Quick update on my earlier comment - I should clarify that while the waiting week status is generally a positive sign, the official approval comes in the form of a determination letter. Since you were laid off (not fired for cause or quit), your claim should be straightforward and likely to be approved.\n\nThe ESD system in 2025 is better than it was during the pandemic years, but there are still delays and glitches. The most important thing right now is to:\n\n1. Continue filing your weekly claims on time\n2. Complete your 3 job search activities each week\n3. Document everything in your WorkSource job search log\n4. Check your online account daily for new letters\n\nIf you haven't seen any determination by the time you file your second weekly claim, then I would recommend trying to contact ESD directly.

Thanks for the additional info! I'll keep filing and documenting everything carefully. If I don't see anything definitive by my second claim, I'll try to contact them directly. Really appreciate all the help!

have u tried contacting ur state representative? my sister was stuck waiting for 6 weeks on an appeal and she called her state rep's office. they have special liasons who can sometimes help speed things up with esd. worth a shot maybe

I was getting nowhere with ESD for weeks trying to resolve my claim issues. Busy signals, disconnects, full voicemail boxes - it was infuriating! Then someone on this forum recommended Claimyr.com and it actually worked. They got me connected to an ESD agent in about 40 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks with no success. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Might be worth trying while you're waiting for the OAH process. Sometimes getting through to the right ESD person can resolve things before they even get to a hearing.

just went thru this last month. my identity got fixed but the other issue took another 2 weeks even with escalation. keep calling!

One thing to keep in mind - in my experience, when you go through the Governor's office, ESD typically assigns a specific case manager to handle your claim. If you call ESD directly, ask if there's a case manager assigned to your claim from the escalation. If there is, ask for their direct contact information. Also, check your ESD account for any alerts or action items daily. Sometimes they'll request additional information but won't call or email you about it. Missing these requests can add weeks to your wait time.

Quick update: I received my first payment today! It included all back payments from when I first filed. Such a relief to finally have that money coming in while I continue my job search. The escalation through WorkSource definitely made the difference.

One thing to watch out for: I had a similar situation where my claim was stuck for weeks, then suddenly got approved and paid... only to get an overpayment notice 2 months later because they said they made a mistake! Make sure you don't spend all the back pay immediately if you can help it. Set some aside in case ESD comes back with "oops we didn't mean to pay you that much." Happened to me and several others I know.

My sister had a hearing last month about her benefits. Don't stress too much! She said the judge was actually really nice and just wanted to understand the situation better. She's still getting her benefits no problem. I think sometimes they just do these hearings as a formality tbh.

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'm feeling much more prepared now. I'm going to gather all my documentation tonight, especially around the position elimination, and be ready to calmly explain what happened. I'll update this thread after the hearing to let you know how it went!