For anyone still reading this thread - the most current list of WorkSource locations is at worksourcewa.com/locations. Some offices have limited hours or services so definitely call ahead before making the trip.

I've been dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. After trying the phone lines for weeks with no luck, I visited the WorkSource office in Tacoma. While they couldn't directly modify my claim, the staff there helped me understand exactly what documentation Washington ESD needed and walked me through submitting it properly through SecureAccess Washington. They also showed me how to navigate the messaging system more effectively. It took about 10 days after that visit to get my adjudication resolved. Don't give up - sometimes you just need someone to help you figure out the right steps to take!

Has anyone else noticed that ESD tends to process things in batches at the end of the week? When my claim was stuck last year, nothing happened for days and then suddenly on Friday afternoon everything updated at once. Maybe check again tomorrow?

I went through something similar last month and wanted to share what worked for me. After contacting the Governor's office and waiting 6 days with no movement, I decided to also reach out to my state representative. Within 48 hours of contacting the rep's office, I got a call from an ESD supervisor who walked me through exactly what was holding up my claim (turned out to be a simple verification issue that took 5 minutes to resolve over the phone). My advice: give the Governor's escalation until early next week as others have suggested, but also go ahead and contact your state rep's office now as a backup. Having both working on your case simultaneously seemed to really speed things up for me. You can find your rep at leg.wa.gov/legislature/pages/memberlookup.aspx - just enter your address. Hang in there, and definitely keep filing those weekly claims even while waiting! The system will backpay everything once it's resolved.

Just to follow up on your standby status - you should proactively contact ESD to update your status from standby to regular unemployment. When your standby period ends (either the originally approved period or when your company officially closes), you must immediately begin conducting and documenting your job search activities (3 per week). Also important: Once you switch from standby to regular unemployment, you must be able and available for work each week. This means you need to be actively seeking suitable work and ready to accept job offers. If you're planning any vacations or time away, be aware this could affect your eligibility during those weeks. Regarding your maximum benefits - yes, you can still receive your full maximum benefit amount (MBA) over time, but the weeks you receive severance pay may delay when you can access those funds if the severance is allocated over multiple weeks.

Sorry to hear about your situation - it's really tough when companies string you along like that. I went through something similar a few years back. Just wanted to add that when you do report your severance, make sure you have the exact dollar amount and date you received it. ESD can be picky about details. Also, once you transition off standby, keep really good records of your job search activities. I use a simple spreadsheet with company names, positions applied for, dates, and method of contact. Makes it easy when you file your weekly claims and if ESD ever audits your job search later. One more tip - if your severance pushes you into a higher tax bracket for the year, you might want to talk to a tax professional about potential quarterly payments. Getting unemployment plus a lump sum severance can sometimes create a surprise tax bill come April. Good luck with everything!

Update: I tried calling the 8400 number right at 8:00 AM this morning and got through after a 45-minute wait! The representative was able to see that my claim had a flag on it due to my previous employer contesting my eligibility. She transferred me to an adjudicator who said they'll make a determination by next week. Thanks for all your suggestions, everyone!

Wow, this thread has been super helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation - my claim has been in adjudication for 5 weeks now and I can't get through to anyone. Going to try the 8400 number first thing Monday morning based on Nina's success. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to speak with someone about our own claims. The system definitely seems designed to wear us down until we give up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - it's nice to know we're not alone in this struggle!

Good luck with your claim! Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you run into any issues during the process.

Just wanted to share my recent experience filing for unemployment in Washington. I was laid off from my tech job in December and was nervous about the whole process, but it actually went smoother than expected. My highest quarter was around $28k so I'm getting about $1,078 per week - which is actually above the $999 maximum mentioned here. I think the max might have been updated for 2025? Either way, the online application took about 30 minutes and I got my first payment within 2 weeks. The key thing that helped me was having all my employer information ready before starting the application. Would definitely recommend not waiting to file like others have said!