Can substitute teachers claim EDD unemployment between assignments?

Yes, you can potentially qualify for unemployment as a substitute teacher, but it's complicated. You need to show you're "available for work" while not having enough hours. During the school year, you can claim for weeks when you get zero assignments, BUT you must report any income for weeks you do work (even if it's just one day). Summer break is different - you might qualify if you don't have "reasonable assurance" of returning in fall. If you're not guaranteed to be rehired after summer, apply! If they sent you a letter saying they'll call you again in fall, it's trickier but still worth applying. Make sure to explain your situation carefully when filing.

I've been down this road before as a substitute teacher. Here's what happens: During the school year, you CAN claim unemployment for weeks you get zero assignments. Each week when you certify, you report any work/income from subbing. Summer is where it gets tricky - if the district sent you a "reasonable assurance" letter (basically saying they'll put you back on the sub list in fall), EDD will likely deny benefits for the summer break period. If you didn't get such a letter, you have a stronger case. Either way, I recommend applying - worst case they deny you, but they might approve. Just be 100% honest about your work situation when certifying.

Thanks everyone for the responses so far. I'm still a bit confused about the "reasonable assurance" part. I checked my emails and I don't see anything specifically guaranteeing me a position for next school year, but I did sign a form back in September that said I'd be on the sub list for the 2024-2025 academic year. Does that count as reasonable assurance? Also, if I do apply, should I file now or wait until the last day of school?

i was a sub for 3 yrs and got unemployment every summer! trick is being honest but strategic. when they ask if you have reasonable assurane of work, you have to consider if you REALLY do. most districts don't guarantee hours for subs, so technically you DON'T have assurance of actual work. they might put you on a list but that doesn't mean you'll get called! apply and explain your situation clearlt. worst thing is they say no

Everyone here is giving advice but nobody mentioned the MOST IMPORTANT THING: you need to have earned enough in your base period to qualify!!! EDD looks at your earnings from about 15-18 months ago, not just your recent months. If you only started subbing 7 months ago, make sure you had other jobs before that or you might not qualify based on earnings requirement alone.

I've been through this exact situation. Trying to speak with EDD about substitute teaching was IMPOSSIBLE. I spent weeks calling hundreds of times just to get disconnected over and over. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person who could understand my unique situation. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Once I got through, the EDD rep confirmed I could claim unemployment during weeks I had zero assignments AND during summer if I didn't have a guarantee of work in fall. Being able to explain my situation to a real person made all the difference - the online forms don't handle sub teaching situations well.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST SUBS!!! I tried this last year and EDD denied me saying I had "reasonable assurance" even though my district NEVER guaranteed me any hours! They just said I "might" get calls next year! HOW IS THAT ASSURANCE?!?! I appealed and had to wait 4 MONTHS for a hearing where they finally reversed it. By then summer was over! The whole system is designed to deny benefits to school workers. FIGHT BACK and APPEAL if denied!!!

My sister substitute teaches and this reminds me of her situation last year. She applied during summer and got benefits for 6 weeks until school started again. She said the key was that her district didn't send the reasonable assurance letter until late June, so she applied before receiving it. However, during the school year she didn't bother applying during weeks with no assignments because the paperwork was too complicated for just a week of benefits here and there. Good luck!

One more important point: if you do qualify for unemployment, you MUST be available for and actively seeking full-time work. This means you can't turn down suitable job offers because you're waiting for school to restart. You'll need to document your work search activities when you certify every two weeks. Some substitute teachers find they actually earn more during summer by taking temporary full-time jobs instead of collecting unemployment. Consider all your options!

I went through this same situation a few years ago as a substitute teacher. Here's what I learned: you CAN claim unemployment during weeks with zero assignments during the school year, but you must report ANY income from subbing when certifying. For summer, it really depends on whether you receive a "reasonable assurance" letter. I didn't get one until mid-July, so I was able to collect benefits for about 6 weeks. The key is being completely honest about your situation - don't try to hide that you're a sub, but emphasize that you have NO guarantee of work or hours. I also kept detailed records of my work search efforts and any communication with the district. One tip: if you do apply and get approved, consider it a bridge while actively looking for summer employment. The benefits helped me survive until I found a temporary summer job that actually paid better than inconsistent subbing. Document everything and don't give up if initially denied!

As someone who's been substitute teaching for 3 years, I can confirm that you absolutely CAN claim unemployment benefits! The key things to know: 1) During the school year, you can claim for weeks with zero assignments - just report any income from days you do work when certifying. 2) For summer, if you don't receive a "reasonable assurance" letter guaranteeing you'll be called back, you should definitely apply. Even if you did sign that form in September, it doesn't necessarily count as reasonable assurance if it doesn't guarantee actual work hours. 3) Since you worked retail for 2 years before subbing, you should easily meet the earnings requirement for your base period. My advice: apply right after your last day of school and be completely transparent about your situation. Emphasize that while you might be on a sub list, you have NO guarantee of being called or getting minimum hours. The worst they can say is no, but many subs do get approved. Good luck and don't let anyone discourage you from trying!

I'm a substitute teacher who just went through this process successfully! Here's what worked for me: Yes, absolutely mention you're a substitute teacher from the beginning - trying to hide it will only cause problems later. When I applied online, I selected "Education" as my industry and was completely upfront about being a substitute with no guaranteed hours. EDD actually has specific questions about educational employees, so they're used to these situations. For documentation, I provided: 1) My substitute teaching permit, 2) A letter from HR confirming I was on the sub list with no guaranteed hours, and 3) Records showing my inconsistent work pattern. The key phrase I used was "no reasonable assurance of work" - this is the legal language that matters. I got approved for both weeks with zero assignments during the school year AND for summer break since my district never sent a guarantee letter. One tip: when you certify each week, be precise about reporting sub income - even if you only worked one day, report that exact amount. The system is designed to handle partial unemployment. Don't let anyone scare you away from applying - substitute teachers have successfully claimed benefits for years!

I'm a substitute teacher in a similar situation and just wanted to add my experience! I've been collecting unemployment during weeks with no assignments for the past year. One thing that really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every day I was available to work but didn't get called - this showed EDD that I was ready and willing to work but simply wasn't getting assignments. When I applied, I emphasized that substitute teaching is inherently unpredictable and that being "on the sub list" doesn't guarantee any income. During my phone interview with EDD, they specifically asked about my availability and I explained that I check my phone every morning hoping for calls but many weeks get nothing. The representative understood that this isn't like a regular part-time job where you have set hours. My advice: apply as soon as your school year ends, keep records of everything, and don't be discouraged if the initial online application seems confusing for educational workers - the phone interview is where you can really explain your unique situation!

I've been a substitute teacher for 5 years and have successfully navigated the EDD system multiple times! Here's my practical advice: First, you absolutely CAN claim unemployment as a sub - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The key is understanding that substitute teaching falls into a gray area that EDD handles case-by-case. During the school year, claim benefits for any week you receive ZERO assignments, but always report income for weeks you do work (even one day). For summer break, the "reasonable assurance" letter is crucial - if you haven't received one by mid-June, apply immediately! Even if you signed a general sub agreement, that's not the same as guaranteed work. I keep a simple calendar marking every day I was available but not called - this documentation has been invaluable during EDD interviews. Pro tip: when you apply, use phrases like "irregular work pattern," "no guaranteed hours," and "income insufficient to meet basic needs." These are terms EDD recognizes. Also, be prepared that your first application might get denied automatically - about 60% of educational worker claims get initially rejected, but many succeed on appeal. The system is complicated but substitute teachers DO qualify when they meet the criteria. Don't give up!

As a substitute teacher who successfully received unemployment benefits last summer, I wanted to share what worked for me! The most important thing is understanding that EDD looks at whether you have "reasonable assurance" of work - not just whether you're on a sub list. Here's what I did: 1) Applied immediately after my last school day in June, 2) Emphasized in my application that being on the sub list doesn't guarantee any income or even a single call, 3) Kept detailed records showing my inconsistent work pattern (some weeks 0 days, others maybe 2-3), and 4) Got a letter from my district's HR confirming I had no guaranteed hours or minimum work commitment. The key phrase that helped me was explaining that substitute work is "on-call" with no assurance of actual employment. I was approved for 8 weeks of summer benefits, which was a lifesaver! Don't be discouraged if you get initially denied - many subs do but win on appeal. The system isn't perfect, but substitute teachers absolutely CAN qualify when they genuinely lack work assurance. Good luck and feel free to ask if you have specific questions about the process!

I'm a substitute teacher who went through this exact situation last year! You can definitely claim unemployment, but timing and documentation are everything. During the school year, I claimed benefits for weeks with zero calls and just reported any sub income when I did work. For summer, the key is that "reasonable assurance" letter - I never received one from my district, so I qualified for the full summer break. Here's what helped me get approved: 1) I applied the day after my last assignment ended, 2) I emphasized that being on the sub list gives me zero guarantee of actual work or income, 3) I kept a simple log showing my sporadic work pattern, and 4) I got documentation from HR stating I had no minimum hour commitments. When filling out the application, be completely honest about being a substitute teacher - don't try to hide it. Use phrases like "on-call work with no guaranteed hours" and "unpredictable income." Since you worked retail for 2 years before subbing, you should easily meet the base period earnings requirement. The process can be frustrating and you might get initially denied (it's common for educational workers), but don't give up! I ended up collecting benefits for 10 weeks last summer, which made all the difference. Apply as soon as school ends and be prepared to explain your unique situation. Good luck!

I'm also a substitute teacher and have been lurking in this thread because I'm in almost the exact same situation! Reading everyone's experiences has been so helpful. I want to add one thing that might be useful - when I called my district's payroll office to ask about documentation, they told me that substitute teachers are classified as "temporary employees" rather than regular part-time employees, which actually strengthens our case for unemployment. The payroll clerk even mentioned that several subs from our district have successfully claimed benefits in the past. She suggested I request a letter stating my "temporary employee" status with "no guaranteed work schedule or minimum hours." I'm planning to apply right after our last day (June 6th) and I'll definitely be using all the great language suggestions from this thread like "on-call work with no guaranteed hours" and emphasizing the unpredictable nature of substitute assignments. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's given me the confidence to actually apply instead of just struggling through another summer with no income!

I'm a substitute teacher who just successfully received unemployment benefits for the first time last summer, and I wanted to share some additional tips that might help! One thing I haven't seen mentioned much is that you should also document any professional development or training requirements you complete during unpaid periods - this shows EDD that you're maintaining your qualifications even when not working. I kept records of mandatory trainings, CPR renewals, and substitute workshops that I had to complete on my own time and dime. Also, when you're job searching (which you must do while collecting benefits), make sure to apply for both substitute AND regular teaching positions, tutoring jobs, educational support roles, etc. EDD wants to see that you're genuinely seeking work in your field and related areas. One last tip: if your district uses an automated calling system for sub assignments, screenshot or save evidence of weeks when you received zero calls - this provides concrete proof of your availability versus actual work offered. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to first payment, but it was absolutely worth it. Don't let the complexity discourage you from applying - substitute teachers have legitimate claims to unemployment benefits when we lack guaranteed work!

I'm a former substitute teacher who navigated this exact situation successfully! You absolutely CAN claim unemployment benefits, and your situation sounds very similar to mine. Here are the key points that helped me get approved: 1. **During school year**: You can claim for weeks with ZERO assignments. Just report any income when you do work (gross pay, not net). 2. **Summer break**: Since you mentioned not receiving any guarantee letter yet, you have a strong case. The fact that you signed a form in September doesn't automatically count as "reasonable assurance" - what matters is whether you have a genuine guarantee of future work and income. 3. **Documentation is crucial**: Contact your district's HR/payroll office and request a letter confirming your status as a substitute with "no guaranteed hours or minimum work commitments." Some districts will even acknowledge that subs are "temporary employees." 4. **Be completely transparent**: When applying, mention you're a substitute teacher right from the start. Use phrases like "on-call work with no guaranteed hours" and "irregular work pattern with unpredictable income." 5. **Your retail background helps**: Since you worked full-time retail for 2 years before subbing, you should easily meet the base period earnings requirement. Don't be discouraged if you get initially denied - it's common for educational workers, but many succeed on appeal. The key is emphasizing that being on a sub list doesn't guarantee actual work or income. Apply right after your last school day and keep detailed records of everything. Good luck!

I'm a substitute teacher who successfully claimed unemployment benefits for both sporadic weeks during the school year and the entire summer break last year! Your situation sounds very familiar to mine. Here's what worked for me: **Key strategy**: Emphasize that substitute teaching is fundamentally different from regular part-time work. We're not employees with reduced hours - we're on-call workers with zero guarantee of being called at all. **For weekly claims during school year**: I claimed benefits for any week I received zero assignments, then reported my exact gross earnings for weeks I did work. EDD handles partial unemployment well - you can still get benefits even if you work 1-2 days as long as your weekly earnings don't exceed your benefit amount. **For summer break**: The "reasonable assurance" question is key. That September form you signed likely just puts you on an eligible list - it doesn't guarantee you'll actually be offered work or have any minimum income. When I applied, I emphasized that being "on the list" means nothing if the phone doesn't ring. **Documentation that helped me**: I kept a simple calendar marking every day I was available but didn't get called, plus I got a letter from HR confirming my "temporary employee status with no guaranteed work schedule." **Timeline tip**: Apply immediately after your last assignment ends. Don't wait for an official reasonable assurance letter - if they were going to send one, it would typically come by mid-June. The process took about 3 weeks from application to first payment, and it made a huge difference during those lean summer months. Don't let anyone discourage you - substitute teachers absolutely qualify when we genuinely lack work guarantees!

I'm a substitute teacher who went through this exact process last year and wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me! Beyond all the great advice already shared, here are some specific things to consider: **Before applying**: Call your district's benefits office (not just HR) - they often have more detailed information about substitute employment classification and may have template letters they've provided to other subs for EDD purposes. **Application strategy**: When describing your work pattern, be specific with numbers. I wrote something like "worked 0 days in 8 out of 20 weeks this semester" - concrete data helps EDD understand the inconsistency better than general descriptions. **During the process**: Save EVERYTHING - emails about available assignments, your substitute portal login history showing when you checked for jobs, even text screenshots if your district uses those. I had to provide additional documentation during my claim review and having everything organized made a huge difference. **Work search requirement**: Remember that while collecting benefits, you'll need to document job search activities. Apply for summer camps, tutoring centers, educational nonprofits, etc. - not just traditional teaching jobs. **Patience with the system**: My initial application was "pending" for almost 5 weeks before approval. Don't panic if it takes time - the system moves slowly but many subs do get approved eventually. The financial relief during summer was incredible after months of unpredictable income. Definitely worth the paperwork hassle! Feel free to ask if you have questions about any specific part of the process.