Can I get 2-week standby approval after exhausting regular UI benefits?
I'm in a weird situation and hoping someone has been through this. I exhausted my regular UI benefits 3 weeks ago after being on unemployment for most of the year. Yesterday I got a job offer (finally!) but the start date isn't for another 2 weeks. I heard there's a special 2-week standby status for people with confirmed job offers, but I'm not sure if I can apply for this since my regular benefits are already exhausted. Has anyone successfully gotten approved for this short standby period AFTER their benefits ran out? The ESD website is super unclear and I can't get through on the phone. Really need this to work since I've got rent due before my first paycheck will arrive.
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Justin Trejo
I went through something similar last October. You can't get additional benefits if you've exhausted your benefit year, but standby status works differently. If you have a firm job offer with a start date, you can apply for standby even after exhausting benefits IF you still have an active claim. Big difference between exhausting benefits and having your claim year expire. How long ago did you first apply for UI?
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Marina Hendrix
•I initially filed in February 2025, so I guess my benefit year isn't over yet? Just the maximum benefits are used up. That's promising! Did you have to provide proof of the job offer when you applied for standby?
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Alana Willis
ya that wont work. once ur benefits r gone theyre GONE. ESD doesnt care if u got a gap before ur new job they just want u off their books. system is rigged against us tbh
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Tyler Murphy
•This is incorrect. Standby status is different from benefit extension. If the OP's benefit year hasn't ended (sounds like it hasn't), they can request standby status with a confirmed job offer. They need to call ESD directly and explain the situation, as this isn't something that can typically be done through the online system if benefits are exhausted.
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Sara Unger
I tried calling ESD about a similar issue last month and NEVER got through!! Kept getting the "high call volume" message and then disconnected. Spent THREE DAYS trying to reach them. Eventually I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Definitely worth it for something time-sensitive like your situation.
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Marina Hendrix
•Thanks for the tip! I'll check out that service if I can't get through tomorrow. Did you have to explain your situation to multiple people or did the first agent help you?
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Sara Unger
•The first agent was able to help me. Just make sure you have your job offer details ready (start date, employer name, contact info, wage rate, etc). They'll want all that info for the standby request.
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Butch Sledgehammer
I was on unemployment last year and I remember reading something about this!!! I think there's a special code they use for the 2-week standby but I forgot what it's called. Something with Commissioner Approval maybe? My sister's boyfriend had to do this I think.
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Freya Ross
ESD DENIED ME TWICE even with a job offer letter!! They said I didn't have "good cause" for standby status!!! Had to appeal and WASTE 3 WEEKS waiting for someone to review my case! By then I had already started my new job! TYPICAL GOVERNMENT INEFFICIENCY!!! Don't get your hopes up!!!
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Leslie Parker
•For standby approval after benefits are exhausted, you need to specifically request "Commissioner Approved Standby" and demonstrate that you have a definite job offer with a specific start date. Regular standby and Commissioner Approved Standby are processed differently. The key is speaking with a claims specialist who understands this distinction, not just a frontline agent. When you call, ask specifically for help with "Commissioner Approved Standby with an exhausted claim but active benefit year." This specific wording helps ensure you get routed to someone familiar with this situation.
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Justin Trejo
Just following up - were you able to get this resolved? I'm curious because I may be in a similar situation soon.
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Marina Hendrix
•Yes! Finally got it approved yesterday after using that Claimyr service to get through to ESD (regular phone method was impossible). The key was asking specifically for "Commissioner Approved Standby" like someone suggested above. They required my offer letter and called my new employer to verify. The agent said this is actually pretty common but not well-documented on their website. I'll get 2 weeks of benefits to bridge the gap until my job starts. Such a relief!
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Sergio Neal
This reminds me of when I had to deal with ESD last summer... I was trying to get standby for a completely different reason (temporary layoff) and the whole system is so confusing! I spent hours reading their website and still couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do. Ended up having to get help from my state representative's office to resolve it. Why can't they make this stuff clearer??
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