Will working part-time retail (16 hrs/week) affect my EDD benefits as a laid-off entertainment worker?

Yes, you can still collect partial unemployment while working part-time! When you certify, you'll need to report your gross earnings (before taxes) for the week you worked, not when you get paid. EDD uses a formula where they deduct the first $25 or 25% of your earnings (whichever is greater) and then subtract the remaining amount from your weekly benefit amount. So in your case with $19.50/hr for 16 hours = $312 gross weekly... they'd probably deduct about $234 from your weekly benefit. You'd still get about $286 in UI benefits plus your part-time wages. Just make sure to report EXACTLY what you earn each week!

Thank you so much for breaking down the calculation! This is super helpful. So I'll make around $598 total between the part-time job and reduced benefits. That's definitely better than just the $520 in full benefits. Just to double check - I report the hours in the week I actually WORK them, not when I get my paycheck, right? My first paycheck might be delayed a couple weeks.

careful abt that 25% thing i think its diffrent now??? my cousin got partial ui last month and they took like 75% of what she made from her benefit??? not 25%???

No, that's not how it works. The formula is still the same - EDD disregards the first $25 or 25% of your earnings (whichever is greater), then subtracts the remainder from your weekly benefit amount. Your cousin might have been looking at the final reduced amount, not understanding how they calculated it. The 75% you're mentioning is probably just coincidental to her specific earnings and benefit amount.

oh that makes sense LOL. i probably misunderstood what she was saying

I was in a similar situation last year when I took a part-time gig while on unemployment after being laid off from my graphic design position. MAKE SURE YOU REPORT EVERYTHING CORRECTLY!!! I accidentally reported my net pay instead of gross for two weeks, and EDD slapped me with an overpayment notice six months later!!! Had to repay almost $380 and they put me on penalty weeks where I couldn't collect benefits even though I was eligible. The EDD system is DESIGNED to trap people with these technicalities!

Yikes, that's exactly what I'm worried about! Did you have to appeal the overpayment or did you just pay it back? I'm going to be super careful about reporting the gross amount before taxes.

I just paid it back because it was my mistake (though their instructions are TERRIBLE). If you're ever unsure about how to report something, call EDD directly! Good luck actually reaching someone though - I spent 3 weeks trying to get through their phone lines before giving up.

my cousin got a part-time job at target while on unemployment and he just didnt report it and kept collecting full benefits. said edd never found out 🤷‍♂️

This is fraud and could result in serious penalties including having to pay back all benefits with a 30% penalty, penalty weeks where you can't collect benefits in the future even if eligible, and potentially criminal charges in severe cases. EDD regularly cross-references with employer tax records and will eventually catch this. Please don't suggest illegal activities that could seriously harm someone's financial future.

Yeah, there's no way I'd risk that. I've heard EDD can look back years later and come after people for unreported wages. Not worth it!

I had to deal with this exact situation when I was on UI benefits and picked up part-time work. Here's what I learned that might help you:\n\n1. You MUST report your gross wages in the week you EARNED them, not when you get paid\n2. Keep a detailed log of your hours and pay rate for each day worked\n3. Save your paystubs in case EDD requests proof later\n4. When you certify online, make sure to answer YES to the question about whether you worked or earned money\n5. If your schedule varies week to week, your benefits will also vary each week\n\nHonestly, reporting part-time work is a bit of a hassle, but the system works pretty well once you get used to it. And you definitely come out ahead financially by working part-time + partial benefits vs. just collecting full benefits.

This is really helpful - I'll definitely keep detailed records. Should I also let my employer know I'm receiving unemployment benefits? Or is that not necessary?

No need to tell your employer about your UI benefits - that's between you and EDD. Your employer will report your wages to the state automatically through their tax filings, and EDD will eventually cross-reference that information with what you've reported.

Perfect, that makes things simpler. Thank you!

GOOD LUCK even getting through to EDD if you have questions!!! Been trying for 2 weeks and can't get past the automated system. always says

If you need to speak with an EDD representative quickly, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in the same situation - couldn't get through for weeks. The service connects you directly to an EDD agent by navigating their phone system for you. Saved me hours of redial frustration when I had a complex partial employment question. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km

omg thanks!!! will check this out. anything to avoid more days of calling!!!

One more thing to be aware of: if your part-time retail job has variable hours, your UI benefits will fluctuate week to week based on what you earn. Some weeks you might get more hours and less UI, other weeks fewer hours and more UI. Just make sure you certify accurately every two weeks and report the hours for the specific week they were worked.

That's a good point. I think they said the schedule would be pretty consistent, but I'll definitely keep track of any variations week to week. This has been super helpful - I feel much better about taking the job now!

I also work in entertainment (props department) and got laid off during the strikes last year. Took a part-time job at a hardware store while collecting UI. Just wanted to say it actually worked out great! I learned some new skills that have been surprisingly useful on set, made some extra cash, and still had time for interviews. Plus I think it looked good to potential employers that I was being productive during the downtime.

That's actually really encouraging to hear! I hadn't thought about how this retail experience might look on my resume, but you're right - it does show initiative during a tough time in our industry. Thanks for sharing your experience!