Is there a deadline to file for ESD unemployment after being laid off?

You should file your claim as soon as possible! ESD can only backdate claims up to one week prior to the week you file, so you're potentially losing money by waiting. Each week you delay is a week of benefits you might not be able to recover. You can still file now even if you're planning to travel. When you do your weekly claim during your trip, you'll need to answer truthfully that you weren't available for work during those days, which might affect that specific week's benefits, but at least your claim will be established and processing. This is much better than delaying your entire claim.

same thing happened 2 me! i waited like a month b4 filing and lost out on like 2k$$ cuz they only backdated 1 week!! dont make my mistake lol

To add some additional information to what others have said: 1. You should file immediately - ESD can only backdate your claim up to one week 2. When you file, your claim actually starts the following Sunday 3. During your trip, you'll need to still complete your weekly claim and report that you were not able and available for work on the days you were out of state 4. For those specific days, you won't receive benefits, but your claim will remain active 5. Once you return, you'll be eligible for full benefits again assuming you meet all other requirements Also, make sure you're prepared to complete the job search requirements (3 job search activities per week) once you return from your trip.

It's not about traveling per se - it's about being able and available for work each day you claim benefits. If you're out of state helping family and couldn't accept a job offer that day, you're supposed to report that you weren't available. Short trips where you could still interview remotely or accept a job offer are different. The key is honesty about your ability to start work each day you claim benefits.

I had SUCH a nightmare with ESD last year when I needed to contact them about backdating issues. Spent HOURS trying to get through on the phone and kept getting disconnected. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 15 minutes. They have this demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Not sure if you'll need to call ESD, but if you do and can't get through, it saved me so much frustration. The agent was able to fix my claim over the phone.

It's actually legit - I used it when my claim got stuck in adjudication hell for 2 months. They don't call FOR you - they just get you in the phone queue faster. Still had to talk to ESD myself. Totally worth it compared to calling 50+ times a day for weeks.

EVERYONE here is forgetting the most IMPORTANT part!!!! Even if you file late, you can request a BACKDATING EXCEPTION due to "good cause"! ESD policy allows them to backdate more than one week in certain circumstances. Being confused about the filing process could count. YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR THIS SPECIFICALLY when you talk to them! Don't just accept that you've lost money!!!!

Update: I filed my claim today! The process was pretty straightforward. I explained my situation about the upcoming trip in the comments section, though I'm not sure if anyone reads those. I'll make sure to report that I'm unavailable during my travel days when I file my weekly claim. Thanks everyone for pushing me to file immediately rather than waiting. Even if I lose a couple of weeks of benefits, that's better than losing all three weeks plus the coming week. Lesson learned about not delaying with ESD!