Some ESD talking points
The money will not run out and you will not miss out. Benefits won’t run out and they will be paid retroactive to the date of eligibility.
There is a misconception, especially since the expansion of eligibility was from the federal CARES act, that the money is going to run out and that people need to be first in line to be sure to get the money.
If you can wait, that’d be great. Weekly claims can be filed over multiple days and at all hours.
There is also a misconception that weekly claims must be filed on Sunday – this is not true. Claims can be filed Sunday through Saturday night online. Plus, both the online and the phone application systems are available 24/7.
Calling on people’s better angels. If you do not have a dire financial situation, consider holding off until after Monday to file weekly claims – at least for now – so that others who do have deep and immediate needs can get their funds sooner. This is an exceptional ask, but we know that these are exceptional times and we need to manage this scale. Throughout this crisis, people have shown incredible heart and caring for their friends and neighbors and we’re asking people to apply that sentiment now to this situation.
Submit weekly claims every week to get paid every week.
Work search is optional.
Click “no” when asked if you completed job search this week. That requirement is temporarily optional and you do not need to report your job search activities at this time.
ESD messaging and materials
- Our website:
- We have updated our Help page to lay out top weekly claims tips for smoothing their process and leveling out traffic.
- And here’s a page just on how to file a weekly claim.
- Press statement (in our newsroom)
- Facebook (similar messages to Twitter)
