Retroactive money from employer ($600) - how to report to ESD without affecting my benefits?

yep this happened 2 me last summer. u DEFINITELY need 2 report it when u do ur weekly claim. there's a question about if u got any money from an employer. BUT the good news is that since its back pay for work u already did, it shouldnt affect ur benefits for current week. at least thats what happend for me.

Thanks! That's a relief to hear. So I should just report it for the week I actually receive the check, right? Did you have to call ESD to explain or just report it on your weekly claim?

You need to report this payment in the week you RECEIVE it, not when you earned it (this is important). When filing your weekly claim, there's a specific question about receiving payment from former employers. Make sure to answer \

Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'll make sure to report it correctly and add that explanation in the comments section. Should I keep a copy of any documentation from my employer explaining this is back pay, just in case?

When I had a similar situation with about $800 in backpay last year, I reported it but ESD still temporarily suspended my benefits while they \

Oh no, that sounds like exactly what I'm afraid of! I can't afford to go 3 weeks without benefits. I'll check out that service if I run into problems after reporting. Did you have to provide any documentation to prove it was backpay?

DONT STRESS!! this is actually really common. the key is making sure ESD understands its not NEW work. just put in the comments when you report it that its

This isn't entirely accurate. ESD does sometimes place claims under review when they see large payments reported from former employers. While it should be fine if properly explained, there's no guarantee they won't temporarily pause benefits for verification. Always be prepared for that possibility.

In my experience working with unemployment claims, this situation needs to be handled carefully. Here's exactly what to do:\n\n1. When you receive the $600, report it on your weekly claim for THAT week\n2. In the \

Thanks for the detailed steps! I'll definitely follow this advice and make sure to get something in writing from my employer explaining the payment. Really appreciate the help!

This totally happened to me too!!! So the thing is, ESD gets really confused about unexpected income lol. They put my claim on hold for TWO MONTHS because I got a $400 correction payment and didn't explain it properly. I just checked the box saying I received money but didn't explain it was backpay in the comments. HUGE mistake!! Make sure you write a really clear explanation!!

Yikes, two months?! That's terrifying. Did you have any luck calling them to resolve it faster, or did you just have to wait it out?

One additional recommendation - when you receive the payment, take a photo of any documentation that comes with it showing it's a correction payment. If your employer doesn't include an explanation note with the check, email them asking for written confirmation that this is payment for previously worked hours before your separation date. Having this documentation ready will save you time if ESD requests verification.\n\nAlso, in my experience, payments coded as \

Great advice! I'll definitely email my former employer and ask them to specifically note that this is a correction payment for work done before my separation date. Better to be prepared than sorry!

I handle payroll for a medium-sized company, and we occasionally have to issue correction payments like this. From the employer side, we typically code these as \

my company just sent a regular check with NOTHING on it explaining what it was for!! so annoying. i had to call HR like 3 times to get them to email me something saying it was back pay!!