Can you be on unemployment and work part time in California EDD?

Wait so the $25 or 25 percent - whichever is bigger? I always assumed it was just a flat $25 so this is actually way more helpful than I expected. So on a week where I earn like $200, 25 percent of that is $50, and $50 is bigger than $25, so EDD ignores $50 and subtracts $150 from my benefit amount?

Exactly right. The 25 percent rule helps more the more you earn. The agent was pretty clear about that math being automatic on EDD's end once you report your wages correctly during certification.

Saving this explanation, the $25 vs 25% thing confused me forever. My DE 429Z showed my weekly amount but I had no idea what would happen to it if I picked up shifts.

DE 429Z is the award notice EDD mails after processing your application - it shows your weekly benefit amount and the total your claim can pay. Good thing to keep handy so you know your numbers before you work out the math.

Okay I'll start the application tonight. Do I need my pay stubs ready or just know my rough earnings?

Have your Social Security number, your employer's full address, and a rough history of your wages from the last 18 months if possible. Pay stubs or W-2s help you fill it in accurately but EDD also verifies wages with employers. The more accurate you are upfront the smoother it goes.

Also get your state ID or driver license number ready - EDD uses ID.me for identity verification now and you'll need to verify before your claim processes.

This is really important, thank you. My restaurant pays biweekly so I could definitely see myself making this mistake.

Same error I almost made. The certification asks what you earned for each week in the period, and they mean earned not received. Gets confusing when your pay cycle doesn't line up with EDD's two-week certification windows.

Exactly and if you realize you reported a week wrong after the fact, you can't fix it in UI Online - you have to contact EDD directly through a UI Online message or by phone to get it corrected.

Just that specific week. EDD looks at each week individually. If you work full time in week one but only part time in week two of a certification period, you'd be ineligible for week one and the reduced benefit formula would apply to week two.

That's a relief actually. I had a situation where I covered a bunch of shifts for a sick coworker and was worried I'd lose the whole certification period.

EDD really does evaluate each week on its own. I covered a lot of extra hours one week last year and got nothing for that week but still got a partial benefit for the other week in the same certification.

Oh I had no idea about CalJOBS - does that apply even if I'm still employed part time? Like I'm not fully out of a job.

Usually yes, though EDD can waive it in certain situations. The safest move is to register anyway - it only takes maybe 20 minutes and it's caljobs.ca.gov. EDD will tell you if you don't need to but don't assume.

The CalJOBS requirement surprised me too. The DE 8405 showed up in my mailbox about a week and a half after I applied and I almost threw it out thinking it was junk mail. Read every piece of mail from EDD carefully.

Same honestly, I really thought it was only for people with zero income. Wish someone had told me earlier.

applying tonight fr

So I'm essentially not getting paid for one week total across the whole claim? That's a little annoying but good to know so I'm not confused when the first payment comes in.

Right, just the one week at the very beginning. It doesn't change how much your claim can pay total - it's more like a delay than a reduction in your overall benefits.

The waiting week got me so stressed when I first filed, I thought EDD had made an error. Checked UI Online like six times that day.

Filing tonight then, didn't realize the start date was tied to when I actually apply.

A lot of people wait hoping the situation resolves itself and then lose those weeks forever. File as soon as you know your hours are cut.

Filing a UI claim is a legal right in California. EDD does notify your employer when you file - they receive a Notice of Unemployment Insurance Claim Filed (DE 1101CZ) and have 10 days to respond if they want to. But the act of filing itself is protected. What your manager said isn't a rule.

Good to know. I was nervous bringing it up at work at all.

My employer found out when I filed after an hours cut and honestly nothing happened. They responded to EDD, EDD processed it, I got benefits. Not a word from management about it.

This is really helpful to hear as a real example. I'm already doing math on what I might expect. What was the turnaround like from applying to first payment?

About three weeks from when I applied to when that first payment hit my Money Network card. EDD says it takes roughly that long to process a new claim.

Money Network card - is that automatic or do I have to sign up for it?

EDD sends it automatically unless you go into myEDD and set up direct deposit. I just kept the card because it was easy.

Not quite right. EDD notifies the employer that a claim was filed - that's the DE 1101CZ - but it doesn't report your weekly benefit payments to your employer on an ongoing basis. And your employer can't legally file a claim on your behalf or deny you benefits - EDD makes the eligibility call, not the employer.

ok that makes more sense. i heard that from someone who filed years ago so probably old information anyway

Oh wow I did not think about tips at all. So I report my hourly wages AND my tip income each week?

Yes, report what you actually grossed including tips for the week you earned them. EDD applies the same offset formula to your total gross earnings for the week.

Restaurant workers especially need to be careful about this. Cash tips are still income, still reportable. If EDD later finds unreported earnings that's how you end up with an overpayment notice.

She's wrong on this one. A significant reduction in hours qualifies as a partial job separation in California - you're out of work through no fault of your own, which is exactly what UI covers. Fired, laid off, and significantly reduced hours all can qualify. The rules aren't limited to firings.

i figured but she was pretty confident about it lol. applying now

Should I expect an interview for sure or is it not always required?

Not always required for a straightforward hours reduction where you're still with the same employer. If EDD needs more info they'll schedule one, and the DE 4800 will come in the mail. Just make sure your contact info is current in myEDD.

If you do miss the scheduled time for any reason, phone EDD that same day. Missing it and doing nothing is what can really delay or deny your benefits.

How long did your pending week stay pending before the agent told you that? I'm a little anxious about anything showing up like that on my claim.

About 10 days before I actually got through to someone to ask. After the agent explained it and I sent the UI Online message it cleared in another week. Total about three weeks of that one week being held up, which was frustrating but it did resolve.

Good to know that pending weeks can have specific reasons behind them. I always assumed pending just meant the whole claim was stuck.

Good to know ahead of time. I'd rather not get surprised with a tax bill in the spring. Is the 10 percent withholding enough to cover it usually?

It depends on your total income for the year. If restaurant work is your main income and you're only getting partial UI benefits, 10 percent is probably in the right range but it's worth talking to a tax person. I always just choose the withholding to be safe.

EDD pays nothing at the state level but the federal piece catches people off guard every year. Learned this the hard way my first time filing.

How does reopening a claim work - is it complicated?

If your benefit year is still open you just reopen through UI Online, it's pretty quick. No need to file a whole new application. The option shows up in your account.

That's good to know for down the road. My manager did say the slow season might stretch into spring.

How do you know when your certification window opens?

UI Online shows it on your homepage. After you certify you can basically count forward two weeks and that's roughly when the next one opens. EDD also texts or emails reminders if you have those set up in your account.

the two week thing confused me at first because i kept checking ui online every day waiting for it to open lol

That's a bit of a bummer but I appreciate the heads up. I always report my tips on my employer's end so hopefully it's accurate.

Then you should be in good shape. EDD's Unemployment Benefit Calculator on its site can give you an estimate based on your quarterly earnings - worth running through before you apply so you know roughly what to expect.

The calculator is on edd.ca.gov - searching 'EDD unemployment benefit calculator' finds it fast. It won't be exact but it gives you a ballpark from your quarterly wages.

Honestly just knowing there's a way to actually talk to someone if something looks off is reassuring. I've heard horror stories about never being able to reach EDD.

The phones can be rough during peak times. Getting an actual answer about what's on your specific claim makes a huge difference versus just staring at Pending and guessing.

The 'pending for no visible reason' situation is so stressful. Good to know there's a path to actually finding out what's going on.

You're still required to be able to work, available for work, and looking for work every week you certify - that's the standard for collecting UI regardless of your situation. EDD's pages don't state a specific number of contacts to make, but the requirement exists. If EDD ever questions it, you want to have been genuinely available.

Okay so I still have to be actively looking even if I expect my hours to come back? That feels weird.

The requirement is there for every week you're collecting. What you're hoping happens with your current job doesn't change EDD's eligibility rules for the weeks you're certifying.

Makes sense I guess. I'll keep applying to other places just in case my hours don't bounce back anyway.