Can furloughed employees collect unemployment in California EDD?

Thank you so much - this is exactly what I needed. My HR email didn't mention any return date at all, just 'indefinite furlough until operations resume.' So it sounds like I should go ahead and file and also plan on doing the job search activities?

Exactly right. File today if you can. With no return date given, EDD will treat this like an open-ended layoff. Complete your job search log each week - three employer contacts minimum - and keep records in case you get audited later. If your employer eventually gives you a recall date within 60 days, you can call EDD at that point to request standby status.

wait does standby mean you dont have to look for work at all?? I thought you always had to do job searches no matter what

Standby status is a real exception to the job search requirement, but it's only available in specific situations - mainly when an employer provides a definite recall date within 60 days, or in certain labor dispute situations. It's not automatic, you have to request it and EDD has to approve it.

That's really helpful context about the earnings calculation. I've been full time for six years so I should definitely hit those thresholds. Did you have any issues with your employer contesting the claim?

My employer didn't contest it. Most employers don't fight furlough claims because they know it qualifies - contesting it would just create bad blood with workers they're planning to recall anyway. If yours does contest it for some reason, don't panic, just go through the appeal process with documentation of the furlough notice.

yeah same experience here, employer never said anything and claim went through fine

Oh interesting, I've never heard of that. I was dreading trying to call EDD because everyone says it's nearly impossible to get through. I'll check out that video.

i literally spent 4 hours on hold last month and got disconnected right before someone picked up. anything that helps with the phone situation is worth knowing about

Does this actually work or is it just one of those things that sounds good? I've tried every trick to get through to EDD and nothing works

Oh wow, I had no idea you couldn't get backpay for weeks before you filed. Filing right now.

Good!! And take screenshots of everything, every confirmation number, every certification you submit. EDD's systems have bugs and things disappear. CYA always.

This is real advice. Document everything religiously. I had a certification disappear from my account once and had zero proof I submitted it. Learn from others' mistakes.

This is a very common misconception. Unemployment insurance in California is based on whether you're receiving wages, not whether you technically have a job title. During a furlough where you're receiving zero pay, you meet EDD's definition of unemployed for UI purposes. The 'you still have a job' logic doesn't hold up under California UI law.

ok that makes way more sense. my cousin got bad info then lol

Tons of people believe this myth. The simple test is: are you getting paid? No? Then you're likely eligible. EDD doesn't care about your employment status on paper as much as it cares about your actual earnings.

Good to know about the partial earnings formula. My employer said they're paying out our accrued PTO so I'll need to report that.

Yes, definitely report the PTO payout. EDD will ask about it and it can affect which weeks it gets applied to. You might want to call EDD about how to correctly report a lump sum PTO payout - that's a situation where getting it wrong can cause headaches later.

Wait PTO payout affects your benefits?? I had no idea. I reported mine but I wasn't sure how it affected things and the EDD website wasn't super clear about it.

PTO payouts allocated to specific weeks can affect benefit amounts for those weeks. It's one of those areas where calling EDD to confirm how to report it correctly is genuinely worth the effort.

What counts as a job search activity? I was assuming it meant actually applying for jobs but is there more to it?

EDD accepts several things: submitting a job application, attending a job fair, creating or updating a profile on a job search site, contacting an employer about openings, taking a skills assessment through CalJOBS, attending an EDD workshop. Applying to actual jobs is the most straightforward but you have options.

Also register with CalJOBS (the California job search portal) as soon as you file - EDD often requires this and it actually counts as one of your initial job search activities.

Not at all - this is expected and normal. If you're recalled and return to work, you simply stop certifying for benefits. On your next certification you report the date you returned to work and any wages earned that week. Your UI claim stays open for a year from the date it was established, so if you get furloughed again within that period you can reopen the same claim without starting over.

oh ok that's way less complicated than i thought. good to know

The only situation where you could get in trouble is if you get recalled, start working, but continue certifying and claiming you're unemployed. That would be UI fraud. But legitimately collecting for the weeks you actually were on furlough is completely fine.

Same honestly. My HR department was completely useless on this. Hope your claim goes smoothly!

thanks, just filed online. took maybe 20 minutes. now just waiting on the confirmation email

I was skeptical at first too but phone access to EDD really does matter when something goes sideways with your claim. Good to know about options

bookmarking this for if my claim has any issues. thanks

Great point - I still have the HR email so I'll make sure to save that somewhere safe.

This is SO important. Print it, screenshot it, save it to multiple places. If your claim goes to adjudication you'll be glad you have the original documentation.

I'd add: if adjudication does happen, don't assume the worst. A lot of claims go to adjudication just because EDD's system flagged something for review, not because your employer contested anything. Most adjudications for standard furloughs resolve in your favor.

Interesting question. Your base period is calculated from earnings in the 12-18 months before you file. If you return to work after furlough and then get laid off later, you'd file a new or reopened claim and EDD would recalculate based on your earnings in the relevant base period. Your furlough period itself (when you weren't earning wages) would just show up as a gap in earnings, which is normal and expected. It shouldn't 'mess up' anything - EDD sees this constantly.

ok good, that was something I was worried about for my own situation. thanks

Oh wow I had no idea payments came on a debit card, I assumed direct deposit was the default. Thanks for the heads up.

you can set up direct deposit through UI Online actually - go to payment preferences after filing. way faster than waiting for the card. wish someone had told me that from the start

Direct deposit is definitely the way to go. Usually shows up within 2-3 business days after certification is processed vs potentially over a week for the debit card to arrive and get activated.

Not a dumb question. No, you don't have to notify your employer that you filed. EDD notifies them automatically as part of the process (they get a chance to respond to your claim). You don't need to do anything to make that happen.

ok good i wasnt sure if it would be awkward with my job since they said they might bring us back

Totally normal to feel weird about it but collecting unemployment you're legally entitled to during a furlough is not something a reasonable employer would hold against you. You paid into the UI system through your payroll taxes - you're using a benefit you earned.

Seven weeks is terrifying. How did you finally get it resolved?

Eventually got through to an actual agent who looked at my file and said there was a simple question that just needed to be answered. Took five minutes on the phone but weeks of waiting and redialing to get there. The phone access problem at EDD is a real systemic issue.

This is exactly why I keep bringing up Claimyr (claimyr.com) in this thread - adjudication situations are specifically where being able to reach a live EDD agent matters most. Check the demo at https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10 - it's designed exactly for situations like what you described where you're stuck waiting and need someone to actually look at your file.

yeah getting through to EDD by phone feels like a lottery. good to know there are options

Really appreciate all the advice in this thread. I've filed, I'm registering with CalJOBS now, and I've saved my furlough email. Feeling a lot more prepared than I did this morning.

You've got this. The California UI system does work for exactly the situation you're in - furloughed employees collecting unemployment is totally standard. Good luck with the recall if it comes through.

Good luck! Come back and update us. Threads like this help future people in the same situation find answers through search.