Can't upload job search log after using paper weekly claim form - ESD website says 'no documents required'

I went through something similar back in January. When ESD sends you a paper form, you generally have to return it the same way - by mail or fax. The upload feature on eServices is only for documents they specifically request through the portal. Your best bet is to fax it with a cover sheet that includes your claim ID, full name, and last four of your SSN. Take a photo of the completed form before sending and keep the fax confirmation. I sent mine to the fax number listed on the paper form (should be 800-301-1796). Also, make sure you're completing the weekly claim certification online even if you're submitting the job search log separately. The two processes are connected but handled differently in their system.

The ESD phone system is TRASH!!! I spent 3 days trying to get someone on the phone and kept getting disconnected. This is ridiculous - we're already stressed about being unemployed and they make it impossible to contact them. I ended up mailing my paperwork and guess what? They lost it! Then they tried blaming ME for not sending it. The whole system is designed to frustrate people until they give up.

When you receive the paper weekly claim form, you need to return it the same way it was sent (mail or fax). The reason the upload system says "no documents required" is because the system doesn't know you have a paper form - it's essentially outside the regular eServices workflow. Here's what I recommend: 1. Fax is definitely better than mail - use the fax number on your form 2. Write your claim ID number on EVERY page you send 3. Include a cover sheet with your full name, claim ID, last four of SSN, and a brief explanation 4. Keep the fax confirmation receipt as proof of submission 5. Continue filing your weekly claims online as normal One trick: if the form doesn't have a fax number, use 800-301-1796 (main ESD fax line). Also, you might have luck reaching ESD by calling right when they open at 8:00 AM. Many people have better success getting through during the first 15 minutes they're open.

have u tried calling at exactly 8am? thats when i got thru after trying for days. also try calling on tuesday or wednesday, mondays are the worst!!

I found a way to get through to ESD quickly after weeks of frustration. I used Claimyr and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. Their system basically waits on hold for you and calls you when an agent is available. Check out their demo video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I spoke with said that for paper weekly claims, you need to return them via mail or fax, and they'll match it to your electronic claim in their system. I was worried about the same thing (documents getting lost), so I asked about getting confirmation and they suggested taking photos of everything before sending and following up in 7-10 business days if you don't see it reflected in your claim status online. You can find their website at claimyr.com - definitely saved me a ton of time and stress.

wait you can fax things in 2025?? lol i didnt even know fax machines still existed! why doesn't ESD just use a normal upload system like every other website?

To answer your follow-up question - this is likely just a one-time thing for your missed week. Once you're back in the regular weekly claim cycle online, you should be able to enter your job search activities directly in eServices when you file your weekly claim. The paper form is typically only used for exceptional circumstances like the one you experienced. You should see in your eServices account that you need to enter job search details when you file your regular weekly claims online. If you're on standby or have a different job search requirement, that would be reflected there too. Make sure you keep copies of all your job search documentation regardless of how you submit it. ESD can request verification up to a year later during random audits.