EDD benefits for drastically reduced work hours - Do I qualify?

Yes, you absolutely qualify for partial unemployment! This is exactly what UI partial benefits are designed for. When you certify each week, you'll report your reduced work hours and earnings, and EDD will calculate a partial benefit payment based on your regular weekly benefit amount minus a portion of your earnings. Apply ASAP through UI Online since benefits aren't retroactive before your application date. Make sure you have your employment history for the past 18 months ready when you apply.

omg same thing happened to me last year!! they cut me from 38 hrs to just 12!! its called "partial unemployment" and yes u can get it! better than nothing

It DEPENDS on how much you're still earning!!! If your part-time earnings are too high, you might NOT qualify for ANY benefits! EDD has this stupid formula where they deduct part of your earnings from your weekly benefit. So if you would qualify for $450/week normally but still earn $400 at your part-time job, you might get NOTHING or just a few dollars. This SYSTEM is completely BROKEN!!!

I went through this exact situation in 2025 when my retail job cut everyone to 18 hours after the holiday season. Here's what you need to know: 1. File your claim immediately - don't wait 2. When you certify each week, report ALL hours and earnings accurately 3. You must be available for full-time work (this is important - you can't restrict yourself to only part-time) 4. You must continue looking for full-time work and document your job search 5. Keep track of any weeks where you earn too much to receive benefits - you can still certify those weeks as it keeps your claim active One thing that really helped was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD agent when I had questions about my partial benefits. They have a service that helps you bypass the phone waiting system. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. It saved me from constantly getting the "too many callers" message when I needed to ask specific questions about my reduced hours situation.

Yes, I used that service when my claim had issues. It works, but honestly, try calling the EDD yourself first right when they open at 8:00 AM. Sometimes you can get through without help. But if you keep getting the "too many callers" message for days, Claimyr can definitely help. Regarding your situation, just make sure your employer correctly reports your reduced hours. Sometimes they'll tell EDD you "voluntarily" reduced hours which can cause problems.

wait i'm confused... is this the same as SDI? i thought that was only for when ur sick?

Make sure u check ur benefit amount when it comes! My cousin got partial unemployment last yr and EDD messed up the calculation. he had to call like 50 times to get it fixed!!

Update: I applied yesterday and got my confirmation number. The UI Online portal shows my claim is processing. I'm still a bit confused about the certification part - do I just report my actual hours worked each week? I'm worried about making mistakes since I've never done this before.

When I had reduced hours last year, I qualified for benefits some weeks but not others because my schedule kept changing. Just certify accurately every two weeks and the system will calculate if you get anything for each specific week.

Be prepared for EDD to MESS UP your claim!!! I had reduced hours and they kept putting my certifications as "pending" for NO REASON!!! Took WEEKS to fix and I almost got EVICTED waiting for payments!!!

One more important thing: if your employer officially notifies you about the reduced hours, save that documentation. It can help if there are any questions about whether the reduction was voluntary or not. And make sure you keep good records of your work search activities - EDD has been doing more eligibility interviews for partial claims lately.

I'm in a very similar situation - my hours just got cut from 35 to 20 per week at my job. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! I had no idea about partial unemployment benefits. One question though - if I apply for UI now but my employer potentially increases my hours back to normal in a few weeks, can I just stop certifying or do I need to formally close my claim? I don't want to mess anything up with EDD if the situation changes.

Just wanted to add my experience with partial unemployment - I was in a similar boat when my restaurant cut everyone to 20 hours after COVID. The application process itself is pretty straightforward, but here's what I wish someone had told me: keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. I'm talking screenshots of your UI Online certifications, records of every phone call attempt, and especially documentation of your reduced hours from your employer. Also, don't panic if your first payment takes 2-3 weeks - that's normal for new claims. The most important thing is to certify on time every two weeks, even if you're confused about something. You can always call later to clarify, but missing a certification deadline can really mess things up. Good luck with your claim!

I've been through this exact situation twice in the past few years - once when my retail job cut hours during slow season, and again when my current employer reduced everyone's schedule due to budget cuts. A few things to add that haven't been mentioned: First, keep your work availability open! Even though you're only working 15 hours, you need to be available and actively seeking full-time work. EDD will ask about this during your certification. Second, don't stress too much about the earnings formula - it's actually not as confusing as it sounds once you see it in action. For most people with significant hour reductions like yours (40 to 15 hours), you'll definitely qualify for partial benefits. Third, be patient with the initial processing time. My first claim took about 10 days to get approved, and then another week for the first payment. It's nerve-wracking when you're worried about rent, but the benefits are backdated to when you filed. One last tip: if you do need to call EDD for any reason, try calling right at 8:00 AM or during lunch hours (12-1 PM). I've had better luck getting through during those times. The worst times to call are Monday mornings and right after certification periods open. You're doing the right thing by applying immediately - don't second-guess yourself on this!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my hours got cut from 32 to 18 per week last month. I applied for partial UI and it's been a lifesaver! A few things I learned that might help: Make sure you understand the difference between "earned" vs "paid" when certifying. I made the mistake of reporting based on when I got my paycheck instead of when I actually worked the hours, and it caused some confusion with my first certification. Also, don't be surprised if your benefit amount varies week to week if your hours aren't consistent. Some weeks I work 18 hours, other weeks it's 22, so my UI payment changes accordingly. The system actually handles this pretty smoothly once you get the hang of reporting accurately. One thing that really helped me was setting up direct deposit right away - payments come much faster than waiting for the debit card to arrive. And definitely keep track of your work search activities from day one, even if you think you might get your full hours back soon. Better to have the documentation and not need it than the other way around. The whole process was less scary than I expected, and the partial benefits have definitely helped bridge the gap while I look for something full-time. You've got this!

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago when my hours got slashed from 40 to 16 per week. Definitely apply for partial unemployment ASAP! A few things that really helped me: 1. Take screenshots of everything in UI Online - your application confirmation, benefit determination, every certification. I had a payment get stuck and having those screenshots saved me hours on the phone with EDD. 2. Your employer might fight your claim saying the hours were "voluntary" - get any written communication about the hour reduction and save it. Even text messages or emails count as documentation. 3. The job search requirement is real even for partial claims, but it's not as bad as it sounds. I actually found a better full-time job within 8 weeks because I was forced to actively search. Sometimes these situations end up being blessings in disguise. 4. Don't worry if some weeks you earn "too much" for benefits - just keep certifying anyway to keep your claim active. When your hours fluctuate (which they probably will), you'll be glad you kept the claim open. The partial benefits definitely won't replace your full income, but every bit helps when you're trying to make rent. You're taking the right steps by applying immediately. Hang in there!

I'm in a very similar boat - my restaurant just cut everyone from full-time to 20 hours max due to "slow season adjustments." Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea partial unemployment was even an option. Quick question for those who've been through this: when you're certifying and reporting your reduced hours, does EDD ever verify the hours directly with your employer? I'm worried about any discrepancies if my manager reports something different than what I put down. Also, has anyone had issues with employers being upset about employees filing for partial UI? I don't want to create workplace drama but I really need the financial help right now.

Just wanted to add something that might help with the certification timing - I found it really helpful to certify first thing Sunday morning when the system opens for the new certification period. The UI Online system can get slow later in the day when more people are logging in. Also, set a phone reminder for yourself every two weeks because missing even one certification can cause delays and headaches. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to certify one period and had to call EDD to reopen my certification - took almost a week to sort out. The consistency is key, especially with partial unemployment where you're reporting different hours and earnings each week. Your situation sounds very manageable though, and 15 hours is definitely low enough that you should qualify for substantial partial benefits!