Update: I spoke with my primary care doctor yesterday and she agrees with my therapist that I need to take time off. She suggested I try SDI first as a medical leave rather than quitting outright. She's filling out the paperwork today. This seems like a much better option than quitting and trying to get unemployment. Thank you all for the help and suggestions!

So glad to hear you found a better path forward with SDI! I went through something similar a couple years ago and the medical leave route really saved me. Just a heads up - make sure to keep copies of all the paperwork your doctor submits, and don't be surprised if SDI asks for additional documentation during the review process. They were pretty thorough with my case but ultimately approved it. Hope you get the time you need to recover properly. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as physical health!

As a former sub who went through this exact situation, I want to emphasize something that might ease your stress: the EDD reps are actually pretty knowledgeable about the substitute teacher situation since it comes up every summer. When I finally got through (took me 3 days of calling), the rep immediately knew the rules and was very helpful. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - you can actually start preparing your application now by gathering all your documents. Make sure you have your Social Security card, ID, and most recent pay stub ready. Also, if you're in multiple districts, you'll need wage information from ALL of them. The waiting period was the hardest part for me mentally, but once approved, the payments were retroactive to when I first became unemployed. So even if there's a delay in processing, you won't lose out on benefits you're entitled to. Hang in there - you've got this! Summer unemployment as a sub is totally legitimate and you shouldn't feel guilty about it.

I just wanted to jump in and share some encouragement for everyone going through this process! I'm a sub in my second year and successfully collected benefits last summer. The guilt is real - I felt the same way at first, but remember that unemployment insurance exists specifically for situations like ours where work is temporary and unpredictable. A few practical tips that helped me: - Start your application the Monday after your last assignment (don't wait for the weekend) - When they ask about job search activities, include things like updating your resume, creating online profiles, and networking - not just formal applications - If you get stuck in phone queues, try calling right at 8am when they open - I had better luck then The whole process took about 5 weeks for me from application to first payment, but like others mentioned, it was backdated so I didn't lose any money. The eligibility interview was actually pretty quick - maybe 15 minutes of basic questions about my work situation. You're not gaming the system - you're using a benefit that's designed exactly for workers in your situation. The fact that you're being so careful and thorough about following the rules shows you're doing this the right way!

I had a similar issue a few weeks ago! What worked for me was making sure I was using Chrome (not Safari or Firefox) and temporarily disabling my ad blocker. Also, check if your pop-up blocker is on - sometimes the verification window gets blocked. If you're still having trouble, try doing it during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening when the system isn't as overloaded. The whole process is definitely frustrating but hang in there!

I've been dealing with this exact same issue! What finally worked for me was logging out completely, clearing my browser cache, and then logging back in using a fresh incognito/private browsing window. Also make sure you're not using any VPN or proxy - CalJobs seems to flag those as suspicious. The account verification is super sensitive to any inconsistencies, so double-check that your name is entered exactly as it appears on your ID (including middle initials, hyphens, etc.). If you uploaded any documents before, try deleting them and re-uploading with different file names. Sometimes their system gets confused by special characters or long file names. Good luck!

To address your follow-up questions: The verification process has two parts - ID.me (which verifies your identity) and EDD's own verification (which confirms your eligibility for benefits). Here's what you should do: 1. For ID.me: Upload your ID plus documents showing your current address (utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement) 2. For EDD: Ensure your current mailing address is listed in your application 3. Be prepared to explain the address discrepancy if you get an eligibility interview phone call 4. Keep checking your UI Online account for any pending issues or required actions Most importantly, don't panic if there's a slight delay. Address mismatches are common and usually resolved with proper documentation. Just be honest and consistent with your information.

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago! My license showed my old apartment but I had moved in with my girlfriend. What really helped me was being proactive - I called EDD right after submitting my ID.me verification to explain the address discrepancy upfront. The rep made a note in my file, so when they reviewed my application, they already knew why the addresses didn't match. It saved me from getting flagged for a lengthy eligibility interview. Also, make sure you have multiple documents for your current address - I used my lease, a utility bill, AND a bank statement just to be safe. The whole process took about 3 weeks total, which isn't bad considering all the horror stories you hear.

I'm so glad I found this thread - I've been dealing with almost the exact same situation for the past two months and felt completely alone and hopeless. Reading everyone's detailed experiences and advice has been incredibly validating and empowering. My manager has created such a toxic environment that I've started having panic attacks in my car before walking into the building. The verbal abuse, public humiliation, and what I now realize is wage theft (thanks to everyone pointing out the importance of that angle) has made my job unbearable. But I was terrified to quit without knowing if I'd qualify for benefits. The level of strategic planning required that everyone has outlined is honestly overwhelming, but also reassuring - it shows there IS a path forward if you do it right. I'm particularly grateful for @Malik's professional insights about the legal requirements and @StarGazer101's warnings about employer counter-claims. I never would have thought to gather positive performance reviews as evidence. I'm going to start implementing everyone's advice immediately: detailed incident logs with exact quotes and witnesses, medical documentation for my anxiety symptoms, formal written complaints to HR with specific remedies and deadlines, and gathering evidence of the wage discrepancies I've noticed. Thank you @Liam for having the courage to share your story and ask these questions. This community response has created an incredible resource that's giving me hope I can get through this situation. I'll update with my progress as I work through these steps!

I'm a labor attorney who specializes in employment law, and I want to add some legal perspective to this excellent discussion. **California Labor Code Section 201.3** specifically addresses constructive discharge, which applies when working conditions become so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to resign. The key is proving that your employer either intended to force you to quit OR should have known their conduct would likely cause you to resign. A few critical legal points: **Documentation standards:** Courts look for contemporaneous records - meaning documentation created at or near the time of incidents. Your post-incident voice memos and daily logs are perfect for this. **Medical causation:** Having a healthcare provider explicitly state that your symptoms are "caused by or substantially aggravated by workplace conditions" is much stronger than general anxiety treatment. **Employer duty:** California employers have a legal obligation to maintain a workplace free from harassment and intimidation. When they fail this duty, it can constitute constructive discharge. **Wage theft connection:** Any unpaid wages, unauthorized deductions, or schedule manipulation that reduces your pay below minimum wage creates additional grounds for your claim. The "magic phrase" @Malik mentioned aligns with legal precedent - using language like "compelled to resign due to intolerable conditions" helps establish constructive discharge rather than voluntary quit. One addition: if you're in a protected class (age, race, gender, disability, etc.) and can show the abuse was related to that status, you may also have grounds for discrimination claims with DFEH, which strengthens your EDD case significantly. Best of luck - these cases are definitely winnable with proper preparation!