Approved for ESD benefits but weekly claims show $0 after 4 weeks - bills due soon
I'm seriously starting to panic here. I applied for unemployment about a month ago and got the approval letter in my eServices account two weeks ago. It showed my weekly benefit amount would be $825. But when I check my weekly claims, every single one shows $0 paid! I've filed for 4 weeks now and nothing has hit my bank account. The status just says "processed - paid" but with $0 amount. My rent is due next week and my car payment is already late. Has anyone else dealt with this? Did I miss something I was supposed to do after getting approved? The ESD website is so confusing and I can't get through on the phone no matter what time I call.
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Ava Rodriguez
This sounds like you might have an issue with your payment method. Did you set up direct deposit or the debit card option? Sometimes there's a verification hold when your claim is first approved. Log into your eServices account and check under "Payment Method" to make sure everything is set up correctly. Also, look for any alerts or notices that might explain the delay - sometimes there's a waiting week or identity verification that's pending.
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Dmitry Popov
•Thanks for responding! I checked my payment method and it says direct deposit is active and verified. There's no alerts showing up anywhere in my account. The weird thing is the status says "processed - paid" but the amount is $0 for each week. I'm wondering if there's some kind of deduction happening? But it shouldn't be 100% of my benefit amount!
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Miguel Ortiz
same thing happnd to me last month!! it was bcuz I had child support garnishment but they were taking the WHOLE amount not just part of it. had to call ESD like 50 times before getting thru to fix it. check if u have any garnishments maybe??
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Dmitry Popov
•No garnishments that I know of! No child support, no tax liens, nothing like that. I'm thinking it has to be some kind of system glitch but I CANNOT get through on the phone. It either says all agents are busy or just disconnects me entirely.
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Zainab Khalil
Are you answering all the weekly claim questions correctly? If you say you're not available for work, not actively seeking work, or if you report earnings equal to or greater than your weekly benefit amount, you'll get $0. Double-check your answers on those weekly claims. Also, check the 'Decisions' section of your eServices account - there might be a disqualification notice you missed.
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Dmitry Popov
•I double-checked all my weekly claims and I'm 100% sure I answered everything correctly. I'm available for work, actively looking, and haven't had any earnings to report. There's nothing in the Decisions section except the original approval letter. This is so frustrating!
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QuantumQuest
THE SAME EXACT THING is happening to me right now!!! Approved 3 weeks ago, benefit amount shows $790, but ALL my weekly claims say $0!!! ESD is such a joke, they probably have some system glitch they're not telling anyone about. I've been calling for DAYS and can't get through.
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Connor Murphy
•Seems like this is becoming a common issue lately. A friend of mine works at WorkSource and mentioned they've been hearing about this problem from multiple people this month. Apparently there's some kind of payment processing delay in the new system ESD implemented in February.
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Yara Haddad
Based on what you're describing, this sounds like what's called a "payment hold" status. ESD sometimes puts a temporary hold on payments while they verify something specific about your claim. The system shows "processed" because the claim itself was processed, but the $0 indicates the payment is on hold. Here's what you need to do: 1. Check if you received any letters or notices by mail (not just in eServices) - sometimes certain notifications only come via physical mail 2. Look in the "Upload a Document" section of eServices to see if there are any pending document requests 3. Call ESD directly - this is really the only way to resolve a payment hold Unfortunately, getting through to ESD by phone is extremely difficult right now with their high call volumes.
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Dmitry Popov
•Thank you for this detailed explanation! I haven't received anything in the mail and there are no document requests showing up. I'll keep trying to call. Is there a better time of day to reach them? I've been trying mornings but maybe afternoons are better?
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Keisha Robinson
I went through this exact situation in January! For me, it turned out there was an employer protest that wasn't showing up in my online account. I only found out after FINALLY reaching an ESD agent. Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to ESD? It worked for me after a week of failed calling attempts. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 It basically holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of redial frustration, and I found out my former employer had contested my claim which was causing the $0 payments. Once I spoke with an agent, they fixed it within 48 hours.
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Dmitry Popov
•I've never heard of Claimyr before. That sounds like exactly what I need right now because I'm going crazy trying to get through. I'll check out the video and try it tomorrow. I really hope it's something simple they can fix quickly because I literally have $73 to my name right now.
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QuantumQuest
•Just checked out that Claimyr site, gonna try it tomorrow too. Can't keep wasting entire days on hold!!!
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Ava Rodriguez
One other thing to check - log out of your eServices account completely, clear your browser cache, and log back in. Sometimes the system doesn't display everything correctly if you've been logged in for a long time or if there are cache issues. Also, try using a different browser entirely. I've seen cases where Chrome showed different information than Firefox for the same account.
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Dmitry Popov
•That's a good idea, I've been using the same browser tab for days. I'll try clearing my cache and using a different browser to see if anything changes. Thank you!
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Miguel Ortiz
did u check ur monetary determination letter?? sometimes they approve u but then calculate ur benifit as $0 if u didnt have enough work hours or something. should be in the letters section
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Dmitry Popov
•Yes, the monetary determination letter specifically shows my weekly benefit amount as $825. That's why I'm so confused about why all my weekly claims are showing $0 paid!
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Connor Murphy
I used Claimyr last month when I had a similar issue (though mine was stuck in adjudication, not $0 payments). Got through to ESD in about 2 hours instead of days of redial hell. The agent told me they've been having database synchronization problems since their February system update. Some approvals aren't properly connecting to the payment system. They had to manually fix something on the backend for mine to start processing correctly.
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Dmitry Popov
•That sounds exactly like what might be happening with mine - some kind of system glitch. I'm going to try Claimyr tomorrow since multiple people are recommending it. At this point I just need to talk to a human at ESD who can look at my specific account.
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Zainab Khalil
Anyone get a resolution to this? I'm having the EXACT same problem now and panicking. Approved for benefits but every weekly claim shows $0 paid.
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Dmitry Popov
•UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD using the Claimyr service people recommended here. Turns out there was an employer protest that wasn't showing up in my online account! My former employer claimed I quit instead of being laid off. The ESD agent was able to see this in their system even though it wasn't showing in my eServices account at all. They're expediting my case now and said I should see payments within 3-5 business days. So relieved to at least know what was happening! Definitely recommend trying to speak with an actual agent if you're having the same issue.
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