I used to work for ESD before switching careers, and here's what I can tell you: The phone system is programmed to automatically disconnect when the queue reaches capacity (usually around 200-250 callers). This is frustrating but actually more efficient than leaving people on hold for 5+ hours. For your specific availability issue, here's what you should do: 1. Call exactly at 7:58am when the phone lines open 2. When prompted, press 1 for claims, 3 for agent 3. If disconnected, immediately try again 4. Keep detailed notes of each call attempt (time, date, result) If you still can't get through after 3 days of attempts, document this thoroughly and include it with your appeal if you get disqualified. The OAH (Office of Administrative Hearings) judges will often consider your good-faith efforts to resolve issues when making determinations. Also, send a detailed message through eServices with all relevant information about your availability issue. Specifically request adjudication of this issue. Print a copy of this message for your records.

UPDATE: I tried the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above, and I ACTUALLY got through to a real person at ESD after weeks of trying! The representative was able to see that my adjudication was for my availability statement, and she updated my file with the correct information. She said the adjudicator should review it within 3-5 business days. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know that I logged in this morning and the status has now changed to "completed"! Looks like it was just a system delay like many of you mentioned. Thanks for all the help and reassurance!

My sister went thru somethign similar except hers said "pending adjudication" for like 3 weeks after she got paid lol. ESD needs to hire better programmers or something cause their website is from like 1998

me and my bf both got fired from the same company back in 2023 and they didnt report his wages either!!! make sure you file your weekly claims even while waiting for them to sort out the wage thing!!! that was our mistake, we thought we had to wait and then they denied us backpayment for those weeks we didnt file weekly claims even tho it wasnt our fault!

Update: Just submitted my application and found the section where I could report my wages manually! I uploaded all my paystubs and wrote a brief explanation in the comments section. Now looking for that ESD 5208 form to submit. Thank you all for the guidance - I'll keep filing my weekly claims while this gets sorted out. Hopefully they'll process everything quickly since rent is due soon... 😬

UGH these companies that fight every claim make me so ANGRY!!!! I worked for a place like that - they'd fire people for made up reasons then contest EVERY SINGLE unemployment claim. And ESD just believes whatever garbage employers say!!! Make sure you emphasize that they NEVER warned you about vaping before. In my experience, judges want to see that employers gave warnings before firing for rule violations. Also, if you can get ANY coworker to text or email you confirming others vaped too without getting fired, that's gold!!! Shows they singled you out after your complaint email. Keep fighting!!!! The system is designed to wear you down but DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

just wondering what happened with ur appeal?? did u win?

Something nobody mentioned yet - make sure you're accurately reporting your separation reason from the previous job. If you selected "laid off" but your employer reports something different (like performance issues), that can delay your claim processing because it triggers an investigation. Double-check that your separation reason matches what your employer would say.

One more important detail: When you file the weekly claim for the week you started working, make sure you answer "Yes" to the question about whether you're still seeking work for that week IF you were still actively job searching before accepting this position. Some people mistakenly select "No" because they accepted a job, but ESD wants to know if you were available and seeking work during any portion of that week before you started working.