ESD weekly claim timing - when to file after initial UI application?
Just got laid off and applied for unemployment on Tuesday (last day was Jan 15th). I've already completed 3 job search activities and recorded them on the PDF log form. My question is about the timing of the weekly claim - I don't see any alerts in my ESD account telling me to file yet. Are we supposed to file the weekly claim on Sunday for the week that just ended? This is my first time on unemployment and I'm worried about messing up the timing and losing benefits. Also, do I need to wait for some kind of approval on my initial application before filing the weekly claim?
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Demi Hall
Yes, you file your weekly claim starting on Sunday for the week that just ended (Sunday through Saturday). So this coming Sunday you'll file for this current week. Don't wait for approval of your initial application - you should file your weekly claims even while your application is being processed. If you wait, you might lose benefits for those weeks. The initial application process can take 2-3 weeks before you're approved, but those weekly claims you file during the waiting period will be paid retroactively if you're approved (assuming you meet all eligibility requirements).
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•Thank you so much! So I can start filing this Sunday even though I haven't gotten any notification yet? I don't want to do anything wrong that might delay my benefits.
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Mateusius Townsend
make sure u keep doing those job serches every week!! they need 3 per week now and if u miss even 1 week they can deny ur benefits for that week its dumb but thats how it is
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•Thanks for the reminder! I've got 3 done already for this week and I'm keeping detailed notes about who I contacted and when.
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Kara Yoshida
Just to clarify what others have said - the ESD week runs Sunday through Saturday. You file your weekly claim AFTER the week is over, starting on Sunday. So you'll be filing for the previous week. For example, if today is Thursday, January 19th, 2025, you would wait until Sunday, January 22nd to file your claim for the week of January 12th-18th. You need to file your weekly claims even if your application is still pending. If you don't file for a week, you generally can't go back and claim it later unless you have a very good reason. Also, when you file your first weekly claim, the system will automatically put you on a one-week waiting period (unpaid) before benefits start. This is normal and happens to everyone.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•This is super helpful, especially the part about the waiting week. I had no idea about that! So basically my first week won't be paid but I still need to file it?
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Philip Cowan
Had this exact problem last month!! The ESD website is sooo confusing. You won't see the option to file weekly claims until your first eligible filing day (Sunday). Then suddenly the option appears like magic lol. And yes file every week even while waiting for approval!
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•Oh thank you! I was freaking out because I couldn't find the option anywhere on the dashboard. Good to know it'll just appear on Sunday.
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Caesar Grant
I HATE how ESD never explains ANY of this clearly when you apply!!! They just expect everyone to somehow know all their stupid rules and timelines. Then they penalize you when you make a mistake. The whole system is designed to trip people up. I lost two weeks of benefits because nobody told me I needed to file weekly claims while my application was still pending. Total BS.
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Lena Schultz
•Same here. The ESD website is so poorly designed. When I was filing last year, I found that calling ESD directly was the only way to get clear answers, but it's almost impossible to get through on their phone lines. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent within 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It really helped me sort out all the confusion with my weekly claims and waiting week.
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Gemma Andrews
Just one more tip about the job search activities - make sure you're doing the right KIND of activities. Not everything counts! Applying for jobs directly counts, but also attending WorkSource workshops, having informational interviews, and creating profiles on job sites. But just browsing job listings doesn't count as an activity. There's a list of approved activities on the ESD website.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•Oh wow I didn't realize creating profiles counts as an activity! That's good to know. I've been doing direct applications so far but it's good to have other options.
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Mateusius Townsend
if u miss filing on sunday u can still do it later in the week i think until saturday but dont wait cuz if u forget its just gone money
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Demi Hall
•That's correct. You can file your weekly claim any time from Sunday through Saturday of the following week. However, if you want to receive your payment as quickly as possible, it's best to file on Sunday or Monday. And if you miss the Saturday deadline, you may still be able to backdate it if you have good cause (illness, technical issues, etc.), but you'd need to contact ESD directly to explain the situation.
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Philip Cowan
when I got laid off in November I thought standby meant I didn't have to do job search but that was wrong!! had to appeal and it was such a mess. make sure you understand all the requirements
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Kara Yoshida
•This is a common misunderstanding. "Standby" status is something your employer has to specifically request for you, and it only applies in certain situations like seasonal work or temporary layoffs where you're expected to return to your job. Even then, standby status only lasts for a limited time before regular job search requirements kick in. Always check your specific requirements in your ESD account.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'll definitely file my weekly claim this Sunday and keep doing my job search activities. I just wish ESD made all this clearer when you first apply. I've set a reminder on my phone for Sunday so I don't forget to file. One more question - how long does it typically take to get the first payment after the waiting week?
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Demi Hall
•After your waiting week and assuming your application is approved without any issues, you'll typically see your first payment within 2-3 business days after filing your weekly claim if you have direct deposit set up. If you're getting the ESD debit card, it can take 7-10 days for the first card to arrive in the mail. Any subsequent payments to the card are usually available within 2 business days after you file your weekly claim. Just be prepared that if your claim gets flagged for any reason (identity verification, job separation issues, etc.), it could go into adjudication which can delay payments significantly. That's why it's important to respond to any ESD requests for information right away.
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