ESD system won't allow job search submission in weekly claim - error message appeared
I'm super frustrated with ESD's system right now. I've been claiming UI benefits for about 6 weeks and always input my three job search activities directly when filing my weekly claim online. But when I tried to file for the week ending 1/21/25, the system suddenly said I'm "no longer eligible to submit my job searches" and that I should "still do 3 job search activities and log them in your Job Search Log PDF." I've actually been keeping the PDF log all along (thankfully!) in addition to entering them online each week. But why would the system suddenly change like this? Did I mess something up? Does this mean there's a problem with my claim? I filed at the same time I usually do (Wednesday afternoon), so I don't think it's a timing issue. Has anyone else experienced this weird switch? I'm worried my payments might get delayed because of this change.
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GalaxyGazer
This happened to me last month! Turns out my claim switched from regular UI to some special category (can't remember what they called it). The system does this sometimes based on your answers to the eligibility questions. As long as you're keeping the PDF log, you're fine - they'll only ask for it if you get selected for review.
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Nia Harris
•Oh thank goodness it's not just me! So my payments should still come through normally even though I can't enter the job searches directly anymore? That's a relief.
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Mateo Sanchez
yea this is normal. sometims the system does weird stuff. happened 2 me 2. just keep doing ur 3 searches & keep the PDF. ur good.
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Aisha Mahmood
This is actually a specific ESD system feature, not a glitch. When certain conditions are met in your claim (usually related to your benefit year, work history, or a program change), the system automatically shifts you to PDF-only reporting for job searches instead of the weekly input option. You're doing exactly the right thing by continuing to do your 3 activities and documenting them in the PDF. The important thing is that you're still meeting the job search requirements. Keep in mind that while you don't enter them weekly anymore, ESD can still request your job search log for review at any time, so make sure you're filling it out completely with all the required details (employer name, contact info, position, application method, follow-up actions, etc.).
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Nia Harris
•Thank you for explaining! This makes me feel much better. I was worried I had done something wrong or that my benefits might stop. I'll keep doing my 3 searches and maintaining my PDF log carefully.
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Ethan Moore
The SAME EXACT thing happened to me and then TWO WEEKS LATER they demanded to see my job search log and I was almost denied benefits because I didn't have complete contact information for one of my applications!! They're setting us up to fail! Always keep meticulous records because they WILL try to deny you for any tiny mistake!!!
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Yuki Kobayashi
•This is why I tell everyone to go above and beyond with documentation. ESD is incredibly strict about those job search logs. I recommend saving confirmation emails from applications, screenshots of job postings, and notes from any conversations with employers. It saved me during my audit.
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Carmen Vega
I went through this same situation back in November. It's actually related to what's called a "claim review status change" - basically ESD periodically reviews claims and sometimes moves them to different tracking systems for administrative purposes. The online job search entry gets disabled for certain claim categories. The most important thing: THIS DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR BENEFITS as long as you're still doing the required activities and documenting them properly. One tip though - if you need to speak with an ESD agent about this or any other claim issues, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to ESD when I couldn't get past the busy signals. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 I was on hold for only 20 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through. The agent confirmed everything was fine with my claim despite the job search entry change.
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Nia Harris
•Thanks for the info and recommendation! I might try that service if I have any more issues. For now I'm relieved to hear this is normal and won't affect my payments.
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GalaxyGazer
•I've heard about Claimyr but wasn't sure if it actually worked. Good to know it helped you get through! The ESD phone system is absolutely impossible sometimes.
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QuantumQuester
wait im confused...so do u still have to do the job searches or not? and what PDF are u guys talking about? ive been on unemployment since december and nobody told me about any PDF logs??
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Aisha Mahmood
•Yes, you absolutely still need to do 3 job search activities every week, regardless of how you report them. The PDF job search log is available on the ESD website under "Forms and Publications" - look for "Job Search Log" or "UI job search documentation." You should download this and start using it immediately to record all your job search activities. This is required documentation and ESD can request it at any time. If you haven't been keeping track, I'd suggest you try to reconstruct your past job searches as best you can right away.
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QuantumQuester
•omg thank u!! i had no idea about this. ive been doing the job searches but i havent been writing them down anywhere except in the weekly claim thing. gonna download that form right now!
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GalaxyGazer
One thing to keep in mind - when this happened to me, my claim got selected for review about a month later. Make sure your PDF job search log is SUPER detailed. Include everything: full company names, website links if you applied online, contact info, position titles, application dates, follow-up actions, etc. I almost got denied because I didn't have enough details on my log.
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Andre Moreau
•This is exactly why I hate ESD so much. They change the system without warning and then penalize us when we don't magically know all their unwritten rules. My sister lost 6 weeks of benefits because of some technicality with her job search log that nobody ever explained to her.
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Yuki Kobayashi
Just to add a bit more technical information: This job search reporting change usually happens when your claim reaches a certain point in its benefit year or if your benefit type has been modified (like switching from regular UI to extended benefits, etc.). For the weekly certification, the system will still ask your job search confirmation question ("Did you make at least 3 job search contacts and/or participate in job search activities as required?") - you should answer "Yes" as long as you're actually doing them, even though you can no longer enter the details online. The safest approach is to maintain complete records in both digital and physical formats. I personally keep a spreadsheet backup of my job search log as well as the official PDF, plus I save application confirmation emails in a dedicated folder. It might seem excessive, but it's saved me more than once during reviews. Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder to complete your job search log the same day you do the activities - waiting until the end of the week makes it easier to forget important details.
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Nia Harris
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'll definitely keep comprehensive records in multiple formats. I like the calendar reminder idea too - I've been trying to remember everything on claim day which isn't ideal.
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