EDD eligibility question: Can I get UI after quitting full-time job due to childcare but still working part-time?

ur gonna have a hard time gettin benefits if u quit voluntarily. EDD usually only pays if ur laid off or fired without cause

This is actually considered a "good cause" quit in some circumstances. If you can prove that you had no reasonable alternative but to quit due to childcare issues, EDD may approve your claim. You'll need to be ready to explain during your eligibility interview: 1. How your work schedule changed 2. What efforts you made to find childcare 3. Whether you discussed alternatives with your employer before quitting The key is showing you tried everything possible before quitting. Make sure you have documentation showing schedule changes and childcare search efforts.

I just went through something SUPER similar!!!!! Had to quit my nursing job because they switched me from day to night shift and I couldn't find overnight childcare for my toddler. EDD initially DENIED my claim saying I quit "voluntarily" but I appealed and eventually won. The appeal process was stressful but worth it. Make sure you DOCUMENT EVERYTHING about your childcare search!!! I had to wait almost 3 months for benefits though so prepare financially if you can.

You can absolutely apply but IMO don't get your hopes up. My cousin tried to get UI after quitting for childcare and got denied. EDD is super strict about voluntary quits. Good luck tho!

You might still qualify for partial unemployment with your part-time job. When you certify, you'll report your part-time earnings and EDD will reduce your weekly benefit amount accordingly. But if your part-time earnings are significantly less than what you'd receive from unemployment, you could still get some benefits. Regarding the quit: California recognizes childcare issues as potential good cause for leaving employment, but you'll need to prove: 1. The childcare problem was real and substantial 2. You had no reasonable alternative 3. You tried to preserve your employment Be prepared for a detailed eligibility interview where they'll ask about specific efforts you made to resolve the situation before quitting.

Trying to reach EDD to discuss your specific situation will be super helpful, but it's nearly impossible to get through on their phone lines these days. I was in a similar situation and spent WEEKS trying to talk to someone. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an EDD agent - they have this system that calls EDD for you and connects you when they get through. Saved me hours of redial hell. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The agent I spoke with was able to give me specific advice for my situation which made all the difference in my claim being approved.

A few important points that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. Since you've only been at your part-time job for 4 months, EDD will look at your earnings from both jobs to determine your benefit amount. Your base period will include wages from your 3-year job, which is good for your potential benefit amount. 2. When you certify, you must be available for full-time work. This means you need to be willing and able to accept suitable full-time employment, even while working part-time. 3. You'll need to conduct a job search and document your work search activities when certifying. 4. If approved, your weekly benefit amount will be reduced by a portion of your part-time earnings. Childcare issues can qualify as good cause for voluntary quit, but as others mentioned, documentation is key. The specific regulation is Title 22, Section 1256-9(b) of the California Code, which recognizes domestic circumstances including childcare problems as potential good cause.

UI benifets are a JOKE anyway... you'll get way less than you think and they'll find any excuse to deny you!! The whole systems rigged against working parents. I applied after I had to quit cuz of my kids school schedule and EDD treated me like I was trying to commit fraud or something 🙄

whats ur weekly income at the part time job? if its too much u might not get any benefits anyway

I'm in a very similar situation and wanted to share some hope! I had to quit my full-time retail job because they kept changing my schedule with only 2 days notice and I couldn't find childcare that flexible. I was terrified about applying for UI because I "quit" but my case worker explained that California does recognize childcare issues as good cause. A few things that helped my case: - I kept screenshots of all the schedule changes they sent me - I had emails showing I asked HR if I could have a set schedule - I documented every childcare provider I contacted and their responses - I calculated how much emergency/last-minute childcare would cost vs my wages The process took about 6 weeks total including the eligibility interview, but I did get approved! The interviewer was actually really understanding about the impossible situation working parents face with unpredictable schedules. Don't let people scare you out of applying - worst case you get denied and you're in the same spot you're in now. But if you have documentation showing you tried everything before quitting, you have a real chance. Good luck!!

I went through something very similar last year and wanted to share what worked for me. I had to quit my full-time office job because they moved me to a swing shift schedule and I couldn't find childcare that covered those hours. The key things that helped my case get approved: - I wrote a detailed timeline of everything that happened (schedule changes, childcare search, conversations with my boss) - I kept all text messages and emails related to trying to find care - I got a letter from my regular daycare saying they couldn't accommodate the new hours - I documented the cost difference - overnight care would have cost more than I was making The eligibility interview was nerve-wracking but the interviewer seemed to understand that I didn't have a real choice. It took about 2 months from filing to getting my first payment, but it was worth it. One tip: when you file online, be very clear in your explanation that you exhausted all other options before quitting. They need to see you made a good faith effort to keep working. You've got this! The fact that you tried to work with your employer first and have documentation puts you in a good position.

I'm really glad to see so many people sharing their successful experiences with similar situations! As someone who works in employment law, I wanted to add a few practical tips for your application: When you file your initial claim, you'll select "quit" and then choose the reason. Look for options related to "working conditions" or "personal/family circumstances" - the exact wording varies but there should be a category that fits childcare issues. In your written explanation (keep it concise but clear), mention: - That your employer changed your work schedule - That you attempted to work with them on alternatives - That reliable childcare was not available for the new schedule - That you had no reasonable choice but to resign During your eligibility interview, present your evidence in an organized way. Having everything in a timeline like others suggested really helps the interviewer understand the sequence of events and that quitting was truly your last resort. Also remember that even if you're initially denied, the appeals process exists for exactly these types of situations. Many people get approved on appeal even after an initial denial, so don't give up if that happens. Your documentation sounds solid and the fact that you tried to work with your employer first is exactly what EDD looks for in "good cause" quit situations. Best of luck with your claim!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my experience as someone who successfully got UI benefits after quitting for childcare reasons. The most important thing I learned is that EDD really does recognize childcare as "good cause" - but you have to prove you had NO other reasonable options. What really helped my case was showing the financial impossibility of continuing. I calculated that the cost of emergency/flexible childcare would have eaten up 85% of my paycheck, leaving me with basically nothing after taxes. I presented this as a spreadsheet during my interview showing childcare costs vs. my net pay. Also, don't forget to mention any safety concerns if your kids would have been unsupervised. I had to explain that my 8-year-old would have been alone from 6pm-midnight with the new schedule, which wasn't safe or legal. The process is stressful but so many people in this thread have gotten approved! Document everything, be thorough in your explanation, and don't let anyone convince you not to try. You paid into this system and deserve benefits when you have legitimate reasons for unemployment. One last tip: if you get an eligibility interview scheduled, treat it like a job interview. Be professional, organized, and have all your documents ready. The interviewers deal with fraud cases all day, so showing up prepared and honest really makes a difference.

I'm new to this community but going through something very similar right now! I had to quit my full-time restaurant job because they switched me to closing shifts and I couldn't find evening childcare for my 7-year-old daughter. I've been so scared to apply for UI because I thought quitting automatically disqualified you, but reading all these success stories is giving me hope! I have some of the same documentation you all mentioned - emails with my manager about schedule changes, texts from babysitters saying they weren't available for those hours, and even a quote from an after-school program showing how expensive extended care would be. @Zara Khan your original question really resonated with me because I'm also still working part-time at another job (about 20 hours/week) but lost most of my income when I had to leave the full-time position. It sounds like we might both have a legitimate case based on what everyone here is sharing! Has anyone had experience with how long the whole process takes from start to finish? I'm trying to plan financially for the waiting period. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this thread is incredibly helpful for those of us navigating this situation!

Based on everyone's experiences shared here, it really sounds like you have a strong case for getting UI benefits approved! The fact that you tried to work with your employer on the schedule issue and have documentation of your childcare search puts you in a good position. I wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - when you're preparing for your eligibility interview, consider creating a simple one-page summary that includes: - Timeline of events (schedule changes, your requests for accommodation, when you quit) - Financial impact (income loss, childcare cost estimates) - Evidence you'll reference (emails, texts, daycare waitlist confirmations) Having this organized summary can help you stay focused during the interview and make sure you don't forget to mention important details when you're nervous. The success stories in this thread show that EDD does recognize childcare as legitimate good cause when you can prove you exhausted other options. With your 3 years at the full-time job, your benefit amount should be calculated on those higher wages too, which will help. Don't let the initial stress discourage you from applying - even if there's a chance of initial denial, the appeals process is there for exactly these situations. You've got solid documentation and a legitimate case. Good luck with your application!

I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation - had to quit my full-time job because they changed my schedule with no notice and I couldn't arrange childcare. I've been terrified to apply for UI because I thought quitting meant automatic disqualification. Reading all these success stories is giving me hope that I might actually have a chance. I have emails where I asked my supervisor for a consistent schedule, documentation of my childcare search, and even cost estimates showing that emergency care would have eaten up most of my paycheck. @Zara Khan - have you decided to file your claim yet? I'm in the same boat with still working part-time but losing most of my income. Maybe we can support each other through this process! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - especially the detailed tips about documentation and interview preparation. This community is amazing for helping people navigate such a stressful situation. I'm going to organize my evidence this weekend and file my claim next week. Fingers crossed!