New ESD claim with standby request - realistic approval timeline?
I just submitted my first UI claim today through the ESD website. My company is doing temporary layoffs and my manager said they'll be requesting standby status for me so I can get the full 8 weeks. I've never been through this process before and I'm trying to budget for the next month. Does anyone know approximately how long it takes for ESD to approve a new claim when both the employee and employer are requesting standby? Are there any extra steps I need to take while waiting for approval? I've heard horror stories about claims taking months, but hoping standby requests move faster. Thanks for any insights!
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Marcus Williams
standby usually gets processed faster but nothing is fast with esd lol. took me 3 weeks to get approved last summer even with standby request. make sure u still file ur weekly claims while waiting!!!
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Jessica Suarez
•3 weeks?? Ugh, that's longer than I was hoping. My savings can cover about 2 weeks of expenses. Did you have to call them or did it just automatically process after 3 weeks?
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Lily Young
The approval timeline can vary significantly, but standby requests generally receive priority processing. Under optimal conditions, you might see approval in 7-10 business days, but current processing times are running closer to 2-3 weeks for straightforward claims. While waiting for approval: 1. File your weekly claims on time regardless of pending status 2. Check your ESD account alerts/messages daily 3. Make sure your employer actually submits their standby request (follow up with HR) 4. Keep documentation of your layoff (emails, termination letter) 5. Be prepared to answer any identity verification questions quickly If your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, the timeline can extend significantly. The 8-week standby period won't start until your claim is approved, but you should qualify for back payments to your initial filing date if approved.
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Jessica Suarez
•Thank you for the detailed response! I'll definitely follow up with HR to make sure they submit their part of the standby request. Do you know if there's any way to see in my ESD account whether they've submitted it yet?
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Kennedy Morrison
Unfortunately, ESD's system doesn't show you if your employer has submitted their standby request. You'll need to confirm directly with your employer. One important note: if your application gets flagged for identity verification or has any discrepancies with your work history, it will go into adjudication which can add several weeks to the process. Make sure all your information matches exactly what your employer will report.
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Wesley Hallow
•this is why the whole system is a JOKE!! they dont even let you see if your employer did their part but then they blame YOU if something isnt right. my claim was stuck for 6 WEEKS because my employer listed me as "laid off" but i put "temporary layoff" and nobody bothered to tell me until i finally got through to someone.
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Justin Chang
I went through this exact thing back in november! Applied for unemployment with standby, my boss submitted his part on the same day, and my claim was approved in exactly 12 days. Then it took another week before the first payment hit my account. So about 3 weeks total from application to money in my account. But i think i got lucky because my coworker who applied the same day waited almost 5 weeks!
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Grace Thomas
•The inconsistency in processing times is actually by design. ESD uses what they call "selective processing" where they randomly select a percentage of claims for enhanced verification. It's meant to prevent fraud but ends up creating widely variable experiences. Some claims sail through in 10 days while others with identical circumstances take 6+ weeks. It's extremely frustrating but impossible to predict which track your claim will follow.
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Hunter Brighton
Getting through to ESD by phone is practically impossible these days. I tried calling for TWO WEEKS straight when my claim had issues and could never get past the automated system. If your claim gets stuck for any reason, try using Claimyr.com - it got me connected to an ESD agent in about 30 minutes after weeks of trying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent was able to fix my standby issue right away once I actually got through to a human. Might be worth keeping in your back pocket if your claim gets delayed.
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Jessica Suarez
•Thanks for the tip! I'll bookmark that site in case I need it. Really hoping my claim goes through smoothly, but it's good to have options if I hit roadblocks.
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Wesley Hallow
dont forget that standby is DIFFERENT from regular unemployment!! with standby u dont have to do job searches but u still have to be able and available to work. if ur employer didnt do their part right or u answer anything wrong on the weekly claim it can mess everything up. my friend got denied because she said she wasnt available to work on one day when she was actually just at a doctors appointment. the whole system is designed to deny people!!!!
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Lily Young
•This is partially correct but needs clarification. With approved standby status, you're exempt from job search requirements but must be able and available for work except for occasional, temporary circumstances. A single doctor's appointment shouldn't disqualify someone - there was likely additional context to your friend's situation. The standby status should be visible in your account once approved. The weekly claim questions remain the same, but ESD evaluates them differently for standby claimants. If you have approved standby, you should answer that you're able and available for work unless you're completely unavailable for multiple days.
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Marcus Williams
make sure u check ur esd account spam folder too!!!! they sent me important messages that went to spam and i almost missed my deadline to respond
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Jessica Suarez
Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I've talked to my HR department and confirmed they submitted the standby request yesterday. I've set up my ESD account to get text alerts and checked that my contact info is all correct. Now I guess I just wait and keep filing those weekly claims. Fingers crossed it moves on the faster end of the timeline!
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Lily Young
•Sounds like you're doing everything right. One last tip: take screenshots of your weekly claim confirmations. The ESD system sometimes fails to record submissions correctly, and having those screenshots has saved many people from losing benefits during appeals.
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