Can I file for ESD unemployment today after my last work day yesterday? Confused about waiting period!

You should file your initial claim immediately! The waiting week doesn't start until your claim is approved and processed. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim starts getting processed. Your waiting week will be the first eligible week after your claim is approved, and yes, you DO need to complete and document your 3 job search activities even during the waiting week.

file right away dont wait!! i made that mistake and lost out on $$. the waiting week is just the 1st week AFTER u apply that u wont get paid for but u still gotta do the job search stuff

DEFINITELY file today! ESD takes forever to process claims sometimes. I waited a couple weeks after my last day thinking I needed to and it just delayed everything. The waiting week doesn't start ticking until your claim is approved anyway. And YES you absolutely must do your job search activities during the waiting week! I got denied because I didn't realize this and it was a huge hassle to fix.

I got laid off in January and here's what I learned: Apply immediately, the waiting week is the first week you're eligible after approval (not when you apply). You MUST do 3 job search activities even in the waiting week. Document everything - employer name, contact info, position, how you applied, date, etc. ESD sometimes audits these!

When I filed last year the system was SO confusing!! Just apply now, but know that they might ask for more info later which slows everything down. My friend and I both applied the same day and she got approved in 2 weeks while mine took over a month because of "identity verification" even though we had similar situations!

To directly address your question: File your claim immediately. According to ESD rules, your claim will be effective the Sunday of the week you file. The waiting week is the first week you're eligible for benefits (meet all eligibility requirements including job searches) after your claim is processed. So if you file today, and there are no issues requiring adjudication, your waiting week would likely be this current week. You won't receive benefits for the waiting week, but you must complete job search activities and file a weekly claim for it. There's absolutely no advantage to delaying your application. Only disadvantages as it pushes back when you might receive benefits.

btw the esd website says u need these for job search activities: in-person visit, virtual job fair, job application, interviews, resume submission, workshop, civil service test....i think there's more but those r the main ones they look for