How is unemployment calculated when your hours are cut?

since february our office is 32 hours from 40 hours. Every now and then we may get 40 hours. Due to the economy the hours may get cut to 24 hours how will this effect unemployment if you are actually laid off. are you paid by the 24 hour or 40 hour rate. Seems to me a bit fishy that the hours are cut so less money is given once they lay you off. The reason i am really concerned is becuase i applied for a part time job that is only going to be for about $8.00 hour for maybe 20 hours. I am hoping the 20 hours wont' reject my unemployment whenever it comes through. We are only waiting for the noose to tighten any minuete. California is the area. thanks! ** also can we contact unemployment to find out as well how much or the procedure for trying to anticipate what the check may be. OUr Hr and supervisors are not giving any info to see about layoff procedures etc. We can't even see how much is calculated due to the employee change in the economy. I thought it was 3 weeks for every year your severance package is issued.