ESD phone claim asking about job searches despite standby and union exemption - what to answer?

This is a common issue with the phone system! The automated phone system doesn't have the same logic as the online portal and doesn't recognize exemptions automatically. When it asks about job searches, your husband should answer 'YES' even though he didn't do any searches because he's exempt. This is the correct way to handle it - saying 'yes' when you have an exemption is NOT fraud because you're meeting your requirements (which in his case is zero searches because of the union/standby situation). If he answers 'no', the system might flag his claim even though he's exempt.

OMG dont say yes if he didnt do them!!! my cousin got in trouble for that exact thing, they will audit you and ask for proof of the searches and then youll have nothing to show!! better to just file online where it knows ur exempt

I went through this exact headache last year. The phone system is completely different from the online system and doesn't account for exemptions properly. What you need to do is make sure his exemptions are properly documented in his account FIRST. Has he submitted his union verification to ESD? And is the standby status officially approved on his account? You can check this in eServices under his claim details. If both exemptions are properly documented, then answering YES to the job search question on the phone system is correct because he's meeting his requirements (which are zero searches due to his exemptions).

why is he filing by phone anyway? the website is way easier and faster

For anyone dealing with ESD system quirks like this or needing to speak with an actual agent to fix issues, I recommend trying Claimyr. I was stuck in a similar situation with confusing system prompts and couldn't get through to ESD for weeks. Claimyr helped me connect with an ESD agent within 15 minutes who confirmed exactly how to handle these weird system inconsistencies. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check their video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It saved me a ton of stress when I needed clarification on my standby status rules.

Just to give you some extra peace of mind - I spoke with an ESD representative about this exact issue last year. The way the phone system is programmed, it HAS to ask the job search question to all claimants, but they confirmed that for people with exemptions, answering 'yes' is correct because you're certifying that you've met your requirements (which in your husband's case is maintaining his union membership and standby status). The online system is smart enough to skip questions that don't apply based on your status, but the phone system isn't. Just make sure his exemptions stay current - especially that standby status, as those typically have expiration dates.

The ESD systems are INSANE! I've been dealing with this department for 15 years off and on during slow construction seasons. Their left hand never knows what the right is doing. The phone system was programmed in the stone age and they've never updated it properly. I was told by an ESD supervisor once that their phone system and online system are completely separate and don't even share the same logic or rules. RIDICULOUS for a government agency in 2025!!! And they wonder why people get frustrated and give up on their claims.

Wait I'm confused about something. Does being in a union automatically exempt you from job searches even when NOT on standby? I thought union members still had to do job searches when not working unless they have standby status?

I just wanted to update that we went ahead and answered 'yes' to the job search question since he meets his requirements with his exemptions. The claim was accepted without any issues! Thanks everyone for your help. Going to stick with the online filing when possible since it's less confusing, but good to know how to handle the phone system if needed again.