Background check issue after starting new job - what happens to my unemployment if let go?

Oh man that totally sucks! I think u can reactivate ur claim if u were let go, but not 100% sure. Maybe call ESD? But lol good luck getting through to anyone there. Hope they dont fire u though!!

Thanks. I did try calling ESD this morning but got the 'high call volume' message and it hung up on me after 40 minutes on hold. I'm seriously stressing because I can't afford to miss even one week of income.

I can tell you with certainty that if you're terminated within your first few weeks, you CAN reopen your existing claim as long as it hasn't expired (which is 52 weeks from when you initially filed). You'll need to go into your eServices account and select \

Thank you SO much for this detailed info! So I file for the week I worked reporting my earnings, and then for subsequent weeks I'd be back to regular unemployment? Would there be any waiting week or would benefits resume right away?

something similar happened to my cousin. The HR at his job 'forgot' to tell him his background check wasn't fully cleared and let him start working, then fired him after 3 weeks when some manager noticed it during a review. Its BS how companies can mess with peoples lives like this!!

That's exactly what I'm worried about! Did your cousin have any issues getting his unemployment restarted? I can't believe companies can be so careless about something this important.

@OP - To answer your follow-up question: Once you reopen the claim, there is NO new waiting week. The waiting week only applies once per benefit year. Your benefits would resume immediately after you file your weekly claim (assuming you meet all other requirements like being able/available and doing your job search activities).\n\nJust make sure to accurately report your earnings for the week you worked. If you earned more than your weekly benefit amount for the week you worked, you won't receive benefits for that specific week, but your claim will still be active for subsequent weeks.

Thank you again! That's a huge relief. I worked Mon-Fri last week so I'll need to report all of that. I'm going to try to reopen my claim right away if they let me go tomorrow.

dont give up hope yet, maybe theyre just reviewing it as a formality? did the email specifically say there was a problem or are you just assuming the worst?

The email said: \

If you need to reach ESD quickly (which I would recommend doing ASAP), try using Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you skip the phone queue and connect with an ESD agent. I was in a similar urgent situation last month when I got laid off and needed to reopen my claim immediately. Used their service and got through to ESD in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 showing how it works. Definitely worth it for peace of mind in your situation.

I've never heard of this service before. That would be so much better than spending hours on hold just to get disconnected. I'll check it out if the meeting goes badly tomorrow. Thank you!

I'm a little confused why this is even an issue? If you disclosed the charge during the hiring process and they hired you anyway, why would they be reviewing it again? Have you asked your supervisor about it? Maybe its just a procedural thing and not as serious as you think.

I did disclose it on my application, but I think maybe the hiring manager approved me without getting final sign-off from higher-ups? I don't know their internal process. I've texted my direct supervisor but she hasn't responded yet.

THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST YEAR!!! ESD is a NIGHTMARE about this!!! When I tried to reopen my claim they kept saying I had

While the ESD system can definitely have frustrating delays, your experience is not typical. Most reopened claims are processed within 1-2 weeks unless there are special circumstances that triggered an adjudication. If you disclosed all information correctly including your work and separation reason, the process should be relatively straightforward.

ppl saying to reopen ur claim are right but make sure u start doing ur 3 job search activities each week again right away if ur let go. esd is super strict about that and if u miss even one week they can deny benefits. good luck dude

Good point! I'll definitely get back on the job search activities immediately if they let me go. Really hoping it doesn't come to that though.

One more suggestion: document EVERYTHING about your termination if it happens. Get it in writing if possible that they're letting you go specifically because of the background check issue that they already knew about when they hired you. This could potentially help your case if there are any questions from ESD about why you separated from the job.\n\nAlso, if you do get terminated after already starting, you may want to consult with an employment attorney. Some states have laws against adverse actions after a conditional offer has been made and accepted, especially if you already disclosed the issue.

I'll definitely get as much documentation as I can. Would ESD consider this a firing \

This wouldn't be considered misconduct or \

Thank you so much for all your help. I'll update here after my meeting tomorrow to let everyone know what happened. Fingers crossed it's nothing serious and I can keep this job.