Do I still need to report job search activities after ESD benefits run out?

Once your benefit year is active, you should continue filing weekly claims even after your benefits exhaust. This is important for two reasons: 1) If there's ever an extension authorized by the legislature, you'll already be in the system, and 2) It keeps your claim active if you need to reopen it later within the same benefit year. So yes, you do need to continue reporting your 3 job search activities each week if you want to maintain your claim status.

i stopped filing after my money ran out and then when i got a temp job that ended i had to do the whole application process over again it was a PAIN dont make my mistake

To answer your question about how long your benefit year lasts - it's exactly 52 weeks from when you first filed your claim. It's on your Monetary Determination letter or you can see it in eServices under your claim summary. Some important points: - You don't HAVE to keep filing after benefits exhaust, but it can make things easier if you need to restart within your benefit year - If you stop filing for 4+ consecutive weeks, your claim becomes inactive - Your job search requirements stay the same (3 activities) as long as you're filing - Once your benefit year ends, you'd need to file a new claim anyway

wait im confused... do u still get ANY money after the 3 weeks? or zero? cuz i thought if u run out of benefits u just dont get anything until next benefit year??

Anyone struggling to get through to ESD about their benefits should try Claimyr. I spent WEEKS trying to reach a human at ESD when my claim was running out to ask about extensions. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through in under 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent told me that continuing to file after benefits exhaust is recommended but optional. If you do stop filing, you'll need to restart your claim if you want to resume later in your benefit year.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO FRUSTRATE YOU INTO GIVING UP!!!! They WANT you to stop filing so they don't have to count you in the unemployment numbers. I RAN OUT of benefits last year and KEPT FILING for 6 more weeks and then MAGICALLY they found more money in my claim!!! Don't believe anyone who tells you to stop filing - it's a TRAP!!!!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I think I'll continue filing for at least a month after my benefits run out, but it's good to know it's not absolutely required. Just seems like there should be a simpler system for people in my situation. Fingers crossed I find a job before my benefits end anyway!

My cousin stopped filing claims after his benefits ran out last year and then when he tried to reopen 2 months later when he still hadn't found work, they made him completely restart the application and go through identity verification again. Took almost a month to get approved. Just my 2 cents.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. My benefits exhausted but I kept filing weekly claims for about 8 weeks afterward while job hunting. It was definitely worth it because when I had a brief part-time job that ended after 3 weeks, I was able to restart my benefits immediately without any hassle. The job search reporting does feel redundant when you're not getting paid, but it only takes a few minutes each week and could save you major headaches later. Plus, some employers actually check unemployment records during hiring, so having continuous filing shows you've been consistently looking for work. Just think of it as insurance for your claim status.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are running low and I've been wondering about this too. From reading everyone's responses, it sounds like continuing to file is the smart move even without payments. I had no idea that stopping for 4+ weeks makes your claim inactive! That's definitely something ESD should make clearer in their communications. The job search requirement staying at 3 activities seems reasonable since you're maintaining your claim status. Has anyone here actually experienced one of those rare benefit extensions that Jamal mentioned? I'm curious how that process works if it ever happens again.