ESD waiting week confusion - do I need job searches when I worked 40 hours before layoff?

For your waiting week, you need to report that you worked 40 hours and earned whatever wages you did. For the job search question, select 'No' - you did not search for work. You'll need to provide a valid reason, which in your case is that you were fully employed that week. The system will ask you to select a reason, choose the option that indicates you were employed full-time. Since you just became unemployed on Thursday, you weren't required to look for work during that week. Job search requirements only apply to full weeks when you're unemployed. Just make sure to start your job search activities this current week!

i had the same prob when i got laid off last month. just put NO for job search and pick the reason "I was still working full time" from the dropdown. ESD knows u dont need to job search when ur still working! dont worry about the waiting week, it sucks u dont get paid but at least u dont need to do all the job search stuff that week.

CAREFUL! When I did my waiting week after being laid off, I said NO to job search and got denied!! Had to appeal and wait 6 weeks for my money! The job search rules are confusing and ESD is TERRIBLE at explaining them. My advice is call and talk to an actual person before you submit anything!!!!!

Here's the official answer: For any week you work 40 hours (full-time), you are not required to conduct job searches regardless of when the layoff occurred. In your specific situation: 1. Select 'NO' when asked if you searched for work 2. When prompted, select the reason 'I was working full-time' 3. Report your hours (40) and earnings accurately The waiting week functions as a normal claim week in terms of reporting, but you won't receive benefits for it. Starting with your second claim week, you'll need to perform and document at least 3 job search activities each week unless you qualify for an exemption. Keep in mind that for future weeks, if you work part-time (less than 40 hours), you still need to complete job search activities even if you're earning too much to receive benefits for that week.

wait im confused. i thought the waiting week was the first week after u apply? so if u applied on friday, isnt the waiting week this current week not last week? or am i misunderstanding something

I just went through this exact scenario in March 2025. The key thing to remember is that ESD considers a week as Sunday through Saturday. You file for the PREVIOUS week each time you submit a weekly claim. So when you file today (Sunday), you're reporting on the week that just ended (when you worked 40 hours). Just be honest - tell them you worked 40 hours, select NO for job search, and pick the full-time work option. Then for NEXT week's claim, you'll need to do your 3 job searches since you'll be fully unemployed. Also, don't forget to register with WorkSource within a week of applying! That caught me off guard.

Just wanted to add that it's totally normal to feel confused about this - the ESD system can be really overwhelming when you're dealing with it for the first time! You've gotten great advice here. One thing that helped me when I was laid off was keeping a simple spreadsheet to track my weekly claims and job search activities once I started doing them. It makes it so much easier when you're filing each week to remember what you did. Also, save all your job application confirmations/emails - ESD can ask for proof of your job search activities during audits. Good luck with your claim and job search!

One more tip that really helped me when I was navigating my first unemployment claim - make sure you understand the difference between "able and available" requirements too. Even during weeks when you don't need to do job searches (like your waiting week when you worked full-time), you still need to be physically and mentally able to work and available to accept suitable employment if offered. This becomes more relevant in future weeks, but it's good to understand early on. The ESD handbook on their website has a good breakdown of all these requirements. Also, if you have any union affiliations or are expecting callback from your employer, make sure to report that accurately as it can affect your claim status. You're asking all the right questions though - being proactive about understanding the process will save you headaches down the road!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The advice you've gotten here is spot on - definitely select 'No' for job search and choose the full-time employment reason. I was also really nervous about messing up my first claim, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you understand the logic. The system is designed to recognize that people who are working full-time that week don't need to be searching for jobs. One thing I wish someone had told me early on is to take screenshots of your weekly claim submissions - it helps if you ever need to reference what you reported. Also, once you start doing job searches next week, the WorkSource website has some good tools for tracking applications that integrate well with ESD's requirements. You've got this!

Hey there! I just went through my first unemployment filing experience last month and had the exact same confusion about the waiting week job search requirements. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - definitely select 'No' for job search and choose the full-time employment reason since you worked 40 hours that week. Just want to add that I found it really helpful to call the ESD customer service line early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) when they open - the wait times are usually shorter then if you do need to speak with someone. Also, make sure to keep your confirmation numbers from each weekly claim filing. The system will email you a confirmation, but I screenshot those too just to be safe. The hardest part is really just that first claim - once you get the rhythm down, the weekly filings become pretty routine. You're being smart by asking questions upfront rather than guessing. Good luck with your job search starting this week!