ESD weekly claim job search log requirements changed - does this affect payment day?
I'm confused about a new message I got from ESD when filing my weekly claim yesterday. It said I only need to fill out and keep my job search logs (not submit them with each claim like before?). Does anyone know if this change affects which day of the week payments get deposited? I'm used to getting paid on Wednesdays, but I'm worried this new process might delay things. My rent is due next week and I really need that payment to hit my account on time. Has anyone else noticed this change or know what's going on?
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Leo McDonald
The change in job search logs doesn't affect your payment schedule at all. ESD is just switching to a system where you keep your own job search records instead of submitting them weekly, but they may still randomly audit you and request them. Your payment should still arrive on Wednesday as usual, assuming there are no other issues with your claim. This is actually a good change - less paperwork each week!
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Norah Quay
•Oh thank goodness! That's a relief to hear. So I just need to make sure I'm still doing my 3 job search activities each week and documenting them, but don't need to upload anything? Do you happen to know how long we need to keep these records for?
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Jessica Nolan
ya i got that notice 2. its been like that for a few months for me tho? maybe ur on a different type of claim or somethin. my payments always come same day no matter what
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Norah Quay
•Thanks for the info! Maybe I just never noticed the change until now. Good to hear your payments haven't been affected.
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Angelina Farar
I panicked when I saw that notice too! But I've still been getting paid on the same schedule. Just make sure you're actually doing the job search activities even if you don't have to report them every week. I have a friend who got randomly audited and had to produce 6 weeks of job search logs with no warning. She almost got disqualified because she wasn't keeping good records! The ESD website says to keep your logs for at least a year after your benefit year ends.
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Norah Quay
•Yikes, that's scary about your friend! I'll definitely keep detailed records. I've been using the WorkSource workshop events as some of my activities - do you know if those automatically get reported to ESD or do I still need to log those myself?
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Angelina Farar
•You should still log WorkSource activities yourself. They might show up in the system, but don't count on it. Better safe than sorry! I take screenshots of my confirmation emails and workshop certificates just in case.
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Sebastián Stevens
ESD IS JUST TRYING TO CATCH PEOPLE NOT DOING THEIR JOB SEARCHES!!! This is a TRAP so they can audit you later and deny benefits when they feel like it. I've been through this before. KEEP DETAILED RECORDS OF EVERYTHING including screenshots and confirmation emails. Don't trust them!!!
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Bethany Groves
•While it's definitely important to keep thorough records, this policy change is actually consistent with how many other states handle job search verification. It's not designed as a trap - it's meant to streamline the weekly filing process while still maintaining accountability through random audits. Always keep documentation, but there's no need to assume malicious intent behind this policy update.
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KingKongZilla
If you're having trouble getting clear answers from ESD about any of this, I had a great experience using Claimyr to get through to an actual ESD agent on the phone. The waiting on hold for hours was making me lose my mind, but with Claimyr I got through in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I spoke with confirmed that payment schedules don't change with the new job search log requirements. But she did say they're doing more random audits now, so keep those records organized!
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Norah Quay
•Thanks for the suggestion! I might try that service if I have more questions. The ESD phone system is basically impossible to get through otherwise.
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Jessica Nolan
•does that actually work? ive tried calling esd like 50 times and never got thru
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Rebecca Johnston
This reminds me of when I was on unemployment back in 2023 and they switched systems mid-year. I kept getting letters saying I needed to do different things for job search and I was so confused. Then suddenly they wanted all my logs for the past 8 weeks and I hadn't been keeping them properly! Had to appeal and everything. Such a headache. My sister-in-law works for WorkSource and she says always keep WAY more documentation than you think you need.
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Leo McDonald
•This is good advice. For job search logs, I recommend keeping: 1) screenshots of job applications, 2) confirmation emails, 3) names and contact info of anyone you spoke with, and 4) detailed notes about any interviews or follow-ups. The ESD website has a template you can download that shows exactly what information they expect to see.
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Bethany Groves
To clarify for everyone in this thread: 1. The change regarding job search logs is that you no longer need to submit detailed information each week, but you MUST maintain records of your activities. 2. Payment schedules remain the same - this administrative change doesn't affect when funds are deposited. 3. You still must perform and document 3 qualifying job search activities each week. 4. ESD can request your job search logs at any time for up to a year after your benefit year ends. 5. If audited and unable to provide documentation, you may be disqualified and required to repay benefits. This change was implemented to streamline the weekly filing process, but the underlying requirements remain the same.
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Norah Quay
•Thank you for laying it all out so clearly! This is exactly what I needed to know. I'll make sure to keep detailed records even though I don't have to submit them weekly.
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