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!

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! 💪

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.

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I'm in a similar situation and was told the same thing about the 4-6 week wait. It's really frustrating having payments held up for that long! I've heard from others that sometimes calling back and speaking to different representatives can yield different information or timeframes. Some people have had luck getting escalated or finding reps who can expedite things. Has anyone else had success with calling multiple times or asking to speak with a supervisor about the phone interview scheduling?

Just want to add - make sure you keep detailed records of your work schedule and pay stubs! I learned this the hard way when EDD asked me to verify my reported earnings from 6 months prior. Having everything documented saved me from a huge headache. Also, if your hours vary significantly week to week (like 10 hours one week, 25 the next), your benefits will adjust accordingly using that same formula everyone explained. The system is actually pretty fair once you understand how it works. Good luck with the new job!

I went through this exact situation 8 months ago when I started part-time at a grocery store! The anxiety was real, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. Everyone's advice about gross pay is spot on. One thing I wish someone had told me: if you're uncertain about ANY earnings (like if you get tips, bonuses, or your employer pays you for training), always report it. I made the mistake of not reporting a $30 training bonus my first week because I wasn't sure if it counted - EDD caught it later and I had to explain. Nothing major happened, but it was stressful. Also, your retail job might have fluctuating hours during busy seasons (holidays, back-to-school, etc.), so your benefits will go up and down accordingly. That's totally normal! The key is just being consistent with your reporting. You've got this!