EDD eligibility confusion with new teaching offer - can I collect until August start date?

You should still qualify! The key thing EDD looks at is whether you're available for full-time work NOW. Having a job that starts in August doesn't change your current availability. When you certify, you'll report that you're still looking for work and available to work immediately. If you get asked about the future job during your eligibility interview, be honest but emphasize that you're still actively seeking work that starts sooner and pays better. Make sure you keep a detailed record of your job search activities - applications submitted, interviews attended, etc. I was in education too (admin side) and had to deal with similar summer gaps.

im a teacher 2 and this hapens every summer lol. EDD knows about school employees and the summer break thing. theyll probably ask u bout "reasonable assurance" which is different from a job offer. did ur old district give u any indication u might be rehired later? thats what they really care about

Actually, this is a tricky situation. California Education Code has specific provisions regarding school employees and unemployment during recess periods. If you have reasonable assurance of employment after the recess period (which your new job offer might constitute), you could be disqualified under the school employee provision. However, since your new position pays substantially less ($15k is significant), you have a good case for continuing to seek other employment. Make sure to emphasize this during your eligibility interview and document all your job search activities thoroughly. I suggest calling EDD directly to discuss your specific circumstances before your interview. This way you'll be prepared with the right information.

I had almost identical situation last year! I was a laid-off teacher with a job lined up for fall but needed UI for summer. The KEY thing that got me approved was keeping detailed records of my job search EVEN THOUGH I had a job lined up. Here's what helped me get through: 1. When certifying, always answer that you're looking for work (because you legitimately are seeking better opportunities) 2. Have proof of your layoff/non-renewal ready to upload 3. Be prepared to explain the substantial pay cut in the new position 4. Document EVERY job application, follow-up, networking call, etc. They'll likely schedule a phone interview. The rep I spoke with was understanding once I explained the situation. Be prepared to wait on hold FOREVER though...that was the worst part.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY U!! my cousin works for a school district and got DQd for the summer even tho her contract WASNT RENEWED!! something about "school employees" being treated diffrent - EDD is straight up UNFAIR to educators and they don't even READ your explanations half the time!!!

I struggled for weeks trying to reach EDD when I was in a somewhat similar situation (substitute teacher with reduced summer work). I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a real person, which saved me so much frustration. They have a service that basically calls EDD for you and connects you when they reach a representative. Totally worth checking out their video demo: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Once I actually spoke to someone, they helped clarify my specific situation and what documentation I needed. Made a huge difference versus trying to figure it out from the website.

my wife is a teacher and has to deal with this every summer too. make sure you indicate you are NOT on recess or vacation!!!! thats super important. they'll try to use that against you to say you're just on summer break and not really unemployed. also you need to say YES that you're looking for work each certification period.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I've been keeping detailed notes of all job applications and will definitely emphasize that I'm actively seeking immediate work that pays closer to my previous salary. I'll make sure to have my non-renewal letter and job offer ready for the interview. I'm feeling more prepared now, though still nervous about the whole process. Hoping this all works out since I really need the financial support until August.

I went through something very similar as a substitute teacher who got offered a paraprofessional position for the fall but at much lower pay. What really helped me was framing it correctly during my EDD interview - I emphasized that while I had accepted the fall position out of necessity, I was still actively seeking full-time teaching positions that would start immediately and provide comparable pay to my previous role. The interviewer understood that accepting a significantly lower-paying job doesn't mean you should stop looking for better opportunities. Keep documenting every application you submit and interview you attend. Also, when you certify each week, make sure you're answering "yes" to being available and looking for work - because you genuinely are! One tip: if they ask about your August start date during the interview, explain that you're hoping to find something better before then that you could start right away. The gap between now and August is exactly why you need unemployment benefits. Good luck with your interview Friday!

I'm a former EDD representative and can provide some clarity on your situation. You should absolutely still qualify for benefits! The key factors working in your favor are: 1) You were involuntarily separated (laid off) from your previous position, 2) Your new job doesn't start for 2.5 months, leaving you genuinely unemployed now, and 3) The significant pay reduction ($15k less) demonstrates you have legitimate reasons to continue seeking better employment. The "reasonable assurance" provision that applies to school employees typically only applies when the SAME employer provides assurance of future work. Since you're moving to a different district at lower pay, this shouldn't disqualify you. During your eligibility interview, be completely honest about your situation. Emphasize that you're actively seeking immediate employment at your previous salary level, and that the August position was accepted as a backup due to financial necessity. Keep detailed records of all job applications and interviews - this shows genuine work search efforts. One important note: always answer "yes" when asked if you're looking for work during weekly certifications, because you legitimately are seeking better opportunities that could start immediately. Good luck!