ESD benefits exhausted - should I still file weekly claims?

Thank you! I wasn't sure if it mattered. So I'll keep doing my 3 job search activities and submitting them through eServices even though there's no payment. Hopefully I find work soon but it's good to know there might be benefits to keeping the record going.

Same! I stopped filing for like 3 weeks after my benefits ran out and then had to call ESD about a million times to get everything fixed when the extension kicked in. Keep filing your claims!!

While I understand your frustration, this advice isn't accurate. Continuing to file weekly claims after benefits exhaust serves several important purposes: - Maintains your claim as active in the system - Establishes a continuous record of unemployment - Positions you for automatic enrollment if extended benefits are authorized - Provides documented proof of ongoing job search for other assistance programs ESD actually recommends continuing to file claims after benefits exhaust for these exact reasons. It only takes a few minutes each week and could save significant hassle later.

I had the same problem trying to reach ESD about my exhausted benefits! I finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real agent in about 20 minutes. They basically call ESD for you and then connect you when they get through. Saved me days of frustration. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I spoke with confirmed that yes, you should keep filing weekly claims even after benefits are exhausted. She explained it keeps your claim active in their system in case any additional benefits become available.

That's great information! WorkSource is correct. The continued claims not only keep you positioned for any potential benefits but also maintain your status for their services. The job placement programs at WorkSource can be really valuable, and some employers specifically work with them for hiring.

Yes, you still need to complete and document your 3 job search activities each week if you're filing claims, even after benefits exhaust. This maintains your claim as "active" in the system. If you don't do the activities or don't file, your claim becomes inactive. It might seem pointless, but if any extensions or additional benefits become available, having an active claim with documented job search activities means you could receive those benefits immediately rather than having to restart the whole process.

You're right that there aren't currently any federal extensions like during COVID. However, there are still some situations where additional benefits might become available: 1. If your state's unemployment rate rises above certain thresholds, Extended Benefits (EB) can automatically trigger 2. If you qualify for Training Benefits while pursuing approved training 3. If there's a major economic downturn or localized disaster 4. If wage corrections or late-reported wages are added to your claim While these aren't common, maintaining an active claim ensures you'd be eligible if any apply to your situation.

Great question about official ESD guidance! Yes, ESD does have this information on their website. If you log into your eServices account and go to the "Frequently Asked Questions" section, there's a specific entry about continuing to file after benefit exhaustion that recommends keeping your claim active. As for how it shows up in eServices - when you file after exhaustion, the claim still processes but shows a payment amount of $0.00. The status will typically show as "Processed" but with no payment issued. You'll still see your job search activities logged and the system treats it as a valid weekly claim. I'd recommend bookmarking that FAQ page in case you need to reference the official policy later. It's helpful to have the ESD's actual guidance rather than just relying on community advice (though everyone here has been spot on!).

That's such a great point about the documentation for employers! I hadn't thought about that aspect. It's really smart that you kept those weekly claim confirmations - having that official record from ESD showing continuous job search activity could be valuable for so many reasons beyond just potential benefit extensions. Your point about staying motivated is spot on too. I can see how having that weekly requirement to document 3 job search activities would prevent you from falling into that discouraging spiral where you start applying to fewer and fewer jobs. It's like having a built-in accountability system even when you're not getting paid. Thanks for sharing your experience - this really helps put the whole "keep filing" advice into perspective!

Great question about time limits! From what I understand, you can continue filing weekly claims for the remainder of your benefit year, which is typically 52 weeks from when you first filed your original claim. After your benefit year ends, you'd need to file a new claim if you're still unemployed. However, I'd recommend double-checking this with ESD directly or looking it up in their official documentation since I'm not 100% certain about the exact timeframe. The important thing is that there's definitely not a short-term cutoff like after just a few weeks of $0 claims. You're making a smart choice to keep filing - sounds like it benefits you in multiple ways beyond just staying in the system for potential future benefits!

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through this exact situation. The part about the ESD agent specifically mentioning that stopping claims makes them go "dormant" is super helpful - that's the kind of official confirmation I was looking for. I'm definitely going to keep filing after reading everyone's responses here. The accountability aspect you mentioned is a great point too. Having that weekly requirement to document job searches could actually help me stay more organized and motivated than I would be otherwise. Did you notice any difference in how the claims were processed during those 2 months of $0 payments? Like did they still show up normally in your eServices account even though there was no money involved?