ESD sent verification email after exhausted claim + random $2 deposit - what's happening?

This actually happens sometimes when ESD is determining if you qualify for a new benefit year. The $2 is likely what's called a 'test deposit' to verify they have the correct banking info on file before sending a larger payment. When your regular UI exhausts, the system sometimes automatically evaluates you for additional benefits you might qualify for based on your work history. The fact they're asking for verification of work history suggests they're looking at a new benefit year for you. Log into your eServices account and check your notices section. You should see something there explaining what type of redetermination they're doing. It could be they found quarters of work that might qualify you for a new claim.

The same exact thing happened to me in December! I got work history verification emails, then a $2 deposit, and then about a week later i got a new monetary determination letter saying I qualified for a new claim based on my work in the last 18 months. Apparently I had enough work hours after my original claim was filed to qualify for a new one. I didn't have to do anything except verify my work history and then start filing weekly claims again when they told me to. The system is weird sometimes but i ended up getting another 12 weeks of benefits!

I'm dealing with the EXACT same thing right now!!!! Been trying to call ESD for THREE DAYS and cant get thru to anyone!!!!! The $2 deposit is super weird and the emails make NO SENSE because my claim ended months ago!!! Is this a SCAM?? How do we know these emails are really from ESD????? I'm worried about identity theft!!

The $2 deposit is definitely a test transaction. ESD does this before issuing new benefits to verify your bank account is still active. I've had this happen twice over the years. The work history verification is standard procedure for establishing a new benefit year. Basically, when your original benefit year expires (which is different from exhausting benefits), you may qualify for a new claim if you've worked enough during that year. The system is automatically checking if you qualify. A few things to understand: 1. If you've worked enough during your previous benefit year, you might qualify for a completely new claim 2. The monetary redetermination notice will tell you your new weekly benefit amount based on those quarters of work 3. If approved, you'll need to start filing weekly claims again 4. This is completely different from extensions (which aren't currently available) - this would be a brand new claim based on newer work history You should respond to the work history verification promptly. If you ignore it, they might deny the new claim.

Hey! I had trouble reaching ESD to ask about a similar situation recently. I tried calling for days with no luck, always busy signals or disconnects. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD agent in about 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 When I finally talked to ESD, they explained that the system was automatically evaluating me for a new benefit year based on work I'd done since filing my original claim. Sounds like that's what's happening to you. Better to talk to them directly though since every situation is different.

Make sure you respond to the work history verification request ASAP. When this happened to me, I waited a few days and my potential new claim went into adjudication, which delayed everything by 3 weeks. If they're asking for verification, it means you likely have enough hours/wages to qualify for something!

just fill out the work history verification as soon as possible. when u do this, the system usually processes faster. the $2 is definitely a test deposit - i had the exact same thing happen last year when they were setting up my new benefit year. after the $2 deposit, my regular weekly amount started coming about 10 days later. dont stress about it too much, the system is just doing its automated checks.

Good news - it sounds like you'll be getting a new claim. The process you're describing is exactly how ESD handles new benefit years. They'll evaluate your work history during your previous benefit year, and if you earned enough in wages during that time, you qualify for a new claim. This is why keeping accurate records of all employment while on UI is important. Make sure to provide all the information they're asking for in the verification request. If all goes well, you'll soon receive a proper monetary determination letter stating your new weekly benefit amount and the total benefit amount for this new claim. After that, you'll just need to start filing weekly claims again.