Reduced from 40 to 24 hours weekly - Do I qualify for EDD partial unemployment?

Yes, you should qualify for partial unemployment benefits! This is a classic example of what partial UI was designed for - your hours were reduced significantly through no fault of your own. EDD considers a 20% or greater reduction in wages as substantial. Since your hours were cut from 40 to 24 (a 40% reduction), you're well within the qualifying range. When you certify, make sure you report your actual hours worked and earnings accurately each week. EDD will calculate your partial benefit amount after applying the earnings disregard formula. You may not get the full weekly benefit amount, but you should receive something to help offset the loss of income. Don't worry about the reason for hour reduction being flagged - having a medical restriction that prevents night shifts is considered a good cause reason. Just be prepared to explain your situation if they schedule an eligibility interview.

I had similar situation at my restrant job. They cut me from 38 hrs to like 22 and i got partial unemplyment. You just report what u earn each week when u certify. good luck!!

I WENT THROUGH THIS EXACT NIGHTMARE LAST YEAR!!! My retail job cut me from 40 to 20 hours because I couldn't work weekends anymore (childcare issues). EDD initially DENIED my claim saying I had "restricted my availability" - complete BS!!! I had to appeal and go through this whole stressful process. Make sure when you file you emphasize that you're available for MORE hours during daytime shifts but your employer refuses to schedule you. DON'T just say you can't work nights or they'll say you're restricting availability. The system is designed to screw workers!!

same thing happened to my cousin last year! Good luck with EDD tho, they take forever to process claims these days...

I help people navigate EDD issues like this regularly. Here's what you need to know: 1. You absolutely qualify for partial unemployment. The key qualifier is having your hours/wages reduced by at least 20% through no fault of your own. 2. Medical restrictions that limit when you can work are protected. Your employer actually has a legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodation if possible. 3. When filing, clearly state: "Hours reduced from 40 to 24 by employer. Medical restriction prevents night work. Available all daytime hours but employer will not provide additional shifts." 4. Have documentation ready: previous work schedules showing 40 hours, current schedules showing reduction, medical documentation, and any emails/texts showing you requested additional daytime hours. 5. If you get an eligibility interview (very likely with hour reduction cases), be prepared to explain that you remain available for full-time work within your medically-necessary restrictions. One tip for actually reaching EDD when you need to speak with them - many people have success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that helps you bypass the busy signals and connects you with an EDD rep, usually within 10-15 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through. They have a demo video here: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. This can be especially helpful if your claim gets flagged for an interview or you need to check on its status.

wait im confused does this mean i can get unemployment too?? my hours got cut from 32 to 15 but i told my boss i cant work sundays anymore cuz of church

To add to what others have said, here's the technical side of how this works: When your hours are reduced, you file a regular UI claim. You'll receive a Notice of UI Award showing your weekly benefit amount (WBA) based on your highest quarter of earnings during your base period. Each week you certify, you'll report your work hours and earnings. EDD disregards the first $25 or 25% of your earnings (whichever is greater), then subtracts the remaining amount from your WBA. This formula determines your partial payment. Example: If your WBA is $450 and you earn $400 in a week: - 25% of $400 = $100 (disregarded) - $400 - $100 = $300 (subtracted from WBA) - $450 - $300 = $150 (partial payment) So even though you're working part-time, you'd receive $150 in benefits to help offset the reduction. In your specific case with medical restrictions, make sure to check the box for "No" when asked if you refused any work, since you have a valid medical reason for the restriction. If flagged for an interview, simply explain your medical situation and availability for other shifts.

whatever u do dont mention the medical condition when u apply!!! just say ur hours were cut and thats it. if u mention availability restrictions they'll deny u trust me

Update: I filed my claim yesterday and explained everything exactly as suggested. They didn't immediately flag it for an interview, which I'm taking as a good sign! I made sure to emphasize that I'm available 7am-7pm Monday-Friday (60 hours of availability!) but my employer is only giving me 24 hours. I also uploaded my medical documentation and copies of emails requesting additional daytime hours. Fingers crossed it goes through smoothly. Thank you all SO much for the help and advice!

Congratulations on filing your claim! That's a huge step and it sounds like you presented your case really well. Just wanted to add a few tips for the certification process since you'll be doing that every two weeks: 1. Always report your exact hours worked and gross earnings (before taxes) for each week 2. Keep detailed records of your work schedule and any communication with your employer about additional hours 3. Continue to document that you're actively seeking your full 40 hours during your available times 4. If your employer ever offers you night shifts that you can't work due to your medical restriction, make sure to note that you declined due to medical limitations (not personal preference) The fact that they didn't immediately flag your claim for an interview is definitely encouraging! Most partial unemployment claims with clear documentation like yours get approved without much hassle. Your 60 hours of weekly availability really strengthens your case that you're not restricting your work availability unreasonably. Best of luck with the process - you've got this! 🙂

I'm so glad to see you filed your claim successfully! Your approach was spot-on - emphasizing your broad availability while clearly explaining the medical limitation. The 60 hours of weekly availability really does make a strong case that you're not unreasonably restricting yourself. Just a heads up that even though your initial filing wasn't flagged, EDD sometimes schedules eligibility interviews later in the process, especially for partial unemployment claims. Don't worry if that happens - it's pretty routine and just gives you a chance to explain your situation in detail. One thing that might help going forward: if your employer ever posts job openings for daytime positions (even at other locations), consider applying to show you're actively trying to get back to full-time hours within your availability. It's additional documentation that you're not just accepting the reduced schedule. Really hoping this works out smoothly for you - sounds like you have all your ducks in a row! Keep us posted on how the certification process goes.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who went through a similar situation. I had my hours cut from 38 to 22 due to childcare restrictions (couldn't work evenings anymore after my daycare situation changed). EDD approved my partial benefits without any issues once I clearly explained that I was still available for full-time work during daytime hours. The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of every conversation with my manager about getting more hours during my available times. I also saved screenshots of my old schedules vs. new schedules to show the dramatic reduction. When I certified each week, I always included a note that I remained available for additional hours during my specified availability window. One tip: if your employer ever tries to claim you're "refusing shifts" in any documentation, make sure you respond in writing clarifying that you're unable to work certain hours due to medical restrictions but remain available for all other shifts. This creates a paper trail showing you're not voluntarily limiting your work. Good luck with your claim - it sounds like you've handled everything perfectly so far!