Can't submit weekly ESD claims online - phone filing options not working either

The same thing happened to me last month! The weekly claim option just disappeared from my eServices portal. Turns out there was an issue with my claim that needed to be resolved before I could file again. When you get denied those initial weeks and then have a waiting week, sometimes the system gets confused and puts a hold on your account. I had to actually talk to an ESD agent to fix it. There isn't a fully automated phone option for filing when your claim is in this status. It took me 4 days of calling to finally get through. Start calling at 7:59am exactly - that worked for me.

sometimes the website glitches after the waiting week. try logging out completely, clear your browser cookies, then log back in. worked for me last time 👍

When your claim status changes (like moving from denied weeks to an approved waiting week), the system sometimes needs 24-48 hours to update properly. Have you tried logging in during different times of the day? The ESD system often runs maintenance jobs overnight that can resolve these kinds of issues. If the weekly claim option doesn't reappear by Monday, you'll unfortunately need to speak with an agent. The automated phone system (888-836-1900) only works for filing if your claim is already active and in good standing without issues. Based on what you've described, it sounds like your claim might be in a transition state where the system recognized your waiting week but hasn't fully activated your claim for regular filing yet. This is a common technical issue with the ESD system.

check if you got any notices in your eServices account inbox!!! sometimes they send you a questionnaire or need additional info before you can file again. that happened to me and i missed it for 2 weeks and almost lost my benefits!!

I work in HR and help employees with unemployment issues frequently. What you're experiencing is actually quite common after a waiting week is processed. Here's what's happening: After your waiting week is confirmed, ESD's system needs to fully activate your claim for regular benefits. This sometimes creates a temporary gap where the weekly filing option disappears. In most cases, it resolves within 48-72 hours, but sometimes it requires agent intervention. Unfortunately, there is no automated phone option that will work in this specific situation. The automated system (888-836-1900) only functions for claims that are already fully active. You'll need to speak with an agent who can manually reset your claim status. If you've already waited 5+ days as you mentioned, I would definitely recommend getting in touch with ESD directly. The technical issue won't resolve itself at this point.

I had the EXACT same problem last month and it was INFURIATING!!! I spent THREE WHOLE WEEKS trying to get through to ESD!!! called over 200 times and either got disconnected or was on hold forever and then got disconnected!!! their phone system is BROKEN by design!!! finally my cousin told me about this service called Claimyr that got me through to ESD in under 25 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks!!! check out their video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - the website is claimyr.com - seriously saved my sanity and my bank account!!

Did you try calling RIGHT when they open at 8am? That's the only way I've ever gotten through. Also, are you absolutely SURE you properly documented your job searches for that waiting week? If even one detail was wrong or incomplete, the system will put a hold on your claim and the weekly claim option will disappear. I've been on unemployment 3 times in the last 5 years (construction industry layoffs), and the ESD system is incredibly picky about job search documentation. If you put "applied online" without a specific contact name or if the employer phone number isn't formatted exactly right, it can trigger a review that blocks further claims. Honestly, the whole system feels designed to make people give up out of frustration. My last claim took 11 WEEKS to get sorted out because of a minor job search documentation issue that should have taken 5 minutes to fix!

I wanted to add one more thing - make sure you keep documenting your job searches each week, even while you're trying to resolve this issue. Once an agent fixes your claim status, you'll need to back-file for any missed weeks, and they'll ask for your job search details for each of those weeks. If you don't have them, you could lose benefits for those periods. The law requires 3 job search activities per week, and you need to record: - Date of contact - Company name - Company contact information (phone or email) - Position applied for - Method of contact - Result of contact Keep this documentation even if you can't file currently.

when i had this happen i just kept checking the website every single day and suddenly the claim button magically reappeared after like 10 days lol... esd works in mysterious ways 😂