ESD Job Search Waiver for 64-year-old with lung issues near retirement?

Yes, your dad might qualify for a job search waiver! ESD offers what's called "Commissioner Approved Training" (CAT) or a temporary waiver for health reasons. Since he has documented medical issues, he should definitely apply for the health-related job search waiver. Here's what he'll need to do: 1. Apply for unemployment normally 2. Request the job search waiver through his eServices account 3. Submit medical documentation from his doctor that explains his limitations 4. Continue filing weekly claims while waiting for a decision The medical waiver usually requires certification from a healthcare provider, but ESD does consider cases like your dad's. Age alone isn't a qualification for a waiver, but his documented lung damage absolutely could be.

My neighbor was 63 when she got laid off last year and she had to do the job searches no matter what. They dont care about retirement age at all. she had arthritis really bad too and they told her tough luck. she had to apply for jobs every week even though she was going to retire in like 8 months!!! The system is so messed up!!!

To be very clear about this - your father MUST continue doing his job searches until ESD officially approves a waiver. If he doesn't, and they deny the waiver request, he could be disqualified for those weeks and potentially face an overpayment issue. The official term is "Commissioner Approved Training" waiver or a "Medical Standby" waiver. For the medical standby, his doctor needs to complete an official form stating he has limitations but is able and available for suitable work within those restrictions. The form is available on the ESD website under UI forms, and he'll need to upload it to his claim. ESD will then make a determination. One more critical point - even with a waiver, he must still be "able and available" for SOME type of work that accommodates his medical restrictions. Complete inability to work would actually disqualify him from benefits entirely.

I've been trying to get through to ESD for 2 weeks about a similar situation with my mom who has health issues. The phone lines are ALWAYS busy and I've spent hours on hold only to get disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The ESD agent confirmed that your dad should apply for a Commissioner Approved Medical waiver, and said they approve them quite often for documented health conditions. They don't automatically waive job search for age, but the health condition is definitely grounds for a waiver request.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!!!! I had cancer last year and they STILL made me do job searches!!! I submitted all my medical paperwork and they said I was still "able and available" for some kind of work so I had to keep looking!!! It's all about denying benefits any way they can. Your dad should just apply for disability instead of unemployment - at least then he won't have to deal with these ridiculous job search requirements.

my dad had to do this last year he got a note from his doctor saying he couldnt do certain jobs becuz of his back and esd gave him the waiver. he still had to be willing to work jobs he COULD do tho. its not like a total free pass but they dont make you apply for jobs you cant physically do

To answer your question about timing - job search waivers typically take 2-3 weeks to process in 2025, but it can take longer during busy periods. And yes, as others have mentioned, he MUST continue doing and documenting his job searches until he gets an official approval. One strategy while he waits: he can focus his job search activities on positions that would accommodate his health limitations. Informational interviews and career workshops also count as job search activities, which might be easier for him than actual applications. Make sure he keeps detailed records of all communications with ESD regarding the waiver request. If there's any confusion later, having documentation of when he applied for the waiver will be important.