I'm a school bus driver in Sacramento and went through this exact process last year. After reading all these responses, I wanted to add one more important point that might help you - make sure you understand the difference between "reasonable assurance" and what your letter actually says. My district gave me a letter that said I had "reasonable assurance of employment for the following school year," but when I read it carefully, it had language about being "subject to enrollment, budget constraints, and operational needs." That qualifier language actually worked in my favor because it showed my return wasn't truly guaranteed. When I applied, I highlighted those uncertainties in my application and was approved for benefits. The EDD rep I spoke with (after a very long hold time) explained that true "reasonable assurance" means you're virtually guaranteed the same job with the same hours and pay - but most school districts can't actually provide that level of certainty, especially for support staff like bus drivers. Also seconding what others have said about applying early and certifying consistently. Even if you get initially denied, you can appeal, and having those certification weeks documented from the start is crucial for getting backpay if you win your appeal. The process is definitely frustrating, but don't let the confusing language on EDD's website discourage you from trying. Good luck!

I'm a school bus driver in San Jose and successfully got unemployment benefits last summer after initially being denied! The key was understanding that as bus drivers, we're in a unique position compared to teachers or other school staff. Here's what worked for me: I emphasized in my appeal that my "reasonable assurance" letter specifically mentioned that my routes, hours, and even my position could change based on enrollment and budget decisions. I also documented that I was actively seeking other summer employment (which shows availability to work - a key requirement for UI benefits). The game-changer was when I spoke to an EDD specialist who explained that bus drivers often qualify because our work is considered "support services" rather than "instructional services." Plus, the nature of our job means we rarely have the same exact position guaranteed from year to year due to route changes, student population shifts, etc. My advice: Apply immediately, be completely honest about your reasonable assurance letter but emphasize any uncertainty language in it, keep detailed records of your job search efforts, and don't give up if initially denied. The appeals process is where many school bus drivers actually win their cases. Also, that Claimyr service mentioned earlier really does work - I used it too and got through to EDD in under 30 minutes instead of waiting hours on hold. Worth every penny when you're dealing with time-sensitive benefit applications!

As someone who's completely new to the unemployment system and just starting the application process, this whole thread has been absolutely invaluable! I had no idea that the Money Network card envelope was so plain and generic-looking - honestly seems like a terrible design choice that's practically guaranteed to cause people to accidentally throw it away. Reading everyone's experiences and timelines has given me such a better understanding of what to actually expect compared to the confusing official EDD information. I'm definitely signing up for USPS Informed Delivery today based on all the recommendations here, and it's really good to know that Money Network's customer service is more accessible than trying to reach EDD directly. The tip about being able to set up direct deposit once you get the card to avoid future mail anxiety is also really smart. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed, practical advice - this community support makes navigating this intimidating system feel so much more manageable for newcomers like me!

As a complete newcomer to this system, I can't believe how much I've learned from this thread! I'm just getting started with my unemployment application and had absolutely no clue about the Money Network card details. The fact that the envelope is so plain that people regularly throw it away seems like such an obvious design problem - why wouldn't they put "UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS" or "DO NOT DISCARD" on the outside? Reading everyone's real experiences has been way more helpful than anything on the official EDD site. I'm definitely signing up for USPS Informed Delivery right now based on all these recommendations, and it's reassuring to know Money Network's customer service is actually reachable unlike EDD's. The direct deposit option to avoid future card mail stress sounds like a lifesaver too. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed, practical advice - this community support makes the whole process feel less intimidating for those of us just starting out!

Question for anyone who knows - I'm in a kinda similar situation (filed 4 months after layoff) and my interview is tomorrow. If they approve my claim, will I get benefits starting from when I filed or could they potentially backdate it? I've been certifying every two weeks since I filed even though nothing has been paid yet because of the pending interview.

Just wanted to follow up - how did your interview go? I'm curious because my cousin is in almost the exact same situation (waited about 5 months to file after being laid off).

I'm in a similar situation! Filed my appeal 3 weeks ago after being wrongfully disqualified (they said I quit but I was actually terminated due to budget cuts). The waiting is absolutely torture, especially when you're running low on funds. From what I've read here and other forums, it seems like 6-8 weeks is pretty standard right now. One thing that's helped me stay sane is creating a daily routine and keeping busy with job searching. I've also started volunteering a few hours a week which helps with the mental health aspect of being unemployed. Hang in there - it sounds like you have a strong case with the downsizing documentation. The waiting sucks but you're not alone in this!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my appeal about 5 weeks ago after being wrongfully disqualified (employer claimed I abandoned my job when I was actually laid off due to company restructuring). The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're watching your bank account dwindle. From everything I've read here and experienced myself, 6-8 weeks seems to be the current timeline, though some people are reporting longer waits. I've been calling the Appeals Board number that Tate mentioned (916-263-6589) once a week just to check status - they can't speed it up but at least they confirm your appeal is in the system. One thing that's helped me cope is treating this waiting period like a part-time job - I spend a few hours each day job searching, organizing my appeal documents, and researching tips for the hearing. It gives me some sense of control in this powerless situation. Stay strong - it sounds like you have solid evidence with those downsizing emails. We'll get through this!

UPDATE: Problem solved! As someone pointed out, I was looking at my 2023 form instead of 2024. The UI Online interface is really not intuitive. There's a dropdown menu to select the tax year that I completely missed. When I selected 2024, I got the correct form with all my benefit amounts. Thanks everyone for your help!

This is exactly why I bookmark this community! Such a simple solution but the EDD website design makes it so easy to miss. I've been helping my elderly neighbor with her unemployment stuff and she had the exact same issue last month. The year dropdown is buried and not obvious at all. For anyone else reading this - always double-check you're looking at the right tax year before panicking! Also keep screenshots of your correct 1099-G just in case the system glitches again.