What are the three types of unemployment benefits through California EDD?

Oh wow this actually makes so much more sense now. So even though I technically have those part-time options available, I still qualify for regular UI from the layoff? I was worried having any work available at all would disqualify me.

same situation here, had some doordash stuff going on the side and edd still processed my regular UI claim just had to report the doordash income each week

To add to this - there's also SDI (State Disability Insurance) which sometimes gets lumped in with unemployment discussions but it's actually a completely separate program through EDD for when you can't work due to a medical condition. Worth knowing but not relevant to a standard layoff situation.

Yeah that partial claim thing sounds like it would be complicated to calculate. Do you know if EDD figures that out automatically or do you have to somehow tell them how many hours you lost?

i think you just report what you earned each week and they calculate it, at least thats how it worked for me with regular UI

The trade displacement thing is interesting - I was in a warehouse so conceivably some of our work got outsourced but I honestly have no idea how I'd even prove that

That program (Trade Adjustment Assistance/TAA) requires your employer or a group of workers to petition the Department of Labor and get a certification. It's not something individuals typically initiate on their own. For a warehouse layoff you'd almost certainly be better served just going through regular California EDD UI which has much faster processing.

never even heard of that trade displacement thing in 5 years of dealing with edd lol

Workshare is actually employer-initiated - your company would need to apply for the Workshare program through California EDD and get approved. If they do, then yes, employees whose hours were reduced can collect partial UI benefits to offset the income loss. The employer files on behalf of all affected employees. You can suggest they look into it at edd.ca.gov/en/Unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program but they have to be the ones to apply.

Oh interesting so I can't just file for it myself, the company has to do it. That's kind of frustrating because I doubt my employer even knows this exists

my company did workshare during a slow period a few years back and it actually worked out pretty well, saved jobs and employees got some supplemental income. definitely worth mentioning to HR

This is actually super helpful context - I was definitely laid off not fired or quit so hopefully that means smoother processing?

Typically yes, a straightforward layoff with no dispute from the employer is the fastest track through EDD. Issues arise when employers contest the claim or the reason for separation is unclear.

can confirm, my layoff claim got approved in like 10 days. my friend who quit got stuck in adjudication for over a month

Thank you, this laid out super cleanly. I'm going to go ahead and file regular UI. One more question - does having part-time work available to me (even if I haven't worked those shifts yet) affect my eligibility or only actual earnings matter?

Only actual earnings matter for weekly benefit calculations. Being 'available' for work is actually a requirement EDD wants you to meet - you need to be able and available for full-time work each week you certify. Having part-time availability doesn't disqualify you, but you must report actual hours worked and actual wages earned each certification period.

Oh good to know, I was already dreading having to call EDD if something comes up with my claim. Saving this for if I need it

seconding this, the edd phone system is genuinely one of the most frustrating experiences I've had dealing with any government agency. will check out claimyr

does claimyr actually work or is it one of those things that sounds good but doesnt deliver

For partial UI, you don't refile - the weekly certification is where you report your actual hours and earnings each week. As hours fluctuate, the benefit amount EDD pays you adjusts accordingly. Each week stands alone based on what you actually worked and earned. Your base period award and weekly benefit amount stay the same, but what EDD actually pays out changes week to week based on your reported earnings.

ok so the weekly cert handles all that automatically, got it. thanks

Good to know, I would have 100% assumed my employer handles all of it if they enrolled

Yeah it's a common misconception. The employer sets up the program and submits the plan but each individual employee is responsible for their own weekly certs. Miss a week and you don't get paid for it, simple as that.

edd does NOT send reminders for this either from what i remember so you really have to set your own calendar reminders

That situation falls under regular UI but with a wrinkle - California EDD evaluates whether the offered position was 'suitable work.' If the pay cut was significant (generally more than 25% reduction) or the job was outside your field/required new skills, that can establish good cause for refusal. But you're right that it requires more documentation and often triggers adjudication.

yeah exactly, ended up in adjudication for almost three weeks. ultimately approved but stressful the whole time

This is exactly the kind of thing I was worried about - sounds like even small details about how you left your job can really complicate the claim process

SDI and UI are completely separate programs even though both run through California EDD. SDI is specifically for when a medical condition prevents you from working - it replaces a portion of your wages during that period. UI is for job loss. If you're currently disabled/on medical leave AND your job gets eliminated, you could potentially transition from SDI to UI once your medical leave ends and you're able to return to work. I'd strongly recommend calling EDD to discuss your specific situation since the timing of both events matters a lot here.

So theoretically I could be on SDI now and then file UI after? That's good to know, I was afraid I'd have to choose one or the other

Yes that transition is possible and actually somewhat common. SDI doesn't disqualify you from UI later - they just can't overlap since you can't simultaneously be 'unable to work due to disability' and 'able and available for full-time work' which UI requires. Once your doctor releases you to return to work, that's when UI eligibility can begin.

Wait so you were still working AND collecting some unemployment at the same time? I had no idea that was possible

yeah! as long as your earnings that week are under your weekly benefit amount edd will pay you the difference (minus a small disregard amount). it's not a ton of money but when hours get cut it definitely helps

this is actually really important info, wish i had known this earlier

The 'refuse work' question specifically refers to refusing suitable work that was offered to you in a job search context - like declining a job offer or not showing up for a referred interview. Turning down an optional extra shift at your current partial-employment job is not the same thing and should not be answered as refusing work. When in doubt about certification questions, the EDD has a guide on their website, or you can call to clarify before you answer.

okay this actually makes me feel so much better, i've been losing sleep over this lol

i completely understand the anxiety, the wording on those questions is SO ambiguous and the consequences of getting it wrong feel enormous

Oh good call, I did find some articles that seemed pretty old when I was researching. I'll make sure to check dates on anything I read

Yeah the pandemic era had a lot of expanded programs that no longer exist. PUA, PEUC, all of that is gone now. If you see anyone referencing those, that information is outdated and doesn't apply to current claims.

Oh this is actually genius, using the application flow itself as a guide. Why didn't I think of that

Haha yeah EDD's website documentation is a mess but the actual application flow is pretty logical. Just don't accidentally submit before you're ready!

solid tip, the online app definitely walks you through it better than trying to decode the website pages

okay you've convinced me, saving the link for when i inevitably need to call edd about something

Does it work for asking about ongoing claims too or just initial filing questions? I have a certification question I've been nervous to ask

This is super useful for my situation - if my company did workshare at 35% reduction I'd get 35% of my WBA? That might actually be comparable to what I'd get on partial UI if I filed individually

Roughly, yes - though there are nuances. With partial UI filed individually, there's an earnings disregard of 25% of your WBA before they start reducing your benefit, which can sometimes work out slightly better than Workshare depending on exact numbers. Worth calculating both if you have the option.

i did not know about that 25% earnings disregard, that's a helpful detail

I don't think it's intentional confusion but the unemployment insurance system was designed in pieces over decades and different programs got layered on top of each other without a ton of coordination. The end result is confusing even if each individual piece made sense when it was created.

fair point, bureaucratic entropy rather than malicious design lol

whatever the reason, forums like this are genuinely more useful than the official EDD website for understanding it all

Yes! Filed for regular UI about 5 days ago. The online application was actually not that bad - took maybe 25 minutes. Still waiting for a determination but no holds or flags on my account so hopefully smooth sailing. Will report back if anything weird comes up. Thanks everyone in this thread, genuinely the most helpful resource I found in all my research.

Good luck! Regular UI for a clean layoff usually moves pretty fast, fingers crossed for you

Great news! Make sure you're filing your weekly certifications even while waiting for the initial determination - if approved, you'll receive back payments for all weeks you certified. Don't wait for approval before certifying.

same, this comes up so often and i never have a good link to share

The short version for anyone skimming: laid off = regular UI, hours cut but still working = partial UI, company enrolled in program = Workshare. Everything else is a variation on one of those three.