Delayed start date due to background check - ESD benefits and job search requirements?

ur still eligible 4 benefits until u actually start working & getting paid. happened to me last yr but it was cuz of security clearance not background check.

You're eligible for benefits until your first day of work. However, regarding job search requirements, you need to apply for standby status with ESD. If approved for standby, you don't have to do the job search activities. Call ESD and explain your situation - you have a firm job offer with a delayed start date beyond your control. Be prepared to provide documentation of your job offer and the delayed start date (emails from the employer should work). Without standby approval, you technically need to keep doing the 3 job search activities weekly.

I was in this EXACT situation!! So frustrating right?? My start date got pushed back 4 times because of background check issues. I just kept filing my weekly claims and yes I had to keep doing the stupid job search requirements the whole time. I tried telling ESD I had a job lined up but they said I still needed to be "actively seeking work" until my first day. I did the bare minimum searches just to check the boxes.

No I never heard about standby status until just now reading these comments! Would have saved me a lot of pointless applications lol

I worked at ESD for 7 years and can tell you definitively that you should request standby status. Call the claims center and explain your situation. You might qualify for up to 8 weeks of standby which would cover your delay. You'll need to provide documentation proving you have a job offer with a specific start date. You're absolutely eligible for benefits during this waiting period as long as you're not being paid by the new employer. And if you get standby approval, you won't have to do job search activities while waiting to start your new position.

I spent THREE HOURS trying to reach someone at ESD last week for almost the same situation (mine was delayed security clearance). After being disconnected twice, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They confirmed I was eligible for standby status and took care of it while I was on the phone. Saved me tons of stress and pointless job applications. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Their website is claimyr.com - seriously was worth it because I was going crazy trying to get through on my own.

Jus file ur claim each week until u start workin. They cant deny u benifits when ur not gettin paid yet even if u got a job lined up. My brothr had this same thing and he got paid the whole time til he started

I want to clarify something important that's being missed in this thread. If you DON'T get standby status approved, you absolutely must continue doing your job search activities even with a job offer in hand. Failing to do so can result in benefit denial and possible overpayment assessment. Also, once your standby period ends (usually 8 weeks max), you'll need to resume job searches if your start date gets pushed back again beyond that timeframe. ESD is strict about this rule and they do audit claims randomly.

wait wait wait so if I accepted a job but haven't started yet I don't have to keep applying to random jobs? ive been filing for months and no one told me this wtf