As a former sub who went through this exact situation, I want to emphasize something that might ease your stress: the EDD reps are actually pretty knowledgeable about the substitute teacher situation since it comes up every summer. When I finally got through (took me 3 days of calling), the rep immediately knew the rules and was very helpful. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - you can actually start preparing your application now by gathering all your documents. Make sure you have your Social Security card, ID, and most recent pay stub ready. Also, if you're in multiple districts, you'll need wage information from ALL of them. The waiting period was the hardest part for me mentally, but once approved, the payments were retroactive to when I first became unemployed. So even if there's a delay in processing, you won't lose out on benefits you're entitled to. Hang in there - you've got this! Summer unemployment as a sub is totally legitimate and you shouldn't feel guilty about it.

I just wanted to jump in and share some encouragement for everyone going through this process! I'm a sub in my second year and successfully collected benefits last summer. The guilt is real - I felt the same way at first, but remember that unemployment insurance exists specifically for situations like ours where work is temporary and unpredictable. A few practical tips that helped me: - Start your application the Monday after your last assignment (don't wait for the weekend) - When they ask about job search activities, include things like updating your resume, creating online profiles, and networking - not just formal applications - If you get stuck in phone queues, try calling right at 8am when they open - I had better luck then The whole process took about 5 weeks for me from application to first payment, but like others mentioned, it was backdated so I didn't lose any money. The eligibility interview was actually pretty quick - maybe 15 minutes of basic questions about my work situation. You're not gaming the system - you're using a benefit that's designed exactly for workers in your situation. The fact that you're being so careful and thorough about following the rules shows you're doing this the right way!

I had a similar issue a few weeks ago! What worked for me was making sure I was using Chrome (not Safari or Firefox) and temporarily disabling my ad blocker. Also, check if your pop-up blocker is on - sometimes the verification window gets blocked. If you're still having trouble, try doing it during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening when the system isn't as overloaded. The whole process is definitely frustrating but hang in there!

I've been dealing with this exact same issue! What finally worked for me was logging out completely, clearing my browser cache, and then logging back in using a fresh incognito/private browsing window. Also make sure you're not using any VPN or proxy - CalJobs seems to flag those as suspicious. The account verification is super sensitive to any inconsistencies, so double-check that your name is entered exactly as it appears on your ID (including middle initials, hyphens, etc.). If you uploaded any documents before, try deleting them and re-uploading with different file names. Sometimes their system gets confused by special characters or long file names. Good luck!

To address your follow-up questions: The verification process has two parts - ID.me (which verifies your identity) and EDD's own verification (which confirms your eligibility for benefits). Here's what you should do: 1. For ID.me: Upload your ID plus documents showing your current address (utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement) 2. For EDD: Ensure your current mailing address is listed in your application 3. Be prepared to explain the address discrepancy if you get an eligibility interview phone call 4. Keep checking your UI Online account for any pending issues or required actions Most importantly, don't panic if there's a slight delay. Address mismatches are common and usually resolved with proper documentation. Just be honest and consistent with your information.

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago! My license showed my old apartment but I had moved in with my girlfriend. What really helped me was being proactive - I called EDD right after submitting my ID.me verification to explain the address discrepancy upfront. The rep made a note in my file, so when they reviewed my application, they already knew why the addresses didn't match. It saved me from getting flagged for a lengthy eligibility interview. Also, make sure you have multiple documents for your current address - I used my lease, a utility bill, AND a bank statement just to be safe. The whole process took about 3 weeks total, which isn't bad considering all the horror stories you hear.

I went through this exact same process 6 months ago and won my appeal! Here's what I wish someone had told me from the start: 1. **Timeline matters** - you only have 30 days from the date on your disqualification notice to file your appeal, so don't delay. 2. **BE VERY SPECIFIC** on the DE 1000M form. Don't just write "I was laid off" - write something like "I was notified on [date] by my supervisor [name] that my position was being eliminated due to company budget cuts. I did not resign or quit voluntarily." 3. **Organize your evidence** - create a simple timeline of events with supporting documents for each point. This will help both with your written appeal and the hearing. 4. **Practice your story** - you'll need to clearly explain what happened during the hearing. Practice telling your story in a logical order without getting emotional (even though it's frustrating!). The good news is that if you truly were laid off and have documentation, these cases are usually winnable. The key is being thorough and organized. You've got this! Let me know if you need help organizing your timeline or have other questions.

I just went through this nightmare last year and want to share a few things that really helped me win my case: **Documentation is EVERYTHING** - I collected every piece of paper I could find: my layoff notice, the email chain about budget cuts, even my final paycheck stub that showed "layoff" instead of "termination." The more official documents you have, the stronger your case. **Don't assume EDD has your employment records** - they often don't have the full picture and rely heavily on what your former employer reported. This is why YOUR evidence is so crucial. **Write a cover letter with your appeal** - I included a one-page summary explaining exactly what happened, referencing the attached documents. Something like "As evidenced by the attached layoff notice dated X, email from manager dated Y, etc., I was involuntarily separated due to company budget constraints, not voluntary resignation." **Keep detailed records going forward** - document every interaction with EDD, keep copies of everything you send them, and note dates/times of phone calls. The whole process took about 2 months for me but was 100% worth it. Once I got to the hearing and presented my evidence, the judge overturned the decision within a week. Stay organized and persistent - you can definitely win this if you were truly laid off!

My friend had this exact problem and said she had to do an "Affidavit of Wages" form to prove when her severance was for. Did anyone send you that form?

UPDATE: You all were right! Just checked my UI Online account and my status changed from pending to paid for weeks 4 and 5, and weeks 1-3 now say "disqualified - excessive earnings" which makes sense because of the severance. Thank you all for the explanations and help!