Will ESD deduct partial earnings under 50% of my weekly benefit amount?
Quick question about reporting part-time earnings on my weekly claim. I'm helping a friend with inventory at her store tonight (just ONE night, not a regular job). I'll make about $100 for the 6-hour shift. I'm confused about how ESD handles small earnings. Some websites say if you earn less than 50% of your weekly benefit amount (mine is $650), they don't deduct anything. Other sources say they deduct a percentage of whatever you earn. Can anyone clarify this? If I report the $100, will they: 1. Deduct nothing since it's under 50% of my benefit? 2. Reduce my payment by some percentage of the $100? 3. Deduct the full $100? I want to report everything correctly, but I'm trying to figure out exactly what to expect in my next payment. Thanks!
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Natalie Wang
ESD will deduct 75% of your earnings from your weekly benefit. So for $100, they'll deduct $75 from your weekly payment. You ALWAYS have to report ALL earnings when you work, even just one shift. The rule you're thinking of might be about continued eligibility. You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount and still receive some unemployment, but they'll reduce your payment based on what you earn.
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Michael Adams
•Thanks for clarifying! So to make sure I understand - I'll report the $100, and they'll deduct $75 from my $650 weekly benefit, so I should get $575 for that week. Is that right?
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Noah Torres
i did somethin similar last year. you gotta report the $100 and ESD takes some of it not all of it. cant remember exact % but its like 75% i think? so theyll prolly take like $75 off ur benefit. def report it tho cuz they do employment audits and can hit u w/ overpayment later
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Michael Adams
•Definitely going to report it! I don't want any overpayment headaches down the road. Just wanted to understand how much my benefit will be reduced. Thanks!
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Samantha Hall
Here's the exact rule: ESD deducts 75% of your gross earnings from your weekly benefit amount. So if you earn $100: - Report $100 on your weekly claim - ESD will deduct $75 (75% of $100) - Your weekly payment will be reduced by $75 The 50% rule you might be thinking of relates to certain COVID-era programs that have ended. Always report ALL earnings, even small amounts, to avoid overpayment notices later. You can see this explained on ESD's website under the "Reporting Earnings" section of the Unemployment Handbook.
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Michael Adams
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! This makes perfect sense now. And you're right, I might have been confusing it with some of the COVID rules from before.
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Ryan Young
i had this EXACT situation last month!!! yes u have to report it and they take 75% off your check. its so frustrating because its barely worth taking a one-time gig when they take so much from ur benefits!!!
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Natalie Wang
•It's actually still worth it mathematically. If you earn $100 and they only deduct $75, you're still $25 ahead compared to not working at all. The system is designed so you always come out ahead by working part-time.
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Sophia Clark
Has anyone been able to actually REACH someone at ESD to ask these questions? I've been trying for THREE WEEKS to get an answer about my part-time earnings and I keep getting disconnected or stuck on hold until they close! Do they even have real people working there anymore??
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Katherine Harris
•I was having the same problem until I used Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes after I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent was able to explain exactly how my part-time earnings affected my claim and fixed an issue with my previous week's claim too. Totally worth it since I was going crazy trying to get through on my own.
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Madison Allen
I know this isn't what you asked but double check when reporting hours that you're calculating them RIGHT. My friend got hit with a huge overpayment because she counted her lunch breaks as work hours. ESD only wants actual paid work hours, not breaks. Just FYI cause it's a common mistake.
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Michael Adams
•Oh wow, I hadn't even thought about that! The shift does include a 30-minute unpaid break, so I'll make sure to only report 5.5 hours instead of 6. Thanks for the tip!
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Noah Torres
wait i just remembered somethin else - make sure u answer YES to the "were u able and available for work" question even tho u worked that one shift. i messed that up once and had to deal with a whole thing with ESD
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Michael Adams
•Thanks for the reminder! These weekly claim questions can be confusing sometimes.
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Natalie Wang
To summarize for the original poster and anyone else wondering about part-time earnings: 1. Always report ALL earnings in the week you WORKED (not when you get paid) 2. ESD deducts 75% of your gross earnings from your weekly benefit 3. Report actual worked hours (don't include unpaid breaks) 4. You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount and still get some UI 5. Working part-time always leaves you financially better off than not working Hope this helps!
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Michael Adams
•This is super helpful, thank you! I feel much more confident about how to handle my weekly claim now. Will definitely report the $100 and expect about a $75 reduction in my benefit for the week.
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