Standby status and job search requirements during waiting week - ESD clarification needed

When you're on approved standby status, you are exempt from job search requirements for the ENTIRE duration of your standby period, including the waiting week. Make sure your standby status was actually approved though - you should see it confirmed on your ESD account. If you're on standby for 5 weeks, you won't need to conduct any job search activities until that standby period ends. Just make sure to file your weekly claims on time and answer "yes" when it asks if you're on standby.

this is wrong actually. my boyfriend had to do job search in waiting week even w/ standby. esd doesnt count standby til after waiting week. check ur paperwork!!!!

I work in construction too and have been on standby several times. The others are correct - when on APPROVED standby, you don't need to do job searches during any week, including the waiting week. But here's what people miss: you MUST answer the weekly claim questions correctly or you'll still be required to search. When it asks if you're looking for work, you select "No" and then indicate you're on standby when prompted. If you select "Yes" to looking for work, the system will require job search activities regardless of standby status. Make sure your answers match your situation exactly.

Does anyone know if the standby rules are different this year??? I was on standby in 2023 and DID have to do job searches during waiting week. Did they change this recently??

If you're still unsure, you should definitely try to speak with an ESD agent directly. They can check your specific claim and tell you exactly what's required in your situation. I spent 3 days trying to get through their phone lines before I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). It was a lifesaver - they got me connected to an ESD agent in about 30 minutes when I'd been trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Worth it to get a definitive answer straight from ESD about your standby status and requirements.

Just my 2 cents but I would do the job searches during waiting week anyway even if you don't have to. Better safe than sorry with ESD. I've been burned too many times by their weird technicalities and had to pay back benefits. Just do 3 quick applications somewhere and document them. Takes like 30 min total.

FYI - one more important thing about standby: make sure you understand the maximum duration you can be on standby. In 2025, regular standby is limited to 8 weeks maximum for most industries (12 weeks for construction during winter). If your employer told you 5 weeks but you got approved for 8, that's normal - they often approve up to the maximum allowed period. But once your standby period ends, you WILL need to start doing job searches if you're still claiming benefits. Mark your calendar for when standby ends so you're prepared!

Just wanted to add one more tip for construction workers on standby - make sure your employer actually submitted the proper standby request to ESD. Sometimes employers think they've put you on standby but haven't actually filed the paperwork with the state. You can verify this in your eServices account under "Claim Status" - it should specifically show "Standby" as your current status. If it just shows "Active" or something else, your employer may need to submit additional documentation. This happened to a coworker last year and he had to do job searches for 3 weeks before they got it sorted out. Better to double-check now than find out later when you get a notice about missing job search activities!

Great thread everyone! As someone new to this community and unemployment benefits, this has been incredibly helpful. I'm in a similar situation - just filed my first claim ever after being laid off from my retail job. My former manager said there's a chance they might call me back when they reopen the location after renovations in a few months, but I'm not sure if that qualifies for standby status or if I need to actively job search. From reading this discussion, it sounds like standby has to be formally approved by ESD and submitted by the employer - it's not just an informal "maybe we'll call you back" situation. Can anyone confirm if my situation would qualify for standby, or should I plan on doing the regular job search requirements from day one?