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UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know it's working now! Just successfully filed my husband's weekly claim. Looks like it was some kind of system glitch that got fixed. For anyone else having this issue, try logging in again now.
Glad to hear it's resolved! For future reference, when this happens again (because let's be honest, it probably will at some point), there are a few official ways to check system status: 1. ESD's Twitter account sometimes posts about known outages 2. The technical support email (esditprod@esd.wa.gov) will sometimes respond with an auto-reply if there's a known issue 3. The recorded message on the main claims line occasionally updates to mention system issues Also remember that even if you can't file on Sunday, you have until Saturday of the following week before it's considered late. So there's usually no need to panic if the system is down for a day.
I used Claimyr last month when I was stuck in adjudication hell for 8 weeks. Got through to a real person at ESD in about 10 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They helped explain exactly what was holding up my claim. Worth it just to get actual answers instead of the automated system that tells you nothing.
why dont u just start doing bad at ur job so they fire u lol... just saying its easier to get benefits that way than if u quit
wait does anyone know what happens with the appeal if you start working again before they make a decision? i also got denied and appealed and have a hearing next week but i just got a new job. do i still get the back unemployment money if i win?
Yes, even if you're working now, you can still receive back benefits for the weeks you were eligible and properly filed claims. Just make sure to report your new employment and earnings correctly on any weekly claims you file going forward. Congratulations on the new job!
Update: Got the official decision in the mail today! The ALJ totally sided with me and said ESD was wrong to deny my benefits. The letter says I'm eligible from my original filing date and ESD is ordered to pay all my back benefits! Now just waiting for the money to actually show up in my account. Feeling so relieved!
Have you checked if they activated the "Conditional Payment" program on your claim? This happens sometimes when they need to verify something but don't want to delay your payment. In that case, the next payment might show as $0 while they're making adjustments. Call the ESD claims center as early as possible in the morning (right when they open at 8:00 AM). That's usually the best time to get through. Ask specifically about the $0 payment and whether there are any hidden holds or issues with your claim that aren't showing up in your online portal.
Just following up - were you able to resolve this issue? For anyone else experiencing the "Paid $0" problem, there's also another possibility I didn't mention: if you have child support obligations, sometimes 100% of your benefit can be withheld for that purpose, resulting in a $0 payment that still shows as "Paid" since the system processed it correctly.
I finally got through to ESD this morning! Turns out it was a verification hold related to my previous employer. They said I answered a question about my availability differently than on previous weeks (though I swear I didn't), which triggered a review. The representative removed the hold and said my payment should process in 24-48 hours. The frustrating part is there was NO indication of this hold in my online account! Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!
My brother just went thru this whole adjudication mess last month. His dates changed like 3 times and he was soooo stressed about rent. He finally called his state rep's office (the local elected official) and MAGICALLY his claim got approved like 2 days later. Might be worth trying if nothing happens soon?
Update: My claim was approved today! The date change really did mean someone was working on it. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. For anyone else stuck in adjudication - hang in there and definitely pay attention to date changes in your account!
Great news! Did they approve the claim with full benefits for all weeks, including the adjudication period? Make sure to check your payment details to confirm everything was processed correctly.
my cousin works at a nursing home and says lots of people get out of serving alcohol by just saying they don't drink... weird they wouldn't let u do that
There's a significant legal difference between personal preference ("I don't drink") and religious accommodation, which is protected by law. Employers have much stronger legal obligations to accommodate religious beliefs than personal preferences. This is why documentation of the religious nature of the restriction is so important for the appeal.
sry to go off topic but did anyone elses esd account get locked after they updated the website last month?? i cant even log in to file my weekly claim now and when i call it just disconnects me
Just wanted to follow up - how are you doing with your appeal? Have you requested the hearing yet? Remember there's a strict 30-day deadline from the date on your determination letter!
My friend went through almost the exact same thing last year. It was because the ESD system was trying to reactivate his old claim instead of properly processing the new one. The able and available dates were from that old claim but were being erroneously applied. His case manager eventually fixed it but it took almost 2 months.
Just wanted to update everyone - my son FINALLY got through to ESD this morning after using that phone service someone mentioned. The rep confirmed it was indeed a system error where his old claim information was incorrectly attached to his new claim. They're correcting it, but said it will take 3-5 business days to update in the system. They told him to keep filing his weekly claims, and once the correction processes, he'll receive payment for all eligible weeks. His appeal hearing is still scheduled for next month, but the rep said that would likely be dismissed once the system correction goes through. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!!
When I was handling this same issue last year, I called ESD (took forever to get through) and they told me that sick pay is sometimes treated differently depending on how your employer reported it. In most cases, you don't report it for the week you received it, but there are exceptions. Did your employer give you any documentation about how they classified the payout? That could help determine whether it counts as reportable income.
I just have my final paystub which shows regular hours and then a separate line item for "sick pay payout" - there's no other documentation about how they classified it. Based on everyone's answers, it sounds like I shouldn't report it since I didn't work that week, but this makes me nervous that there could be exceptions.
This isnt at all related to your question but make sure you do your 3 job search activities every single week!!! i missed one week and my claim got messed up and took like a month to fix
Tyler Murphy
I think there's some confusion about overpayment waiver refunds. Adjudication and waiver are different processes. The pandemic overpayment waiver program is separate from regular overpayment waivers. For pandemic waivers that are approved, ESD is supposed to refund any amounts already paid. Make sure you're looking at the waiver determination letter - it should have a section called "Effects of this Decision" that mentions if you're eligible for a refund.
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Asher Levin
•No there isnt any confusion!! The OP clearly said PANDEMIC waiver and yes they DO refund but they DON'T tell you when!! That's the whole problem!!
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Tyler Murphy
•I was trying to provide additional clarification as there are different types of waivers and processes. You're right that they do refund for approved pandemic waivers. I should have been more clear in my explanation.
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Haley Stokes
Update: Finally reached an ESD agent today! They confirmed the refund is in process and should arrive within 2 weeks. They're sending it as a direct deposit to the account they have on file. For anyone in a similar situation, keep checking your eServices account as that's where it will show first before the money hits your bank account. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Asher Levin
•Awesome!! So glad you got through to someone! Did you use that Claimyr thing or just keep calling?
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Haley Stokes
•I used Claimyr after several failed attempts calling directly. It worked just like they said - I got connected to an agent within about 15 minutes. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind.
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