Make sure you're also aware of the difference between your "hours worked" and "hours offered" - if your employer offers you full-time work (whatever that means for them) and you decline those hours to stay on unemployment, ESD could potentially disqualify you for refusing suitable work. So be careful how you handle the conversation with your manager. When you report your weekly claim, you need to report any hours offered that you turned down, not just hours you actually worked.

back when i filed in 2025 ESD told me that you have to report ALL EARNINGS regardless of how many hours and they calculate ur benefit. i think they deduct like 75% of what u earn from ur weekly amount?? So if u make $100 they take away $75 from ur benefit. i dunno exactly though just know u gotta report everything

One more important detail: Make sure your husband answers "no" to the standby question unless ESD has specifically approved him for standby status. On-call work is different from official standby status, which requires ESD approval and is typically only granted in specific circumstances like temporary layoffs where you have a return date. And absolutely keep detailed records of all hours worked at the concert venue, including dates, times, and pay. If ESD ever questions his claims, having this documentation will be essential.

Did your husband register with WorkSource yet? They make you do 3 job searches every week now and my cousin got his benefits cancelled when he forgot to log them!

my hearing was actually kinda quick - about 45 minutes. the judge asked me questions first, then my employer, then gave me a chance to respond to what they said. just be honest and stick to the facts about those late payments!!

IMPORTANT: If you can't make the hearing date for any reason, call OAH immediately to request a continuance. Don't wait until the last minute. If you miss your hearing without getting it rescheduled, you'll automatically lose and have to repay all benefits. Also, you'll probably get a decision within 1-2 weeks after the hearing. It will come by mail, so make sure ESD has your current address. If you win, great! If you lose, you have 30 days to file a petition for review with the Commissioner's Office. That's a whole separate process, but don't worry about that unless it happens. Rooting for you!

is anyone else noticing that ESD keeps changing their policies??? last year my brother only had to provide ONE form of ID but now they want TWO from everyone? and then they take FOREVER to process them! i bet they're just trying to delay payments to save money. the whole system is designed to make people give up!!!

make sure u answer ur phone even if u dont recognize the number!!! sometimes ESD calls from random numbers and if u miss it they just mark ur file as 'unable to contact' and delay everything another week!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you file your appeal, make sure to specifically request to continue receiving benefits during the appeal process if you're otherwise eligible (like actively job searching and doing your weekly claims). Many people don't realize you can potentially get benefits while appealing if you request it specifically. Also, in your appeal statement, focus on these key points: 1. You continued working with the understanding the reduction was temporary 2. You actively participated in efforts to restore business (those proposals) 3. You only resigned when it became clear the reduction would be permanent ESD's guidelines do have some flexibility for "good faith" situations like yours, but you need to be very clear about the timeline and your reasoning.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I've started gathering all my documentation - found emails confirming the hours reduction was presented as temporary and evidence of the proposal work I was doing to try to bring in new business. I've submitted my appeal request and will continue filing weekly claims as suggested. I'll update this thread after my hearing to let you know how it goes!