One more important suggestion: After you call and (hopefully) get your claim moved forward, make sure to log into your account daily to check for any new action items. Sometimes fixing the pending status triggers other verification requirements that need prompt response. Also, document everything - write down the date and time you call, the name of any agent you speak with, and notes about what they tell you. If you have to call back, having this information can help tremendously.

Update: I FINALLY got through to ESD this morning! Called right at 8am and used the "pending claim over three weeks" phrase when the automated system asked why I was calling. Still waited about 45 minutes, but I actually got a human! Turns out there was indeed a "clear-pending" flag on my account that needed manual override. The agent said my claim had passed all verification steps but was sitting in a review queue that wouldn't have been processed for ANOTHER 2-3 weeks without my call. She pushed it through while I was on the phone and said I should see payment within 48 hours for all my back weeks. Thank you all for pushing me to call instead of waiting longer. Will update when the money actually hits my account!

One more thing! If your job doesn't work out within your benefit year (the 12 months from when you first applied), you can start filing weekly claims again without having to open a new claim. That happened to me - got laid off again 4 months after starting what I thought was a permanent position. All I had to do was start filing weekly claims again.

Just to wrap things up: 1) Report your return to work on your final weekly claim, 2) Make sure to accurately report any hours worked during that final week, and 3) Then simply stop filing claims. Your claim remains open technically, but no payments will be issued unless you start filing weekly claims again. Good luck with your new position!

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the advice! I went ahead and did 3 job search activities yesterday - updated my resume, attended an online WorkSource workshop, and applied for a position similar to mine (just in case my return to work falls through). I've documented everything properly in my job search log. Frustrating to jump through these hoops when I'm returning to work in a week, but better safe than sorry!

thxs for posting this!! i might be in a similar situation next month so now i know what to do. esd rules are so confusing!!!

hey did u try the different browser yet? did it work?? i'm invested now lol

UPDATE: The claim filing option appeared this morning (Sunday)! Must have been system maintenance like some of you suggested. Filed my claim with no issues. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions - you saved me a lot of stress!

not to take this off topic but has anyone else noticed that ESD is taking FOREVER to process anything lately? my coworker had a simple address change take 6 weeks to process. wonder if the waiver is taking so long because of general backlog or if waivers are just low priority for them

UPDATE for everyone on this thread: ESD has recently (as of March 2025) implemented new processes for handling overpayment waivers. They are now reviewing older waivers first, so if your waiver request was submitted more than 3 months ago, you should see movement soon. For the original poster's son, I recommend he takes these specific steps: 1. File his new claim immediately 2. Upload a letter explaining his pending waiver situation in the document upload section of his new claim 3. Request standby status since he has a definite return date within 8 weeks 4. Call ESD using one of the methods discussed to check on his waiver status 5. Keep meticulous records of all his job search activities (if standby isn't approved) Even with a 50% reduction to repay the overpayment, he'll still receive some benefits to help with expenses during this temporary layoff.