EDD phone interview for substitute teacher with no definite start date - what to expect?

I went through this exact situation last summer! The phone interview is mainly to determine if you have "reasonable assurance" of returning to work. For regular teachers with contracts, this is straightforward - they're denied benefits because they have guaranteed jobs in fall. But for subs, it's more complicated. During my interview, the EDD agent asked: 1. Do I have a written guarantee of work? 2. Is there a minimum number of days I'm guaranteed to work? 3. Do I have any summer school opportunities? 4. What was my work pattern during the previous year (how many days/week did I typically work)? Be honest but make it clear that being on the sub list provides NO GUARANTEE of any work or income. I was approved because I could demonstrate that some weeks I had zero assignments despite being available.

my cousin is a sub and got denied last yr cuz the edd lady said being on the list counts as "reasonable asurance" even tho she told them she might get 0 days of work. total bs if u ask me

The key issue for substitute teachers is actually found in California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 1253.3, which addresses school employees. The important factor is whether you have "reasonable assurance" of employment in the next academic term. For substitutes, this comes down to two main points: 1. Your work history pattern - if you can demonstrate inconsistent work even while being available, this helps your case 2. Whether your district provides any form of guaranteed minimum work days Bring documentation showing your work schedule from the previous year with any gaps highlighted. Also bring any communication from the district that shows being on the substitute list doesn't guarantee employment. In your interview, use specific language: "I have no guarantee of ANY work assignments" rather than "I'm not sure when I'll start." The distinction matters legally.

When I had my eligibility interview about summer benefits (I'm a cafeteria worker, not a teacher, but similar issue), I couldn't get through to anyone at EDD for days beforehand to ask questions. Finally used Claimyr.com to connect with an EDD agent to clarify what documents I needed for my interview. Saved me from being unprepared! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km For the interview itself, like others mentioned, focus on the lack of guaranteed work. They kept asking me if I had "reasonable assurance" and I had to repeatedly explain that being on a call list is not a job guarantee.

I went thru this last yr and got denied becuz I said I "expected" to get work in the fall...wrong answer lol. This year my neighbor who is also sub told me to say I have "no reasonable assurance of future work" those r the exact words you need to use. don't say ur on the list just say you can apply for assignments but have no guarantee of getting any!!

The EDD system is SO BROKEN for school employees!!! It's absolutely outrageous how they treat substitutes. I've been denied benefits 3 summers in a row despite having ZERO income those months! Meanwhile my friend who works retail gets benefits right away when her hours are cut. It's discrimination against education workers!! Make sure you RECORD your interview (California is a two-party consent state so inform them you're recording) because they will try to twist your words to deny you!

Thank you everyone for all this advice! I've got my interview tomorrow and feel much better prepared now. I've pulled together my work schedule from last year showing the gaps in assignments, and I've practiced explaining clearly that being on the substitute list provides no guarantee of work or income. I was able to get through to an EDD representative using Claimyr (thanks for that tip!), and they confirmed I should focus on the lack of guaranteed hours during the interview. I'll update this thread tomorrow after my interview to let everyone know how it went and if I have any additional insights that might help other substitute teachers.

One last thing I forgot to mention - they might ask if you're looking for other work outside of substitute teaching. This is important because you need to be available for and seeking work to qualify for UI benefits. Make sure you can honestly say you're looking for other opportunities while waiting for the school year to start. Keep a record of places you've applied to if possible.

Just wanted to follow up and share how my interview went yesterday! The EDD representative was actually really understanding and knowledgeable about substitute teacher situations. She asked all the questions that Christopher mentioned - about guaranteed work, minimum days, summer opportunities, and my work pattern from last year. I emphasized that being on the substitute list gives me ZERO guarantee of work or income, and I showed her my work schedule from last year with all the gaps highlighted. I also mentioned that I'm actively looking for other summer work (tutoring, camps, etc.) while waiting for potential sub assignments. The whole interview took about 20 minutes, and she approved my claim on the spot! She said the key factor was that I could demonstrate inconsistent work even while being available, which shows I don't have "reasonable assurance" of steady employment. For anyone else going through this - having documentation ready really helped, and being clear about the economic reality of substitute work (no guaranteed hours = no guaranteed income) was crucial. Don't let them lump you in with contracted teachers who have actual job security! Hope this helps other subs who might be going through the same process. The system isn't perfect, but it can work if you're prepared and honest about your situation.

Congratulations on getting approved! That's such great news and really helpful for others in similar situations. I'm curious - did the EDD representative mention anything about how long the benefits will last, or any requirements for continuing to certify during the summer? Also, did they ask about your availability during specific weeks (like if you're planning any vacations)? I know some people have issues with the weekly certification process even after getting approved. Your point about having documentation ready is so important. I think a lot of substitute teachers don't realize they should be tracking their work patterns throughout the year in case they need to apply for summer benefits later.