Are ESD waiting weeks still being waived in 2025? New claim confusion

The waiting week is NOT being waived anymore. That was a temporary measure during the pandemic emergency period. All new regular UI claims now have the standard one-week waiting period before benefits start paying out. I filed in January this year and definitely had to serve a waiting week. The only exception now is if you're on a direct layoff with a confirmed return-to-work date within 8 weeks - those might qualify for standby status which can sometimes waive the waiting week, but you need to specifically request this when filing.

i just reapplied last month & had 2 wait a week b4 getting paid anything. suuuuper annoying when ur already strssed about $$$

The waiting week requirement was reinstated when the governor's emergency proclamations ended. Here's a helpful breakdown: - Regular UI claims: One week waiting period IS required - Standby status: May qualify for waiting week waiver IF you have a return-to-work date within 8 weeks AND employer confirms - Partial unemployment: Still subject to waiting week requirements The waiting week doesn't reduce your total benefit entitlement - it's essentially just a week delay before payments start. Make sure you still file your weekly claim for that waiting week even though you won't get paid for it. It counts toward your claim history.

I filed in February and there WAS a waiting week. But honestly that was the least of my problems with ESD. I still haven't gotten ANY payments because my claim got stuck in adjudication limbo for some reason they won't explain. Been calling every day for 3 weeks and can't get through to a human being. The system is BROKEN.

When I reapplied in March after my seasonal position ended, I had the waiting week too. But my sister filed in January and said she didn't have to wait? She works in healthcare though - maybe there's different rules for different industries right now? The ESD website never seems to have clear info about these special cases.

I was in the same situation last month - so frustrating trying to get accurate info from ESD! After my waiting week, I needed to speak with someone about an issue with my claim and was getting nowhere with their phone system. I discovered a service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. Saved me so much stress! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 and their website is claimyr.com. Completely worth it to actually talk to a human at ESD.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS!! They waived waiting weeks for YEARS during covid but now when inflation is WORSE than ever they make us wait?? I had to wait a week when I filed in December and that week without money meant I couldn't pay my electric bill. The whole system is designed to punish people who are already struggling!!!!

To answer your other question - the waiting week doesn't count against your total benefit amount. If you're eligible for 26 weeks of benefits, you'll still get 26 weeks of payments after serving the waiting week. It's just that your first payment will come after week 2, assuming there are no other issues with your claim. Make sure you're completing your three job search activities each week (including for the waiting week) and documenting them properly. That's a common reason claims get held up.

has anyone had luck getting through on the phones? i've been trying at different times but always get the "high call volume, try again later" message then it hangs up!