Denied standby status on ESD claim - trying to understand job search requirements

Unfortunately, standby is pretty strict about the requirements. To qualify, you need to have worked for that employer for at least 12 months OR have 680+ hours with them in your base year. Since you only worked 9 months, you don't meet the time requirement. And yes, you absolutely have to do the 3 job search activities each week or your benefits will be denied. Even with a return date, without approved standby status, you have to follow regular UI rules.

After trying to call ESD for TWO WEEKS straight and getting nowhere, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an ESD agent in under 30 minutes. They have this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent was able to explain exactly why my standby was denied and what I needed to do. Saved me so much stress and uncertainty!

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I went through this EXACT situation last year. Had a guaranteed job starting back up in spring but got denied standby because I was 22 DAYS short of their arbitrary 12-month requirement! Had to do all these pointless job searches even though both me AND my employer told ESD I was coming back. Just another example of ridiculous bureaucracy wasting everyone's time and resources!!! 😡

To answer your question about interviews - yes, job interviews absolutely count as job search activities even if you disclose your return-to-work date. Other qualifying activities include: submitting applications, attending WorkSource workshops (these can be done online), creating accounts on job sites, updating your resume, networking with potential employers, and attending job fairs. I recommend the WorkSource workshops because they're convenient and definitely count. Just document everything carefully in your job search log. When I was in your situation, I mostly did workshops and a few applications to places I knew wouldn't hire me quickly.

When this happened to my husband, he just did the job search activities anyway. It's annoying but not worth losing your benefits over. He'd just apply to jobs he was overqualified for or in different fields lol. Nobody ever called him for interviews anyway. Just make sure you record everything in the job search log!

One important thing to remember - ESD does conduct random job search reviews where they verify your activities. Make sure whatever you list on your job search log is something you actually did and can prove if asked. They don't check everyone, but if they catch you making things up, you'll have to pay back benefits and possibly face penalties for misrepresentation. The WorkSource workshops are great because they're easy to document and ESD can verify your participation directly in their system.

i had this happen too. its stupid but u gotta do the 3 activities. if u miss even 1 week they can disqualify u. i just applied for random jobs i didnt care about. my friend got audited tho and had to prove he actually applied to everything on his list so dont make stuff up

Another option worth exploring: you could ask your employer if they'd be willing to provide you with some minimal work during this period - even just a few hours a week. If you work part-time, you can still receive partial unemployment benefits, and having some work income may help you qualify for standby even without meeting the 12-month requirement. You'd need to report any earnings on your weekly claim, but it might be worth asking about if returning to this specific employer is important to you.

this whole thing reminded me when i got denied benefits last year because they said i voluntarily quit. took 3 months of appeals to finally get someone to understand i was laid off not fired. esd is such a mess sometimes

btw even if u have to do job search now doesnt mean u cant go back to ur old job later. ur not locked into taking a new job just cuz u applied. the system just wants u to try to find work while getting benefits