Can I file one more weekly ESD claim after starting a new job?
So I finally got a job offer after 4 months of looking and started working this Wednesday (like 3 days ago). I've been filing unemployment claims every week since November. Now I'm wondering - can I file one more claim for this partial week before my job started? Or does ESD consider me fully employed as soon as I start, even if it's mid-week? I reported some gig work in previous weeks and just reduced my benefit amount, so wondering if this works the same way. Anyone know the rules on this? Thx
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TommyKapitz
Yes, you can absolutely file for the partial week! You just need to report the hours and earnings for Wednesday-Friday (or whatever days you worked) when you file your weekly claim. ESD will calculate a partial payment for the days you were still unemployed (Monday/Tuesday). Make sure you report ALL hours worked in the week even if you haven't been paid yet.
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Louisa Ramirez
•Oh that's awesome! So I just file like normal but put in the hours for Wed-Fri? Will they automatically figure out the partial payment?
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Angel Campbell
congrats on the job!! 🎉 i think its fine 2 file, just be honest about ur work days. my cousin did this last year and got a small payment for the 2 unemployment days
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Louisa Ramirez
•Thanks! Yeah I definitely want to be honest - just wasn't sure if it was allowed at all once you start working.
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Payton Black
You should file your weekly claim and report exactly when you started working (Wednesday), how many hours you worked, and how much you earned (even if you haven't been paid yet). The system will calculate if you're eligible for partial benefits for Monday and Tuesday. Just be aware that if your earnings for those three days exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive any benefits for that week. But it's still important to file the claim to properly close out your unemployment claim.
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Louisa Ramirez
•That makes sense. My weekly benefit is $690 and I'll make about $550 for those three days, so sounds like I might get something small. Thanks for the info!
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Harold Oh
BE CAREFUL!!! If you don't report EXACTLY right they will come after you for fraud and make you pay everything back with penalties!!! This happened to my neighbor when she started work on a Thursday and thought she could claim Mon-Wed. Make SURE you know what you're doing!!!
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TommyKapitz
•You're right that it's important to report accurately, but I think your neighbor's situation might have been more complicated. As long as OP truthfully reports all hours worked during the week and any earnings (even if not paid yet), they should be fine. ESD has clear guidelines for partial weeks.
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Amun-Ra Azra
I was in this exact situation last year. If you're having trouble getting through to ESD to ask them directly, I used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent confirmed I could claim the partial week and explained how to report my new job correctly so I didn't mess anything up.
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Louisa Ramirez
•Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to get through to them but keep getting disconnected. Might check this out if I can't figure it out from the website instructions.
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Harold Oh
•Is that service legit? Sounds sketchy to me... why would you pay someone to make a phone call you can make yourself???
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Amun-Ra Azra
•It's definitely legit. The problem isn't making the call - it's getting through ESD's phone system which is notorious for disconnecting people after waiting for hours. Claimyr just handles the wait time for you and calls when an agent is available. Saved me a ton of frustration.
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Summer Green
Here are the exact rules from ESD: 1. You must report all hours worked in your claim week, even if you haven't been paid yet 2. You must report gross earnings (before taxes/deductions) 3. If your earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount, you'll receive a partial payment 4. The formula is: Weekly benefit amount - (earnings - $5) = partial payment Also important: this final claim closes out your benefit year properly, which matters if you need to reapply in the future. And don't forget to report your new job in the "report a new job" section of eServices!
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Louisa Ramirez
•This is SUPER helpful, thank you! I didn't know about the $5 deduction thing, and I definitely wouldn't have known to report the new job separately in eServices. You probably saved me from making a mistake.
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Gael Robinson
i went thru this in january... make sure u answer YES to the "did u work" question then enter all ur info... they'll deny ur claim if ur earnings are 2 high but at least its all documented right... oh and dont 4get they count HOURS too not just money so if u worked more than like 17 hrs u might be denied anyway...
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Summer Green
•Good point about the hours. For clarity, you're disqualified if you work 40 hours or more in a week regardless of how much you earned. But for partial weeks, you can still qualify as long as you worked less than 40 hours AND earned less than your weekly benefit amount.
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