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Quick update for anyone following or who might be in a similar situation. I called the Governor's Constituent Services number this morning, and they took all my info. They said they'd submit an urgent inquiry to ESD on my behalf and I should hear something within 3-5 business days. I also called my local WorkSource office and they're submitting an escalation request too. Hoping between these two approaches, something will get my claim moving again. Will update when I hear anything!
That's great! Using multiple channels is smart. In my experience, when your claim gets flagged from both the Governor's office AND WorkSource, it typically gets prioritized pretty quickly. The key thing will be making sure your explanation about the childcare situation is clear and documented. ESD needs to understand that one declined interview due to temporary childcare issues doesn't mean you're not available for work in general.
FINAL UPDATE: Success! Less than 48 hours after contacting the Governor's office, I got a call from an ESD supervisor. She reviewed my case on the phone with me, I explained the childcare situation (it was a one-time emergency when my sister couldn't watch my kids), and she immediately cleared the adjudication flag! My status is now active again and I should receive back payments within 48 hours. THANK YOU to everyone who offered advice, especially about the Governor's Constituent Services number. That was the key to getting this resolved quickly!
my cousin works at esd and said they're totally swamped right now with people calling about this exact issue... they get like thousands of calls every holiday about delayed payments. wish they'd just put a big notice on the website
They SHOULD put notices everywhere! I bet half their call volume is just people freaking out about where their money is. Such a waste of everyone's time.
If you need to get through to ESD, I've had success using Claimyr.com - they have a system that helps you bypass the phone queue. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that shows how it works. Saved me hours of redial frustration when I had an adjudication issue last month.
I wouldn't get too excited yet. My claim said "processing" for THREE WEEKS before finally changing to "paid" and then another week before I actually saw the money! The whole ESD system is designed to frustrate people into giving up. Also, be prepared that they might approve some weeks and deny others - that's what they did to me because of some stupid technicality about job search requirements even though I DID submit them. ESD is the WORST state agency by far!!
Oh no, I really hope it doesn't take that long! I've been doing all my job search activities and documenting everything carefully. Did you end up appealing the weeks they denied?
UPDATE: Just checked again this morning and now TWO more weeks have changed to "processing"! Still have two that say "pending" but definitely movement in the right direction. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
Quick tip for the future - take a photo of your timecard or write down your hours at the end of each shift. Makes weekly claims so much easier when you have part-time work. I learned this the hard way!
Jabari-Jo
I've helped several clients through the ESD appeals process, and while it's frustrating, there are some steps you can take: 1. File a hardship request with OAH specifically mentioning the eviction risk and having a minor child. Call 1-800-583-8271 and follow up with an email to oah@oah.wa.gov including your appeal number. 2. For immediate housing assistance, contact the Washington Homeowner Assistance Fund if you own your home, or the Department of Commerce's Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP) if you rent. They have emergency funding specifically for people awaiting unemployment benefits. 3. Prepare for your appeal by organizing documentation that shows: - Your previous wage rate ($32/hr you mentioned) - The offered job's wage ($23/hr) - The distance to the new job (map printout showing 50 miles) - Calculation of gas/transportation costs - Any childcare complications the new schedule would create 4. Consider asking for a continuance if you get a hearing date but don't feel prepared. The good news is that refusing work due to substantial pay reduction AND excessive commute distance is commonly successful on appeal. The bad news is that the timeline is indeed 6-8 weeks currently before hearings are scheduled.
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Niko Ramsey
•This is excellent advice. I'd add that when contacting OAH for a hardship request, use the exact phrase "financial hardship expedite request" as this triggers a specific protocol. Also worth noting that if you get an unfavorable decision at the OAH level, you have 30 days to appeal to the Commissioner's Review Office, which can overturn OAH decisions.
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Seraphina Delan
i know this isnt a solution but if u have family anywhere else maybe send ur daughter to stay with them until this is over? that way even if worst happens and u need to go to shelter she doesnt have to. just thinking what id do in ur shoes
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Derek Olson
•I wish that was an option but my parents passed away and my sister is overseas with the military. My daughter's dad isn't in the picture at all. We're kind of on our own here. But I appreciate the suggestion.
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