Reopened ESD claim today - Will I still face 6-week wait for first payment?
Feeling a bit panicky about finances right now. I just reopened my unemployment claim today after my seasonal construction job ended again (happens every winter). Started filing my weekly claim right after reopening, but now I'm wondering - do I seriously have to wait another 6 weeks for my first payment to come through? Last time I filed a brand new claim it took forever, but this is a reopened claim. Does anyone know if reopened claims still have that long waiting period or if they process faster? I've got bills coming due and really need to know what to expect. The ESD website isn't clear about this specific situation.
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Demi Lagos
i reopend mine last month and got paid after just 1 week, but my friend had to wait like 3 weeks. think it depends on your situation and if theres any flags on ur account
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•That's a relief to hear it might not be the full 6 weeks! Did you have to do anything special to get it processed faster?
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Mason Lopez
Reopened claims generally process much faster than new claims, assuming there aren't any issues that trigger adjudication. The standard one-week waiting period still applies (where you file but don't get paid for the first week), but you shouldn't have to wait 6 weeks unless there's a problem with your claim. Make sure: 1. You've verified your identity in the system 2. Your work history is up-to-date 3. You've properly reported your job separation reason 4. You're completing all job search requirements (3 activities per week) If everything is in order, you should receive your first payment about 7-10 days after filing your first weekly claim (after the waiting week).
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•Thank you so much for the detailed info! That's a huge relief. I did verify my identity last time, and I've documented everything about the seasonal layoff. I'll make sure to keep up with the job search activities too.
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Vera Visnjic
THEY'RE LYING TO YOU!! ESD took almost TWO MONTHS to process my reopened claim last year because they claimed they needed to "verify my identity" AGAIN even though I'd already done it!!! Then they retroactively denied weeks because I "didn't do enough job searches" even though nobody told me I needed to while waiting!! THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!
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Mason Lopez
•While delays can happen, this isn't typical for most reopened claims. Identity verification issues usually only come up if there's been a long gap between claims or if something triggered their fraud detection. And job search requirements apply from week one, even if your claim is pending - that information is in the claimant handbook.
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Jake Sinclair
The 6-week timeline is typically for brand new claims that require extensive processing and verification. For reopened claims, as long as you're within the same benefit year and there are no issues requiring adjudication, payment is usually much quicker. One important note: You still have the one-week waiting period (where you file but don't get paid for that week). So your first payable week would be your second claimed week. If you reopened today and filed for this week, next week would be your waiting week, and the following week would be your first payable week (arriving 2-3 business days after filing). If you're worried about how long it's taking or need to speak with someone at ESD about your specific situation, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an ESD agent usually within an hour instead of spending days trying to get through. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Saved me a ton of stress when I had questions about my benefit amount calculations.
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•Thanks for explaining the waiting week - I totally forgot about that part! If I don't see any movement on my claim in the next week, I'll definitely check out that service. Spending days on the phone isn't an option with my schedule.
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Brielle Johnson
my cousin just went thru this last month. his first payment came in like 10 days after he reopened. but he had everything perfect on his application with no issues. i think if your account has any red flags or whatever they call them then it takes way longer
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Honorah King
•This is correct - the initial processing time varies significantly based on individual claim circumstances. 'Red flags' are officially called 'issues requiring adjudication' and can include things like: unusual separation circumstances, working for a federal employer, identity verification needs, or reported earnings during claimed weeks. Each of these can extend processing time beyond the standard timeline.
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Oliver Brown
Wait I'm confused, don't you have to do 3 job searches every week even though it's just seasonal? Like won't they expect you to find a new job instead of just waiting for construction to start again? I thought that was how it worked...
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Honorah King
•There's an important distinction here. Standard unemployment requires 3 job search activities weekly. However, for truly seasonal workers with a definite return date within 4 weeks, they may qualify for 'standby' status, which can waive job search requirements. For longer seasonal gaps (4-8 weeks), partial job search requirements may apply. Beyond 8 weeks, full job search requirements almost always apply unless there are exceptional circumstances approved by ESD.
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Demi Lagos
hey just checking did u get paid yet? im in kinda the same boat right now and wondering how long its taking people
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•Yes! I got my first payment yesterday - took exactly 9 days from when I reopened the claim. Had to wait through the waiting week, then got paid for my second week. Everything went smoothly, thank goodness!
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