i dunno why everyone is making this so complicated lol. its just a phone call with a judge who asks questions. i had one last year and just told my story and won. didn't have any special documents or anything. judge was actually super nice.

Thank you everyone for all this great advice! I'm feeling much more prepared now. I'm going to gather all my documentation tonight, create that timeline, and calculate exactly how much my hours/pay were reduced. I'll update after my hearing to let you all know how it went. Fingers crossed!

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.

Don't listen to these ppl saying its normal. It's NOT normal! You need to call ESD asap bc they might have sent ur backpay to the wrong account or a ReliaCard. This happened 2 my friend n she never got her money bc she waited 2 long to report it. The system is totally broken n they make these "mistakes" on purpose hoping ppl don't notice!!! The govt doesn't want to pay us what they owe!!

Just wanted to update you all - my backpay finally hit my account this morning! It came as one lump sum for all 4 weeks. Exactly 6 business days after showing 'paid' in the system. Such a relief! Thanks for all the reassurance that this was normal - saved me a lot of stress.

I check eServices obsessively - multiple times a day. There are no alerts, action items, or new correspondence. The last thing in my correspondence folder is the confirmation that they received my additional documentation back in March. That's part of what's so frustrating - there's literally nothing for me to respond to or act on.

just wanna say im sorry ur going thru this. the system is totally broken. i hope u get it resolved soon. dont give up!!!

Quick update on timeframes - I've been tracking adjudication times across various unemployment forums, and it appears ESD is currently averaging 7-9 weeks for cases involving termination with disputed circumstances. Safety whistleblower cases like yours tend to receive favorable outcomes, but they do require more thorough investigation. If your financial situation is becoming dire, when you do speak with an ESD representative (whether through regular channels or using a service to get through), specifically mention "financial hardship" and ask if your claim can be expedited. They have protocols for prioritizing claims where claimants are at risk of losing housing or utilities.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I called my state rep's office this morning, and their staff was really helpful. They took down all my info and said they'd reach out to ESD on my behalf. I'm also going to try getting through to ESD directly tomorrow using that Claimyr service that a couple of you mentioned. Will update once I know more. Really appreciate all the support - it's been a stressful few weeks.