Part-time faculty have the right to apply for unemployment benefits during breaks between semesters when they are not employed as well as during semesters when all their teaching assignments have been cancelled. For example, even if you have been offered an assignment for the Fall 2019 semester and you have no summer assignment, you may still be eligible to receive unemployment compensation from the date of the end of spring semester through to the date of the start of the fall semester. June 16 is the last day of the spring semester. Fall semester starts on August 31.
Be sure to let the Employment Development Department know that you are a temporary, part-time employee who has been laid off for lack of work. (Do NOT say you are on a break.) If you have been offered an assignment for the spring, explain that you have a tentative assignment for the upcoming semester and that your assignment may be withdrawn at the district’s discretion at the last minute because of funding, enrollment, or other changes. You should also mention your entitlement to benefits under the Cervisi decision, which states, “an assignment that is contingent on enrollment, funding, or program changes is not a ‘reasonable assurance’ of employment.”
If your application is denied, be sure to appeal and contact the Faculty Association. For more information go to the FA website.
