Can I get partial ESD unemployment if my hours were cut from 40+ to 30 hours weekly?

Yes, this is absolutely true! It's called partial unemployment. If your hours were cut through no fault of your own, you can file a claim with ESD. When your weekly hours are reduced, you may qualify for a partial UI benefit to help offset some of the lost wages. Here's how it works: 1. File an initial claim just like anyone else would 2. When you file your weekly claims, report the 30 hours you actually worked and the wages earned 3. ESD will calculate if you're eligible for a partial benefit The key thing to understand is your weekly benefit amount minus 75% of your part-time earnings. If that calculation results in at least $1, you'll receive a payment. There's an earnings threshold where you make too much to receive benefits, but many people working reduced hours still qualify. File your claim asap because benefits are never retroactive - you can only get them from when you file forward.

i had my hours cut from 38 to 29 last year and tried to get partial unemployment but it was a huge headache. kept getting messages saying i needed to do more job searches even tho i already had a job!! ended up not being worth the trouble for the tiny amount they were gonna give me. just my experience tho, yours might be different.

THEY WILL MAKE YOU SEARCH FOR JOBS even tho u have one!!! I got cut from 45 to 25 hours during COVID and yes I got some $$$ but had to apply to 3 jobs EVERY WEEK or they cut me off!!!! Also took like 6 weeks to get first payment cause of "adjudication" or whatever they call it. System is BROKEN!!!!

Have you tried talking to your employer about this? When my company reduced my hours from 40 to 32 last fall, they actually helped me apply for the Shared Work program through ESD. It's specifically designed for employers who need to temporarily reduce hours but want to keep their employees. Your employer has to enroll in the program, but then you don't have any job search requirements and still get partial unemployment to cover some of the lost wages. Much better than regular partial unemployment if you can get it! Ask your HR department if they'd consider this option.

One important thing to consider: Your partial unemployment benefits depend on your base year wages and how much you're still earning. The formula is a bit complicated, but essentially: 1. ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) based on your highest-earning quarters in the base year 2. Then they subtract 75% of your current part-time earnings from your WBA 3. Whatever's left (if anything) is your partial benefit So with your hours cut from ~44 to 30, you're losing about 14 hours weekly. Depending on your hourly rate, this might or might not result in a benefit payment. You have to earn below a certain threshold to receive anything. But if you qualify for even $1 in UI benefits, you'd also get the additional $25 weekly benefit supplement that started in January 2025. So that's something extra to consider.

the real nightmare is actually getting thru to esd when there's a problem with your claim... i spent WEEKS trying to reach someone when my partial claim was stuck in adjudication. kept calling that stupid 800 number and either got hung up on or waited 3+ hours just to get disconnected.

i did partial unemployment back in october when my retail job cut hours after summer. the thing nobody tells you is there's a waiting week where you don't get paid for the first week after you apply even if you qualify! also make sure you file your weekly claim every single week even if you're still waiting for them to approve your initial claim.

If your hours reduction is going to last for some time, you might also want to look into WorkSource's employment services. Sometimes they can help you find supplemental part-time work that fits around your reduced schedule at your main job. I took that route last year when my hours were cut, and ended up finding a 10hr/week side gig that actually paid better than my main job! It's worth exploring all your options.

I want to clarify something important: While you do need to complete job search activities for partial unemployment, there are alternatives to actually applying for new jobs: 1. Attending WorkSource workshops counts as job search activities 2. Updating your resume or LinkedIn profile counts 3. Networking activities count 4. Informational interviews count You also have the option to ask your employer about the Shared Work program as mentioned above, which waives the job search requirement entirely. The most important thing is to file your initial claim as soon as you know about the hours reduction. Your claim effective date determines when you can start receiving benefits, and ESD won't backdate it if you delay filing.