Do I still need to report job search activities after ESD benefits run out?
I've been on unemployment since January and just checked my remaining benefits balance. According to eServices, I only have 3 more weeks of payments left. I'm still actively looking for work but wondering what happens after those 3 weeks - do I still need to report my 3 job search activities every week even though I won't be getting any payments? Is there any point in continuing to file weekly claims after benefits run out? My WorkSource advisor is out of office until next month and I need to plan ahead. Thanks!
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Jamal Brown
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.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•Thanks for the information! So even with $0 in benefits, I should keep filing every week? That seems like a lot of extra work when I'm trying to focus on finding a job. Do you know how long my benefit year lasts?
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Fatima Al-Rashid
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
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Giovanni Rossi
•Same thing happened to my roommate! Had to start from scratch with ID verification and everything. ESD system is ridiculous with these hoops.
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Aaliyah Jackson
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
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•That's super helpful - my benefit year started on January A15, 2025, so I guess it runs until mid-January next year. I'm hoping to find work before then, but it's good to know my options. Is there any benefit to keeping the claim active if I'm not getting paid though?
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KylieRose
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??
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Once your benefit balance reaches $0, you won't receive any more payments until either 1) your benefit year ends and you qualify for a new claim, or 2) the government authorizes an extension program (which is rare outside of economic crises). The question is about whether you should still go through the weekly claim process even when you're not getting payments.
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Miguel Hernández
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.
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Sasha Ivanov
•Is that service legit? Sounds sketchy to pay someone just to make a phone call for you.
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Miguel Hernández
•It's definitely legit - they don't make the call for you, they help you skip the wait time to get through to an actual ESD agent. Saved me hours of frustration. The ESD phone system is basically designed to hang up on people when call volume is high.
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Giovanni Rossi
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!!!!
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Jamal Brown
•While I understand your frustration, I need to correct some misinformation here. If additional money appeared in your claim, it was likely due to a wage investigation, appeal decision, or benefit extension program - not because you continued filing. However, continuing to file is still good practice for the reasons I mentioned earlier.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
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!
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Aaliyah Jackson
•That sounds like a good approach. One more tip - if you do find a job, be sure to report your return to full-time work on your final weekly claim. This officially notifies ESD you're employed and prevents potential overpayment issues later. Good luck with your job search!
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Sasha Ivanov
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.
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