For anyone else reading this thread in the future, here are some proven strategies for contacting ESD in 2025: 1. Call at 8:00am sharp when they first open (or 7:59am as someone mentioned) 2. If your issue is urgent (eviction, utilities being shut off), make sure to mention this 3. Keep your claim ID number, last 4 of SSN, and specific issue details ready 4. If you can't get through after multiple attempts, contact your state representative 5. Always document every contact attempt with date/time for reference 6. Check if your issue can be resolved through the eServices portal 7. Prepare for a potential 30-60 minute hold time once you do connect Staying calm and being specific about your issue when you do reach someone will help get your problem resolved more quickly.

I've been dealing with this same nightmare for the past 2 weeks! After reading through all these suggestions, I finally got through yesterday using a combination of the tips here. Called at exactly 8:00am, selected option 1 then 4, and waited on hold for almost an hour. The agent was able to see that my claim had been flagged for identity verification even though I never received any notice about it. She walked me through uploading documents right there on the call and said it should process within 48 hours. Dylan, so glad you got through too! For anyone still struggling - persistence really is key, and having all your info ready makes the call go much smoother once you do connect. Don't give up!

UPDATE: I submitted all my documents yesterday and just got an email saying my verification was approved! That was faster than I expected. All my pending payments were released too. For anyone else dealing with this: I submitted my driver's license (front and back), social security card, and a recent utility bill. Make sure your photos are clear and all text is readable.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Just logged in today and saw the red banner - absolutely no warning whatsoever. It's so stressful because like you said, what if I hadn't checked my account for a week? I would have missed the deadline completely through no fault of my own. The fact that they have a known notification system bug since January but haven't fixed it yet is unacceptable. People depend on these benefits! I'm submitting my documents today but this whole experience has me really frustrated with how ESD operates. Thanks for posting about this - at least now I know I'm not the only one dealing with their broken system.

One last thing - if you ever get confused about something or make a mistake on your weekly claim, you can usually call and get it corrected. Don't panic if you realize you reported something wrong, just contact them as soon as possible to fix it.

I've been in a similar situation and can confirm that $200-300 per week should be totally fine with your $487 weekly benefit amount. The key thing to remember is that Washington uses a "disregard" system where they subtract $5 from your weekly benefit amount to get your earnings threshold. So you can earn up to $482 before any deductions kick in. Since your freelance work is projected at $200-300, you'd still receive your full $487 benefit plus keep all your freelance income. When you file your weekly claim, there's a clear section asking "Did you work or earn money?" - just answer honestly with the gross amount you earned and the dates you worked. The system will automatically calculate everything for you. I'd definitely take the freelance opportunity - it's a great way to keep your skills sharp while job hunting and the extra income helps a lot!

I went through this exact same situation last year! My MS Teams hearing was set up for both audio and video, but I was so nervous about the technical side that I called the OAH office the day before to confirm everything. The staff member told me that while video is available, audio-only participation is completely acceptable and won't hurt your case at all. What really helped me was doing a test call with a friend using MS Teams beforehand - we discovered my microphone wasn't working properly and I had to switch to my phone's headset. Also, make sure you have the phone number backup option ready just in case there are internet issues. For your training situation, document everything with dates and names. I had a similar issue with lack of training and the judge really focused on specific instances rather than general statements. Having emails or even notes about conversations with supervisors about training requests made a huge difference in my case. The whole process is stressful but the judges are generally fair and understand that technical issues happen. You've got this!

I had my OAH appeal hearing via MS Teams just last month and wanted to share some practical tips since you're going through this soon! The setup allows for both video and audio, but I found that having my camera on actually helped - the judge could see my sincerity when I was explaining my situation. Make sure to log into MS Teams about 10 minutes early to test your connection. I also kept my phone nearby with the backup dial-in number just in case. The hearing lasted about an hour for me. Since your case involves training issues, organize your evidence chronologically and be very specific about dates and who you spoke with. I had a similar situation where my employer claimed I wasn't meeting standards, but I was able to show through emails and documentation that I repeatedly requested additional training that was never provided. One thing that really helped was writing out a brief timeline beforehand with key dates and events. During the hearing, I could refer to it quickly without fumbling through papers. The judge appreciated the organization. Don't let them intimidate you - you have the right to be heard and to present your evidence. Stay calm, answer questions directly, and stick to the facts. You've got this! Let us know how it goes.

I want to emphasize something important: apply for Training Benefits ASAP. Don't wait until your benefits are about to run out. The application process involves multiple steps and potential delays: 1. You submit the initial application 2. ESD reviews it and may request additional documentation 3. You submit any requested documents 4. ESD makes a determination 5. If approved, they send a formal approval letter Each of these steps can take time. With only 6 weeks left on your claim, you're already in a time crunch. Submit your application this week if possible. Also, keep detailed records of everything - confirmation numbers, copies of all documents you submit, names of ESD representatives you speak with, etc. This documentation is invaluable if there are any issues later.

Just wanted to add one more thing about the timing - since you're cutting it close with only 6 weeks left, consider calling ESD after you submit your application to confirm they received everything. Sometimes applications get stuck in their system or documents don't upload properly. Also, if your medical coding program has evening or weekend classes, that could help with scheduling around your part-time warehouse job. Many people successfully balance Training Benefits with part-time work, especially in programs with flexible scheduling. One last tip: if you run into any roadblocks with your application, some community colleges have ESD liaisons who can help advocate for students. Your school might have someone who deals with these situations regularly and knows exactly what documentation ESD is looking for. Good luck!