Missed filing my weekly ESD claim - what are my options now?
I completely messed up and forgot to file my weekly claim last Sunday. I've been on unemployment for about 3 months and haven't missed a week until now. I was dealing with a family emergency and it completely slipped my mind until today. The ESD website says something about 'reopening' a claim if you miss a week, but I'm confused about what that means. Do I lose benefits for the missed week? Will this affect my remaining benefit amount? Has anyone dealt with this before and know the process? I've tried calling but, of course, the wait times are insane.
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Brooklyn Foley
You need to reopen your claim ASAP! The same thing happened to me back in February. You'll lose the week you missed, unfortunately. There's no way to backdate a missed week after the deadline. Go to your eServices account, click on the 'Restart your claim' button (should be on the main page after you log in), and follow the steps. It'll ask similar questions to when you first applied. You should be able to claim again starting next week.
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Elijah Knight
•Thank you! I didn't realize I'd lose the whole week...that's over $750 down the drain. Ugh. So after I reopen, will I be able to claim next Sunday like normal? Or is there a waiting week again?
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Jay Lincoln
dont worry to much about it. jus do the reopn thing on ur account. i did it 2x last year and it was fine, no waiting week when u reopen
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Jessica Suarez
•This is incorrect. Whether you serve a waiting week depends on how long it's been since your last claim. If it's just one missed week, then you typically don't need to serve another waiting week. But if it's been more than 4 weeks since your last claim, ESD might require you to serve a new waiting week. The reopening process is straightforward, but please be aware that your claim effective date will be the Sunday of the week you reopen, not the missed week.
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Marcus Williams
I recommend reopening your claim immediately. Here's the exact process: 1. Log into your eServices account 2. Select "Restart your claim" option 3. Complete all questions (similar to initial application) 4. Submit and wait for confirmation Important things to know: - You cannot claim benefits for the week you missed - Your claim will be effective the Sunday of the week you reopen - This doesn't affect your total benefit amount or benefit year end date - You don't need to serve another waiting week if it's just one missed week - Make sure your job search activities are up to date If you have any issues with the online system, you'll need to speak with an ESD representative directly.
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Elijah Knight
•Thank you for the detailed steps! I'm reopening now. The system is asking about my work search activities for the missed week - should I still enter those even though I can't claim benefits for that week?
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Lily Young
Everyone keeps saying to reopen online but that DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK!!! I missed a week in March and the system kept giving me errors when I tried to reopen online. Spent THREE DAYS trying to get through on the phone before giving up. Lost a whole week of benefits because no one would help me!!! ESD is the WORST!!
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Kennedy Morrison
•I had the same issue with the online system when trying to reopen my claim last month. After struggling for days to reach someone at ESD, I finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) and was connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent was able to reopen my claim over the phone and got me back on track for the following week. Saved me a ton of frustration.
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Kennedy Morrison
Yes, it definitely works. They basically navigate ESD's phone system and get you in the callback queue. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for days on my own. Got a callback from an actual ESD agent who helped reopen my claim.
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Elijah Knight
•Thanks for the tip! I'm trying the online reopening first, but if I run into issues I'll check out that service. Currently stuck on a verification page that keeps timing out... typical ESD technology problems.
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Wesley Hallow
my cousin forgot to file for like 3 weeks and he said when he reopened they made him do the waiting week again AND they asked him a bunch of questions about why he wasn't filing. said they were super suspicious about it. he had to do a phone interview with a adjudicator or whatever they're called
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Marcus Williams
•That's because he missed 3 consecutive weeks. ESD has different rules for 1 missed week versus multiple missed weeks. If you miss 4+ consecutive weeks, they typically treat it as a new claim and require a waiting week. They may also conduct fact-finding to determine why you stopped claiming, especially if they suspect you may have been working or otherwise ineligible during that time.
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Jessica Suarez
One important thing nobody has mentioned: make sure you keep doing your job search activities even for the week you missed filing. While you won't get paid for that week, ESD can still audit your job search records for any week you were eligible, even if you didn't claim. Also, set a weekly reminder on your phone for filing your claim - I do mine every Sunday at 10am without fail. The ESD system actually has a reminder option in your settings that will email you weekly.
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Elijah Knight
•Great advice about setting reminders! I definitely learned my lesson. I've been taking screenshots of my job applications too just in case there's ever an audit. I just completed the reopening process online and it says my claim will be effective this coming Sunday, so I think I'm back on track. Thanks everyone for the help!
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