Can I claim ESD benefits during first week of new job before paycheck arrives?

Congratulations on the new job! Unfortunately, you can't claim unemployment for weeks you're working, even if you haven't been paid yet. ESD considers you employed from your first day of work, not from when you receive payment. You have to report any hours worked during your claim week, even if unpaid. If you report those hours, your benefit will likely be reduced or eliminated depending on how many hours you work.

THEY DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR BILLS!!! Trust me, I tried this exact thing last year and ended up with an overpayment notice for $1,267 that I had to pay back. ESD looks at when you WORKED not when you got PAID. If you claim that week they'll come after you later, and its NOT worth the headache!!!

This is a common situation that causes confusion. When you file your weekly claim, you're required to report any hours worked during that week, regardless of when you'll be paid for them. If you report your hours truthfully, the system will automatically calculate if you qualify for partial benefits or none at all. If your hours at the new job are full-time (30+ hours/week), you likely won't qualify for any benefits for that week. If you're working part-time, you might qualify for a reduced benefit amount depending on your earnings. The important thing is to be honest about your work hours when filing your claim. Failing to report work can result in an overpayment that you'll have to pay back, plus possible penalties for misrepresentation.

ask ur new job for an advance maybe? some places will do that if u explain ur situation. or see if u can pickup extra shifts/overtime during first week to make 1st check bigger?

I was in this exact situation back in January when I got my current job. I couldn't pay my electric bill because of the gap between unemployment ending and my first paycheck. What worked for me was calling the utility company and explaining - they gave me a 2-week extension. Maybe try calling your landlord or utilities to see if they can work with you?

I've seen a lot of people get tripped up by this exact scenario. To be 100% clear: ESD looks at when you WORK, not when you get PAID. Here's what you need to know: 1. You must report ANY hours worked during your claim week 2. If you work full-time (usually 40 hours), you'll be considered fully employed regardless of when pay arrives 3. Your final unemployment payment will be for your last week of NO work 4. Filing a claim for a week you worked (even without pay yet) is misrepresentation If you're having trouble reaching ESD to clarify this policy, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was confused about a similar situation and couldn't get through on the ESD phones for weeks. Claimyr helped me connect with an actual agent who explained everything. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3

wait i'm confused... so if u start a job but dont get paid for 2 weeks, how r u supposed to pay bills? seems like the system is designed to make ppl fail tbh

Just to follow up on what everyone's saying - you definitely report based on when you work, not when you get paid. However, if you're worried about making ends meet, see if your new employer offers direct deposit. Many employers with two-week pay periods will still process your first week's pay sooner if you have direct deposit set up. Worth asking your HR department about this option.