Do I need to submit my job search log while claim is in adjudication with ESD?
I just filed my first unemployment claim ever last week and it's showing 'adjudication in progress' status. I'm confused about the job search requirements - I've been keeping track of my job search activities in the log they provide, but I can't figure out if I'm supposed to submit this log somewhere on the ESD website each week or just keep it for my records in case they ask for it later? The instructions weren't clear to me at all. I'm doing my 3 activities weekly like required, but don't want to mess up my claim by not submitting something I should be. Help!
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Ava Thompson
You don't submit the job search log weekly - you just need to keep it for your records. ESD can request to see your log at any time (they do random audits), so make sure you're documenting everything properly with all the required details for each activity. But there's no place to upload or submit it on a weekly basis. Just keep filing your weekly claims and answering 'yes' when it asks if you've completed your job search requirements.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Oh thank goodness! I was searching all over the website looking for some upload button or submission form. So as long as I keep doing my activities and maintain detailed records I should be okay? Do they usually notify you before they audit or is it like a surprise thing?
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Miguel Herrera
i was so confused about this too lol. just keep the log safe. they might ask for it someday or might not. ive been on UI for 2 months and nobody has asked to see mine yet
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Dmitry Ivanov
•That's reassuring to hear! I was worried I'd been doing something wrong this whole time.
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Zainab Ali
When my husband was on unemployment last year, they actually did audit his job search log about 8 weeks in. They sent an email requesting it and he had to upload scans of everything within like 3 days. Make sure you're writing down ALL the details - job title, company name, website, contact info, application method, etc. He almost got disqualified because he didn't have enough details for some of his entries.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thanks for the warning! I'll make sure I'm super detailed with everything. Did they audit his entire log or just certain weeks?
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Zainab Ali
•They wanted to see everything from the beginning of his claim up to that point. And they were pretty picky about it too! Just don't get lazy with the documentation and you'll be fine.
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Connor Murphy
Just to add some clarity here: 1. You need to complete 3 job search activities each week 2. You must keep a detailed record of these activities on your job search log 3. You do NOT submit this log weekly 4. You must keep your log for at least 30 days after your benefit year ends 5. If ESD audits you, you'll get a notice to upload your log (typically via your eServices account) While your claim is in adjudication, you should continue filing weekly claims and conducting job searches as normal. The adjudication process is separate from your ongoing weekly requirements.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thank you for laying it out so clearly! That makes perfect sense now. One more question - does having my claim in adjudication mean there's some kind of problem they're investigating, or is this just a normal part of the process?
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Connor Murphy
•Adjudication is pretty standard for first-time claims or when there's something that needs additional verification. It doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem - it's just ESD's way of ensuring you qualify for benefits. They might need to verify information with your former employer or check other details. It can take 2-4 weeks (sometimes longer), but you should keep filing weekly claims during this time. If they need any additional information from you, they'll contact you via your eServices account or by mail.
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Yara Nassar
The whole ESD system is DESIGNED to be confusing!! They WANT people to make mistakes so they have an excuse to deny benefits. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone last year when my claim got stuck in adjudication, calling hundreds of times and never getting through. The system is BROKEN and they don't care because it saves them money when people give up!!!!
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StarGazer101
•I had the same frustration trying to reach ESD when my claim was in adjudication. After failing for weeks, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual ESD agent within about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent was able to tell me exactly what was causing my adjudication delay and gave me an estimate for when it would be resolved. Saved me so much stress!
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thanks for mentioning this service! If my adjudication drags on much longer I might need to try that. Did they ask for anything specific when you finally got through?
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StarGazer101
•Just had my claim ID and social ready. The agent could see everything about my claim status once I verified my identity. They told me exactly which issue was holding things up (in my case it was a discrepancy between my reported last day of work and what my employer reported).
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Keisha Jackson
Everybody's giving good advice about the job search log, but I wanted to address the adjudication part too. My claim was in adjudication for almost 5 weeks last year! It's super frustrating but unfortunately very common. As others said, keep filing your weekly claims during this time. And stay on top of your eServices account messages - if they need more info from you, that's where they'll ask. Missing their requests can add weeks to the process.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•5 weeks?! That's so long! Did they eventually approve your claim? I've only been waiting about 10 days but it feels like forever when you're worried about paying bills.
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Keisha Jackson
•Yes, it was eventually approved and I got backpay for all the weeks I'd claimed during adjudication. But I know the stress - not knowing if or when money will come is awful. If you have access to your eServices messages, check if there's any indication of what they're verifying. Sometimes it just says something generic like "eligibility review" but other times it might give you more specific info about what they're looking at.
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Miguel Herrera
one more thing nobody mentioned - make sure ur checking ur mail too not just online messages. ESD sent me a paper form asking for more info and i almost missed it cuz i never check my mailbox lol
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Oh that's a good point! I hardly ever check my physical mail either. I'll make sure to keep an eye on it. Thanks!
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