To address your original question about getting "railroaded" - in my experience and from what I've heard from others, the OAH judges tend to be fair but strict about following procedures. They're not ESD employees and are supposed to be neutral. One important tip: when it's your turn to speak, be concise and directly address the reason for disqualification. Since yours is about job search activities, focus exclusively on proving you did those activities and have a good reason for not logging them on time. Also, make sure to call in 5-10 minutes before the scheduled time, have all your documents organized, and be in a quiet place. Good preparation makes a huge difference in these hearings.

Practicing is actually a great idea. It helps you organize your thoughts and prepare for potential questions. Another thing to understand about these hearings: in 2025, ESD is processing a high volume of appeals, so ALJs (Administrative Law Judges) are trying to be efficient. This means: 1. Be on time and ready when they call 2. Answer questions directly - don't go off on tangents 3. If you don't understand something, politely ask for clarification 4. Have your case number and identifying information ready at the start The decision truly isn't made until after the hearing. I've seen many cases where proper documentation and a clear explanation have overturned the initial disqualification, especially in job search logging cases where the actual activities were completed.

I've been through this process twice during different unemployment periods. Here's what to expect: 1. They'll review your resume for improvements - be open to suggestions even if you think your resume is already good. 2. They'll verify your job search logs meet requirements - make sure each entry has complete information. 3. They'll discuss your job search strategy and might suggest different approaches or industries based on your skills. 4. They'll introduce WorkSource services like workshops, training programs, and job fairs. As for follow-ups, it varies by region and individual circumstances. In my first experience, I had mandatory bi-weekly check-ins for about two months. In my second experience (different county), I just had the one meeting with optional resources afterward. The key is demonstrating that you're making genuine efforts to find work. If they believe you're doing everything reasonably possible, they typically don't require ongoing meetings. But if they feel you need more guidance or structure, they might schedule follow-ups.

Just to add some important information: these WorkSource appointments (often called RESEA - Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment) are federally mandated for certain unemployment claimants. The selection is usually based on various factors that might indicate you could benefit from additional assistance. The meeting serves two purposes: 1. To provide personalized job search assistance 2. To verify you're meeting unemployment eligibility requirements Failure to attend without a good reason can result in benefit denial, so it's critical to keep the appointment or reschedule in advance if necessary. For your job search logs, make sure they clearly show you're meeting the 3 job search activities per week requirement. Each activity should be fully documented with specific details. If you've been recording your activities through the ESD online portal, print those out to bring with you.

I HATE to be negative, but I would prepare for the worst. I had what I thought was a simple layoff claim in 2025 and ended up in 'adjudication' for 11 WEEKS!!! The problem? My employer checked 'lack of work' instead of 'layoff' on their form - WHICH MEAN THE SAME THING!!! But the system flagged it as a 'discrepancy'!!! ESD is BROKEN and UNDERSTAFFED and NOBODY ANSWERS THE PHONES!!! I'm not saying you'll have problems, but have a financial backup plan just in case. Not trying to scare you, just being realistic based on what I and at least 6 of my former coworkers experienced.

Thank you everyone for the responses! Sounds like I shouldn't panic but should be prepared just in case. I'm going to: 1. Keep detailed records of everything 2. Make sure my job search activities are thoroughly documented 3. File my weekly claims consistently 4. Respond immediately to any ESD communications Fingers crossed I'll be one of the straightforward cases! I'll update if I hit any snags.

Update us after you call them! I suspect this is a technical error rather than an actual policy application. I've seen similar situations where the system automatically disqualifies claims that should just have deductions. Once a knowledgeable agent reviews it manually, they should be able to correct it and process your payments. One other possibility: did you fully complete all your job search activities each week and report them correctly? Sometimes people get confused between being disqualified for income reasons versus job search compliance issues.

good luck!! esd is such a mess sometimes lol

When you file, make sure to address these specific points: 1. Your last day of actual paid work 2. That the agency is not providing you with any income currently 3. That they are conditioning future income on relocation 4. Your specific reason why relocation isn't possible (elder care) Also, start your job search immediately and document all activities. You'll need to report 3 job search activities per week once you start claiming. Even if your claim goes into adjudication, keep filing weekly and doing your job search activities.

Based on what you've shared and similar cases, you're very likely eligible. The key test is whether you're receiving substantial pay - and zero pay clearly fails that test. File your claim, clearly document why relocation isn't possible (family care is a recognized good cause), and be prepared for possibly needing to provide additional information during adjudication. The agency might try to argue you refused suitable work, but that argument typically fails when relocation is required and you have family obligations. Good luck!