Employer originally stated that I was terminated due to lack of work, but later claimed it was due to performance when he got the EDD claim

I was working salary as a drafter for nearly a year when my employer decided to revert me to hourly wages due to lack of work, but this was really no hours. I considered this a lay off so I filed for EDD insurance. Not once did the employer say I was being fired or terminated – just that my hours were being reduced and that there were no hours to give. After receiving my EDD claim, my former employer just notified me that he had actually fired me but “I don't want to hurt your feelings, so I told you other reasons.” and that my EDD claim would be denied. Is my situation not a lay off? Can he tell me one thing while filing something different? What is my recourse here?