Can my 65-year-old dad claim EDD benefits after layoff or only Social Security?

Yes, your dad can absolutely apply for unemployment! Being 65 doesn't disqualify him from EDD benefits at all. Age is not a factor for UI eligibility - what matters is that he was laid off through no fault of his own, is able and available to work, and is actively seeking employment. He can collect both unemployment and Social Security simultaneously without any penalties or reductions in California (though some other states do reduce UI benefits if collecting SS). Tell him to apply for UI right away since benefits aren't retroactive beyond the week he applies.

my dad went thru the same thing last year!! he was 67 and got laid off after like 20 years. he got both SS and unemployment at same time. the EDD doesnt care about your age, just that you lost your job and are looking for work. tell him to MAKE SURE he does all the work search stuff in his weekly certifications or they'll deny him!!

To add some important details: Your father can receive up to 26 weeks of regular UI benefits in California. The weekly benefit amount is based on his highest-earning quarter during the base period (typically the 12 months before the quarter he files). With 27 years at the same company, he likely qualifies for the maximum weekly benefit amount of $602. He should apply online through UI Online right away. He'll need to provide his employment history, last day worked, and reason for separation. Since it was a layoff, make sure he indicates it was due to "lack of work" or similar, not a voluntary quit. After applying, he'll need to certify every two weeks that he's looking for work, available to accept work, and report any income. The work search requirement typically means applying for jobs, attending interviews, or contacting employers about opportunities.

WATCH OUT!! My husband is 66 and got laid off back in April, and when he applied for both, his Social Security actually GOT REDUCED!!! I think it depends on if he's already collecting Social Security or not? Or maybe if he's taking early SS vs full retirement age SS? The whole system is SO CONFUSING and the EDD people tell you one thing while SS tells you another thing entirely. We're STILL sorting out this mess 8 months later!!!

I want to mention something that might help your dad get through to EDD if he has any issues with his claim (which is pretty common with more complex situations like retirement age applicants). I was trying for WEEKS to get through to an EDD agent about my claim and kept getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me a callback from EDD within about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km It saved me so much stress during an already stressful time. Just wanted to share in case your dad runs into any issues with his claim that need human intervention. The regular EDD phone lines are still nearly impossible to get through.

Surprised nobody mentioned that he needs to check if his employer offered him any severance package? If he did get severance pay, he needs to report it when he files for unemployment. It might delay when his UI benefits start, but won't make him ineligible. Also, with his long work history, he should qualify for the maximum benefit amount and duration. Good luck to your dad!

He should apply for UI immediately, even with the severance. When certifying biweekly, he'll report the severance pay for the weeks he receives it. EDD will reduce his UI benefits accordingly during those weeks, but this keeps his claim active. Once the severance ends, he'll receive his full UI amount. Regarding your earlier question about part-time work: Yes, he can absolutely search for part-time positions! As long as he's willing to accept suitable work and is actively looking, part-time job searching is acceptable. Just make sure he indicates this preference when filing his claim. His UI benefits might be reduced if he finds part-time work, but he can still receive partial benefits if his earnings are below a certain threshold.

one thing to keep in mind is that unemployment is taxable but depending on his income SS might not be taxed. he should probably talk to a tax person about withholding options cuz my dad got a surprise tax bill

I still think the whole system is RIGGED against older workers!!! My sister's husband got laid off at 63 and they made it SO HARD for him to get benefits because they kept saying he "wasn't looking hard enough for work" - but WHO HIRES 63-YEAR-OLDS??? The whole system is just designed to push people into early retirement whether they can afford it or not!!!

One final note that might help your father: He should remember that at 65, he also has Medicare eligibility. If his previous employer was providing health insurance that's now ending, he should ensure he's enrolled in Medicare to avoid any gaps in coverage. There's a Special Enrollment Period when you lose employer coverage. Regarding his job search: There are programs specifically designed to help older workers find employment. The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is one such program. Also, California has workforce centers that offer specialized assistance for older job seekers. Wishing your dad the best of luck navigating this transition. It's challenging at any age, but with 27 years of experience, he has valuable skills to offer employers.