Standby status ending soon - Do I need to switch to regular UI after 4 weeks?

youll need to request an extension of standby from ESD. I think the limit is 8 weeks for most industries but construction might be different idk

I went through this EXACT situation last year when our project got delayed. Your employer needs to request the standby extension for you - they have to submit it! Don't wait until your current standby expires or you'll get stuck having to do job searches. My boss almost missed the deadline and I had to scramble to do a bunch of job search activities I didn't need!!! Make sure they do it at least a week before your current standby ends.

Just to clarify some information here: standby status can be approved for up to 8 weeks for most industries, but can be up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period for workers in industries like construction that regularly experience seasonal layoffs. Your employer needs to request the extension, but you should also call ESD to verify it's been processed correctly. Keep filing your weekly claims as normal during this transition period. Make sure you continue to answer "yes" to the question about being on standby when you file. If your standby status expires before the extension is approved, you'll need to complete your job search activities until it's approved.

When I was on standby last winter they never told me when it was approved. I just kept filing every week and eventually realized I wasn't being asked for job searches anymore. Check your letters/notices in your eServices account, sometimes they send notifications there but not always.

I wasted THREE DAYS trying to call ESD about my standby extension last month. Kept getting busy signals or disconnected after waiting an hour+ on hold. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Definitely worth it to actually talk to someone who could confirm my standby status in the system.

Here's the exact process you need to follow: 1. Have your employer submit the standby extension request ASAP (they can do this through their employer account) 2. Continue filing your weekly claims exactly as before, answering "yes" to the standby question 3. If your standby expires before the extension is processed, you'll temporarily need to conduct and document 3 job search activities per week 4. Once the extension is approved, you'll go back to standby status and the job search requirement will be waived again Also, make sure your employer provides an accurate return-to-work date. If that date changes again, they'll need to update ESD. The maximum standby period for construction workers is 12 weeks in a 12-month period, so plan accordingly if you think this project might face further delays.

Yes, you still need to answer the "able and available" questions each week. Even on standby, you must be physically able to work and available to return to your job if called back. The only requirement that's waived during standby is the job search activities. Make sure you answer all the weekly claim questions accurately to avoid any issues with your benefits.