Can my ESD standby status be extended beyond 4 weeks if employer needs more time?

You'll need your employer to request the extension. When I was on standby last year, my boss had to contact ESD directly to extend it beyond the initial period. I think there's a form they need to fill out or something. Call your employer's HR department ASAP!

Standby status can definitely be extended, but there are specific rules about it. In 2025, standby is initially limited to 4 weeks for most industries, but can be extended up to 8 weeks total with proper documentation. Your employer needs to submit a request to ESD explaining why the additional time is needed. You should also update your weekly claim to indicate you're still on standby status. Make sure your employer knows they need to submit this request BEFORE your current standby period expires.

I TRIED DOING THIS LAST MONTH AND IT WAS A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE!!! ESD denied my extension even though my boss sent in all the paperwork. They said I needed to be actively job searching even though I knew my job was coming back. Then they flagged my account for "failure to look for work" and put me in adjudication for THREE WEEKS! Had to appeal and everything. The whole system is broken. Good luck even getting through to someone on the phone to ask about this - I tried calling 37 times in one day!!!

I got through this exact situation back in January when our restaurant remodel took longer than expected. Here's what worked: 1) Have your employer email AND fax the standby extension request (yes, they still use fax!) 2) You should upload a letter to your eServices account under "Upload a Document" explaining the situation 3) Continue filing your weekly claims and select "YES" to being on standby 4) Most importantly, if your standby expires before it's extended, you MUST do your job search activities until the extension is approved. I learned this the hard way and almost lost my benefits.

I tried calling ESD last week about my standby and couldn't get through at ALL. Super frustrating when ur trying to do everything right and can't even talk to a person!! 😠

my coworker and me both got standby but his got extended and mine didnt even tho we have the same job and same boss??? make sure your boss specifically requests YOU by name and your claim ID number. i think thats why mine got messed up.

if your standby runs out before they approve the extension do u have to do the WorkSource orientation thing? that was the most confusing part for me

Just an update on my situation from January - make absolutely sure your employer indicates the REASON for the extension request. My first request was denied because my boss just asked for "more time" without explaining the specific construction delays. Second request with details about permit issues and contractor delays was approved immediately.

I went through this same thing with my construction job last fall. The key is timing - don't wait until the last minute! Have your boss submit the extension request at least a week before your current standby expires if possible. Also, in your case with flooring installation, make sure your employer mentions that this is due to project delays beyond their control (like the contract falling through you mentioned). ESD seems to approve extensions more easily when it's clearly due to circumstances outside the employer's control rather than just general "slow business." And definitely keep documentation of everything - save any texts or emails from your boss about the timeline changes.