anybody else notice that some ppl get through adjudication in like 2 days and others wait months?? its so random!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning! Called exactly at 8:00am and only waited about 20 minutes. The agent confirmed my adjudication is because they're waiting for response from my previous employer (the one before my most recent job). She said they have 10 business days to respond, and that period ends next Tuesday. If they don't respond by then, ESD will make a determination without their input. She also mentioned my current claim looks straightforward since I was laid off due to lack of work. So hopefully I'll see some movement next week! Thanks everyone for the advice and support.

My sister just went through this with her PFMLA claim. She ended up having to use some saved PTO to supplement her leave because the benefit amount was so much lower than expected. It really does feel like the system is designed to confuse people and pay out less. The same thing happened when I was on unemployment in 2024 - they used my 2023 wages even though I had a raise right before being laid off.

Thanks everyone for all the explanations. Still feels unfair but at least I understand why it's happening now. I've checked with my HR and they don't offer any supplemental benefits, so I'll use some of my PTO to help cover the gap. Really appreciate all the insights!

Something else to consider - make sure you're presenting evidence about the SPECIFIC weeks ESD is claiming were misreported. I've seen people bring lots of evidence but for the wrong time periods, which doesn't help your case. The overpayment notice should list exactly which weeks are in question. Also, during the hearing, be very clear and concise with your explanations. The judges hear many cases each day, so being organized makes a big difference. And don't get emotional or ramble about how unfair ESD is - just stick to the facts about hours worked and reported.

One last bit of advice - during the phone hearing, the judge will likely ask your husband's employer to explain their records first. TAKE NOTES about what they say! Often, employers make vague statements or can't explain discrepancies when questioned directly by the judge. When it's your turn to speak, you can then address any inconsistencies in their testimony. Be very specific: "The employer claims my husband worked 8 hours on January 15th, but as shown in Exhibit C, he was actually at a doctor's appointment that day..." The burden of proof is technically on ESD/the employer to prove you received benefits incorrectly. Your job is to create reasonable doubt about their evidence.

The phone system is frustrating by design. I've worked with hundreds of ESD claimants and the most effective approach actually isn't calling repeatedly. Try these alternatives: 1. Use the eServices secure message system - responses typically come within 4-7 business days 2. Visit a WorkSource center in person (bring ID) - they can't resolve adjudication issues but can often tell you what's holding up your claim 3. Contact your state representative's office - they have liaison channels 4. If your claim is in adjudication, understand that constant calling won't speed it up That said, if you absolutely must speak with someone by phone, the specialized services mentioned above (like Claimyr) do work for many people. The key is understanding that ESD is dealing with thousands of claims - persistence and patience are unfortunately necessary.

UPDATE: I finally got through! Used the 7:58am trick and pressed the number sequence mentioned above. Got placed in queue after my 7th attempt. Waited 55 minutes but finally spoke to a real person who fixed my claim issue. My adjudication was completed while I was on the phone and payments should process tonight. THANK YOU all for the advice!!!

One thing I forgot to mention - check if your former employer has responded to the ESD inquiry about your separation. You can call your old workplace HR department and ask if they've received and responded to the ESD claim notice. Sometimes employers miss these notices or delay responding, which holds up the whole process. If they haven't responded, kindly ask them to do so ASAP as it's affecting your benefits.

After reading through this thread again, I'd suggest taking up the recommendation to use Claimyr to get through to an agent. At this point, speaking with someone directly will be your fastest path to resolution. Just make sure you have all your information ready when you call - your SSN, claim ID number, employment history dates, and any correspondence you've received from ESD. The agent will need to verify your identity before discussing your claim details. Also, if your financial situation is becoming dire, you might want to look into hardship assistance programs while waiting for your unemployment to be approved. Most counties have emergency rental assistance and utility payment help available. Don't wait until you're completely out of funds to seek these resources.