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my dad had to do this last year he got a note from his doctor saying he couldnt do certain jobs becuz of his back and esd gave him the waiver. he still had to be willing to work jobs he COULD do tho. its not like a total free pass but they dont make you apply for jobs you cant physically do
To answer your question about timing - job search waivers typically take 2-3 weeks to process in 2025, but it can take longer during busy periods. And yes, as others have mentioned, he MUST continue doing and documenting his job searches until he gets an official approval. One strategy while he waits: he can focus his job search activities on positions that would accommodate his health limitations. Informational interviews and career workshops also count as job search activities, which might be easier for him than actual applications. Make sure he keeps detailed records of all communications with ESD regarding the waiver request. If there's any confusion later, having documentation of when he applied for the waiver will be important.
Has anyone mentioned the Unemployment Law Project yet? They specifically help with ESD appeals and often take cases pro bono. Worth checking out!
I contacted the Unemployment Law Project and have a phone consultation tomorrow! Also managed to reach an ESD agent who explained exactly what evidence they reviewed. Feeling a bit more prepared now. My hearing is still a week away so trying to get all my documentation organized. Thanks everyone for the support - will update after the hearing.
I work in HR and can confirm this is 100% legitimate. We've had several employees experience fraud holds in the past year. What's concerning is that ESD always sends very specific instructions about how to release the hold. Usually it involves uploading identification documents through their secure portal. If he's being vague about what steps he needs to take, that would make me suspicious.
Update: I talked to him and he showed me his eServices account. There actually is a fraud hold! He had a letter in his messages that he hadn't even opened asking for ID verification from 3 weeks ago! No wonder it's taking so long - he never responded to them! We're uploading his documents now. Thanks everyone for helping me understand this was a real thing and not made up.
UPDATE: IT WORKED!!! We unchecked the "remember this device" option on the SAW login page and it finally let him in!!! He was able to file his initial claim just now. Thank you all SO MUCH for your help, especially @profile5 for suggesting that specific fix. We would have never figured that out on our own! For anyone else having this same problem - definitely try unchecking that box. Such a small thing but it made all the difference.
Yay!! So glad it worked! It's crazy how such a tiny checkbox can cause so much trouble. Make sure he bookmarks the direct login page for next time too.
Ana Erdoğan
My brother got his no problem! 2 weeks and money started coming. Meanwhile im on week 6 of waiting lol. I think its just random luck honestly
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Keith Davidson
•its not random, its def based on your work history. if u had same employer for years and got laid off = easy. if u had multiple jobs or quit = nightmare
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Sophia Carson
@OP - Just FYI, I used that Claimyr service I mentioned after trying to call the regular way for THREE WEEKS. The difference is they have some system that holds your place in line so you don't have to keep redialing. When I finally got through, the ESD agent told me my claim was just sitting there waiting for someone to review a document I had uploaded. She processed it while I was on the phone. Sometimes the claims just need a human touch to move them along in the system. The most frustrating part is not knowing WHY it's stuck or what you need to do. That's why getting through on the phone can make all the difference.
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Ezra Bates
•I'll second this approach. I didn't use that specific service, but I did finally get through after weeks of trying. The issue with my claim was so minor (they couldn't read my employer's name on a document) but it had stopped everything. Once I talked to someone, it was resolved in minutes. The system isn't designed for success without human intervention.
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