Anybody else think its RIDICULOUS that they can fire ppl for medical reasons and then argue against unemployment?? The system is totally rigged against workers!!! My cousin went thru something similar and had to fight for months to get benefits even tho she had cancer treatments!!!

One important distinction: There's a difference between being terminated because you were on approved medical leave versus being disqualified because you're currently unable to work due to medical conditions. If you were terminated for taking medical leave but are NOW able to work, that's generally covered by UI. If you're currently unable to work due to ongoing medical issues, that's typically not covered by regular UI (might need to look into disability instead). Based on your description, it sounds like you fall into the first category - you were terminated for taking leave, but are currently able to work. That's likely why your claim was approved. Just make sure when you answer the weekly claim questions about being able and available, you're answering based on your CURRENT status, not your status when you were terminated.

I hate to say it, but 14 weeks is a long time even by ESD standards. If nobody is giving you a straight answer, you might want to consider filing for an adjudicative hearing. You have the right to appeal the "non-action" on your claim. It sounds extreme, but sometimes filing the appeal paperwork is what finally gets someone to look at your claim. Go to your eServices account, look for the "Submit an Appeal" option, and in your explanation say you're appealing the unreasonable delay in processing your redetermination. Include that it's been 14 weeks, you're facing eviction, and you've made multiple attempts to resolve it through normal channels. This creates a formal legal timeline that ESD has to respond to. I've seen it work when nothing else would.

UPDATE: I tried calling the main ESD number this morning at exactly 8:00am and asked for a Tier 3 specialist like someone suggested. After being transferred twice, I finally got someone who actually gave me some useful information! Apparently my former employer's final quarterly tax report showed different wages than what I reported on my application. Since the company went out of business, they're having trouble verifying which numbers are correct. The agent put a note in my file flagging it as a hardship case and said a specialist would review it within 5 business days. I'm also going to try the Claimyr service that was mentioned and file that appeal just to cover all bases. Thank you all for the suggestions - this has been the most progress I've made in months!

I had a somewhat similar experience last month but with mixed results. I did get through to the Governor's office right away (called around 9:30am on a Tuesday), and they took all my information and said they'd send an urgent inquiry to ESD. The good news: I did get a call from ESD about a week later. The bad news: The ESD rep who called me said they still couldn't expedite my adjudication because they were handling cases in the order received and there were "thousands" ahead of mine. She said the only cases being expedited were those facing immediate eviction or utility shutoff with formal notices. So while the Governor's office did get ESD to call me, it didn't actually speed up my claim processing. I ended up waiting another 3 weeks before my adjudication was completed (9 weeks total). Just sharing so you have realistic expectations.

Just as an update to everyone following this thread - I called the Governor's office number that OP shared (360-902-4111) this morning and also got through right away. The person I spoke with was very professional and said they'd submit an inquiry about my claim. They gave me a reference number and everything, which already feels more promising than my previous attempts to contact ESD. I'll update here if/when I hear anything back!

After struggling with the ESD phone lines for weeks, I finally got through last month and asked this exact question about temp work. The agent told me that taking temporary work is actually ENCOURAGED by ESD and will not negatively impact your existing claim. When the temp job ends, you'll need to reopen your claim. The claims agent will ask if you're still unemployed through no fault of your own, and a scheduled end to temporary work fits that criteria perfectly. Regarding the commute - the agent said they consider reasonable commutes to be up to 1 hour one-way in the first 8 weeks of unemployment, then up to 30 minutes after that. So timing matters too!

i think ur overthinking this. if the temp job pays ok just take it. they might even hire u permanent if u do good. unemployment is only like max $1100 a week anyway and dealing with esd is SUCH a pain!!

To answer your follow-up question about job search requirements - yes, he needs to start looking for work and recording his job search activities immediately. There is no automatic standby period when a business closes. He needs to complete at least 3 job search activities each week and document them. The only exceptions would be if: 1. He's in an approved training program 2. He specifically applies for and is granted standby status (typically for temporary layoffs where the employer plans to recall workers) 3. He has a definite return-to-work date within 4 weeks from an employer Since the business closed entirely, #2 and #3 wouldn't apply. So yes, job search requirements are in effect from week one.

Also if ur worried about waiting too long make sure he answers those fact-finding questionares ASAP. I got one about my job search activities that took me 3 days to notice and it delayed my claim by like 2 weeks!!