yay for winning!!! 🎉

UPDATE: I just got an email from ESD saying they're processing my backpay! The eServices account now shows 'pending payment' instead of 'disqualified' - looks like it'll take 48 hours for the funds to hit my account. So for anyone wondering, it took exactly 8 days from receiving the judge's decision to ESD processing the payment. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

my cousin works at esd and says they're actually processing claims faster now than earlier this year. good timing for u lol

UPDATE: The eagle has landed!!! Money hit my account this morning (Thursday). Thanks everyone for your help and advice! For anyone searching this in the future: took exactly 3 days from 'processing' to payment for me with Chase bank.

Has anyone had luck with the callback option? I tried it twice and both times I never got a callback. Is it actually working for people?

I know this is frustrating, but it's important to understand what's happening at ESD right now: 1) They lost about 25% of their staff after the pandemic emergency funding ended 2) They're in the middle of a large system upgrade that has caused technical issues 3) There's been a spike in new claims due to recent tech and manufacturing layoffs If you're dealing with an employer dispute like the original poster, that automatically triggers adjudication which needs a specialized claims agent. Those are the longest wait times right now. For best results: - Call between 8:00-9:30am or 3:00-4:00pm (avoid lunch hours) - Have your claim ID, last 4 of SSN, and employment details ready - Be very specific about your issue when you reach a person - Ask for a direct contact for follow-up if possible Hang in there everyone!

One other piece of advice - while you're waiting, contact your state representative or senator. Their constituent services can sometimes help push ESD to review delayed applications. I did this when my TB application hit week 10 with no response, and magically got approved 3 days after my state rep's office inquired about my case. Just Google "[your district] state representative Washington" to find yours.

hey my wife works for ESD (not in training benefits tho) and she says theyre super backed up cuz they lost 2 staff members and haven't replaced them. also if u havent already done it make sure u upload ALL ur school documents into ur eServices account even if the school said they sent stuff directly to ESD. the more documentation the better

After reading through this thread, I wanted to add that if your adjudication extends beyond 6 weeks, that's when you should definitely escalate. Options include:\n\n1. Contact your state representative's office (they often have staff dedicated to helping constituents with ESD issues)\n2. File a complaint through the ESD website\n3. Request an escalation through the Office of Administrative Hearings\n\nI hope it doesn't come to that, but those are your options if things continue to drag on. Wishing you the best of luck - the waiting game is incredibly stressful.

Thank you for laying out the escalation options. I really hope it doesn't take that long, but I'll bookmark these suggestions just in case. This whole process has been way more complicated than I expected.

Has ESD given you any timeframe for when they'll decide? My adjudication took FOREVER in 2024 (like 6 weeks) and I was so stressed about bills the whole time. Keep filing your weekly claims no matter what!

I faced a similar situation last year and eventually won my case, but it took persistence. Based on my experience with ESD adjudication, here's what helped me: 1. I called ESD directly to explain my situation to an actual person (used Claimyr.com to get through - their video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 shows how it works) 2. I submitted a detailed timeline showing: - When the company began layoffs - When my job duties changed - When I requested accommodations - Dates of all communications with my supervisor 3. I got a supporting statement from my doctor confirming my mental health condition The adjudicator ultimately ruled in my favor because I could prove I was making good-faith efforts despite my circumstances and that my employer failed to accommodate a legitimate disability. Keep advocating for yourself!

If you're running into the Monday deadline and still can't access your account, I'd strongly recommend using Claimyr to get through to an actual ESD agent quickly. I was facing a similar situation with a deadline and couldn't get through on the regular phone lines. Claimyr got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. They have a video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent was able to process my response over the phone and note in my account that I had been having technical difficulties. Worth considering given your tight timeline!

UPDATE: I finally got in!! The incognito mode suggestion actually worked! I also tried on Firefox instead of Chrome. It still glitched a couple times but eventually let me stay logged in long enough to submit my response to their questionnaire thing. Funnily enough, once I got in I discovered that my original deadline of the 18th was actually correct - I must have misread something or confused it with another notification. But at least it's done now! Thanks everyone for your help. I'm definitely bookmarking that tech support number and keeping these tips for next time (because I'm sure there will be a next time with how glitchy their system is).

Thank you for explaining this so clearly! This whole process is new to me. My former employer said they'd

That's very good news! If they said they won't contest it, that usually means they'll either not respond to ESD's inquiry (which typically results in automatic approval after a deadline) or they'll confirm the separation without claiming disqualifying misconduct. Still, continue filing weekly claims and meeting job search requirements just to be safe.

Just wondering but what work did you do before? I'm in construction and got laid off last week. Applied for ESD but no approval yet. Did they approve you pretty quick?

Regarding your question about job search activities - yes, you need 3 work search activities for each week you claim benefits, including the first week. Activities you did before being approved can count as long as they were during the week you're claiming for. Make sure you record the date, employer name, position, contact info, and how you applied. I recommend creating a spreadsheet or dedicated notebook to track everything.

That Claimyr service I mentioned earlier worked for me when I was in your exact situation. Paid like $20 but it was worth it to actually talk to someone and get my case moved. My adjudicator called me the next day after I got through to ESD.

I'm going to summarize the most effective options based on my experience working with ESD claims: 1. The hardship form in eServices that someone mentioned is your best bet for expediting - be VERY specific about dates and consequences (eviction notice details, utility shutoff dates, etc) 2. Contact your state representative - this is extremely effective for expediting claims 3. If you need to actually speak with ESD (which you do in this case), calling right when they open at 8:00 AM gives you the best chance, but services like Claimyr can help if you're desperate 4. Document the HIPAA violation concerns in your eServices messages - this could be relevant to your adjudication 5. Apply for emergency assistance through your local DSHS office for immediate help with rent/utilities while waiting Hang in there - this sounds like a legitimate claim that will eventually be approved, but getting there faster requires being persistent and using multiple channels.