


Ask the community...
The Claims Center number is 800-318-6022. And yeah, the Spanish option worked twice for me! Just be polite about it since they're trying to help Spanish speakers, but most agents are bilingual and can easily switch to English.
just tried that claimyr thing this morning after seeing it here and IT WORKED!!!! talked to an actual person after 2 weeks of trying on my own. my issue isnt fixed yet but at least i got through and they put notes on my account. just wanted to update you guys
has anyone else noticed that esd's system always seems to flag claims randomly for adjudication??? like i've filed for unemployment 3 times in 6 years and EVERY SINGLE TIME i get stuck in adjudication for weeks with no explanation. like why even have the system if every claim gets flagged anyway???
It's not random, but their flagging system is very sensitive. Things that commonly trigger adjudication include: employment gaps, earnings inconsistencies, employer protests, multiple employers in your base year, job separation reasons other than layoff, availability limitations, and identity verification needs. The system is designed to catch potential issues, but it does create a lot of false flags.
Update: I used the hardship expedition request that someone suggested below and actually got through to a person! They confirmed my claim is still waiting for an adjudicator but because I have a late notice for utilities, they've marked my claim for expedition. They said it could still take 1-2 weeks but that's better than continuing to wait indefinitely. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and support. I'll post again when I hear anything more.
Based on your last comment about marking unavailable for a doctor's appointment, that might be the issue. While it seems minor, ESD's system can flag this. Your appeal should specifically address this, explaining that a brief medical appointment doesn't make you unavailable for work in general (courts have upheld this interpretation). For the appeal, I recommend: 1. Be very specific about dates and times 2. Explain your overall availability for work 3. Reference any job search activities you performed that week 4. Include any communications with potential employers An Administrative Law Judge will review your case, and having detailed documentation will help tremendously.
when i had my appeal last yr the judge person was actually really nice. they overturned my disqualification bcuz ESD made the mistake not me. took like 6 weeks tho from when i filed appeal till hearing. u might get lucky and they fix it before hearing happens. keep checking ur online account everyday for updates!! sometimes they dont even notify u when things change
That's good to hear. 6 weeks is a long time though... I'm going to see if I can get through to them by phone using that Claimyr thing someone mentioned while also filing the appeal as backup. Can't afford to wait 6 weeks with no income.
The whole system is designed to be confusing on purpose! Back in 2022 I got stuck in an endless loop of "reopen claim" vs "file new claim" buttons that kept sending me back and forth. Then they penalized ME for supposedly filing incorrectly. The ESD website is a joke and their instructions contradict themselves half the time.
The system can definitely be confusing, but it has improved since 2022. The main thing to remember is that you're always within a benefit year for 12 months from your initial filing date. Within that year = reopen claim. After that year ends = new claim. The online system now has clearer guidance about this.
Rhett Bowman
I want to correct some misconceptions I'm seeing in this thread. For qualifying for Training Benefits with ESD, you need to submit your application within the first 5 weeks of your claim or within 5 weeks of Trade Act certification. It's not automatically granted - you need to show that: 1. Your occupation is declining or your skills are obsolete 2. The training will lead to employment opportunities 3. You can successfully complete the training For the original poster, your transition from manufacturing QC to data analysis could potentially qualify, especially if you can demonstrate that manufacturing jobs in your area are declining. Regarding age discrimination - while it absolutely happens, ESD's role isn't to address hiring discrimination but to provide benefits while you search for work. EEOC or your state's human rights commission handles discrimination claims. For meeting job search requirements when options seem limited, remember that the requirement is 3 job search ACTIVITIES per week, not just applications. Networking events, skills workshops, and informational interviews all count.
0 coins
Gianna Scott
•Thank you for these clarifications. I'm well past my first 5 weeks of claiming, so it sounds like Training Benefits might not be an option for me anymore. What about Commissioner Approved Training that was mentioned? Does that have the same timeline requirement? I'm definitely using various activities for my job search log - not just applications. But I appreciate the reminder about what qualifies.
0 coins
Alfredo Lugo
To answer your most recent question - Commissioner Approved Training (CAT) doesn't have the same strict timeline as Training Benefits. You can apply for CAT at any point during your claim. The main difference is that CAT waives your job search requirements while you're in training, but doesn't extend your benefit period like Training Benefits does. Based on everything you've shared, I'd recommend: 1. Try to get through to ESD (using that Claimyr service if needed) to discuss your specific situation 2. Visit a WorkSource office in person to speak with someone about the programs for older workers 3. Look into the SSAP (Strategies for Success Assessment Program) through WorkSource which helps identify transferable skills Don't give up! There are resources designed specifically for situations like yours.
0 coins
Gianna Scott
•I really appreciate all this information. I'm going to try reaching ESD tomorrow and will also schedule a visit to my local WorkSource office. At least now I feel like I have some options to explore rather than just watching my benefits countdown tick away while sending applications into the void. Thank you to everyone who responded.
0 coins