just remember to keep filing ur weekly claims even tho ur waiting for appeal!! if u win the appeal they'll only pay u for weeks u submitted claims for

One more recommendation since you mentioned you were fired due to allegations that were later found to be unsubstantiated - make sure you've uploaded all documentation showing you were cleared of wrongdoing to your eServices account. Specifically: 1. The official findings document from the regulatory agency 2. Any correspondence showing you requested an internal investigation from your employer 3. Documentation showing the timeline between your termination and when you were cleared At your eventual hearing, the Administrative Law Judge will focus heavily on whether there was misconduct. Having clear documentation that an official investigation cleared you is extremely valuable evidence.

my brother took temp work during his waiting week last year and it totally messed up his claim. system thought he was employed full-time and denied everything. took him MONTHS to get it sorted out. just my two cents...

Just to add some clarity to your specific situation - the waiting week is always unpaid, but you still need to follow all unemployment rules during that week. Taking temp work during your waiting week won't affect your overall eligibility as long as you report it correctly. The real decision point is what happens AFTER your waiting week. You'll need to decide if you want to continue with temp work (and potentially receive partial benefits) or focus solely on finding permanent employment while collecting full benefits. Either way, maintain your 3 job search activities every week and document everything clearly. If the temp work is sporadic as you mentioned, having some income plus partial benefits might be better than no income while waiting for the perfect job. Just make sure your weekly claims are accurate regarding hours worked and earnings received.

CONGRATS ON THE UPDATE!!! So glad to hear you got through! I've been following this thread because I'm having a similar issue (been stuck in adjudication for 3 weeks). Can I ask what time you called the OAH office? And did they just transfer you immediately or did you have to explain your situation to them first? I might try this approach tomorrow.

This is great news! For anyone else reading this thread with similar issues, here's what happened: the OAH has a direct transfer line to ESD that bypasses the normal call routing system. It's not publicized, but it's a legitimate way to get through when the main line is jammed. Just be aware that this method should only be used if you have a legitimate issue like OP did with contradicting information between your determination letter and online status. The payments should show up in your account within 2-3 business days.

Quick update: My payment just switched from 'processing' to 'paid' about an hour ago. Hopefully everyone else's will update soon too. Looks like they're working through the backlog as promised.

mine still says processing ughhhhh

According to ESD regulations, you must report any educational activities while claiming benefits. For your situation, here's what matters: 1) Your availability during normal business hours (8am-5pm, M-F) 2) Your continued ability to conduct 3 job search activities per week 3) Your willingness to accept suitable full-time work if offered Evening certificate programs typically don't interfere with these requirements, so your benefits should continue uninterrupted as long as you properly report your educational activities on your weekly claim. When you report, ESD will likely send you a questionnaire (usually through your eServices account) asking for more details about your training. Be prepared to provide your class schedule and a statement about your continued availability for work.

One more important detail - if you're taking these classes to get into a new career field, you might want to look into the official Training Benefits program through ESD instead of just taking regular classes. The Training Benefits program can extend your unemployment while you complete approved training programs, but you have to apply and get approved. Deadline is usually within first 16 weeks of your claim.