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Try calling the technical support line instead of the main claims line. When you get someone from tech support, explain that you've been unable to reach claims for weeks. Sometimes they'll transfer you directly to a claims specialist, bypassing the main queue. Worked for me twice in the past month!
UPDATE: I finally got through!!! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and was connected to an agent in about 30 mins. They fixed my claim issue right away - turns out there was a simple verification problem they could have solved in 5 minutes if I could have just reached them weeks ago! So frustrating but at least it's resolved now. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
Has anyone mentioned the Unemployment Law Project yet? They specifically help with ESD appeals and often take cases pro bono. Worth checking out!
I contacted the Unemployment Law Project and have a phone consultation tomorrow! Also managed to reach an ESD agent who explained exactly what evidence they reviewed. Feeling a bit more prepared now. My hearing is still a week away so trying to get all my documentation organized. Thanks everyone for the support - will update after the hearing.
Update on my earlier comment - I finally got through to a supervisor at ESD today and was told they actually do have a "trusted claimant" program they're rolling out for people with consistent seasonal claim history. It's not fully implemented yet, but you might want to specifically ask about it when you call. Apparently if you've had 3+ years of clean claims with the same seasonal pattern, you can request to be added to this expedited review process for future claims.
just got my first payment today!!! only took 5 weeks this time which is better than the 9 weeks last year i guess lol. progress?
Anyone gone through an appeal recently? My hearing is next month and I'm trying to figure out if they're still doing them all by phone or if they've gone back to in-person hearings?
DONT let them intimidate you with all their legal BS!!! My determination letter had all this legal garbage about 'burden of proof' and 'statutory requirements' but the actual hearing was way more straightforward. The judge just asked me questions about what happened and I answered honestly. Won my case in 20 minutes! These big companies try to trick ESD with their HR paperwork all the time and the judges know it!!
Yuki Sato
I work in HR and can confirm this is 100% legitimate. We've had several employees experience fraud holds in the past year. What's concerning is that ESD always sends very specific instructions about how to release the hold. Usually it involves uploading identification documents through their secure portal. If he's being vague about what steps he needs to take, that would make me suspicious.
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NebulaNomad
•This is exactly what I needed to hear. A professional perspective helps a lot. I'm going to have a serious conversation with him tonight about what exactly ESD told him to do.
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Ethan Clark
Update: I talked to him and he showed me his eServices account. There actually is a fraud hold! He had a letter in his messages that he hadn't even opened asking for ID verification from 3 weeks ago! No wonder it's taking so long - he never responded to them! We're uploading his documents now. Thanks everyone for helping me understand this was a real thing and not made up.
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StarStrider
•Glad you got it figured out! Make sure he continues filing his weekly claims even while the hold is in place. Once they verify his identity, they should release all the held payments. And definitely have him call to confirm they received everything - it can speed up the process tremendously.
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