Can I pause ESD claims for 3 weeks while traveling internationally for a funeral?

You have 4 weeks to backdate claims. After that, you'd need to call ESD to have them manually input those weeks. The important thing is that you're being honest about not being able/available. Just make sure you start claiming again as soon as you get back to avoid any gaps. Also, keep documentation of your trip (like flight info) in case ESD questions the gap.

BE CAREFUL logging in from another country!!!!! ESD's system will FLAG your account for fraud investigation IMMEDIATELY if they detect a foreign IP address. Happened to my brother last year and it took 7 WEEKS to get his account unlocked!!! Just wait till you get back to do anything with your claim.

While the previous poster is correct about the 4-week backdating window, I want to clarify something important: If you're not able and available to accept work while out of the country, you should still claim those weeks (when you return) and mark that you were not able/available. This keeps your claim history accurate and transparent. If you simply don't claim those weeks at all, it looks like a gap in your claim rather than showing you properly reported being unavailable. This distinction can matter if ESD reviews your claim later. Just make sure to file those weeks within the 4-week window when you return.

When my mom died last November, I had to go to the Philippines for a month. I just waited until I got back and then I backdated all my claims. I marked not available for the whole time I was gone and explained it was for a funeral. No problems at all. Sorry about your loss btw.

good luck getting anyone at ESD on the phone if something does go wrong with your claim...I tried for 2 weeks straight and never got thru once!! the system is completely broken

Just to add some clarity on claim status: Your benefit year remains active for 52 weeks from when you first applied, but your claim becomes inactive after 4 consecutive weeks of not filing. If you're gone for 3 weeks and file when you return, your claim will stay active. Just remember to file all 3 missed weeks at once when you return, marking yourself not able/available for those weeks. Also, keep in mind that even though you're applying for jobs while away, you still need to mark yourself as not available since you're out of the country. This is important for compliance with UI regulations.

my cousin just went through this exact situation last month when her dad passed away in Ecuador. She didn't claim for 3 weeks, then did them all at once when she got back. She marked she wasn't available those weeks and ESD was totally fine with it. Don't stress about it.

I'm sorry for your loss. I went through something similar when my grandmother passed away in Canada last year. I was nervous about the same things you're worried about. I ended up waiting until I returned to file my claims for the 3 weeks I was gone, and it worked out fine. I marked myself as not available for all those weeks due to being out of the country for the funeral, and ESD accepted it without any issues. The key things that helped me were: 1) I filed all the missed weeks as soon as I got back (within that 4-week window everyone mentioned), 2) I was completely honest about why I was unavailable, and 3) I kept all my travel documents (flight receipts, etc.) just in case they asked. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I got back. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and don't worry too much about the ESD stuff - it will work out if you handle it properly when you return.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I went through a very similar situation last year when I had to travel to Ireland for my grandfather's funeral. I was gone for almost 4 weeks and was terrified about messing up my claim. Here's what I learned: Don't try to log in from overseas - it's just not worth the risk of triggering fraud alerts. When I got back, I immediately filed for all the weeks I missed (within that 4-week window) and marked myself as "not able and available" for each week due to being out of the country. I also wrote a brief note in the comments section explaining it was for a family funeral. ESD processed everything without any problems. The key is being completely transparent about why you were unavailable rather than trying to hide the gap. Keep all your travel documents and receipts - I never needed them, but it gave me peace of mind. Take care of yourself during this difficult time, and know that this part will work out fine if you handle it honestly when you return.