Can i get edd if i work part time

Workers in California whose hours have been cut or who have been laid off temporarily may be eligible for unemployment benefits.

You might think that unemployment benefits are available only to those who are completely out of work, but that's not necessarily the case in California. Even if you are still working part-time, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits, depending on your earnings and your situation.

California has several programs that offer "partial" unemployment benefits: A portion of the benefit you would receive if you were fully unemployed, reduced to take into account your earnings.

Reduced Unemployment Benefits

In California, someone is considered "unemployed" during any week in which the person's regular wages, minus $25 or 25% of those wages (whichever is more), is less than he or she would earn as a weekly unemployment benefit. In this situation, an employee who meets the other eligibility requirements would receive a check for the difference.

For information on eligibility requirements generally, see Who Is Eligible for Unemployment? For information on California's eligibility requirements, see Nolo's article Collecting Unemployment Benefits in California.

California Partial Unemployment Benefits: How Much Can You Receive?

Whether you were laid off and do occasional odd jobs or you are still employed at reduced pay and hours, you can collect benefits if you meet the above requirements.

For example, let's say you would be eligible for a $450 weekly unemployment check (California's current maximum amount) if you were fully unemployed. You have been cut back to only one day a week, and you earn $320. To calculate your reduced benefit, you subtract 25% of your wages, then subtract that amount from your maximum benefit. You would earn $210 per week: $450 minus 75% of $320 ($240) = $210.

Who Is Eligible for Partial Unemployment Benefits in California?

If you are on temporary layoff or work reduction, you may be eligible for benefits under California's partial benefit program. This program is for employees whose employers want to retain them, despite a current lack of work.

The employer must complete a "Notice of Reduced Earnings" form, and the employee must fill out part of the form. By applying for benefits through this program, an employee doesn't have to show that he or she is able and available to work and looking for other work. Because the situation is supposed to be temporary and the employer wants to keep the employee, the employee isn't obligated to conduct a job search.

California's Worksharing Program

California also has a worksharing program, which gives employers who want to avoid layoffs some financial help. This program applies to employers that cut the hours of at least 10% of their workforce (and at least two employees) by at least 10%.

These employers can submit a worksharing plan to the state agency. If the agency approves, it will send certification forms to the employer, which the employer and employee complete for each week of reduced hours, and submit to the agency. The employee is then eligible to earn a prorated share of his or her weekly unemployment benefit.

For example, if the employee would be entitled to the maximum $450 benefit if fully unemployed, and the employee's hours were cut by 20%, the employee would be eligible for a weekly unemployment check of $90 (20% of $450).

Talk to a Lawyer

Need a lawyer? Start here.

How it Works

1. Briefly tell us about your case
2. Provide your contact information
3. Choose attorneys to contact you

Many people think that holding a part-time job after they lose a full-time job will compromise their ability to collect unemployment benefits, but this isn't necessarily the case. You might be eligible to receive unemployment benefits even if you're currently working part-time. You might also be eligible if you've lost your part-time job.

Eligibility for partial unemployment depends on the state you work in and on your qualifying for unemployment compensation based on your employment history.

Eligibility When You Work Part-Time

Unemployment benefits are designed to help workers temporarily bridge an income gap caused by a loss of employment that came about due to no fault of their own. Some people find themselves with reduced hours or are only able to find part-time employment after being laid off when what they truly want—and need in order to pay their bills and remain financially solvent—is full-time work.

Partial unemployment benefits are available to encourage workers to continue to work part-time while they seek full-time work. Depending on location, they also may be available for workers who have lost part-time positions.

You must be available for, and actively seeking, employment to qualify for partial benefits. Check with your state's unemployment office for the exact information that's pertinent to your situation, because requirements and benefits can vary by state.

Who Qualifies for Partial Unemployment

You would normally not qualify for partial unemployment benefits if you've scaled back your work hours for family or personal reasons. State guidelines vary though, so it's important to check with your state department of labor office for qualification criteria in your location.

• Most states provide partial benefits to individuals whose work hours have been reduced through no fault or choice of their own—for example, when a company is sold, liquidated, or restructured.
• Many states also cover employees who have lost their full-time jobs and have partially replaced the lost income with one or more part-time jobs. Some states even cover individuals who were working two or more part-time jobs and lost one of those jobs.
• Workers who are not technically laid off or terminated but placed on “zero-hour schedules” are eligible for unemployment compensation in most cases, according to Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation.

Note

Eligible workers must meet the requirements within their state for minimum earnings during the unemployment base period. They must also satisfy the minimum time-of-employment state requirements. Check with your state unemployment office for guidelines.

Each state has its own eligibility formula. For example, in Georgia, workers who have lost a full-time job, but are working part-time and earn less than their weekly benefit amount are eligible. Workers who have lost a part-time job or whose hours are reduced also may qualify to collect unemployment.

How Partial Benefits Are Calculated

Most states calculate the total amount of your benefits by first figuring out what you would have been entitled to if you were still fully unemployed. The amount you're earning through part-time employment will usually be subtracted from this figure.

For example, in New York, you can work up to seven days a week without losing unemployment benefits for that week if you work 30 hours or fewer and earn $504 or less in gross pay, excluding earnings from self-employment. Benefits will be reduced in increments based on your total hours of work for the week rather than on the number of days you work. 

In New Jersey, you must earn a minimum of $220 a week to be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. Partial benefits are calculated based on the hours you work and how much you earn.

Document Your Earnings

It's important to report your weekly earnings accurately when you're working part-time and receiving unemployment benefits. It’s illegal and considered fraudulent to collect benefits to which you aren't entitled.

You'll also have to document your search for either full-time or, in some cases, part-time employment in order to continue to receive partial unemployment benefits. 

Extending Your Claim

Working part-time can extend the number of weeks you're eligible to draw benefits in some states. It can also enable you to qualify for a new claim when your benefit year ends because of your accumulated part-time earnings.

Why You Might Take a Part-Time Job

Taking a part-time job after losing your full-time position might seem like a step backward, but it may come with many benefits that could boost your career in the long run—not to mention some cash that might come in handy. You’ll probably earn more money by combining your partial unemployment benefits with income from a part-time job.

Progress Toward a Full-Time Job

Working part-time while you're collecting unemployment can be beneficial not only to your bank account, but also to your long-term job search. You'll make contacts, gain experience, and develop new skills in every job you hold, even if it’s not in your chosen field. You can use the opportunity of part-time work to explore other fields of interest or to get training and experience that would be helpful to your career goals.

Note

The department of labor website for your state can direct you to important information that can help with your job search, including job postings, job fairs, effective job-interview preparation and techniques, and supplemental job training, education, and seminars.

Boosting Your Self-Esteem

Accepting part-time work while you seek full-time employment can also provide a psychological boost. It lends a positive focus even in the midst of a new job search.

No Gaps on Your Resume

Working part-time also allows you to demonstrate a continuous work history on your resume, avoiding the possible red flag of significant gaps in employment for potential new employers.

NOTE: The information contained in this article is not legal advice, and it's not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own state’s laws or the most recent changes to them.

How many hours does EDD consider part

Can you work part

Do part

What disqualifies you from unemployment in California?