Can I claim ESD benefits after starting work but before first full paycheck?
Hey everyone, I'm in a weird situation with my new job and ESD benefits. I just accepted a job offer (yay!) but the start date is April 10th. Here's the problem - this company only pays once monthly on the 20th, so I'll work from 4/10 to 4/20 and get a partial paycheck, then have to wait until 5/20 for my next pay. There's absolutely no way I can stretch that tiny first paycheck for a whole month until the next one comes. Can I continue claiming unemployment until I receive my first FULL month's paycheck? I'm worried about having this huge gap in income but also don't want to commit fraud or anything. Has anyone dealt with this monthly pay situation before while transitioning off unemployment?
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Adrian Hughes
Congrats on the new job! You need to report any hours worked and earnings when you file your weekly claim, even if you haven't been paid yet. ESD goes by when you EARN the money, not when you receive it. So starting 4/10, you'll need to report those hours/earnings on your weekly claim. Depending on how much you earn, you might be eligible for partial benefits during those weeks where you're working but haven't gotten a full paycheck yet.
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Lara Woods
•Thanks for explaining! So if I understand correctly, I have to report what I WOULD be earning each week even though I won't actually get that money until later? That seems really tough since I still have bills due but no actual cash in hand...
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Molly Chambers
im pretty sure u can get partial unemploymnt if ur hours/pay is less than ur weekly benefit. they just subtract what u made from ur benefit amount. but ye u gotta report everything when u earn it even if u dont get paid til later
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Ian Armstrong
•This is correct. ESD uses a formula to determine partial benefits. If your gross earnings for a week are less than 75% of your weekly benefit amount, you may be eligible for partial benefits. The key thing to remember is you must report the hours when you WORK them, not when you get paid for them. The system is designed this way to prevent double-dipping.
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Eli Butler
I went through EXACTLY this last year. Started a job with monthly pay and it was a nightmare. Called ESD repeatedly and could never get through to actually talk to someone. Keep detailed records of EVERYTHING - your offer letter showing your start date, the company's pay schedule, your timesheets, etc. You MUST report earnings when you work, not when paid, but be prepared for confusion in the system. It took them 3 months to sort out my case and I had to appeal an overpayment notice because their system got confused about when I was actually working vs. paid.
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Marcus Patterson
•I had a similar issue trying to reach ESD when my claim got messed up due to reporting dates. I finally got through using Claimyr.com - it's a service that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of redial hell. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Worth it when you're dealing with something complicated like this pay schedule situation.
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Lydia Bailey
wait, did u already stop claiming benefits? if u havent started the job yet u can keep claiming like normal until ur first day. then report ur hours that week.
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Lara Woods
•No, I'm still claiming now since I don't start until 4/10. My confusion is more about what happens after I start - when I have to report hours but won't actually have money in hand until much later.
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Mateo Warren
The ESD system is deliberately designed to screw people in transition periods like this. I went through something similar and ended up with NO INCOME for almost 6 weeks because of their ridiculous reporting requirements. They expect you to magically pay your bills with money you haven't received yet! And then they wonder why people don't report correctly. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!
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Ian Armstrong
•While the transition can be challenging, there are legitimate reasons for the earnings reporting policy. It prevents people from artificially extending benefits by delaying when they receive payment. The partial benefit formula is specifically designed to help during reduced income periods. I'd recommend contacting your new employer to ask if they can provide any form of pay advance given your situation. Some employers have hardship provisions for new employees transitioning from unemployment.
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Lara Woods
Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm going to try calling ESD tomorrow to explain my situation and see if they can give me specific guidance for my case. I'll definitely make sure to report my hours correctly each week once I start working, and I'll keep all documentation about my pay schedule just in case. Really appreciate all the help!
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Adrian Hughes
•Good plan! One more tip: when you file your weekly claims after starting work, make sure you answer "yes" to the question about whether you worked that week, then accurately report your hours and estimated earnings. If you're eligible for partial benefits, the system will calculate that automatically. And yes, definitely keep copies of everything - offer letter, pay schedule documentation, timesheets, etc. Good luck with the new job!
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Molly Chambers
just be super careful not to accidentally claim for a week u worked full time even if u didnt get paid yet. thats considered fraud and they can make u pay everything back plus penaltys. happened to my cousin
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