EDD scheduled DE 4800 interview after reduced hours claim - what questions will they ask?

DE 4800 is the form for eligibility interviews. They're usually checking why you're not full-time anymore. Just be honest about your hours being cut and you'll be fine.

I had one of these interviews last month. The DE 4800 is the Eligibility Determination Interview notice. In my case they were verifying that I didn't quit voluntarily. Since your hours were reduced, they'll likely ask: - Exact date your hours were reduced - Who informed you about the reduction (manager name) - If you have documentation of the reduction - Whether the reduction is permanent or temporary - If you're still looking for full-time work elsewhere Make sure you have your employment details handy - exact dates, manager names, and any emails/paperwork about your hour reduction. My interview took about 20 minutes, and the EDD rep was actually pretty nice. Just stick to the facts and you'll be fine!

They never call on time lol I waited 3 hrs for my interview. They might not even call the day they say!!

The DE 4800 interview is standard procedure for most claims with any potential eligibility questions. For reduced hours claims, they need to verify you didn't voluntarily reduce your hours. Be prepared to answer: 1. Why your hours were reduced (business needs, not your request) 2. Whether you've refused any work offered by your employer 3. If you're available for more hours if offered 4. What steps you're taking to find additional work Keep your answers clear and concise. The interviewer just needs to check boxes confirming you meet eligibility requirements. Have documentation ready showing the reduction wasn't your choice (emails, schedule changes, etc.). And yes, unfortunately, the call timing can be unpredictable. They might call up to 2 hours before or after your scheduled time. I recommend being available for at least a 4-hour window around your appointment.

If ur having trouble getting through to EDD to confirm or reschedule, try Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an EDD rep in 20 minutes after I spent days trying on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Better than waiting all day by ur phone not knowing when/if they'll call!

Omg the DE 4800 interviews are THE WORST!!! They asked me why I left my last job and I said it was because my boss was a total jerk who kept changing my schedule last minute, and they DENIED my claim saying I quit without good cause!!! Make sure you don't say ANYTHING negative about your employer!!! Just say "business necessity" led to reduced hours and NOTHING else!!!! Don't give them ANY reason to deny you!!!!!

make sure u answer if they call!! i missed my call cuz it came from a weird number i thought was spam and had to wait 3 more weeks for another interview. they won't leave a message always.

I had a DE 4800 interview for partial unemployment due to hours being cut at my accounting job. Just be straightforward - they want to make sure you didn't ask for reduced hours or turn down available work. My interview lasted about 15 minutes. The most important thing is being available for the call. They don't always call at the exact appointment time. Mine was 45 minutes late, and a friend's was 30 minutes early. You might want to reschedule that dinner shift if possible. If you miss their call, it can delay your benefits by weeks. Also, they can see your work history and earnings in their system, so don't try to embellish or exaggerate anything. Just answer honestly about why your hours were reduced.

After your interview, make sure you continue certifying for benefits every two weeks regardless of the interview outcome. Many people make the mistake of waiting for the interview results before certifying, which can cause payment delays. The certification process is separate from the eligibility interview. Also, for anyone with reduced hours, remember that California has a specific calculation for partial benefits. You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without reduction. After that, each dollar you earn reduces your benefit by a dollar. This is why accurate income reporting during certification is essential.

Just went through a DE 4800 interview myself last month for reduced hours at my retail job! The whole process was way less intimidating than I expected. Here's what helped me prepare: 1. Write down the exact timeline of when your hours were cut - they'll ask for specific dates 2. Have your manager's contact info ready (name, title, phone number) 3. Keep any documentation handy - emails, texts, schedule changes, etc. 4. Practice explaining the situation in 1-2 sentences: "My employer reduced my hours from 40 to 15 per week due to company restructuring" The interviewer was actually really professional and just wanted to verify the basic facts. They asked about 6-7 straightforward questions and the whole thing took maybe 12-15 minutes. The key is just being factual and not overthinking it. One tip that really helped me: I wrote down bullet points beforehand so I wouldn't ramble or forget important details when I got nervous. Good luck with your interview - you've got this!

I just had my DE 4800 interview two weeks ago for a similar situation - restaurant hours cut from full-time to part-time. The interviewer was actually really understanding and professional. Here's what they asked me: - When exactly did your hours get reduced and by how much - Who told you about the reduction (manager's name) - Whether you requested the reduction or if it was the employer's decision - If you're still employed there and available for more hours - What you're doing to look for additional work The whole thing took about 18 minutes. My biggest tip: have your employment timeline written down beforehand because they want specific dates. Also, I got the call about 25 minutes after my scheduled time, so definitely block out extra time. One thing that helped me was explaining that I'm actively looking for either more hours at my current job or additional part-time work elsewhere. They really want to hear that you're making an effort to increase your income. You sound like you have a legitimate case since your employer cut your hours for business reasons. Just be honest and you'll be fine!

I went through a DE 4800 interview about 6 months ago when my hours got cut at a grocery store. Everyone here has given you great advice! Just wanted to add a couple things that helped me: - Save the EDD phone number in your contacts beforehand so you recognize it when they call - Have a glass of water nearby - talking for 15-20 minutes straight can make your mouth dry - If you don't understand a question, it's totally fine to ask them to repeat it or clarify The interviewer told me these calls are routine for any claim where there might be questions about eligibility. Since your hours were cut by your employer (not your choice), you should be in good shape. Just stick to the facts about what happened and when. Also, after the interview they'll usually tell you when to expect a decision - mine took about 5 business days to show up in my UI Online account. Don't stress too much, it sounds like you have a straightforward case!

I had my DE 4800 interview about 3 weeks ago for reduced hours at my office job. The whole process was much smoother than I anticipated! Here's what really helped me: **Before the call:** - I made a simple cheat sheet with key dates, my supervisor's full name and contact info, and a one-sentence explanation of why my hours were cut - Cleared my entire morning (they called 40 minutes late) - Had my laptop open to UI Online in case they referenced anything from my claim **During the interview:** - They asked almost identical questions to what others mentioned - when hours were reduced, who made the decision, whether I'm looking for more work - The interviewer was really professional and patient when I stumbled over a date - Took about 16 minutes total **Key thing that helped:** I mentioned specific steps I'm taking to find more work (checking company job board weekly, signed up with a temp agency, networking with former colleagues). They seemed to really appreciate hearing concrete actions. The decision showed up in my account 4 days later - approved! You've got this, just be honest about your situation and have your facts ready. Restaurant industry layoffs/hour cuts are super common right now, so they'll understand your situation completely.

I just had my DE 4800 interview last Friday for reduced hours at my warehouse job - went from 40 hours to 20 hours due to "seasonal adjustments." The interview was way less stressful than I built it up to be in my head! My biggest piece of advice: treat it like you're just explaining the situation to a friend. The interviewer isn't trying to trip you up - they just need to document that your hours were cut by your employer, not by your choice. They asked me: - Exact date my hours were reduced (have this ready!) - Who informed me and how (email, verbal, etc.) - Whether I asked for the reduction (answer: no) - If I'm available for full hours if they become available (answer: yes) - What I'm doing to supplement my income/find more work The call came exactly on time for me (lucky!), lasted 14 minutes, and I got approved 3 days later. Since your situation is straightforward - employer cut your hours for business reasons - you should be totally fine. Just answer honestly and don't overthink it. Good luck!

I had my DE 4800 interview about a month ago when my hours got reduced at a coffee shop from 35 to 12 hours per week. The interview was honestly pretty straightforward! Here's what really helped me prepare: **Key documents to have ready:** - Your work schedule showing the before/after hours - Any communication from your manager about the reduction (texts, emails, etc.) - Your manager's full name and contact info - Exact dates when the reduction started **Questions they asked me:** - When did your hours get reduced and by how much? - Who made this decision at your workplace? - Did you request fewer hours or was this your employer's choice? - Are you willing and able to work full-time if offered? - What are you doing to find additional work? The interviewer was really professional and the whole thing took about 20 minutes. They called about 15 minutes after my scheduled time. I got my approval notice 5 days later. One tip: be specific when they ask about job searching. I mentioned checking job boards daily, dropping off applications at nearby cafes, and asking my current manager about picking up extra shifts. They want to see you're actively trying to increase your work hours. Since your employer cut your hours for business reasons (not your choice), your case should be pretty clear-cut. Just stick to the facts and you'll do great!

I just went through a DE 4800 interview last week for reduced hours at my retail job! Everyone here has given you excellent advice. Just wanted to add a few quick tips that really helped me: **Day of the interview:** - Keep your phone charged and close by - they might call from different numbers - Have a quiet space ready where you won't be interrupted - Keep a pen and paper handy to jot down any important info they give you **What really helped me stay calm:** - I reminded myself that they WANT to approve eligible claims - they're not looking for reasons to deny you - The interviewer was actually really friendly and understanding about the whole situation My interview lasted about 17 minutes, they called 30 minutes after the scheduled time, and I got approved 4 business days later. Since your hours were cut by your employer for business reasons, you should be in great shape. The restaurant industry has been hit hard with staffing changes lately, so EDD definitely understands these situations. Just be honest, have your facts ready, and you'll do fine! Let us know how it goes!

I had my DE 4800 interview about 2 months ago for a similar situation - hours cut at my bookstore from 32 to 18 hours due to slow sales. The interview was way less scary than I thought it would be! Here's what really helped me prepare: - I wrote down a timeline with exact dates (when I was hired, when hours were normal, when they got cut, etc.) - Had my manager's full name and phone number ready - Kept the email where she told me about the hour reduction open on my laptop - Practiced explaining the situation in one clear sentence: "My employer reduced my hours from 32 to 18 per week in January due to decreased business" The interviewer asked pretty standard questions - when did it happen, who decided, was it my choice (no), am I looking for more work (yes). The whole thing took maybe 18 minutes and she was actually really nice about it. They called about 20 minutes late and I got my approval 6 days later. Since you didn't choose to have your hours cut, you should be totally fine. Just have your facts straight and stay calm - you've got this! The restaurant industry hour cuts are super common right now so they'll definitely understand your situation.

I had a DE 4800 interview about 6 weeks ago for reduced hours at my tech startup - went from 40 to 25 hours when they had to downsize. The interview was honestly much more straightforward than I expected! Here's what really helped me get through it: **Preparation that made a difference:** - Made a simple fact sheet with key dates, my manager's contact info, and a brief explanation - Had screenshots of the Slack message where they announced the hour reductions - Wrote down specific job search activities I could mention (LinkedIn applications, networking events, etc.) **The actual interview:** - Lasted about 16 minutes - They called exactly on time (rare based on what I'm reading here!) - Questions were very similar to what others have shared - when, who, why, and what I'm doing about it - The interviewer was professional and seemed to just be checking boxes **Key insight:** The interviewer actually told me that reduced hours claims are pretty routine right now, especially in restaurants and retail. She said as long as the reduction wasn't your choice and you're available for more work, it's usually approved. I got my decision in 4 business days - approved! Your situation sounds very similar to mine, so I think you'll be fine. Just have your facts ready and remember they're not trying to trip you up. Good luck with your interview on Thursday!

I had my DE 4800 interview about 3 weeks ago when my hours got cut at a hotel from 40 to 20 hours per week. Everyone here has already given you amazing advice, but I wanted to add one thing that really helped me stay calm during the call: The interviewer started by explaining exactly what the DE 4800 form is for and why they do these interviews. She said something like "This is just to verify that your reduced hours weren't voluntary and that you meet the eligibility requirements for partial unemployment benefits." Hearing that upfront made me realize it really is just a fact-checking conversation, not an interrogation. My interview took about 19 minutes and covered all the same questions others mentioned. The most important thing was having specific dates ready - they asked for the exact date my hours were reduced, not just "last month" or "a few weeks ago." One small tip: if you get nervous and forget something during the call, it's totally fine to say "Can I double-check that date for you?" They're patient and understand people get anxious. I had to look up my manager's exact title mid-interview and the interviewer was completely understanding about it. Your situation with the restaurant restructuring sounds very straightforward - employer decision, not your choice, legitimate business reason. You should be good to go! The fact that you're preparing this thoroughly shows you'll handle it just fine.

I went through a DE 4800 interview about 5 weeks ago when my hours at a movie theater got cut from 35 to 16 hours due to slow ticket sales. Just wanted to share my experience since everyone's advice here is spot on! **What really helped me:** - I created a simple timeline document with bullet points: hire date, normal hours period, exact date of reduction, current status - Had my assistant manager's name and phone number written down - Kept the group text where they announced the hour cuts pulled up on my phone - Made a list of my job search efforts (applied to 3 other theaters, signed up for Indeed alerts, asked friends about openings) **The actual call:** - They called 10 minutes early (!) so definitely be ready before your scheduled time - Lasted about 14 minutes - very professional and straightforward - The interviewer was actually really understanding about the entertainment industry struggles right now - Asked standard questions: when did hours get cut, who decided, was it your choice, are you available for full-time, what are you doing to find more work Got approved 3 business days later! Since your employer made the decision to cut hours for business reasons, you should be in great shape. The restaurant industry cuts are super common right now so they'll totally understand your situation. Just have your facts organized and stay calm - you've got this! Let us know how it goes on Thursday! 🤞