Can I pause ESD claims for 3 weeks while traveling internationally for a funeral?
I need to travel internationally for a funeral for about 3 weeks. I understand I need to mark myself as not able/available to work while I'm gone and won't receive benefits, but I'm confused about the claim process. Rather than logging into ESD from another country (worried about triggering fraud alerts), can I just pause claiming for those 3 weeks and then submit those weeks when I return to the US? I'll still be applying for jobs online during this time. I've searched everywhere in the handbook but can't find anything about how long you can go without submitting weekly claims before your claim becomes inactive. Does anyone know if there's a limit? Will my claim still be active if I don't submit anything for 3 weeks? Thanks for any help!
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Liam Brown
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.
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Emma Johnson
•Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know. I'll make sure to start claiming again immediately when I return and keep all my travel documentation just in case.
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Olivia Garcia
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.
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Emma Johnson
•Oh wow, that's exactly what I was worried about! I definitely don't want to deal with a fraud investigation on top of everything else. I'll wait until I return to do any ESD-related activities.
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Noah Lee
•This is overstated. I accessed from Mexico last winter and nothing happened. Maybe your brother had other account issues?
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Ava Hernandez
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.
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Emma Johnson
•That makes a lot of sense. So I should backdate and submit those weeks when I return, marking that I wasn't able/available for work. Thanks for explaining the difference - I didn't realize that not claiming at all could look suspicious compared to claiming but marking unavailable.
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Isabella Martin
•Exactly right. I work with UI claims regularly and this is the correct approach. It's always better to file and report accurately than to have unexplained gaps. ESD actually appreciates the honesty of marking yourself not able/available when appropriate.
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Elijah Jackson
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.
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Emma Johnson
•Thank you for sharing your experience and for your condolences. It's reassuring to hear that it worked out for you in a similar situation.
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Sophia Miller
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
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Liam Brown
•I had the same issue until I found Claimyr.com - it helped me get through to an ESD agent in about 30 minutes instead of spending days redialing. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Saved me so much frustration, especially when my account got stuck in adjudication.
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Noah Lee
•I always call right when they open at 8:00 AM sharp and usually get through within 20-30 minutes. Waiting until later in the day is pointless.
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Isabella Martin
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.
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Emma Johnson
•Thank you for the detailed explanation. I'll be sure to file all 3 weeks when I return and mark myself not available for the entire time I'm gone, even though I'll be continuing my job search remotely.
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Noah Lee
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.
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Olivia Garcia
•Not everyone has the same experience!! It can depend on your claim type, whether you've had issues before, and even which ESD agent processes your claim!! Better to be cautious than sorry.
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