Have you tried calling ESD to check on the status? It took me FOREVER to get through to someone when I had payment issues last month, but I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days trying to get through. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent was able to tell me exactly when my payment was sent and why it was delayed. Worth it when you're stressing about money that should be there!

Update us when your payment arrives! It helps others gauge timing expectations. Different banks seem to process ESD direct deposits at different speeds.

UPDATE: I managed to get through this morning using the 7:58am method and option sequence mentioned above. Spoke with someone named Marcus who was actually very helpful and resolved my issue on the spot. My claim is now processing correctly. Don't give up - persistence is definitely key with ESD!

when i had this problem i just kept calling and hanging up until i got in the queue instead of the busy signal. took like 78 calls but eventually got through lol. totally ridiculous system imo

To answer your question about timing - it varies. Simple cases might be resolved in 3-5 business days, but it can take up to 2-3 weeks if they're backlogged. If your payment status is "pending," that means they're reviewing your answers. One thing that can help speed up the process is to upload any supporting documentation if you have it. For a doctor's appointment, you could upload an appointment confirmation if you have one. The more evidence you provide, the faster they can make a determination. If it goes longer than 10 business days, then you might want to try contacting them for a status update.

UPDATE: Good news! I just checked my account and my payment status changed from "pending" to "paid"! They must have reviewed my answers and found them acceptable. Thank you all so much for your help and advice. For anyone else who gets these "able and available" questions in the future - just be honest, explain your situation clearly, and emphasize that you were available for work during all other times. And don't panic like I did! 😅

7 WEEKS is ridiculous!!! the system is BROKEN!!! glad you finally got approved but why should anyone have to call the literal governors office just to get their legitimate benefits?? we need to completely overhaul ESD

After you called the governor's office, did they tell you approximately how long it would take for someone to contact you? I'm planning to call them tomorrow but wondering what timeframe to expect.

One thing I recommend for your appeal: request all records ESD used to make their determination about your ability to repay. You have a right to see exactly what financial information they're basing this on. Sometimes they're working with outdated or incorrect information about your current financial situation. At your hearing, be sure to highlight any changes in your financial circumstances since the overpayment occurred - especially if your situation has worsened. Also, don't be afraid to get emotional (but still respectful) about the impact this repayment would have on your life. The judges are human and respond to genuine hardship stories.

For my appeal hearing, I created a monthly budget spreadsheet that was really detailed - I listed every single expense down to Netflix and pet food. The judge actually complimented me on how thorough it was. I also brought screenshots of my bank account showing I had less than $500 in savings. Don't forget to include any medical expenses or debt payments! Another thing that helped was bringing documentation of any unusual expenses that might be coming up - in my case, my car needed major repairs, so I brought the estimate from the mechanic. The more specific you can be about your financial situation, the better your chances.

As an update to my earlier comment - when you have your hearing with the Administrative Law Judge, be very specific about dates and details. The judges appreciate organization and clarity. Bring up only facts relevant to why you qualified for benefits, not emotional appeals about your financial situation. If your issue is about job search documentation, pull together a comprehensive record of all your activities. Even if you didn't log everything properly in the ESD system, additional evidence of your job search efforts can sometimes help your case.

@profile5 Yes, statements from potential employers confirming interviews or application receipts would be very helpful evidence. Anything that corroborates your job search activities could strengthen your case. Email confirmations of applications submitted are particularly useful. What's most important is showing you were actively seeking work during each week you claimed benefits.

this happend to my cousin he got fired for being late but hes claim said misconduct which is different i think??? anyway he had to do the adjudication thing where they interviewed him and his boss but it took like 6 weeks and he didnt get paid that whole time it was super rough

UPDATE: I managed to get through to ESD this morning! The agent confirmed it was a coding error. Apparently my employer correctly stated I was laid off due to outsourcing, but someone at ESD selected the wrong category when entering it into their system. The agent corrected it on the spot and my status now shows "Lack of work - Business reorganization." She said my benefits should process normally now. What a relief!

Update: I went ahead and submitted the change to direct deposit yesterday. The system accepted my bank info without any errors, so that's a good sign. I'll report back next week to let everyone know if my payment arrives on time and which method it used. Thanks for all the advice!

Final update: My payment this week still went to my debit card as many of you predicted. I checked my ESD account and it shows the direct deposit is now active, so next week's payment should go to my bank account. No delays at all with the payment, which was a relief!

According to ESD regulations, you must report any educational activities while claiming benefits. For your situation, here's what matters: 1) Your availability during normal business hours (8am-5pm, M-F) 2) Your continued ability to conduct 3 job search activities per week 3) Your willingness to accept suitable full-time work if offered Evening certificate programs typically don't interfere with these requirements, so your benefits should continue uninterrupted as long as you properly report your educational activities on your weekly claim. When you report, ESD will likely send you a questionnaire (usually through your eServices account) asking for more details about your training. Be prepared to provide your class schedule and a statement about your continued availability for work.

One more important detail - if you're taking these classes to get into a new career field, you might want to look into the official Training Benefits program through ESD instead of just taking regular classes. The Training Benefits program can extend your unemployment while you complete approved training programs, but you have to apply and get approved. Deadline is usually within first 16 weeks of your claim.

Update: I've sent a detailed email to the company owner outlining the issues with specific examples. I also scheduled an appointment with my doctor for next week to discuss the anxiety/panic attacks I've been experiencing. Thank you all for the advice so far - I'll wait to see if anything changes before making my final decision. Definitely feeling more prepared now.

this whole thread is so helpful!! im in almost teh exact same situation but with a coworker not a trainer. saving all this advice for myself too. good luck OP hope it works out for u