One more thing to be aware of: If your benefit year from the August claim is nearing its end, make sure it hasn't expired. Benefit years last 52 weeks from when you first filed, but you can only receive benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks within that period. If you're approaching either of those limits, you might need to file a new claim rather than reactivating the old one. Check your remaining balance in eServices to confirm you have benefits available for that one week.

Just wanted to add a practical tip from my experience: When you restart your claim that week, make sure to have all your employer information handy (company name, address, your supervisor's contact info, etc.) because the system might ask you to update your work separation details since you'll be reporting a new temporary layoff. Also, when you file your weekly claim for the furlough week, be very clear in any comment sections that this was an "employer-initiated temporary layoff/furlough with definite return date" - this helps ESD process it faster and reduces the chance of them flagging it for additional review. The whole process should be pretty straightforward since you already have the claim established. Just don't overthink it!

Nope, once I got through I only waited about 5 minutes to talk to an actual agent. Way better than the busy signals I kept getting before. Just make sure you have all your claim info ready when they connect you.

I went through something very similar last month - filed in late August and adjudication suddenly appeared in early October even though my employer confirmed the layoff was legitimate. Turned out ESD flagged my claim because I had reported some part-time work from earlier in the year that they wanted to verify. The frustrating part is they don't tell you what's being investigated until you actually speak with someone. I finally got through after using multiple strategies - calling right at 8am when lines open, trying the callback feature, and also contacting my local WorkSource office who was able to provide some general guidance. My case took about 5 weeks total to resolve once adjudication started. Hang in there and keep filing your weekly claims - that's crucial even during adjudication!

To answer your question about timing - if no identity verification is required, most claimants receive their first payment within 7-10 days after submitting their first weekly claim. But if they do request ID verification, it can add 2-3 weeks to the process. Just be sure to respond immediately if they request documents. Also, make sure you're completing your three required job search activities each week and documenting them properly. That's another common reason payments get held up for new claimants.

I went through this exact same situation last month! The waiting and uncertainty is definitely nerve-wracking. One thing that helped me was setting up text notifications in my eServices account - go to "Communication Preferences" and enable SMS alerts. That way you'll get immediate notifications if ESD needs anything from you, instead of relying only on email which can get buried or go to spam. Also, I found it helpful to log into eServices every couple days just to check the status, even if there are no new messages. The system updates pretty regularly and you'll see any new "Pending Issues" or payment status changes right away. You're doing everything right by staying on top of your weekly claims and job search activities!

Hang in there OP. The job market is tough right now but it will get better. In the meantime, use every resource available to you - there's no shame in needing help during unemployment.

I'm in a similar situation and what's helped me is creating a monthly budget breakdown to see exactly where I can cut expenses. Also, check if your city has any emergency assistance programs - many have one-time rental help or utility credits specifically for unemployed residents. The United Way website (dial 211) has a search tool where you can enter your zip code and find local resources. Don't overlook things like WIC if you qualify, discounted internet programs, and even asking your utility companies about low-income rate plans. Every little bit adds up when you're stretching unemployment benefits.

Final thought - whatever you decide, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Don't quit just because you think you'll get unemployment benefits. But if you genuinely have good cause and the situation is affecting your health or safety, then document everything and be prepared to fight for your benefits.

I've been in a similar situation and wanted to share my experience. I successfully got unemployment benefits after quitting due to a toxic work environment in Washington state. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I kept detailed records of every incident including dates, times, and any witnesses, 2) I saved all emails and text messages related to the hostile behavior, 3) I documented my attempts to resolve the issues internally first, and 4) I was able to show how the situation was affecting my health (I had doctor visits for stress-related symptoms). The initial denial was discouraging, but I appealed and won at the hearing. My advice is to be very thorough with your documentation - treat it like you're building a legal case, because essentially you are. Also, consider consulting with an employment attorney for a free consultation to get their opinion on whether your situation meets the "good cause" standard. Don't let a bad employer trap you in an intolerable situation - you have rights, but you need to be strategic about protecting them.