ESD benefits after Paid Family Medical Leave ends - do I restart my unemployment claim?

congrats on finally getting approved! the system is such a mess lol. i think u just restart ur weekly claims when ur pfml ends but u should double check by calling esd

You won't need to file a brand new claim, but you will need to reactivate your existing claim when your PFML ends. Here's what you should do: 1. When your PFML is about to end, log into your ESD eServices account 2. Select the option to 'Restart your claim' 3. Answer the questions about why your claim was paused (you were on PFML) 4. Resume filing weekly claims immediately after PFML ends Important: Don't let more than 4 weeks pass between your last PFML payment and restarting your UI claim or you might have issues. Also, make sure you're meeting the job search requirements (3 activities per week) as soon as you restart UI. Best of luck with your pregnancy!

I went through something similar last year but with a knee injury not pregnancy. When I tried to restart my claim online it got stuck in processing for some reason. I ended up having to call ESD every day for TWO WEEKS before I got through to someone who could help. It was a nightmare with a newborn at home! They told me there was some flag on my account that only a specialist could remove. So frustrating!!!!

There's some incorrect information being shared here. When transitioning from PFML to UI, you need to be aware of the following: 1. Your PFML and UI claims are completely separate - one is through the Paid Family and Medical Leave program, the other through Unemployment Insurance 2. You won't automatically transition between programs - you must take action 3. There is NO waiting week when reactivating an existing UI claim within the same benefit year 4. The "Able and Available" requirements are different for UI vs PFML - for UI you must be physically able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work 5. Document the exact date your PFML ends as ESD will verify this information You should reactivate your claim on eServices the Sunday after your PFML ends and resume weekly claims immediately.

Yes, that's correct. If you restart your claim immediately after PFML ends and are able/available for work, there shouldn't be a gap. And yes, you must begin the 3 job search activities per week as soon as you file your first weekly claim after reactivation. Make sure to keep detailed records of all job search activities in your job search log.

wait im cunfused... are u planning to work after the baby is born or stay home? cuz if ur staying home with baby u cant get unemployment cuz ur not available to work right?? or are u just talking about the time betwen PFML ending and having the baby?

Just went through this whole UI to PFML and back to UI nightmare and let me tell you the system is NOT set up for our situations AT ALL. My biggest advice is document EVERYTHING. Every call, every letter, every payment. My cousin's wife had her benefits completely messed up and they tried to say she got overpaid by $6,200 because their systems didn't talk to each other properly! She had to appeal and it took months to sort out. So keep good records!!!

One final tip: When you restart your UI claim, in the "reason for separation" section, select "Not working - still attached to employer" and then in the details mention you were on PFML and are now able to work again. This helps prevent the system from thinking you have a new job separation issue that needs adjudication. You've already been approved based on your original job separation (the potentially illegal termination due to pregnancy), so you want to make it clear you're just continuing that same claim.