Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to report my severance payment when I file my weekly claim. It sounds like I might not receive benefits for a few weeks while they allocate the severance, but I'll keep filing my weekly claims so everything stays active. I'll also try the Claimyr service to get confirmation directly from ESD about how they'll handle this specific situation. Really appreciate all the advice!

Just went through this exact situation last month! Definitely report the severance - I made the mistake of listening to bad advice initially and it caused major headaches later. When I finally got through to ESD (took forever), they explained that ANY money received after termination counts as reportable income, regardless of how it's paid out. They allocated my $4,200 severance over about 3 weeks based on my previous wages, so I didn't get unemployment during that time but my benefits kicked in automatically afterward. Keep filing those weekly claims even during the allocation period - that's super important! Also, upload a copy of your severance agreement/letter to your eServices account proactively - it'll save you time if they request documentation later.

My theory is that they make it deliberately difficult to discourage people from filing claims. The harder it is, the fewer people will stick with it through the whole process.

The lack of transparency is what gets me. They'll put a hold on your claim but won't tell you specifically what they need or how long it will take. Just 'under review' forever.

This whole thread has been incredibly informative! I'm actually in a very similar boat - working part-time at a grocery store and just had my hours slashed from 32 to about 18 per week. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that I might actually qualify for some help. I'm definitely going to apply this week and see what happens. The advice about keeping detailed records and being prepared for the job search requirements is especially helpful. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this situation!

I'm in a really similar situation too! Just had my hours at a local bookstore cut from 28 to about 12 hours per week due to "seasonal adjustments." Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - especially learning about the base period requirements and the fact that you need to be available for full-time work. I had no idea about services like Claimyr for getting through to Washington ESD either. One question I have is about the timeline - if I apply now, would my reduced hours from this week count toward my claim, or does it take effect from when the application is processed? I'm trying to figure out if I should wait until next week to apply or if it's better to get the process started immediately.

Update from my previous comment: I checked with a colleague who works directly with ESD, and there's currently a backlog in construction industry claims specifically. There were several large layoffs in the sector this quarter, and they're reviewing employer tax compliance more carefully for construction companies. This likely explains your extended wait time compared to claims from other industries.

I'm dealing with a similar situation - filed in early April and still stuck in adjudication after 8 weeks. What's really frustrating is that I had to use my emergency savings just to keep my head above water, and now that's almost gone too. I've been following a lot of the advice here (calling multiple times, filing weekly claims religiously, doing job search activities) but still no movement. The worst part is the uncertainty - like you don't know if it's going to be resolved tomorrow or drag on for months. One thing that's helped me cope while waiting is applying for food assistance through DSHS and looking into utility assistance programs. It's not much but every little bit helps when you're hemorrhaging money. Hang in there - sounds like you've got some good leads to follow up on!

I had a similar frustrating experience trying to reach Washington ESD directly, but I found success by being strategic about timing and preparation. Here's what worked for me: I called the main ESD number (833-572-8400) at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday morning and actually got through after about 45 minutes on hold. Before calling, I had all my documentation ready - claim number, Social Security number, employment dates, and specific details about my issue written down. The representative was able to see exactly what was holding up my adjudication and walked me through submitting the missing information. My claim was processed within a week after that call. If you can't get through by phone, definitely try the WorkSource office route that others mentioned - having someone help you navigate the system makes a huge difference. The key is being persistent but also prepared with all your information when you finally do connect with someone.

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my recent experience. I was in the exact same situation a few weeks ago - couldn't get through by phone and was getting nowhere with my adjudication issue. I ended up visiting the WorkSource office in Bellevue (someone mentioned it's less crowded than Seattle) and it was actually really helpful. The staff couldn't change my claim directly, but they helped me understand that my issue was related to incomplete wage verification from a previous employer. They showed me exactly how to request the missing documents and submit them through SecureAccess Washington with a clear explanation message. It took about 2 weeks after that for my claim to get resolved. I'd definitely recommend trying the WorkSource route first - bring your claim number, ID, and any correspondence you've received from ESD. The staff there really know how to navigate the system and can save you a lot of time and frustration.