Can you get California EDD unemployment benefits if you're already on Social Security?

Oh wow that's a relief! So they won't even ask about the Social Security income when I'm filing? I was worried I'd have to report it and then they'd deny me or reduce my payment.

They may ask about other income sources on the initial claim form but Social Security retirement benefits specifically do not offset your California EDD benefit amount. Just answer honestly and you'll be fine. Social Security disability (SSDI) is a slightly different conversation but for retirement SS you're good.

this is correct i did exactly this two years ago, was getting SS and got laid off and collected both no problem

My highest quarter was probably around $9,000 or so working at the logistics place. Is that enough to qualify?

$9,000 in a single quarter should be more than enough. California EDD requires you earned at least $1,300 in your highest base period quarter, OR at least $900 in your highest quarter AND your total base period earnings were 1.25 times your highest quarter earnings. You're well above both thresholds.

what counts as the base period though? is it just the last year?

The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you file in 2025, they'd typically look at Oct 2023 through Sep 2024. There's also an alternate base period using the most recent four completed quarters if you don't qualify under the standard one.

I've been trying to call California EDD all morning and just keep getting the 'we cannot take your call' message. This is really frustrating. I'll check out that Claimyr link.

same, EDD phone lines are impossible. been trying for days

claimyr worked for me too when i needed to talk to someone about my claim status, definitely recommend if the regular line keeps cutting you off

That's a valid thing to think about but it's actually two separate questions. You're right that California EDD requires you to be able and available for work and actively seeking employment. BUT being on Social Security retirement doesn't automatically mean you're not available for work - it just means you're getting retirement income. The OP was literally working 30 hours a week before the layoff, so clearly able and available. They just need to be genuinely willing to take a new job to satisfy the availability requirement during their claim.

ohh ok that makes sense. so they just have to actually be looking for work and not treating it like full retirement?

Yeah I do want to work, I'm not ready to fully retire yet. I actually enjoy staying busy. So I'll definitely be doing real job searches.

Thank you! What counts as a job search activity? I want to make sure I'm doing it right.

California EDD counts things like submitting a job application, attending a job fair, creating or updating your CalJOBS profile, contacting an employer about job openings, or going on an interview. You need 3 per week and should log them. Keep records in case EDD ever asks to verify.

do you have to use CalJOBS or can you apply through indeed and stuff like that

You can apply through any job board - Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, etc. CalJOBS is a state system but you're not required to use it exclusively. You just need to log 3 qualifying activities each week and be able to document them.

You're touching on an important distinction. SSDI (disability) has a 'substantial gainful activity' limit that affects whether you can work at all, which is a Social Security Administration rule, not a California EDD rule. But you're right that it creates its own set of complications separate from UI eligibility. What type of SSDI situation were you dealing with?

yeah it was a mess. I had a partial disability and was working reduced hours. Long story. Eventually got it sorted but took forever

This is reassuring to hear from someone who actually did it. Did it take long to get approved after filing?

Mine took about 3 weeks from filing to first payment. They had a small hold initially that I had to call about, but then it processed. Nothing to do with Social Security, just normal EDD processing time.

3 weeks is a while when bills are due but good to know it's not indefinite. Did you have to go through adjudication?

Mine went into a brief adjudication because of a question about my separation from the employer, not the SS thing. Once I explained it was a straightforward layoff they approved me. Just make sure your separation reason is documented clearly.

Age doesn't factor into California EDD benefit calculations at all. Your weekly benefit amount is based strictly on your base period wages - specifically your highest quarter earnings during that period. The maximum weekly benefit in California right now is $450 per week. Has nothing to do with age, SS status, or anything like that.

$450 max per week seems kind of low honestly for California cost of living but I guess better than nothing

Yeah the maximum has been $450 for a while. There have been proposals to raise it but nothing has passed yet. You're right it doesn't go far in California but it definitely helps.

No, California EDD doesn't care whether you're taking early Social Security at 62, at full retirement age, or delayed. All of it is treated the same way under California UI law - it doesn't reduce or affect your unemployment benefits regardless of when you started collecting SS.

good to know, I've been going back and forth on when to take SS and was wondering if it had any unemployment implications

Does Claimyr work for general questions or only if you have a claim already open?

I used it before my claim was even fully processed, just needed to ask questions. It connects you to a regular California EDD representative so you can ask whatever you need.

good to know, I'll save that for if I ever need to reach them because the phone situation is genuinely terrible

Pensions are handled differently than Social Security in California. If your former employer contributed to your pension AND you're collecting UI from the same employer's account, the pension income may offset your weekly UI benefit dollar for dollar. Social Security is completely different - it's not employer-contributed in the same way and is specifically excluded from California's offset rules. So pension vs Social Security is an important distinction.

oh wow I did not know that. so a company pension could reduce EDD benefits but Social Security doesn't? that seems backwards but ok

I know it seems counterintuitive. The pension offset applies specifically when the same employer who's paying UI taxes is also funding your pension. It's basically to prevent double-dipping from the same source. Social Security is a federal program separate from any individual employer so California doesn't apply the same logic to it.

Yes please share! A lot of older workers don't realize they have this option. As long as she has earned wages in the base period and was laid off involuntarily, she can absolutely file a California EDD claim regardless of her age or Social Security status. The only requirement is she genuinely be able and available for work.

she definitely still wants to work, like she loves her job. this is good to know just in case

This is misinformation unfortunately. Social Security is explicitly NOT treated as pension income under California UI code. California used to have a Social Security offset years ago but it was eliminated. What your friend may have experienced is a pension offset (employer-funded pension from the same employer) which is different. Social Security retirement benefits: no offset. Please don't let this worry people away from filing legitimate claims.

ok thank you for clarifying. I was just worried because I've seen conflicting things online

It's good to double-check things but this one is pretty clear under California law. The California EDD website itself states that Social Security benefits do not reduce your UI weekly benefit amount.

That's a good point. I have documentation from my employer that it was a layoff due to workforce reduction. Do I need to submit that when I file or only if they ask?

I'd recommend keeping all that documentation ready but you don't need to upload it when you first file. California EDD will contact you if they need to verify your separation reason. But having the paperwork ready definitely speeds things up if they do ask.

100% agree. Employer disputes are way more likely to delay your claim than anything to do with Social Security. Keep any emails or letters about the layoff saved.

California EDD now offers both options. When you file you can set up direct deposit through UI Online which deposits right to your bank account, or they'll send a Bank of America EDD debit card to your address. Most people prefer direct deposit since it's faster and you don't have to worry about a card getting lost in the mail.

ok good, direct deposit makes way more sense. what's the certification schedule like, is it every week or what?

California EDD has you certify every two weeks (biweekly) through UI Online or by phone using their automated system EDD Tele-Cert. You answer questions about each week covering whether you worked, your earnings, whether you were able and available, and whether you looked for work.

This is exactly what I was worried about! So when it asks about earnings on the biweekly certification I only report actual work earnings, not Social Security checks? That's clarifying.

Correct. If you pick up any part-time work, report those wages. Social Security payments are not entered in the earnings section of your certification.

what if you have investment income or rental income? is that reported?

Investment income and rental income are generally not reported as wages on California EDD certifications either since they're not wages from employment. Wages from a job are what you report. That said if you have unusual income sources and are unsure, it's worth a call to EDD to confirm.

That's such important work. Honestly I almost didn't file because I assumed I'd be denied. So glad I asked first.

That assumption costs people thousands of dollars in benefits they're entitled to. California EDD is already confusing enough without adding incorrect assumptions on top. If you were working and paying into UI through payroll taxes, you almost certainly have rights to those benefits when you're laid off, Social Security or not.

This is so helpful to see a real example! $387/week is actually meaningful supplemental income. How long does the benefit period last?

California EDD unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks (about 6 months) on a regular claim. That's your benefit year. If you get a job before then, great. If the job market is rough there's sometimes extended benefits but that depends on economic conditions at the time.

26 weeks, that's actually a decent runway. Definitely filing if I ever get laid off now.

Yes, California EDD has a partial benefits system. If you work part time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you can still collect a reduced payment. There's a formula but roughly, EDD disregards the first $25 or 25% of your weekly benefit amount (whichever is greater) in earnings and then reduces your benefit dollar for dollar after that threshold. So working part time doesn't automatically cut off your benefits, it just reduces them.

that's actually really smart policy, encourages people to work even part time without punishing them for it

Good to know since I might try to pick up some part time consulting while I look for something full time. I'll make sure to report earnings correctly.

Ha, that's a very relatable family dynamic! But seriously, that's entirely a personal decision. What California EDD does require is that you be genuinely able, available, and actively seeking work to continue receiving UI benefits. If he truly doesn't want to work anymore, filing for UI might not be appropriate since the system is designed for people who want to return to work. But if he genuinely wants to keep working, he absolutely should be able to access benefits he paid into.

yeah he definitely still wants to work, he'd go crazy sitting at home. I was mostly joking. he loves working just needs a new gig