The whole ESD system is deliberately designed to frustrate people into giving up. I was in adjudication for 12 WEEKS last year and every time I called they gave me a different story. "We're processing it" then "We need more info" then "It's with a specialist" - all lies to get me off the phone. The ONLY thing that worked was filing a formal complaint with the governor's office. Magically my claim was processed 3 days later. Don't let them wear you down!!

Just wanted to add - while you're waiting, make absolutely sure you're meeting the job search requirements (3 activities per week) and documenting them properly. I've seen people finally get their claim approved only to discover they won't be paid for weeks where their job search documentation wasn't compliant. The ESD job search log in eServices is the safest way to ensure compliance.

Update on my situation since a few people asked - I did end up getting through to ESD last month using that Claimyr service I mentioned. The agent I spoke with was actually super helpful and found that my claim was flagged for identity verification (which nobody told me about). She sent me a link to upload my documents and my claim was approved 5 days later. The most frustrating part was that there wasn't actually any complicated issue - they just needed to verify my ID and nobody bothered to tell me! Could have been resolved in 10 minutes if I'd been able to talk to someone sooner.

wats adjudication mean anyways? my claim says that but nobodys telling me what it means

Just wanted to say good luck! The unemployment system can be so confusing especially when you have brief periods of work in between. Hope you get it sorted out soon! 👍

One more thing to keep in mind - since your benefit year is ending soon, you might want to prepare for filing a new initial claim. Make sure you have information about all your employment over the past 18 months handy, including that brief 2-week job. You'll need employer names, addresses, employment dates, and earnings for the new application.

One other thing to consider for your Superior Court case - request a finding on whether ESD's appeal notification process violates Washington Administrative Procedure Act requirements. Since you've documented that their decision letter arrived after the appeal window closed, this could be grounds for the court to rule their notification process is systematically flawed and violates due process. If you can frame this as a systemic issue rather than just your individual case, judges are often more inclined to rule favorably. Also, do you have certified mail or other documentation showing when you actually received their decision letter? That would be crucial evidence.

This whole situation is ridiculous. ESD is a complete mess since COVID. My claim from 2024 is still "under review" and I call every month only to be told "it's in process" whatever that means. Now I'm scared they'll hit me with some random overpayment too. Good luck with your case!

I had an in-person interview back in February, and I was so nervous I almost didn't sleep the night before! But honestly, it was fine. The interviewer was very professional and just went through a checklist of questions. They did ask me details about my two most recent job search activities, so make sure you can talk about specific positions you've applied for and any follow-ups you've done. They're mainly checking that you're actually looking for work and available to accept suitable jobs. My benefits continued without interruption after the interview.

One more important point: if you've been receiving benefits for only a week, this might actually be an Eligibility Review Interview (ERI) rather than a random verification. ERIs typically happen within the first few weeks and are more comprehensive. This would also explain why they're doing it in-person rather than by phone. For an ERI, be prepared to discuss: 1. Your employment history (last 18 months) 2. Reason for separation from your last employer 3. Any potential availability issues (transportation, childcare, health) 4. Your salary expectations and type of work you're seeking If there were any questions about your initial eligibility, this is when they'll address them.

I think abt 70% of ppl use direct deposit based on an ESD workshop I went to last month. The presenter mentioned it when someone asked a similar question. So ur definitely not alone in choosing that option!

btw if u do decide to switch from direct deposit to the card or vice versa you can do it online through ur eServices account. go to UI claim > settings > payment options. takes effect for the next payment after u make the change.

my cousin works at esd and she says they are super backed up right now because of some new system update. could just be a mistake caused by that. she says lots of claims are getting weird status changes temporarily

UPDATE FROM ORIGINAL POSTER? Did you manage to find out what happened or reach someone at ESD? I've been following this thread because I'm worried the same thing might happen to me.

omg i just remembered!! there was a glitch in the ESD system back in february where a bunch of people got wrongly disqualified. maybe its happening again?? the website has been super glitchy lately

Quick update for anyone following this thread - the Claimyr service I mentioned above worked for me during two separate claim issues. Both times I got through to ESD in less than 20 minutes after spending days trying on my own. The agents were able to fix my issues immediately once I actually reached them. For anyone in a similar situation as OP, remember that you have multiple options: 1. Appeal through eServices (always do this first to meet deadlines) 2. Try to reach ESD directly (phone or services like Claimyr) 3. Visit a WorkSource office in person 4. Contact your state representative Don't rely on just one method - use all available channels when your benefits are on the line. And always keep filing those weekly claims, even when disqualified!

One more thing I forgot to mention - in your appeal, specifically cite WAC 192-150-200 which covers discharge for absenteeism or tardiness. It basically says if an employer has a progressive discipline policy but doesn't follow it, then the discharge might not be considered misconduct. This regulation is literally designed for situations like yours.

I went through something similar last year. The appeal process was stressful but I ultimately won. Make sure you're keeping detailed records of everything right now - save emails, texts, and write down your recollection of conversations while they're fresh. In my hearing, the judge asked very detailed questions about dates and times. Also, I was able to get a former coworker to provide a statement confirming the company handbook policy, which really helped my case. Do you have anyone who could corroborate your understanding of the policy?

One other thing to keep in mind - make sure your husband understands the job search requirements. He needs to complete and document 3 job search activities each week. This is the #1 reason people end up with overpayments later - they don't realize they need to be actively searching for work, or they don't properly document their search activities. The good news is that the system is working as designed in your case! Just follow the rules, keep good records, and everything should continue smoothly.

btw did ur husband get the extra $35 for dependents? i have 2 kids and it took FOREVER to get that added to my weekly amount