Confused about job search requirements when working 40+ hours but paid $0 - Will saying NO mess up my ESD claim?

Whoa that situation is rough!! But u should definitely still be doing job searches even if ur working those hours. ESD is super strict about job search requirements. My cousin got disqualified for skipping just 2 weeks of searches last year.

The previous commenter is incorrect. If you're working 40+ hours per week, you are considered fully employed by ESD standards, regardless of whether you're being paid. When you report your hours as 40+, the system should automatically consider you as having satisfied the "able and available" requirement without needing job searches. The confusion may be because you're reporting zero wages while also reporting full-time hours, which might trigger their system to flag your claim. I would recommend calling ESD directly to explain your unique situation and get proper guidance specific to your claim.

I was in a similar situation last year when my employer cut our pay temporarily but kept us working full time. I spent WEEKS trying to reach ESD with no luck. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent confirmed that if you're working 40+ hours, you don't need to do job searches even if your pay is $0. The key is getting them to understand your specific situation so they don't flag your account for fraud investigation.

DONT LISTEN TO ANYONE HERE!!! ESD is looking for ANY reason to deny claims!!! They made me pay back $5,700 because of a "job search issue" even though I reported everything honestly!!! ALWAYS do your job searches no matter what!!!

I've had this exact situation before! My company delayed paychecks for 2 months while we kept working. The key is how you REPORT it to ESD. When you do your weekly claim, are you selecting "Yes" to the question about whether you worked that week and entering your hours? As long as you're reporting your 40+ hours worked, you should be selecting "No" to the job search question and then explaining the $0 pay situation when prompted. But honestly, the system isn't really designed for this weird situation. You need to talk to a human at ESD who can put notes on your account.

one time my boss didnt pay me for like 3 weeks and i had to file for unemployment too. such a headache lol. ended up quitting that job eventually good luck

To clarify official policy: When reporting 40+ hours worked in a week, you are exempt from job search requirements regardless of wages earned. However, your claim may be flagged because the system detects an inconsistency between full-time hours and zero income. This is likely why ESD is requesting additional information. When you speak with a representative, explain that you're working full-time but experiencing delayed payment. They might request documentation from your employer confirming this arrangement. In the meantime, continue answering honestly - Yes to working 40+ hours, $0 for wages, and No to job search activities. Document everything, including any communications with your employer about the delayed payments.