
Yes you can apply but just so you know, my benefits took 6 WEEKS to start after my hours got cut last year. The EDD system is completely broken. I nearly got evicted waiting for them to process my claim. Make sure you have some savings or backup plan while you wait!!!
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ElectricDreamer
•That's awful! Did you ever figure out what caused the delay? I'm thinking of applying for partial UI since my hours just got reduced too.
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Zainab Ahmed
•They said something about my employer not responding to their request for information in time. When I finally got through to someone on the phone they fixed it that same day. Definitely stay on top of your claim status!
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Dmitry Smirnov
wat happens if u get a second job? can u still get benefits if ur total hours still less than before?
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Sofia Perez
•Yes, you can still receive benefits if you get a second job, as long as your total earnings don't exceed your weekly benefit amount plus the earnings disregard ($25 or 25% of your weekly benefit, whichever is greater). You'll need to report ALL earnings from ALL jobs when you certify each week, and EDD will calculate if you're eligible for a partial payment that week.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•oh cool thx for explaining. might look for another pt job then
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