Will ESD cut off my unemployment if I take a lower-paying part-time job ($18/hr vs previous $30/hr)?

U can work part time + still get some unemployment! They dont just cut u off. Its called partial unemployment. U report ur work hours each week when u file ur weekly claim & they deduct part of what u earn from ur benefit. Not dollar for dollar tho

Here's how partial unemployment works with ESD: You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. After that, they reduce your benefit dollar-for-dollar for everything you earn over that threshold. In your case with a $489 weekly benefit: - You can earn up to $122.25 (25% of $489) with no reduction - Anything over $122.25, they subtract directly from your $489 So if you worked part-time at $18/hr for 20 hours = $360, your calculation would be: $360 - $122.25 = $237.75 deduction $489 - $237.75 = $251.25 remaining benefit So you'd receive $251.25 in unemployment plus your $360 in wages = $611.25 total income for that week. You must report ALL hours and earnings each week accurately. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, you'll receive $0 for that week, but you're still "on unemployment" and eligible for future weeks.

Make sure you ALWAYS report your exact hours worked and pay received!!! I made the mistake of estimating my hours one week (I was off by like 3 hours) and ESD flagged my account for potential fraud. Ended up in a whole adjudication mess that took WEEKS to resolve. They're super strict about this stuff now.

Does anyone know if your job search requirements change when you're working part-time? Do you still have to do the 3 job search activities every week? I've heard mixed things.

I had a similar situation last year. The ESD formula works like others explained, but what they don't tell you is that taking the part-time job can actually help extend your claim! Your weekly benefit amount stays the same, but because you're collecting partial benefits each week, your total benefit amount lasts longer. It's something to consider if you're worried about running out of benefits before finding something full-time. Also, if you're struggling to get through to ESD about this (I know their phones are absolutely terrible), I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual ESD agent without the usual waiting nightmare. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It was worth it for me because I had some specific questions about my situation that I couldn't get answered otherwise.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO PUNISH PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK!!! I tried working part-time last month and the first week was fine but then my boss gave me extra hours one week and I made $20 over my WBA and they CUT ME OFF COMPLETELY!!! Had to refile all over again and they put me in adjudication for 6 WEEKS with NO INCOME!!! All because I tried to WORK and be RESPONSIBLE!!!

Update: I had my interview yesterday and they offered me the job! 24 hours per week at $18/hour. Based on the calculation someone shared above, I'll actually come out ahead financially compared to just unemployment. I'm really glad I asked here before potentially turning down the opportunity. I'll update again once I've filed my first partial unemployment claim to let everyone know how it goes!

just wondering - when u report ur part time work on ur weekly claim do u report the hours u actually worked that week or the hours that were on ur paycheck for that week? my pay periods dont line up with the esd weeks and im confused how to report it