pro tip: if u get thru to someone but they cant help, ask them to transfer u instead of hanging up and starting over. sometimes u can bypass the whole queue that way

I've been dealing with EDD for over a month now and here's what finally worked for me: I called the 1-800-300-5616 number at exactly 8:01 AM on a Tuesday (avoid Mondays - everyone calls then). When you get to the automated menu, press 1-2-1 quickly, then when it asks for your SSN, enter it but add a random digit at the end. The system will say "invalid" and transfer you to a human operator to "verify your information." Took me about 45 minutes on hold but I actually got through to someone who could help. Also, keep a notepad ready with all your dates, claim numbers, and previous correspondence - they'll ask for everything. Good luck everyone, don't give up! 💪

awesome! glad u got it fixed. wish theyd update their system to not ask for info from like 5 years ago lol

Glad to hear you got it resolved! Your experience is really helpful for others dealing with the same issue. It's frustrating that EDD's system still prompts for outdated verification info from the old BofA system, but at least their phone reps have the ability to work around it. 45 minutes is actually pretty reasonable for EDD wait times - you got lucky calling right at 8 AM! Thanks for updating us on how it went.

I'm currently going through this exact situation and your post gives me hope! I was also denied with the "reasonable assurance" reasoning even though I'm just on the sub call list with zero guaranteed hours. After reading all these success stories, I'm definitely going to appeal. The key points I'm seeing are: 1) Get an official letter from HR stating sub work is "as-needed with no guarantees", 2) Document the inconsistent work patterns with actual hour/income records, and 3) Show active job searching outside of education. One thing I'm wondering - for those who won their appeals, did you emphasize in your personal statement that you're seeking permanent full-time work rather than just waiting for school to resume? It seems like proving you're not just planning to return to subbing might strengthen the case. The financial stress is so real right now, but seeing everyone's success stories makes me feel like there's actually a good chance if we document everything properly. Thanks for starting this thread - it's exactly what substitute teachers need to see!

I'm also a substitute teacher who just got denied with the same "reasonable assurance" excuse! This thread is incredibly helpful - I had no idea so many subs were successfully winning appeals. My situation is almost identical to everyone else's: I'm just on the call list with zero guaranteed hours, and last summer I barely got any calls at all. Reading all these success stories gives me the confidence to fight this denial instead of just accepting it. I'm going to start gathering all the documentation mentioned here: my variable work history, an HR letter confirming "as-needed" status, job search records, and definitely those portal screenshots showing when no assignments are available. The key insight about "reasonable assurance" requiring actual guaranteed work vs. just being eligible really clarifies what I need to prove. It's frustrating that EDD seems to automatically deny all school employees without looking at our specific circumstances as subs, but at least now I know there's a real path to winning on appeal. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly what I needed to see!

I've been lurking on this thread because I'm facing a similar situation - my appeal hearing is next week. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful and honestly quite comforting. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my local legal aid clinic: if you have any documentation showing that other employees were also let go around the same time as you (for the same "restructuring"), that can be powerful evidence supporting your case. I found an old company newsletter mentioning multiple layoffs in my department during the same period I was terminated. Also, for anyone worried about the phone hearing format - I was initially nervous about not being face-to-face with the judge, but my legal aid attorney said phone hearings can actually work in your favor because you can have all your documents and timeline right in front of you without it looking like you're reading from notes. @Vera Visnjic - your case sounds really strong based on everything you've shared. The fact that they hired a replacement so quickly after claiming "restructuring" is going to be very hard for them to explain away. Wishing you the best of luck with your hearing!

I'm a new member here but have been following this thread closely because I'm dealing with a similar situation. My appeal hearing is scheduled for next month after my employer contested my approved UI claim. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly helpful - especially the advice about documenting everything and staying factual during the hearing. I've started gathering all my evidence including performance reviews, text messages, and emails that contradict my employer's misconduct claims. One question I haven't seen addressed: has anyone had success requesting a postponement if you need more time to gather documentation? My former employer waited until almost the last minute to file their appeal, so I'm feeling rushed to prepare everything properly. I want to make sure I have the strongest case possible. Thank you all for sharing your experiences so openly - it's really helping those of us who are new to this stressful process!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been through this exact scenario! You absolutely made the right choice taking that temp position. I was in a similar situation last year - took a 6-week contract at about 60% of my previous salary. While the immediate pay was lower than my EDD benefits, it ended up being one of the best career moves I made. The temp agency ended up placing me in a permanent role 3 months later that paid even more than my original job! A few practical tips for when you start: Make sure you understand exactly when your last day will be so you can reopen your EDD claim immediately. Also, even though it's temp work, treat it like any other job - show up early, volunteer for extra projects, and network with everyone you meet. You never know which connection might lead to your next opportunity. The financial break-even might seem discouraging now, but having recent work experience on your resume is invaluable, especially in today's competitive job market. Employers definitely notice employment gaps, and being able to say you were working (even temporarily) rather than unemployed for 4+ months can make a real difference in interviews.

As someone who works in HR and has dealt with EDD claims, I wanted to add a few technical details that might be helpful. When you're working the temp job, you have two options for handling your certification: (1) Stop certifying entirely while working full-time, or (2) Continue certifying and report your earnings each week. If you choose option 2 and earn more than your weekly benefit amount + $25, you'll receive $0 for those weeks, which effectively pauses your claim. The key advantage of continuing to certify (even when receiving $0) is that it keeps your claim "active" in the system, which can sometimes make reopening smoother. However, many people just stop certifying to avoid the hassle of reporting earnings weekly. One important note: Make sure the temp agency classifies you as a W-2 employee, not a 1099 contractor. This affects how EDD views your work history and can impact future claims. Also, since you mentioned this is accounts payable work, consider asking if there are opportunities to learn new software or processes that could strengthen your resume for controller positions later. Best of luck with the decision! The fact that you're thinking through all these implications shows you're approaching this strategically.