Can my son apply for UI benefits 5 months after layoff while working part-time?

Your son can absolutely still apply! The deadline to file a UI claim in California is within 18 months after being laid off. He qualifies for partial unemployment since his current job has reduced hours and pay. He may be able to get some retroactive benefits, but probably not for the full 5 months - EDD typically only pays retroactive benefits if there was a legitimate reason for the delay in filing (like illness or misinformation from EDD). He should apply ASAP through UI Online and make sure to report his current part-time income accurately when certifying. The system will calculate his partial benefits based on what he's earning now. If you're having trouble getting through to EDD to ask about retroactive benefits (which is likely), I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) last month to get through to an actual EDD representative in about 25 minutes instead of spending days trying to call myself. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Good luck to your son!

just wanna add that hes gonna need his w2 and final paystub from the construction job. also tell him to be ready for them to contact his ex employer to verify he was laid off. they WILL check!!! and he needs to do the work search requirements every week or theyll deny him

Your son is what's called a "partially employed" claimant. Here's how it works: he'll file based on his previous FULL-TIME job's earnings (that's his "base period"). Then each week when certifying, he'll report his part-time earnings. EDD will subtract 25% of his earnings and reduce his weekly benefit by the remainder. Example: If his weekly benefit amount is $450 based on his previous job, and he makes $300 in a week at his part-time job: - 25% of $300 = $75 (he keeps this with no reduction) - Remaining $225 is subtracted from his benefit - He'd get $225 in UI benefits ($450 - $225) - Total income: $300 (work) + $225 (UI) = $525 As for retroactive benefits, he'll need to explain the good cause for late filing. Being unaware of eligibility despite having a part-time job sometimes works, but it depends on the EDD interviewer. Don't count on getting all 5 months.

i was in almost the same situation last year!!!! got laid off from my warehouse job and was doing instacart while looking for somethin better. HUGE MISTAKE that i waited 3 months to apply...EDD only gave me benefits going forward not back pay even tho i explained i didnt know i could get UI while doing gig work. they said i "should have known" to apply right away 🙄 so dont get ur hopes up about backpay honestly

Has your son started applying yet? I'm confused about something - doesn't unemployment require you to be totally unemployed? Like you can't get benefits if you have any job at all? That's what my brother told me when I got laid off.

MAKE SURE HE APPLIES NOW!!! The clock is ticking on his benefit year! The longer he waits, the more money he potentially loses. Also, when he files, he should specifically request backpay and explain he didn't know he could get benefits while working part-time. I'd recommend he call and speak to a specialist about the backpay issue rather than just submitting online - much better chance of success.

I helped my daughter with something similar in february... one thing nobody mentioned yet is that he'll need to meet the minimum earnings requirement during his base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing). Since he worked full-time for 2 years before December that shouldn't be a problem but just so you know how they calculate eligibility. one other tip - make sure he prints out or saves PDF copies of EVERYTHING during the application process. EDD sometimes "loses" documents and having your own copies is a lifesaver!

btw when he certifies every 2 weeks he HAS to report his part time income accurately!!! my roomate got caught underreporting and now has to pay everything back PLUS a penalty. not worth it!!!

Just want to follow up - has your son started his application yet? If he's having trouble, remember that getting through to an EDD rep can be really helpful. I used Claimyr and it saved me hours of frustration. The rep I spoke with was able to backdate my claim by 6 weeks because I explained I didn't know I qualified while working reduced hours.