I'm dealing with adjudication too and wanted to share something that might help! I was stuck for almost 6 weeks earlier this year after my tech company did mass layoffs. The thing that finally got my case moving was when I realized I needed to upload EVERYTHING that proved it was a legitimate layoff - not just the termination letter. I ended up uploading: the original layoff notice, emails about company restructuring, news articles about the layoffs (if there were any), and even LinkedIn posts from coworkers who were also let go. Basically anything that showed this was a business decision affecting multiple people, not just me. The other thing that helped was calling ESD and specifically asking them to put a note on my file about the urgency due to financial hardship. I explained that I was about to miss rent and they flagged my case for expedited review. Got approved within 5 days after that call. I know it's frustrating when you can't get through on the phone, but keep trying different times. Early morning (8-9 AM) on weekdays seemed to work better than afternoons. You've got this - legitimate layoffs almost always get approved, it just takes way longer than it should unfortunately.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! Adjudication is unfortunately ESD's way of investigating discrepancies in your claim before they can approve benefits. From what you've described - being laid off when your entire department was eliminated - this sounds like a clear-cut case that should resolve in your favor once they review the evidence. The most important thing right now is to keep filing those weekly claims no matter how pointless it feels. When you do get approved, you'll receive backpay for all the weeks you claimed during adjudication. Also, make sure you're checking your ESD Letters section daily - sometimes they request additional information and missing those requests can delay your case even longer. Since you mentioned having the layoff documentation, get that uploaded to your account ASAP if you haven't already. The sooner they have proof that this was a business decision rather than performance-related, the faster they can make their determination. I know the financial stress is overwhelming when rent is coming due, but hang in there. Most legitimate layoff cases do get approved - it just takes way longer than anyone should have to wait. You're definitely not alone in this frustrating process!

I'm also in adjudication right now (week 4) and this thread gives me so much hope! @ApolloJackson congrats on finally getting approved and your payment! The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when bills are piling up. I've been following a lot of the advice mentioned here - keeping detailed records, checking the secure messaging option, and I even reached out to my landlord about a payment extension just in case. It's really encouraging to see that once the approval comes through, the payment follows pretty quickly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - this community has been a lifeline during this stressful time!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this - I had a similar situation where my first payment showed "paid" but took about 3 days to actually hit my account. Turns out my credit union had a policy of holding larger deposits (anything over $2,500) for an extra business day for verification. When I called them directly, they were able to explain exactly when the funds would be available. If you're worried about timing, it might be worth calling your bank to ask about their deposit policies, especially for larger amounts like back-pay unemployment benefits. Also, keep in mind that if your payment gets issued on a Friday, you might not see it until Monday or Tuesday depending on weekend processing. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking when bills are due, but it almost always works out within a few business days!

Final update: Got my determination letter today and I'm approved! Thanks everyone for the explanations and support. The whole process took exactly 3 weeks from filing to approval.

For those still waiting on their determination, I found it helpful to check my account online regularly through the Washington ESD website. Sometimes the status updates there before you get the letter in the mail. Also, make sure you respond quickly if they request any additional documents - that can speed up the process significantly.

Congratulations on getting your claim approved! 8 days is actually a pretty quick turnaround. Your update gives me hope - I'm in a similar situation waiting for adjudication on my claim. It's so stressful not knowing when (or if) the money will come through, especially when bills keep piling up. Did you get the full backpay for all 5 weeks you were waiting, or did they only approve certain weeks? Thanks for sharing your experience!

This is really encouraging to see! I'm currently in week 3 of waiting after my adjudicator call, so hearing about your 8-day approval timeline gives me hope. My situation is similar - laid off from a marketing firm due to budget cuts. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, especially when you're watching your savings dwindle. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone with your good news - it really helps those of us still in limbo to see that the system does actually work sometimes! Fingers crossed I'll have a similar update to share soon.

Also worth mentioning - if you're really struggling while waiting, some utility companies in Washington have hardship programs or payment plans you can set up. I called my electric company when I was waiting for my unemployment and they let me defer my bill for 60 days with no late fees. Many landlords are also understanding if you explain the situation and show them documentation of your pending unemployment claim. It's definitely stressful but there are options to help get through those first few weeks.

Don't forget that Washington state also has a WorkFirst program that can provide temporary cash assistance while you're waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in. It's administered through DSHS and can sometimes be processed faster than unemployment. You'd need to apply through Washington Connection, but it might help cover basic needs during those first few weeks. Also, if you have dependents, the timeline for WorkFirst can be even quicker. Just another option to consider while navigating this waiting period!