EDD benefits if I refuse work with drastic schedule change and 40% pay cut

You're definitely in a situation where you might be able to claim "good cause" for refusing work. California EDD typically considers a substantial reduction in pay (usually 20%+ is considered substantial) and a significant change in working conditions as potential good cause. The fact that you'd essentially be working just to cover childcare is also relevant. Make sure to document EVERYTHING. When they offered the new position, what the terms were, the pay reduction percentage, the schedule change, etc. If you refuse the job, you'll need to explain to EDD why it wasn't "suitable work" during your eligibility interview.

omg i had almost the same thing happen!!! they wanted me to go from regular hrs to like crazy split shifts and i couldnt do it bc of my kids school. EDD did approve me but i had to do this interview thing where i explained everything. they asked a lot about why i couldnt take the new schedule. make sure u have dates and stuff written down

This happened to me but the pay cut was only 15% and I still got denied. The EDD rep said I should have taken the new position even though it would have meant completely changing my childcare situation. I appealed and WON though!! The judge at the appeal hearing was way more understanding about the childcare issues than the initial EDD interviewer. But yours is a 40% cut which is HUGE. That alone should be good cause. Add the schedule change affecting childcare and I think you have a strong case.

I work with unemployment cases professionally, and here's my advice: formally decline the offer IN WRITING, clearly stating: 1. The original terms (schedule, pay) vs. new terms 2. The exact percentage of the pay reduction (40%) 3. SPECIFICALLY mention that the new pay would not cover or barely cover childcare costs 4. Explain that the variable schedule makes arranging childcare impossible Keep a copy of this letter and any response. When you file for unemployment, answer truthfully that you refused work but had good cause. You'll likely get an eligibility interview where you'll need to explain all this again. Regarding your job search question - yes, applying for positions at other companies that are similar to your original position in terms of pay and schedule would satisfy work search requirements.

getting thru to EDD to explain ur situation is the HARDEST part tbh. i was in a similar spot last year and spent WEEKS trying to get someone on the phone. kept getting the "max callers" message or waiting 3+ hours only to get disconnected. FINALLY i found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an EDD rep in under 20 mins. worth every penny for me! check out their video demo: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km or their website claimyr.com

I think everyone's missing a key point here. If your employer is eliminating your position but offering another one, technically you're not being laid off - you're refusing a job offer. This could complicate things with EDD. When I went through something similar, I had to really fight to prove I had "good cause" to refuse the new position. The 40% pay cut should definitely qualify as good cause, but be prepared to PROVE how this impacts your ability to pay for necessities. Calculate exactly how much you'd make after taxes with the new job, minus childcare costs. Show that it's financially unsustainable. The more documentation you have, the better. And yes, applying to jobs closer to your previous pay level absolutely counts for work search requirements.

The EDD system is such BS!!! They always side with employers and make it impossible for regular people to get benefits we PAID INTO. I went through something similar and had to appeal THREE TIMES before getting approved. The whole system is rigged against workers!!!

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to draft a formal letter declining the position and clearly outlining the reasons (40% pay cut, variable schedule incompatible with childcare, etc.). I'll gather documentation about my childcare costs to show how the new position would be financially impossible. Just to clarify one more thing - a few of you mentioned an eligibility interview. How long does it typically take to get scheduled for one after filing my claim? I'm trying to budget for how long we might be waiting for benefits to start coming in.