Can I still collect EDD benefits while working part-time (12-20 hours weekly)?

ya u can still get some benefits but theyll reduce it based on what u make. u gotta report ALL hours exactly right tho. dont lie bout hours or theyll come after u later with overpayment notice

Yes, you absolutely can work part-time while collecting unemployment. This is called partial unemployment. When you certify every two weeks, you'll report your work hours and wages for each week. EDD uses a formula where they deduct the first $25 or 25% of your wages (whichever is greater), and then reduce your weekly benefit amount by the remaining wages. So if your weekly benefit amount is $450 and you earn $200 in a week, they'd deduct about $150 from your benefit ($200 minus the 25% exclusion), leaving you with about $300 in UI benefits plus your $200 in wages. Make sure you report GROSS wages (before taxes) in the week you EARNED them, not when you get paid.

just be warned EDD's system is a NIGHTMARE!!! i worked part time at Target while on unemployment and EDD randomly disqualified me because they thought i was working full-time even though i clearly reported only 15-18 hours!!! took 2 months to fix and I couldn't pay rent!!!!!

Working part-time while on unemployment is actually encouraged by EDD as it helps transition back to full-time work. Here's how to handle it correctly: 1. Always report your gross wages (before taxes) during certification 2. Report wages for the week you EARNED them, not when you're paid 3. Keep your own detailed record of hours/wages (screenshots of schedules, etc.) 4. Be prepared for occasional eligibility interviews if your earnings fluctuate The formula most use: Weekly Benefit Amount - (Earnings - 25% of Earnings) = Partial UI payment I helped many claimants navigate this during my time working with workforce development. Just be meticulous with your reporting and you'll be fine.

I was in the exact same situation! Trying to reach EDD to ask these questions was impossible - constant busy signals and disconnections. I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an EDD rep within 20 minutes after trying for weeks on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep confirmed everything others said here - you can definitely work part-time while collecting reduced benefits. The formula they use meant I was actually better off financially working part-time + partial UI than just collecting full unemployment. The rep also helped set up my certification properly so I wouldn't make mistakes.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to accept the part-time job and make sure I document everything carefully. Sounds like I'll still get some unemployment to help cover the gap until I can find something full-time again. I appreciate all the advice!

wiat i'm confused... when u say report wages for week EARNED not PAID what does taht mean exactly?? my boss pays me every 2 weeks but sometimes puts wrong dates on my check lol

Make sure to answer YES to "looking for work" even with your part-time job!! That question always confused me and I answered NO once because I already had the part-time job and didn't technically "look" that week - huge mistake that delayed my payment. As long as you're still available for and seeking full-time work, the answer should be YES.

One thing I learned the hard way - don't stress too much about the exact calculation formula! EDD's system will automatically calculate your partial benefits once you report your hours and wages correctly. The most important thing is being 100% accurate with your reporting. I've been working part-time (about 16 hours/week) while collecting partial UI for 3 months now and it's actually worked out really well. I'm making more combined income than I was on full unemployment, plus I'm building new work experience. Just keep detailed records of everything - I use a simple notebook to write down my daily hours and have never had any issues with EDD questioning my reports. You're making a smart choice taking the job! Having some work income plus partial benefits is way better than sitting at home waiting for that perfect full-time position that might not come for months.

I was in a similar situation earlier this year! Worked part-time at a bookstore (around 15 hours/week) while collecting partial unemployment after losing my office job. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: The key is being super organized with your documentation. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking daily hours, gross wages, and certification periods. This saved me when EDD randomly asked for verification 2 months later. Also, don't be surprised if your first few certifications take longer to process - EDD seems to review partial claims more carefully initially. But once you establish a pattern of accurate reporting, payments become routine. One bonus tip: if your part-time employer offers any benefits (even small ones like employee discounts), make sure to mention this during any EDD phone interviews. They see it as a positive sign that you're actively working toward full employment. The financial math usually works out in your favor - you'll likely make more with part-time wages + partial UI than unemployment alone. Plus you're keeping your skills sharp and networking. Good luck with the cafe job!

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact situation last year! I was working part-time at a grocery store (18-22 hours/week) while collecting partial unemployment after being laid off from my accounting job. A few things that really helped me: - Take photos of your work schedule each week with your phone - way easier than writing everything down and you'll have timestamps - If your hours vary week to week (like 12 hours one week, 20 the next), don't worry - EDD's system handles fluctuating part-time work just fine - During your first few certifications with part-time work, double-check that your benefit amount looks right - if something seems off, call immediately rather than waiting The cafe job sounds perfect for staying active while job hunting! I actually got my current full-time position through a customer I met at the grocery store, so you never know where networking opportunities will come from. The partial unemployment bridge really saved me financially during that transition period. You're making the right call taking the job - sitting at home waiting for the "perfect" opportunity rarely works out as well as staying active in the workforce, even part-time. Good luck!

I'm going through something similar right now! Just got approved for unemployment after losing my warehouse job and I'm considering a part-time retail position that's about 20 hours a week. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful - especially the tip about taking photos of your schedule and keeping detailed records. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - does it matter what type of part-time work you take? Like, does EDD care if it's completely different from your previous job field? I'm worried they might think I'm not seriously looking for work in my original field if I take something totally unrelated. Also, has anyone had experience with employers who pay cash or under the table? Obviously I know you have to report ALL income, but I'm wondering if that creates extra complications with the system.

I've been working part-time while on unemployment for about 6 months now and wanted to share some practical tips that have made the process smoother: 1. Set up a simple system from day one - I use a basic phone app to track hours worked each day and take a screenshot of my weekly totals before certifying. This has saved me multiple times when EDD asked for verification. 2. Don't overthink the benefit calculation - EDD's system handles it automatically once you input your hours and wages correctly. Focus on accurate reporting rather than trying to calculate exact amounts. 3. If you're working varying hours (like 12-20 per week), that's completely normal and EDD handles it fine. Just report exactly what you worked each week. 4. Keep applying for full-time positions and document your job search activities. EDD wants to see you're using the part-time work as a bridge, not a permanent solution. The cafe job sounds like a great opportunity - you'll be making more money overall than just collecting unemployment, plus staying active in the workforce always looks better to future employers. I've found that having some work routine while job hunting actually helped my mental health too compared to just sitting at home applying to jobs all day. Take the job and don't stress about the EDD side of things as long as you report everything honestly and keep good records!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Lost my job in retail management two months ago and just started looking at part-time opportunities while collecting UI. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful - especially the tips about keeping detailed records and taking photos of work schedules. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my local workforce center - they actually have workshops specifically for people working part-time while on unemployment. They help you understand the reporting requirements and give you templates for tracking your hours and wages. Might be worth checking if your area has something similar! Also, for anyone worried about the math - I used EDD's online calculator (it's buried in their website but it exists) to estimate what my partial benefits would be with different wage amounts. Really helped me understand whether part-time opportunities were financially worth it before applying. Jackie, definitely take that cafe job! The experience everyone's shared here shows it's totally manageable and you'll be better off financially. Plus like others mentioned, you never know what networking opportunities might come up. Good luck!

I'm new to this whole unemployment process but this thread has been incredibly informative! I was laid off from my marketing job three weeks ago and just got approved for benefits. I've been hesitant to look at part-time work because I was worried it would mess up my unemployment, but reading everyone's experiences here shows it's actually a smart strategy. The tips about keeping detailed records and taking photos of schedules are so practical - I would never have thought of that stuff on my own. It sounds like the key is just being super organized and honest with reporting. I have a potential opportunity for freelance graphic design work (probably 10-15 hours per week) and was scared to pursue it, but now I'm thinking I should go for it. Seems like having some income plus partial benefits is better than just waiting around for the perfect full-time position. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for newcomers like me who are totally lost in this system!

I've been working part-time retail (about 16 hours/week) while on partial unemployment for the past 4 months and it's been a game changer! The extra income plus reduced UI benefits actually puts me ahead financially compared to full unemployment alone. A few things that have helped me stay organized: - I use my phone's note app to jot down my daily hours right after each shift - Always report gross wages (before taxes) for the week you actually worked - Keep all pay stubs and take photos as backup - EDD randomly asked for verification once and I was ready The biggest thing is being completely accurate with your reporting. I've never had issues because I'm obsessive about tracking everything correctly. One week I accidentally reported $180 instead of $186 and EDD caught it during a review - they're pretty thorough! For anyone on the fence about part-time work while collecting UI: do it! You'll make more money overall, keep your skills sharp, and it looks way better to future employers than having employment gaps. Just stay organized and honest with your reporting and you'll be fine.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! Lost my full-time job in healthcare administration and was terrified about taking a part-time position because I thought it would mess up my benefits. Turns out it was one of the best decisions I made. Here's what I wish I had known from the start: - You'll almost certainly make MORE money combining part-time wages with partial UI than just collecting full unemployment - EDD's system is actually designed to encourage this - they want people working while transitioning back to full-time employment - The reporting process becomes routine after the first few certifications My advice: take detailed notes during your first certification after starting the job. Write down exactly what questions they ask and how you answered them, because you'll be doing the same process every two weeks. I kept a simple journal of my work hours and it saved me so much stress. The cafe job sounds perfect - customer service experience is valuable for almost any field, plus you'll be earning money instead of just waiting around. I ended up getting my current full-time position through a connection I made at my part-time job, so you never know where opportunities will come from! You're making the smart choice. Take the job and don't look back!

I'm currently in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was laid off from my office job last month and just got a part-time opportunity at a local bookstore (15-18 hours/week). I was really nervous about how it would affect my unemployment benefits, but after reading everyone's experiences, I feel much more confident about moving forward. The consistent advice about keeping detailed records really stands out - I'm definitely going to start tracking my hours immediately and take photos of my schedule like several people suggested. It's clear that being organized and completely accurate with reporting is the key to making this work smoothly. One thing I'm still a bit unclear on - when you're working part-time and certifying, do you still need to complete the same number of job search activities? Or does having part-time work count toward that requirement? I want to make sure I'm meeting all the requirements while balancing work and my full-time job search. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really encouraging to see so many success stories of people making this work financially and professionally!

I've been working part-time (about 20 hours/week) at a local grocery store while collecting partial unemployment for the past 2 months, and it's working out really well! The math definitely works in your favor - I'm making about $150 more per week combined than I was on full unemployment alone. A couple of practical tips that have saved me headaches: - Download a simple time-tracking app on your phone and clock in/out for each shift. Way more accurate than trying to remember hours later - Always double-check that your reported wages match your pay stub exactly - even small discrepancies can trigger reviews - Save screenshots of your EDD certification confirmations each time, just in case The cafe job sounds like a great opportunity! Customer-facing work is perfect for networking, and honestly, having a routine while job hunting helps with motivation. I've actually gotten more interviews since starting part-time work - I think it shows employers you're proactive rather than just sitting at home. Don't overthink the EDD reporting process - their system handles the benefit calculations automatically once you input accurate hours and wages. Focus on being meticulous with your record-keeping and you'll be fine. You're making the smart choice taking this job!