Wow, reading through all these experiences really highlights how broken the system is! I'm currently on week 8 of adjudication myself and feeling so frustrated. @Daniela Rossi I'm so glad you finally got through - that gives me hope! I'm definitely going to try the employer services trick tomorrow morning. One thing I've learned from calling repeatedly is to write down the name and ID number of every agent you speak with, along with what they tell you. I've had agents give me completely different information about the same issue, and having that paper trail has been helpful when calling back. Also, if an agent promises to do something specific (like submit an expedite request), ask for a reference number or some way to track it. For anyone still struggling, I also recommend documenting everything with timestamps - every call attempt, every document uploaded, every secure message sent. If this ever escalates to legal action or an ombudsman complaint, you'll want that detailed record. It's ridiculous that we have to become amateur lawyers just to get our unemployment benefits, but here we are. Thanks everyone for sharing these strategies - this community support means everything when ESD leaves us in the dark!

I'm so sorry you're going through this @Daniela Rossi - 12 weeks is absolutely unacceptable! I just went through something similar and finally got resolution after 10 weeks of hell. Here's what ultimately worked for me: 1. Contact your state senator AND representative (not just one) - they have dedicated ESD liaisons who can actually get answers. I emailed both with my timeline and got a response within 24 hours. 2. File a complaint with the Washington State Ombudsman at the same time - having multiple pressure points seems to get better results. 3. When you do get through to ESD, ask specifically for a "tier 2" agent or supervisor. Regular agents often can't access adjudication details, but supervisors can see more information and submit higher-priority requests. 4. If your issue involves employer verification (which is super common), ask the agent to send a "priority employer inquiry" rather than waiting for the standard process. This puts a rush on getting employer responses. The whole system is designed to wear people down and hope they give up - don't let them win! Keep fighting for what you're legally entitled to. Also make sure you're still certifying weekly even though it's frustrating - you'll get all that back pay once this mess is resolved. Sending you strength to keep pushing through this bureaucratic nightmare. You've got this! 💪

good luck with your claim! this whole process is confusing but at least now you know you might have options

One thing that might also be helpful to know - if you do qualify and start receiving benefits, you'll need to be careful about how you handle any future self-employment income. Washington ESD has specific rules about reporting earnings, and even small amounts can affect your weekly benefit payments. But the good news is that having some self-employment income doesn't automatically disqualify you from receiving partial benefits, as long as you stay under certain thresholds. It's definitely worth understanding those rules upfront so you don't accidentally create issues with your claim later.

I got a similar surprise payment last month - $14.72 from ESD completely out of nowhere! I hadn't filed since early 2023 either. Like others mentioned, I did eventually get a letter about 8 days later explaining it was a "benefit year adjustment" due to updated wage information from one of my former employers. Apparently they had to correct some quarterly wage reports and it bumped up my benefit calculation slightly. The letter had all the details and math showing how they calculated the difference. So definitely keep an eye out for that explanation letter - it should arrive soon!

I work in payroll and see this pretty frequently on the employer side. When we submit quarterly wage corrections to ESD (which happens more often than you'd think - data entry errors, missed bonuses, corrected dates, etc.), it can trigger these small adjustment payments months or even years later. The system automatically recalculates everyone's benefits when new wage data comes in. Your $8 is probably from something as simple as your old employer correcting a typo in their wage report. Completely normal and nothing to stress about!

I just went through something similar! I live in Nevada but work remotely for a Washington-based company. When I got laid off, I was initially confused about which state to file with, but it's definitely based on where your employer is located and pays taxes. Since your employer is withholding Washington taxes and paying into Washington's unemployment system, that's exactly where your benefits should come from. The fact that Washington ESD approved your claim confirms you're on the right track. Your Oregon residency just means you'll need to report those unemployment benefits on your Oregon state tax return when tax season comes around, but it doesn't affect the actual unemployment claim process at all.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar boat - live in Oregon, work in Washington, and was totally confused about the tax implications. What really clicked for me reading through everyone's responses is that unemployment insurance is essentially a business expense that employers pay to the state where they operate, not where their employees happen to live. It's kind of like how a business pays property taxes where their building is located, not where their customers live. The system makes so much more sense when you think of it that way. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - especially those who've dealt with the interstate complications. Definitely saving this thread for future reference!

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I'm going to review my paperwork tonight and then contact OAH tomorrow to start the withdrawal process. You've all given me a much better understanding of what's involved.

Just wanted to add that timing can be important when withdrawing an appeal. If your hearing is scheduled soon, you'll want to contact OAH as quickly as possible to avoid any complications. They usually need at least a few business days notice to properly cancel everything and notify all parties involved. Don't wait until the last minute if you've made your decision.