EDD eligibility for school district employee during summer break?
Hey everyone! I'm a part-time classroom aide at Ridgemont Elementary and we're on summer break now. The district doesn't pay us during summer months, and my income is usually around $1,750-$2,000 monthly during the school year. I've heard some school employees can get unemployment during breaks, but others say we have "reasonable assurance" of returning in fall so we don't qualify? My savings are almost gone and I've got bills to pay until September. Has anyone successfully filed for unemployment while working for a school district? Do I need to mention I have a return date in my application? Any advice would be really appreciated!
17 comments
Ava Garcia
You probably won't qualify. I work for a school district too and tried this last summer. EDD denied me because of the "reasonable assurance" rule - if you have a job waiting for you in the fall, they consider you employed even during unpaid breaks. SUPER FRUSTRATING!!! They don't care that we don't get paid for 2+ months!
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Dmitry Ivanov
•That's what I was afraid of... did you appeal or was it just a straight denial? I'm wondering if it matters that I'm part-time and not a contracted teacher.
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Miguel Silva
The answer depends on your specific employment classification. School employees with "reasonable assurance" of returning to work after regularly scheduled breaks (like summer vacation) typically don't qualify for UI benefits during these breaks under CA Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1253.3. However, there are exceptions: 1. If you don't have a reasonable assurance of returning to your position 2. If your work during the following year will be substantially less favorable than the previous year 3. If you have other non-school employment that qualifies you You should still apply and explain your situation fully. Make sure to mention if your hours/wages for next year will be reduced compared to this year, as that can sometimes help your case.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thank you! I wasn't sure about those exceptions. My hours are staying the same next year, but I'll apply anyway. Nothing to lose by trying, right?
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Zainab Ismail
i was working as a janitor at a high school last yr and got ui no problem during summer. just be honest about yr situation and let edd decide.
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Ava Garcia
•Were you directly employed by the district or through a contractor? That makes a HUGE difference! Contractors can usually get UI but direct employees with return dates usually can't.
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Connor O'Neill
My sister is a noon duty supervisor and she gets unemployment every summer break! She's been doing it for years.
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Miguel Silva
•This is really important context - the rules can vary depending on the specific position and employment status. Noon duty supervisors are often classified differently than classroom aides or teachers. The key is whether the position has "reasonable assurance" of continued employment after the break, which is evaluated case-by-case.
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QuantumQuester
School employee UI eligibility is complicated! As others mentioned, those with "reasonable assurance" usually don't qualify during scheduled breaks, but part-time status can sometimes affect this. I'd recommend applying and being completely honest about your situation. If you get denied, request a phone interview to explain your circumstances. It's often difficult to reach EDD by phone, though. When I had a similar issue, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an EDD representative. They have a service that helps you bypass the phone wait times. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km A detailed conversation with an EDD rep can often clarify these nuanced situations better than just relying on the online application process.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely apply and try to get a phone interview if needed. I've heard the phone lines are impossible, so that service might be worth it if I get stuck.
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Yara Nassar
have u tried looking 4 summer work? might b easier than dealing w/edd tbh
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Dmitry Ivanov
•I've applied to a few places but haven't heard back. Trying to keep my options open, especially since it seems like unemployment might be a long shot.
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Keisha Williams
I'm in almost the exact same situation but I work in the cafeteria! I applied for UI and was initially denied, but I requested a phone interview and explained that I had no guarantee of the same hours in the fall (which was true in my case). They ended up approving me but it took almost 5 weeks to get resolved. Start the process ASAP because even if you get approved, you might not see money until July at this point.
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Yara Nassar
•5 weeks??!! thats crazy long
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Keisha Williams
•Yeah, it took forever! First the regular processing time, then waiting for the phone interview, then more waiting after that. The system is so backed up right now. But I'm getting benefits now, so it was worth the wait!
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Miguel Silva
One other important point: EDD will want to know if you're "available for work" during the summer. Make sure you indicate that you're actively looking for summer employment and are available to work. If you suggest you're just waiting for the school year to start again, that can hurt your case. Also, keep detailed records of your job search efforts, as you may need to certify these if approved.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•This is really helpful, thank you! I am definitely looking for summer work and available right away. I'll make sure to document all my applications.
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