UPDATE: Had my hearing yesterday! It was actually less scary than I expected. The judge said they'll mail me the decision in 1-2 weeks. I explained about the reduced hours and showed my evidence. The employer didn't even show up! Fingers crossed!

Can I ask a related question? I'm in a similar situation but haven't filed my appeal yet. Does anyone know if the 30-day deadline to appeal is from the date on the determination letter or from when you actually receive it? My determination is dated April 12th but I didn't get it until April 22nd because of mail delays.

i forgot to say my cousin said if u mention hardship like ur about to miss rent or whatever sometimes theyll put u in the urgent pile. worth a shot

UPDATE: Got through to ESD this morning using that Claimyr service (seriously took like 25 mins instead of endless redials). The agent confirmed what @ESDadjudicator said - they needed the UCT25 form. My union business agent submitted it this afternoon and the agent put a note on my claim to expedite review once received. They said I should see movement within 3-5 days. Thanks everyone for the help! Will update when it's resolved.

Is it possible you missed answering one of the eligibility questions when filing your weekly claim? I had a similar situation where I was disqualified because I accidentally clicked that I wasn't available for work one week (hit the wrong option). If you're filing online, double-check each answer before submitting. Also, are you on standby status or regular UI? The requirements are different.

Update us once you get through to an agent. This definitely sounds like there's an adjudication issue or eligibility question that wasn't communicated properly. In the meantime, keep filing your weekly claims correctly, document everything, and maintain your work search activities. When they finally fix whatever the issue is, you should receive all eligible back payments at once.

just to share my experience - my claim was denied because I quit "voluntarily" even though it was for childcare. ESD said I should have "explored all other options" first. The appeal took FOREVER and I still got denied! The system is totally rigged against parents who need to care for sick kids!!!! Ugh so frustrating.

Update: I tried the Claimyr service mentioned above and actually got through to ESD! The agent said I should formally request accommodation from my employer in writing first (asking for a temporary leave or shift change) and keep their response. She said I should continue working part-time while the first adjudication resolves if possible. If I absolutely need to quit, I should get detailed medical documentation showing why my daughter needs care during my current work hours specifically. She also suggested applying for Standby status with a specific return-to-work date when my daughter's treatment schedule changes. Thanks everyone for your help!

I was in the exact same situation in January. Filed after being laid off, employer contested it saying I quit (which was completely false), and I went into adjudication hell. I called ESD over 70 times in a 3-week period. What finally worked for me was contacting my state representative's office. They have liaisons who work directly with ESD. Within 4 days of contacting my rep, an adjudicator called me, got my side of the story, and approved my benefits the next day with full backpay. Google "[your county] state representative" and reach out to their constituent services. It made all the difference for me!

One important reminder: when your claim is in adjudication, it's critical to continue meeting all job search requirements (3 job search activities per week). Document everything thoroughly in your weekly claims. I've seen cases where people focus so much on the adjudication issue that they neglect job search requirements, and then face even more delays or denials. Also, if you receive any messages or calls from ESD or an adjudicator, respond immediately - even a short delay in your response can push your claim back in the queue.