Medical standby extension for broken leg - will my ESD claim continue?
I've been on medical standby with ESD for the past 8 weeks due to a compound fracture in my left tibia (work accident). My initial standby approval was for 12 weeks total, but recovery is taking longer than expected. My orthopedist said he'd support an extension 'if I don't have any hours left' - but I'm confused what this means for my unemployment claim. Do I need to file something special with ESD before my 12 weeks are up? Will my benefits completely stop if the extension isn't approved in time? I'm still in a walking boot and can't return to my construction job yet. Really worried about paying rent next month if there's a gap in payments.
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Miles Hammonds
You need to submit a new medical certification form for the extension before your current standby period expires. 'If I don't have any hours left' probably means your doctor is referring to the remaining weeks on your standby status. For medical standby extensions, ESD can approve up to 12 additional weeks if your doctor certifies you're still unable to work but expected to return to your regular job. Log into your eServices account, go to your claim details, and there should be an option to request a standby extension. Upload the new medical certification signed by your doctor with the updated return-to-work date.
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Isla Fischer
•Thank you!! That makes so much more sense now. I was thinking he meant something about sick leave hours with my employer. I'll download the form today and get it to my doctor at my appointment on Thursday. Do you know how long ESD usually takes to approve these extensions? My current standby period ends in 4 weeks.
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Ruby Blake
i had this same issue last year when i broke my wrist... extension process was actually pretty easy but MAKE SURE ur doctor writes that you CANNOT work at ANY job not just your normal job. My first try got denied becuase my doc only said i couldnt do my warehouse job but didnt specify i couldnt do ANY job and i had to resubmit everything
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Isla Fischer
•That's super helpful to know, thank you! I would have totally missed that detail. I'll make sure the doctor specifically states I can't work ANY job during recovery, not just my construction position.
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Micah Franklin
Just to add some important info: when you're requesting a medical standby extension, you need to continue filing your weekly claims without interruption, even if your current standby period expires before the extension is approved. If you stop filing weekly claims, your claim will become inactive and you'll have to restart the entire process. Also, make sure your doctor includes a specific expected return-to-work date on the certification form - it can't be open-ended or 'unknown at this time.
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Isla Fischer
•Thank you for this advice! I definitely would have panicked if there was a gap between my current standby expiring and the extension being approved. I'll make sure to keep filing every week without fail. And I'll make sure my doctor puts a specific return date, even if it might need to be adjusted later.
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Ella Harper
Watch out, they might make you do job searches while waiting for extension approval. happened to me and it was a HUGE pain
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Miles Hammonds
•That shouldn't happen if you submit the extension request at least 2 weeks before your current standby period expires. The system should automatically maintain your standby status until they make a decision on the extension. But you're right that if there's any gap or if the system doesn't update correctly, you could temporarily be required to do job searches.
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PrinceJoe
I had such a hard time getting through to ESD when I needed to extend my medical standby last month! I kept calling for days and either got disconnected or was told the wait was 4+ hours. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent I got was super helpful and walked me through exactly what I needed to do for the extension. Saved me so much stress when I was already dealing with medical issues.
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Isla Fischer
•I've never heard of this service before! Thanks for sharing - I might need this if I run into any issues with the extension. The ESD phone system is absolutely maddening.
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Brooklyn Knight
Make sure your actual employer knows about the extension too! My sister had her standby extension approved by ESD but her employer had already filled her position because they weren't notified properly. Created a whole mess with her claim later on.
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Isla Fischer
•Oh wow, I hadn't even thought about that aspect. I'll definitely give my supervisor a heads-up about the extension. I already told them recovery was taking longer than expected, but I should probably be more specific about the timeframe. Thanks!
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Owen Devar
THEY DENIED MY EXTENSION FOR NO REASON AT ALL!!!!! Had all the right paperwork and everything and still got screwed over. Now they want me to pay back $2300!!! The whole system is RIGGED against injured workers!!!!!
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Micah Franklin
•That sounds frustrating, but there's usually a specific reason for denials. Did you appeal the decision? You have the right to appeal within 30 days, and many denied extensions get approved on appeal if you provide additional documentation. Also, were you on regular UI with medical standby or on a worker's comp claim? They're handled very differently.
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Isla Fischer
Update: I talked to my doctor and he's filling out the certification form tomorrow. He's specifying that I cannot work ANY job until at least February 15th due to my mobility limitations and pain management needs. I also talked to my employer, and they're holding my position for me (thankfully). Thanks everyone for the advice - I'll keep filing my weekly claims without interruption while waiting for the extension approval.
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Miles Hammonds
•Great update! Sounds like you're taking all the right steps. Remember to upload the form as soon as you get it back from your doctor. Keep us posted on how it goes!
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