7 weeks in adjudication and no assigned adjudicator yet - employer confirmed with ESD
I'm hitting my breaking point with this adjudication nightmare. I filed for unemployment 7 weeks ago and the ESD website still shows it's stuck in adjudication. I finally drove to my local WorkSource office yesterday since I couldn't get through on the phone. The staff there looked at my file and told me they're waiting for information from my former employer. I immediately called my employer's HR department, and they told me they already submitted everything weeks ago. They even called ESD while I was on the line with them to check if anything was missing, and guess what? ESD told them I haven't even been ASSIGNED an adjudicator yet after almost 2 months! I'm completely out of savings and about to miss my second rent payment. I've tried calling every ESD number I can find at all different hours (even right when they open at 8AM), but all I get is the "high call volume" message and then they hang up on me. This feels like some kind of sick joke. Has anyone successfully gotten through to a real person? Or found a way to speed up the adjudication process? I'm desperate for any advice at this point.
18 comments


LunarEclipse
Same exact thing happenin to me rn! Week 9 in adjudication and when my boss called they said the same thing about no adjudicator assigned yet. This system is broken af. I've called like 50+ times and nothing but hangups.
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Connor O'Neill
•9 weeks?? Oh god, I was hoping things would move by now. Did your employer confirm they submitted everything too? I'm scared mine is just sitting in some digital pile somewhere being ignored.
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Yara Khalil
I've been through this exact scenario before. The key is understanding that adjudication cases are prioritized based on complexity and filing date. Since your employer has confirmed they've submitted their information, you need to specifically request an escalation. Here's what worked for me: 1. Keep detailed records of every attempt to contact ESD (dates, times, numbers called) 2. Send a secure message through your eServices account specifically requesting "adjudication escalation due to financial hardship" - use those exact words 3. Contact your state representative's office - they often have dedicated staff who can help with ESD issues 4. File for emergency hardship assistance through DSHS while you wait The reality is that normal adjudication is taking 8-12 weeks right now, but hardship cases can be expedited if you use the correct channels.
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Connor O'Neill
•Thank you so much for this detailed advice. I didn't know about the hardship escalation option. I'm going to send that secure message right away and reach out to my representative tomorrow. Do you think mentioning the potential eviction would help with the hardship claim?
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Keisha Brown
UGH THE ESD PHONE SYSTEM IS A COMPLETE SCAM!!! I was stuck in adjudication for TEN WEEKS and called HUNDREDS of times!!! They don't care AT ALL about us! My landlord was about to evict me and suddenly they approved my claim with ZERO explanation. The whole "high call volume" thing is just their way of avoiding doing their JOBS!!!! 😡😡😡
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Paolo Esposito
•I don't think it's a scam exactly. They're just super understaffed. My cousin works in a different department there and says the turnover is insane because the pay is so low for dealing with angry people all day.
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Amina Toure
I had some luck using Claimyr to get through to an ESD agent after weeks of trying on my own. You can check out their demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - basically they use some tech to monitor the ESD phone lines and call you back when they get through. I was skeptical but it worked for me when I needed to fix an adjudication issue. Once I finally talked to someone, they were able to assign my case to an adjudicator that day. The website is claimyr.com if you want to try it.
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Connor O'Neill
•Thanks for sharing this! I've honestly never heard of this service before but I'm willing to try anything at this point. Did they actually help resolve your issue or just connect you?
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Amina Toure
•They just connected me to ESD, but that was all I needed since I couldn't get through on my own. Once I got an actual person on the phone, I explained my hardship situation and they escalated it. Got my determination letter about a week later.
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Oliver Weber
I work with unemployment cases frequently, and here's what's actually happening: When your case goes to adjudication, it enters a queue based on filing date and issue type. Identity verification and employer response issues are typically the fastest to resolve, while misconduct and voluntary quit cases take much longer. The fact that your employer confirmed they submitted everything is actually good news. You should: 1. Submit a secure message through eServices using the subject line "Hardship Request - Adjudication Delay" 2. In the message, specifically state you're facing eviction and include the exact date you filed 3. Also mention that your employer has confirmed with ESD that they've submitted all requested information 4. Request immediate assignment to an adjudicator due to financial hardship This specific wording will flag your case for review. While not guaranteed, hardship cases can be expedited by 1-3 weeks.
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Keisha Brown
•This is EXACTLY what I did and it did NOTHING!!! Just another black hole where messages go to DIE!!! The only thing that works is calling your STATE REPRESENTATIVE'S office!!
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Oliver Weber
•I understand your frustration, but the secure message system does work when used correctly. However, yes, contacting your state representative is also highly effective and often faster - I should have mentioned that as well. The key is to do both simultaneously.
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FireflyDreams
hey did u try the worksource in tacoma? they have an esd person there on wednesdays i think. thats how i got my issue fixed when i was in adjucation for like 6 weeks last year. just showed up and waited.
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Connor O'Neill
•I went to the one in Everett, and they were helpful checking my account but said they couldn't do much else. I didn't know some WorkSource offices have actual ESD staff on certain days. That's really good to know - I'll call around to the other locations tomorrow. Thanks!
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Paolo Esposito
I totally get where you're at. I was stuck in adjudication for 5 weeks earlier this year (not as long as you, but still stressful). What finally worked for me was emailing my state senator's office. They have staff who deal with ESD issues all the time. I got a call from an ESD supervisor within 2 days after my senator's office contacted them. Not saying it's guaranteed but worth trying!
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Connor O'Neill
•Thank you for this suggestion! I wouldn't have thought of contacting my state senator. I'm going to look up their contact info right now.
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Yara Khalil
Just checking back - were you able to get any movement on your claim? One thing I forgot to mention is that if you do get through to someone, be sure to ask them to document in the notes that you're experiencing financial hardship and specifically request they flag your case for expedited review. The exact phrase that seems to work is "Please note severe financial hardship and risk of housing instability in my case notes.
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Connor O'Neill
•I tried several of the suggestions here! I sent the secure message with the hardship wording, contacted my state rep's office (waiting to hear back), and checked other WorkSource locations for ESD staff days. I also tried the Claimyr service someone mentioned and it actually got me through to a real person yesterday! They said they'd put notes in my file about the hardship and escalate it, but couldn't tell me exactly when I'd be assigned an adjudicator. At least it's some progress. I'll update if anything changes.
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