ESD claim confusion - Update September standby claim or file new one after January layoff?
I'm really confused about what to do with my unemployment claim and hoping someone can help. Back in September 2024, I was furloughed for a week from my warehouse job. My manager told me to file for UI and request standby status. ESD approved my standby status, but I was called back to work after that week so nothing else happened with the claim. Fast forward to January 17, 2025 - I was permanently laid off (budget cuts), and now I need full unemployment benefits. When I logged into my ESD account, I noticed my September claim still shows as open. Should I just update that existing claim or file a completely new one? I'm worried about messing something up with my benefit amount or eligibility period. Does keeping the September claim affect my 52-week filing window? Really appreciate any advice since I need to get this right the first time!
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Molly Chambers
You need to file a new claim. The September claim was for a different qualifying event (temporary furlough) and your benefit year began in September 2024. Even though that claim shows as 'open' in the system, since you returned to work and are now experiencing a new job loss in January 2025, you should file a fresh claim. This ensures your base year wages are calculated correctly for maximum benefit amount. The September standby claim won't affect your new 52-week benefit period - that will start fresh from when you file your new claim.
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Adrian Hughes
•Thanks for the quick response! So if I understand correctly, filing a new claim now would give me a full 52 weeks from January 2025 rather than having it counted from September? That makes sense. Do I need to do anything to close out the old claim first or just start the new application?
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Ian Armstrong
im in almost the exact situation!!! was on standby for 2 weeks in october and got called back but laid off permanent in december. i tried using my old claim and it was a NIGHTMARE. they kept saying my earnings werent right cause id worked after the first claim opened. ended up with huge headche, just start fresh its way easier
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Adrian Hughes
•Oh no, that sounds awful! Thanks for the warning. I definitely don't want to deal with earnings confusion. I'll start a new claim today.
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Eli Butler
This question comes up a lot. The standby claim from September 2024 was only for that specific temporary layoff period. Since you're now permanently laid off as of January 2025, you should absolutely file a new claim. Your benefit year (the 52-week period) would indeed start from the new filing date. Keep in mind that your monetary eligibility will be calculated using your base year wages (roughly the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before filing). A new claim now would give you a fresh determination based on your most recent work history, which is typically more advantageous than trying to reopen an older claim.
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Marcus Patterson
•not always true i reopened my claim from 3 months ago and got higher weekly benefit amount then starting over. depends on when ur highest earning quarters were
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Lydia Bailey
i jsut went thru this!!! god the esd website is SO CONFUSING. like why cant they just explain this stuff clearly?? i spent 2 hrs on hold trying to figure this out last week. they told me to file new claim since more than 4 weeks passed since i last claimed benefits on old claim.
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Mateo Warren
•If you're still having trouble getting through to ESD on the phone, I highly recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in the same situation last month - stuck in an endless hold loop trying to figure out a claim issue. Claimyr got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 25 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It saved me hours of frustration when I needed to sort out a similar claim confusion issue.
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Sofia Price
From personal experience, filing a new claim is definitely the way to go. I was in a similar situation - had a standby claim from temporary work reduction and then got fully laid off four months later. When I tried to just reopen/use the old claim, I ran into multiple issues with ESD: they kept asking for additional documentation about why I returned to work, then why I stopped working again, and it created weeks of unnecessary adjudication delays. Save yourself the headache and start fresh with a new claim that clearly reflects your January 2025 job loss.
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Adrian Hughes
•That's super helpful, thank you! I definitely want to avoid adjudication delays. Did you have to explain the previous claim in your new application or did you just start completely fresh?
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Sofia Price
You start completely fresh, but there's a section that asks about previous unemployment claims. Just be honest there and explain your September standby situation and that you returned to work afterward. The key is to be very clear in your new application about your January 2025 separation being a complete layoff. Make sure to have your termination notice or layoff documentation ready too.
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Adrian Hughes
•Perfect, that makes me feel much better about the process. I've got my separation letter with the January date so I'll have that ready when I file. Really appreciate everyone's help!
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Alice Coleman
THE ESD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE PEOPLE!!! They leave old claims "open" in the system to trick people into using them instead of filing new claims which often pay more benefits. ALWAYS file new when you have a new job loss situation!!! I've been dealing with ESD for years and they are constantly pulling these tricks to reduce payouts!!!
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Molly Chambers
•While I understand your frustration, I want to clarify that the system isn't intentionally designed to trick people. Claims remain visible because some people do need to reactivate them, particularly for partial unemployment or seasonal work situations. But you're right that for a completely new job loss situation like the OP described, filing a new claim is typically better.
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Eli Butler
One more important thing to mention - if you file a new claim now, they'll evaluate your earnings from roughly October 2023 through September 2024 (your base year). If you had higher earnings during that period compared to the period they used for your September claim, your weekly benefit amount could actually be higher now. This is another reason filing a new claim makes sense in your situation.
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Adrian Hughes
•That's a really good point! I actually got a raise in April 2024, so it sounds like filing new would capture those higher wages in the calculation. Definitely going with a new claim now.
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Ian Armstrong
dont forget u need to do ur work search activities!!! standby means u dont have to search for work but regular unemployment u gotta do 3 job search activities every week and log them. they're super strict about this now
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Adrian Hughes
•Thanks for the reminder! I was on standby before so didn't have to do those. I'll make sure to start tracking my job search activities right away with the new claim.
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