EDD unemployment eligibility for school employees during summer break?

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but school employees generally dont qualify for unemployment during scheduled breaks like summer if you have reasonable assurance of returning. Its called the "school employee provision" and its a huge pain. I work as a cafeteria supervisor and tried last year...got denied immediately. The EDD automatically checks with school districts about your employment status.

This is a common question for school employees. The key issue here is "reasonable assurance." If your contract states you're expected to return but doesn't guarantee your position, you might have a case. California Educational Code section 1253.3 covers this. You should apply anyway - worst case they deny you. If you apply, make sure to clearly explain that your return isn't guaranteed due to potential budget cuts or staffing changes. The burden is actually on the school district to prove you have reasonable assurance. Some situations where school employees can qualify: 1. Your exact position might not exist next year 2. Your hours might be significantly reduced 3. You're on a contingent contract dependent on enrollment/funding Keep any emails or documents showing uncertainty about your position.

apply anyway!!!!! i work as a crossing guard and got benefits last summer even tho everyone said i wouldnt qualify. the worst they can say is no right?? just be honest about everything

The whole "reasonable assurance" thing is SUCH A SCAM designed to save the districts money! They string you along with vague promises so you don't look for other work, then claim you can't get benefits because you're "coming back" - but they don't have to PAY YOU during summer!! I've been fighting this system for YEARS as a part-time music teacher. The districts coordinate with EDD to automatically reject school employee claims without even reviewing individual circumstances. It's INFURIATING!

I successfully navigated this situation last year. Here's what worked for me: 1. File for unemployment as soon as your last day of work arrives 2. When they ask if you have reasonable assurance, be honest about any uncertainty 3. Provide any documentation showing your position isn't 100% guaranteed (emails about budget cuts, enrollment concerns, etc.) 4. If denied, immediately file an appeal and request a hearing The key is to focus on why your situation might be different from the standard school employee scenario. In my hearing, I emphasized that my special education aide position was dependent on specific student enrollment that wasn't guaranteed. Also, if you can't reach EDD by phone (which is likely), I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to an EDD agent within 20 minutes when I couldn't get through for weeks. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km - it saved me so much frustration during the appeal process.

wait wait wait i'm confused...is this about california PTO or unemployment benefits? because those r totally different things. PTO you get from ur employer but unemployment is from the govt when ur not working. which one r u asking about???

anybody know how long it takes to get approved if they do let school workers claim? i might be in the same boat next month

I was in your exact situation last year! Work for a school district too. Applied for unemployment and got denied, BUT then I appealed and got approved! The key was proving I didn't have 100% guaranteed employment in fall. My principal had sent an email saying staffing would depend on enrollment numbers, and that was enough to win my appeal. Don't give up!

Here's what nobody tells you - EDD automatically flags ALL school employee claims and sends them to a special review process. They'll send you a questionnaire specifically about reasonable assurance. The SECOND they see you're a school employee, you get shunted into this separate system. Such BS! They've already decided to deny you before even reviewing your specific case!

I went through this exact situation two years ago as a substitute teacher! The "reasonable assurance" rule is tricky, but here's what I learned: if there's ANY uncertainty about your position returning - budget issues, enrollment changes, staffing adjustments - document everything! I kept screenshots of emails mentioning "pending budget approval" and "subject to enrollment" language. Even though I initially got denied, I appealed with all my documentation and won. The hearing officer said the key was showing that my return wasn't guaranteed, just expected. Since you mentioned budget cuts might affect staffing, make sure to save any communications about that - it could be crucial for your case. Also, don't let the initial denial discourage you if it happens. About 60% of school employee appeals I've heard about end up getting approved if you have good documentation. Start collecting evidence now while it's fresh!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! I work as a library aide at a middle school and just got my last paycheck before summer break. The uncertainty is killing me - my contract says I'm "expected to return" but with all the budget discussions happening, nothing feels guaranteed. I've been reading through all these responses and it sounds like the key is really documenting any uncertainty about your position. I'm going to start saving emails from administration about potential staffing changes. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops when we're already struggling financially during unpaid summer months. Has anyone had experience with how EDD handles library/media aide positions specifically? I'm wondering if they treat us differently than classroom aides or if it's all lumped together under the school employee provision. Really hoping I can get approved because like you, I have no idea how I'll make rent without any income for 10+ weeks!

I'm in a very similar situation as a new school employee! Started as a playground supervisor this year and facing the same summer income gap. What I've learned from researching this is that the "reasonable assurance" determination really comes down to the specific language in your contract and any uncertainty factors. Since you mentioned your contract says you're "expected" back rather than "guaranteed," that's actually promising language for your case. The fact that you're a newer employee (less than a year) might also work in your favor since you don't have the same established pattern of returning that longer-term employees have. I'd definitely recommend applying and being very clear about any budget uncertainties, enrollment concerns, or staffing adjustments your school has mentioned. Even if you get initially denied (which is common for school employees), the appeal process is where many people succeed. Keep documentation of everything - emails about potential changes, budget discussions, anything that shows your return isn't 100% certain. The financial stress is real - $2300 rent with zero income for months is impossible to manage. Don't let anyone discourage you from at least trying. You have nothing to lose by applying and potentially a lot to gain!

I'm a school bus driver and went through this exact situation last summer! The whole "reasonable assurance" thing is definitely confusing, but here's what helped me get approved: I emphasized that my route assignments weren't guaranteed due to potential changes in student enrollment and transportation needs. Even though my contract had similar "expected to return" language like yours, I was able to show that budget constraints might eliminate some routes. The key was documenting conversations with my supervisor about possible route reductions and saving emails about transportation budget reviews. One thing that really helped was contacting my union rep - they had dealt with this issue before and gave me specific advice on how to word my application. They said to focus on any operational changes that could affect your specific position, not just general budget concerns. The process took about a month for me, and I did get an initial denial but won on appeal. The hearing officer specifically said that having documentation showing uncertainty about my exact position (not just employment with the district in general) was what made the difference. Definitely apply ASAP when your last day arrives - don't wait! And if you get denied initially, don't give up. The appeal process is where a lot of school employees actually succeed. Good luck!