BTW has anyone else noticed that the ESD website is CONSTANTLY under maintenance whenever you actaully need to use it?? I swear they do it on purpose to stop people from checking their claims lol

Quick update question for the original poster - has there been any movement on your claim status? Sometimes these recertifications suddenly process after sitting for weeks. Keep us posted if you get through to ESD or if your status changes.

Quick follow-up about adjudication: if your case is straightforward (like a standard layoff with your employer confirming everything), it might go faster than the 3-6 week estimate. Mine took just 2 weeks in September. But if there's any discrepancy between what you reported and what your employer reported, it definitely takes longer while they investigate.

One thing I learned from my adjudication process - sometimes they need additional information but don't tell you directly. It's worth checking your eServices account every few days and clicking on the "Notices/Letters" section to see if they've posted any requests there. Also check your spam folder for emails from ESD. I almost missed an important questionnaire because it went to spam, which would have delayed my claim even more.

when i waited 2 try again after working i had 2 do a whole new claim and they denied me cuz i didnt work enough hours at the new job but then i apealed and they let me have whats left on my old claim. the whole thing took like 6 weeks tho so start applying 4 jobs right away!!!

FINAL UPDATE: Finally got through to ESD! For anyone in a similar situation - they had me reopen my existing claim since my benefit year wasn't over. I had to provide details about my Oregon job and why I moved there and back. The agent said I still had 18 weeks of benefits remaining on my original claim. I need to serve a new waiting week, and then I can start claiming again! Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

One thing I recommend for your appeal: request all records ESD used to make their determination about your ability to repay. You have a right to see exactly what financial information they're basing this on. Sometimes they're working with outdated or incorrect information about your current financial situation. At your hearing, be sure to highlight any changes in your financial circumstances since the overpayment occurred - especially if your situation has worsened. Also, don't be afraid to get emotional (but still respectful) about the impact this repayment would have on your life. The judges are human and respond to genuine hardship stories.

For my appeal hearing, I created a monthly budget spreadsheet that was really detailed - I listed every single expense down to Netflix and pet food. The judge actually complimented me on how thorough it was. I also brought screenshots of my bank account showing I had less than $500 in savings. Don't forget to include any medical expenses or debt payments! Another thing that helped was bringing documentation of any unusual expenses that might be coming up - in my case, my car needed major repairs, so I brought the estimate from the mechanic. The more specific you can be about your financial situation, the better your chances.

Has anyone tried the IT boot camps? I've been looking at Code Fellows and some others but they're expensive and not sure if ESD would approve them as training programs? My understancing is that training has to be at accredited schools

One more thing - make sure you file for Training Benefits as soon as possible. There's a deadline based on when your unemployment claim started (usually within the first 52 weeks). If you miss this window, you might not be eligible even if the training program is approved. Also, if you're considering healthcare, check out the WA Health Workforce Gateway program. They sometimes have accelerated approval processes for healthcare training through partnerships with ESD. I believe they're specifically working to reduce wait times for certain high-demand certifications.