Hey, I just noticed something in your original post - you mentioned this is a 12-week program? Make sure you're aware that after 5 weeks on unemployment, your job search requirements change and you have to be willing to accept work outside your usual occupation or at lower pay (like 90% of previous wages for weeks 5-8, then 80% after that). So if retail jobs that require weekend work become "suitable employment" for you after a few weeks, that gardening program could actually make you unavailable for suitable work by ESD's definition.

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm going to try contacting ESD directly to document this situation. Better to be upfront now than deal with problems later. I'll make it clear that I'm primarily looking for work in my field (which is typically M-F) but that I'm willing to accept suitable work even if it means quitting the gardening program. Sounds like being transparent is the safest approach.

did u upload ur id documents? they make everyone do identity verification now but sometimes they dont tell u until u call. check the document upload section and see if theres anything pending

Just wanted to follow up on your situation. Any luck getting through to ESD or finding out what's going on with your claim? If you're still having trouble, you might want to reach out to your state representative's office. They often have dedicated staff who can help constituents with ESD issues and can sometimes get information much faster than you can on your own. Also, if you're facing financial hardship while waiting for your unemployment benefits, consider contacting local community organizations that might offer emergency rental assistance or other support. Many counties have programs specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits.

@claimyr_commenter Thanks for that tip! I'll check it out. Really need to get some specific questions answered about my claim that the website doesn't cover.

Pro tip for everyone: start seriously job hunting around month 4 of your benefits! I waited until month 5 and really regretted it because it took longer than expected to find something. The job search requirements (3 activities weekly) aren't enough if you're actually trying to replace your income before benefits run out.

I've been through the exact same thing with my substitute teaching job - some weeks I get calls, some weeks nothing. I spent over 4 hours on hold trying to talk to ESD about this! When I finally got through, they confirmed what others are saying here - for weeks with 0 hours, select NO when asked if you worked for that employer that specific week. It's confusing because we think of ourselves as continuously employed, but they're asking about actual work performance each week.

UPDATE: I took everyone's advice and answered "No" to working for my employer during the week with zero hours, and my claim processed successfully! Benefits were deposited today. Thanks to everyone who helped. The ESD system really should be updated to better handle irregular work schedules, but at least I know how to navigate it now. For anyone with the same issue - answer "No" for weeks with zero hours worked, even if you're still employed overall.

The entire ESD system is DELIBERATELY DESIGNED to be confusing and trip people up so they can deny benefits!!! I went through this exact situation last year and ended up getting disqualified because I didn't know I still needed to do job searches when filing by phone. No one told me! The automated system doesn't tell you! They sent me a letter MONTHS later saying I owed $4,800 in overpayments because I failed a job search review. The system is RIGGED against claimants. They don't want to pay benefits so they make the process as complicated as possible hoping people will make mistakes.

When I had to file by phone once during a power outage, I actually used my neighbor's internet the next day to log into my eServices account and add my job search activities after I'd already filed by phone. There's a section where you can view and edit your job search activities separate from filing your weekly claim. Not sure if that's still possible in 2025, but might be worth checking once your internet is back!