Just want to say thanks to everyone for all the helpful info in this thread. This community is really helpful for navigating all the Washington ESD stuff that can be confusing at first.

For what it's worth, I've been collecting unemployment for about 3 months now and the Wednesday payment schedule has been rock solid. The only thing I'd add is to make sure you keep checking your claim status online after filing each week - sometimes there are issues that pop up that you need to address quickly to avoid payment delays. Also worth noting that if you ever need to make changes to your direct deposit info, do it right after you get a payment so you have a full week for it to process before the next one.

For anyone reading this later - the key takeaway is that Washington ESD will investigate contractor vs employee classification. Don't self-eliminate if you think you might have been misclassified. Apply and let them make the determination.

I've been following this thread as someone who went through a similar situation about 2 years ago. One thing I'd add is to make sure you document not just the control aspects, but also your financial relationship with the company. Did they provide all your work? Were you economically dependent on them as your sole source of income? Washington ESD also considers economic realities when determining classification. In my case, even though I had some flexibility in how I did the work, the fact that they were my only client and I was financially dependent on them helped my case. Also, don't be discouraged if the initial determination goes against you - you have appeal rights and the appeals process sometimes takes a closer look at the evidence.

wats adjudication mean anyways? my claim says that but nobodys telling me what it means

Hey everyone, I'm dealing with the exact same issue - been trying to reach ESD for 2 weeks now about my pending claim. After reading through all your experiences, I'm starting to think the phone system really is just overwhelmed rather than deliberately broken (though the end result is the same frustration for us). A few things I've learned from this thread that I'm going to try: 1. Calling right at 8 AM sharp tomorrow 2. If that doesn't work, I'll contact my state representative's office 3. Keep filing weekly claims even while pending (doing this already) @Aidan Percy - have you checked your online account to see if there are any notices or documents they're requesting? Sometimes they post requirements there that don't get communicated by phone. Also, identity verification seems to be a common holdup based on what others have shared. Thanks for starting this thread - it's helpful to know we're not alone in this mess, even if the situation still sucks.

Update: I talked to Company B and let them know I had another offer pending but was more interested in their position. They were really responsive and moved up my second interview to tomorrow! Fingers crossed this works out. If not, I'm leaning toward declining Company A if they can't meet at least 90% of my previous salary. Thanks everyone for the advice!

That's awesome that Company B was so responsive! It really shows they're interested in you. Just wanted to add one more thing to keep in mind - if Company A does make an offer and you need to decline it, make sure you document not just the salary difference but also the specific job duties that don't match your background. From your original post, the fact that it involves "tasks outside your expertise" could be just as important as the pay cut when ESD evaluates whether it was suitable work. The combination of both factors (lower pay AND different skill requirements) makes a much stronger case for declining. Good luck with the interview tomorrow!

One more tip - if you need to speak with someone about a denial specifically, you might want to consider starting the appeals process online through your eServices account. Once you file an appeal, you'll often get a call from an ESD representative to discuss your case before it goes to the formal hearing stage. This can be faster than trying to reach someone through the general phone line.

I feel your frustration! I was in a similar situation last month - denied claim, bills piling up, couldn't get through to anyone. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I started the formal appeal process online (which Aidan mentioned) AND kept calling using the sequence he provided (1-4-2-SSN/PIN-5). The appeal triggered a callback within 5 business days, which was way faster than trying to get through the phone maze. Also, when you do get someone on the line, have all your documents ready - denial letter, work separation paperwork, etc. They can often resolve simple issues on the spot if you have everything they need. Hang in there, it does get resolved eventually!