ESD weekly claim system not allowing me to backdate for 11/4 and 11/11 - need urgent help

You actually DO need to call even though it hasn't been 4 weeks. The online system limitations are frustrating - it only lets you file for the most recent week if you haven't been consistently filing. This is a common issue when people first get approved after their waiting week. Call the claims center early Monday morning (right when they open at 8am) to have an agent help you backdate those claims. They should be able to take your information for 11/4 and 11/11 over the phone.

THE EXACT SAME THING happened to me last month!!!!! It's such a BROKEN SYSTEM. I spent 4 days trying to call before I could get through. The automatic system kept hanging up on me saying "due to high call volume..." then CLICK. When I finally got someone they told me it was because I hadn't "established a claim pattern" yet which makes ZERO sense when they're the ones who delayed my approval for 3 weeks!!! Good luck getting through to them!!

If you can't get through to an ESD agent (which is likely), check out Claimyr.com - I used their service last month when I had almost the exact same issue with backdating weekly claims. They got me connected to an ESD agent in like 20 minutes when I had been trying for days. There's a video on how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - totally worth it since they got me through the phone queue fast and the agent fixed all my missing weeks on the spot.

hey i had same problem but for different weeks. gotta call them unfortunately. make sure u have ur work search activities for those weeks written down before u call! they asked me for all my work search details for each week i was trying to claim backdated. had to name the companies and what i did to apply and everything

This is a standard limitation in the ESD weekly claim system. Here's what you need to know: 1. For weeks older than the most recent week but less than 4 weeks old, you must call the claims center to file them 2. You'll need to provide the following to the agent: - Your full name and SSN - The specific weeks you need to backdate (11/4 and 11/11) - 3 job search activities for EACH week (employer name, contact info, how you applied, position) - Any earnings during those weeks 3. The payments will typically process on the same schedule as regular weekly claims (2-3 business days) I recommend calling right at 8:00am on Monday for the shortest wait times. If you can't get through, keep trying around 10:30am when the morning call volume sometimes decreases.

when i first started UI in 2025 i had this same problem!!! had to call and they fixed it but jeez the time i spent on hold... anyway back in january my car also broke down that same week and I couldn't even get to my interviews so the whole thing was a mess lol. but i did get all my back weeks eventually so hang in there

I'm a career coach who helps people navigate the unemployment system, and I can assure you this is completely normal for new claims. The ESD system is designed to only allow online filing for the most current week until you've established a regular filing pattern (usually 3-4 consecutive weeks). The reason is actually to prevent fraud - they want people to build a consistent claim history before allowing backdating online. For your situation: 1. You MUST provide exactly 3 job search activities per week (it's a firm requirement) 2. Each activity must be unique and include specific details 3. Have your ID.me account information ready as they may need to verify your identity 4. The agent will process those weeks while you're on the phone Payments for backdated weeks typically process within 48 hours of the agent entering them unless there are unresolved issues on your claim.

To answer your question about job search requirements: If you're on regular UI in 2025, you absolutely need 3 activities per week - they won't accept 2 activities for any reason unless you have a formal job search waiver or standby status (which it doesn't sound like you have). The agent will need to record all 3 activities for each backdated week, so have those details ready before calling.

Just want to warn you - I called ESD over 20 TIMES last month trying to get through for a similar issue. The phone system is ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. Keep trying though! Once you do get someone they can help fix it pretty quickly. Don't give up!

Quick update - after seeing a recommendation here, I tried Claimyr today for my adjudication issue with ESD and got through in about 15 mins when I'd been trying for days on my own. Just sharing in case others are struggling with the phone system too. There's a demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that shows how it works.

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning after trying for 2 hours! The agent was actually super helpful once I got through. She backdated my claims for 11/4 and 11/11 right away, and said I should see the payments in my account by Wednesday. She also explained that the system doesn't allow online backdating until you've established a "regular filing pattern" - whatever that means. For anyone else with this issue - definitely call, have your job search activities ready (they DO need all 3 for each week), and be prepared to wait on hold. Thanks everyone for your help!