This entire thread is a masterclass in how NOT to design a government benefits system! @Sophia Nguyen I'm so sorry you had to go through all that stress - having your certification button greyed out with zero explanation when rent is due sounds absolutely terrifying. The fact that EDD can silently flag accounts for "quarterly reviews" triggered by honestly reporting part-time work (which they literally mandate you do!) without sending so much as an email notification is beyond incompetent - it's almost cruel. It's 2025 and we're still dealing with a system that seems designed to exhaust people into giving up on benefits they've rightfully earned. Huge thanks to @Ava Kim for sharing the Claimyr solution - that's definitely going in my emergency toolkit. This whole situation really highlights the urgent need for EDD to implement basic transparency measures like automatic notifications when accounts are flagged. No one should have to become a detective just to access their own unemployment benefits!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - my certify button has been greyed out for 3 days and I was starting to panic. @Sophia Nguyen thank you for sharing your whole experience and the resolution! It's absolutely ridiculous that EDD can put silent holds on accounts for quarterly reviews without any notification whatsoever. The fact that honestly reporting part-time income (which they literally require you to do!) triggers these automatic flags is just mind-blowing. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service that @Ava Kim recommended - spending days trying to get through their phone lines when you have bills due is pure torture. This whole situation really shows how desperately EDD's communication system needs an overhaul. It's 2025 and they still can't send a basic email saying "your account is under review"? Bookmarking this entire thread - it should be pinned as essential reading for anyone dealing with California unemployment!

I went through this same situation just two months ago and want to echo what everyone is saying - definitely wait until January 16th to file your new claim. I know the waiting period without income is terrifying, but I learned the hard way that EDD's system is very strict about benefit year end dates. One thing that really helped me during the gap was reaching out to local community resources early. Many cities have emergency assistance programs for people between jobs, and some churches or community centers offer temporary help with groceries or utilities. I also signed up for local food banks before I actually needed them, which saved me a lot of stress later. Also, when you do file on the 16th, take screenshots of every page of your application before you submit it. If there are any technical issues or if EDD asks you to clarify something later, having those screenshots can save you a lot of time trying to remember what you entered. The processing took about 3 weeks for me, but once it was approved, everything went smoothly. Just remember to certify for benefits as soon as your new claim becomes active, even if payments are still showing as pending. Good luck - you'll get through this!

I went through this exact same situation last summer and can confirm what everyone is saying - you absolutely must wait until after your benefit year ends to file. I tried calling EDD beforehand to ask about filing early and they specifically told me NOT to do it because it would cause system errors. What really helped me was creating a "gap survival plan" about a month before my BYE date. I applied for CalFresh, contacted my landlord to explain the situation (they were understanding about a potential late rent payment), and even picked up a few small gig jobs to have some income during the waiting period. The processing took exactly 18 days for me, which felt like forever but was actually pretty typical. One tip that saved me time - when I filed my new claim on the day after my BYE date, I had all my employer information organized in a spreadsheet with exact dates and wages. This made filling out the application much faster and I think helped avoid any delays from missing or incorrect information. Also, don't panic if your new weekly benefit amount is different from your old claim - they recalculate based on your most recent base period wages. Just focus on getting through the application process correctly and the payments will start flowing again once it's approved.

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

Thanks for sharing your experience with Claimyr! It's really encouraging to hear a success story. I've been struggling to get through to EDD for weeks now about my pending payments. Your detailed breakdown of the process is super helpful - especially knowing that even when the call dropped after 3.5 hours, the callback feature worked quickly. Did you have to pay anything for the service, or were you able to use just the free callback option? I'm in a similar situation with PEUC extension issues and this gives me hope that there's actually a way to get this resolved!

To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I had a similar issue with my zip code error during certification. You'll need to contact EDD directly to get this corrected - they can update your address information in their system. When you call, have your Social Security number and claim details ready. The zip code error won't automatically disqualify your backdated claim, but it does need to be fixed to ensure your payments are processed correctly. You might also want to check if you can update your address through your online EDD account first before calling, as sometimes minor address corrections can be made there.

I'm also a substitute teacher dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just found this community after getting my "reasonable assurance" denial letter and I'm so relieved to see I'm not alone in this fight. My district sent the typical generic email asking if subs want to remain on the list next year, with language like "work assignments depend on daily staffing needs" - how is that reasonable assurance?? During the regular school year, I'd sometimes go 2-3 weeks without a single call, then suddenly work 4 days straight. Zero predictability or guarantee. Reading through all these success stories gives me so much hope. I'm definitely appealing and using the strategies shared here: documenting my irregular pay history, highlighting the conditional language in district communications, and including that P-B-218 precedent case reference. One thing I'm adding to my appeal is a screenshot from our district's online substitute system showing how jobs are posted day-of or night-before when teachers call in sick. It really demonstrates the unpredictable, on-demand nature of substitute work versus having an actual employment contract. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive space. For any other subs reading this who are feeling defeated by their denial - don't give up! The evidence is clearly on our side that day-to-day substitute work doesn't constitute reasonable assurance under the law.

I'm a substitute teacher who just went through this exact same situation and successfully won my appeal! Got the same "reasonable assurance" denial initially, which was so frustrating since being on a sub list is clearly not a job guarantee. Here's what worked for me in addition to all the great advice already shared: 1. I created a simple calendar showing all the days I was available during the school year but didn't get called - this visual really helped the appeals judge understand how unpredictable sub work is 2. I included a copy of my district's substitute handbook that explicitly states sub positions are "temporary, part-time, and without benefits or guarantee of continued employment" 3. During my phone hearing, I emphasized that I have to actively look for work every single day by checking the system or waiting for calls - this isn't passive employment like a contracted position The whole process took about 7 weeks but I received full backpay once the decision came through. Don't let EDD's initial denial discourage you - their automated system just flags all school employees the same way. As day-to-day subs, we have completely different employment arrangements than contracted teachers. Make sure to file your appeal quickly and keep certifying for benefits during the process. The precedent is clearly on our side! You've got this!