u know what sux?? I had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM last month and finally got thru after calling for like 3 weeks straight. then the agent fixed my issue in literally 5 minutes. so frustrating!!

One last tip: If you've filed your appeal already, you can sometimes reach different staff by calling the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) instead of the regular ESD number. If your appeal has been assigned to OAH, you can check its status and sometimes get more information about your case. Their number is 1-800-366-0955.

Thanks everyone for the help! I'm going to try to get through to ESD tomorrow and ask specifically for the "Emergency Proclamation Job Search Suspension Notice" and reference the WAC emergency rule. If I can't get through I might try that Claimyr service since I really need this documentation quickly. My previous employer is claiming I didn't meet requirements during weeks when the requirements were actually suspended, so having the official documentation seems like the only way to resolve this. I'll update if I have any success!

Wait isn't there like a time limit for employers to dispute unemployment claims??? It's been like 5 YEARS since the pandemic started, how can they even do this now??

One more thing - the hearing will likely be by phone due to ongoing COVID protocols. Make sure you're in a quiet place with good reception, have all your documents organized in front of you, and take notes during the employer's testimony so you can address any false statements. If you have a smart phone, I recommend using the speaker function and recording the hearing (just notify everyone at the beginning that you're recording). The Administrative Law Judge will ask you questions directly, so be prepared to clearly explain: 1. What happened on 12/15/24 in detail 2. Your prior work history and performance 3. Any policies or training related to food safety protocols 4. Why you believe the termination was unjustified Don't interrupt the employer or the judge, and don't get defensive even if the employer makes false statements. Just note them and address them when it's your turn to speak.

does anyone know if u get backpay for all the weeks during the appeal if u win? i'm in the same boat waiting for my appeal hearing and running out of money fast :/

I waited 3 months after my waiver approval to get ALL my money back!! And that was with calling them every single week! The entire system is designed to wear us down so we give up. DON'T GIVE UP. Keep calling and document everything. I finally had to contact my state representative to get the rest of my payment released. Suddenly they "found" my money after the rep's office inquired. Funny how that works!!!

Quick update based on all the comments - it sounds like you should: 1. Keep checking your account for updates daily 2. Call ESD every week to follow up (using Claimyr if you're having trouble getting through) 3. Request a formal breakdown of what weeks were included in your first payment 4. Be prepared for the process to potentially take 1-8 weeks for full payment 5. Contact your state representative if you don't see movement after 3-4 weeks It's unfortunately a common issue, but the good news is that most people do eventually receive their full payment after a successful waiver approval. The system is just incredibly slow and poorly communicated.

THE ESD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY PEOPLE THEIR BENEFITS!!! I'm convinced they train their employees to find ANY reason to disqualify claims. I went through something similar last month and it took FIVE WEEKS to get it fixed. Had to call 87 TIMES before I got through (yes I counted). By the time I got my benefits I was already behind on rent and had my electricity shut off. They don't care AT ALL about our suffering!!! You need to DEMAND to speak to a supervisor. Don't let them transfer you to another regular agent. Say the words "escalate to supervisor" over and over until they do it. Regular agents won't fix anything!!! Also RECORD EVERY CALL with them if your state allows it. I wish I had done this because they kept giving me different information every time I called.

Hey just wondering - did you try the Claimyr thing? Did it work? I'm in a similar situation now and considering trying it but wasn't sure if it's legit

Update: I just got the questionnaire from ESD about my missed week. It's asking if I was able and available for work, if I was physically able to work, if I was out of my labor market area, etc. I'm going to fill it out honestly stating I was traveling and unavailable. Fingers crossed this gets resolved quickly!

Perfect! That's exactly what you should do. Complete honesty is always the best approach with ESD. Since you're just looking to skip that week rather than receive benefits for it, this should be straightforward. Let us know how it goes!

wait i'm confused - doesn't the "suitable work" thing only apply if ESD refers you to the job? if you found these jobs on your own through your job search, can't you just... not tell ESD about the offer you declined? or am i totally misunderstanding how this works?

Update: I talked to Company B and let them know I had another offer pending but was more interested in their position. They were really responsive and moved up my second interview to tomorrow! Fingers crossed this works out. If not, I'm leaning toward declining Company A if they can't meet at least 90% of my previous salary. Thanks everyone for the advice!

Any update?? Did u figure out what happened?? I'm invested in ur story now lol

Finally got through to someone at ESD! Turns out there was an identity verification issue that somehow didn't trigger a notification. The agent said they've had system problems with alerts not being sent to claimants. She cleared it up right away and my payment should process within 48 hours. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

I went through this exact situation in 2025. If your benefits just exhausted last week, you need to call ESD immediately and explain the situation. According to WAC 192-270-050, you must submit your Training Benefits application before your benefits exhaust, but there is a provision for exceptions in certain circumstances. When you call, specifically ask if you qualify for a "good cause" exception for the late filing. Be prepared to explain why you weren't able to apply on time (like if the WorkSource counselor didn't inform you of the deadline). Also, make sure your training program is on the in-demand occupation list for your local workforce development area. Most IT certifications are, but it's worth confirming.

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through to ESD? What did they say about your situation?

Update: Called ESD this morning after trying for two days and FINALLY got through! The agent said my claim was pending because they needed to verify my hours with my last employer even though they already responded. She manually reviewed it and approved my claim while I was on the phone! Said I should see payments for both weeks within 48 hours. So relieved!

@profile6 I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Felt weird paying to get through to a government agency, but I was desperate and it worked - got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. After spending hours getting nowhere on my own, it was worth it to finally get this resolved!