ESD sending conflicting letters - approved for benefits but now they want medical documentation?

This happens more often than you'd think. The medical letter is likely triggered by something you marked on your initial application or weekly claim. Maybe you accidentally indicated you missed work due to illness or had restrictions? Even checking the wrong box can send your claim down the medical documentation path. The good news is that your claim has been approved starting January 22nd. My advice is to respond to the medical letter with a simple statement that you have no medical restrictions and are fully able and available to work. You can upload this through your eServices account. Be sure to keep filing your weekly claims while this gets sorted out. The January 15-21 period is actually the 'waiting week' in most cases, which you don't get paid for anyway. So don't stress too much about proving anything for those few days.

TYPICAL ESD CONFUSION!!! They are SO DISORGANIZED it's unbelievable. I had almost the exact same thing happen to me last year - got approval letters and then some random request for information that made no sense. Their right hand doesn't know what their left hand is doing. They'll probably put your payments on hold until you respond to the medical thing even though you're "approved." That's what they did to me. I ended up waiting 7 more weeks with no money coming in while they sorted out their own mistake. The system is designed to make people give up!!!

I had something similar happen and I think I figured it out. When you applied, was your last day of work in the middle of a week? If so, they're probably just trying to figure out if you were available for work during those partial days of the week before your claim officially started. It's a weird technicality. For the medical letter - did you by any chance say you were not available for work on any of your weekly claims? Or maybe say you couldn't accept work for any reason? That automatically triggers a medical review. ESD's system is super sensitive to these things. Honestly, the fact that you got determination letters approving you is great news! I'd respond to the medical thing just to cover your bases, but it sounds like your claim is on the right track.

Try using Claimyr to get through to ESD on the phone. I was in a similar situation with conflicting letters and couldn't get through for weeks. Claimyr got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 30 minutes who resolved everything on the spot. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Worth it to get your issue resolved quickly rather than waiting around confused. The agent I spoke with explained that sometimes their automated system flags certain responses for medical review even when it's not applicable. They cleared it up right away once I actually got to talk to someone.

wait did anyone notice they approved u starting jan 22? thats really quick tbh. most people i know (including me lol) had to wait wayyyy longer. i'd just answer the medical thing to keep things moving but ur probably fine

You should definitely respond to all communications from ESD, even if they seem contradictory. I learned this the hard way. I ignored what I thought was an error (a request for information after I'd already been approved), and they ended up putting my claim on hold for 5 weeks! Here's what I'd do in your situation: 1. Upload a simple statement explaining you have no medical conditions limiting your ability to work 2. Keep filing your weekly claims without fail 3. Check your eServices account daily for new messages or alerts 4. Print out or screenshot all determination letters showing you're approved If your payments start coming through, great. If they don't start within a week, then you need to escalate the issue by trying to reach someone by phone or even contacting your state representative.

i think they just get confused when ur last day is mid-week. same happened 2 me. the system doesnt know what to do with those few days b4 the official claim week starts. dont worry 2 much about it

Just an update on what I learned after going through something similar - the medical documentation request often happens if the system thinks there's ANY question about your availability for work. The reason you got both approval letters AND the medical request is that claims processing and eligibility reviews happen on parallel tracks at ESD. Your best bet is to call and speak directly with an agent who can look at your full file and clear this up. They can often override or cancel erroneous documentation requests. The key is explaining that you have no medical restrictions and have been able and available for work since becoming unemployed. Also, don't be surprised if your payments still start coming through while this medical documentation issue is pending. ESD's different departments don't always coordinate in real-time.