Exhausted benefits but ESD system still allows weekly filing - what's going on?

This is actually normal! The ESD system allows you to continue filing even after your benefits are exhausted. This is designed for a few reasons: 1. Some people qualify for extensions that get added automatically when regular UI runs out 2. If new emergency benefits get approved (like during COVID), they can activate them quickly 3. It maintains your claim as "active" in case your situation changes again If you truly exhausted your benefits (both your benefit year ended AND your balance is $0), then any new weekly claims would process but show as $0 payment. You did the right thing by stopping claims once you started working!

same thing happend to me last year. system let me file for like 2 months after my benefits ran out lol. but i never got any $$. just said $0.00 paid each week

There's actually a technical reason for this. The ESD system separates two different status checks: 1. Your ELIGIBILITY to file (which is based on your claim year being active) 2. Your MONETARY eligibility (whether there's money in your account) You can be eligible to file but not monetarily eligible for payment. It's also why the system has you continue doing job search activities even when your account shows $0 - you're maintaining your claim status in case something changes (like a new extension gets approved or an adjustment gets made). Since you've found work, make sure you report your return to work date when you stop filing. This prevents any confusion if they ever audit your claim.

I think the ESD system is just broken half the time. When I was on unemployment in 2022 it would randomly let me file some weeks and then lock me out other weeks saying I wasn't eligible anymore. Then I'd call and they'd say it was a glitch and fix it. Their whole system needs to be replaced!!

I've been in this EXACT situation 3 times now! The system lets you file even after benefits run out because: 1) Sometimes retroactive extensions happen 2) They might determine you were underpaid previously 3) ESD does periodical recalculations of benefits Did you get any notifications about your claim ending? They usually send something official when your benefit year ends. The key thing to look at is both your BALANCE and your BENEFIT YEAR END date. If both are exhausted, then any claims filed are essentially placeholders that would only pay if something changed with your eligibility. Congrats on the new job! Make sure you do a final claim indicating your return to work so your account gets properly closed out.

When I had trouble figuring this out a few months ago, I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at ESD. Seriously thought I was going insane hitting redial. Finally used this service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes (claimyr.com). They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent told me the system allows filing after exhaustion because sometimes retroactive benefits get approved, and if you haven't been filing, you can't claim them later. So it's like a just-in-case thing. But yeah, if you're working now it doesn't matter anyway.

One important thing nobody mentioned - if you've exhausted regular UI but still have an active benefit year, you might want to call and check if you qualify for Training Benefits or other ESD programs. People assume once regular UI is gone, that's it, but there are sometimes other programs you might qualify for depending on your situation. But since you've found work, congrats! That's the best outcome anyway!