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Claim unexpectedly in adjudication after recent layoff - worried about timeline with no requests from ESD
Just got laid off on May 25th (only about 2 weeks ago) and my unemployment claim is already showing 'in adjudication' status. I'm freaking out after reading posts about 5+ week waits! I honestly don't understand why mine even went to adjudication in the first place. My former employer isn't contesting it as far as I know, and the ESD system already calculated my quarterly wages and weekly benefit amount correctly. The only weird thing is my employer put June 1st as my official termination date on paperwork, even though my last actual working day was May 25th. Could this date discrepancy be why it's in adjudication? Maybe it affected which quarters they're using to calculate my benefits? There's nothing in my ESD account requesting additional information from me - no alerts, no documents to upload, nothing. Is this normal? What should I expect timeline-wise? Anyone have recent experience with a similar situation?
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Will my new ESD claim be denied due to unresolved PUA overpayment from 2020?
I just got fired yesterday completely out of nowhere for an incident that happened over 2 months ago (basically stood up to a bullying manager and now they're calling ME the bully 2 months later - convenient timing, right?). Now I'm scrambling to figure out my unemployment options but there's a complication. I've been fighting an ESD overpayment issue from 2020 for over a year now. During the pandemic when everything was chaotic, the system automatically switched my PEUC claim to PUA, but ESD later determined I wasn't eligible for PUA - only PEUC. They say I owe back 2 weeks of benefits from that mix-up. I just submitted a waiver request for this overpayment last week. My big worry: Will ESD automatically deny my new unemployment claim because of this unresolved overpayment from 2020? I've never been in this situation before and I'm really stressed about making rent next month if this messes up my new claim. Has anyone dealt with filing a new claim while having an outstanding overpayment dispute?
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jst want to say sorry about ur job man. that sux when employers pull that kind of thing. happened to me 2yrs ago, boss had it out for me & waited til he had an excuse. hang in there
Thanks, I appreciate that. It's been a really rough couple of days trying to process all this. Did you end up finding something better after your situation?
yeah actually got smthing with better pay after 2 months. sometimes these things work out for the best but it sure doesnt feel like it at first
Quick update since there's some confusion in this thread: As of 2025, ESD has simplified their overpayment waiver process. Your pending waiver for the 2020 PUA/PEUC issue should be honored regardless of your new claim, but they are separate processes. Make sure you're answering the weekly job search questions correctly on your new claim - remember you need to document 3 job search activities each week now. This is often where people run into issues with their new claims. Also, when you describe your separation, stick to objective facts. Avoid terms like "bullying" and instead describe specific behaviors. For example, instead of "My manager was a bully," say "My manager raised his voice and criticized my work in front of colleagues on multiple occasions." This factual approach strengthens your case.
This is really helpful advice, thank you. I'll be careful about how I phrase things in my weekly certifications and make sure I'm documenting my job search activities properly. Is there a specific place in the ESD system where I should be keeping track of my job search efforts?
Yes - in your eServices account, there's a "Job search log" section where you should document all activities. Enter them as you complete them rather than waiting until the end of the week. Each entry should include the employer name, contact information, position, application method, and outcome. Even if your job search is waived initially (which sometimes happens in the first weeks), continue documenting everything as if it were required.
Stuck in ESD adjudication for 3 weeks - already contacted legislators with no response
I got laid off from my manufacturing job on December 31st, 2024 (thanks for the New Year's present, boss). Applied for unemployment on January 4th and uploaded all requested documents right away - W2s, separation letter, everything they asked for. But here I am three weeks later, and my claim is STILL showing 'Adjudication in progress' with absolutely no movement. I've tried everything I can think of - emailed all 3 of my legislators last week (zero response), called the ESD phone line at least 20 times (always 'no available agents, please try again later'), sent messages through the eServices portal (crickets). I'm going on week 4 with no income and my savings is dwindling fast. Is there anything else I can do to speed this up? Do I need to start selling stuff to pay rent next month? Any advice from people who've been stuck in adjudication hell before would be really appreciated.
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Quick update suggestion - if you're not already, make sure you're answering "YES" to the question about being able and available for work on your weekly claims. Some people mistakenly say "no" thinking it means they don't have a job yet, but that actually flags your claim for adjudication since being available for work is a requirement for benefits.
Yes, I've been answering that correctly. I'm definitely able and available and have been saying so on all claims. Good tip though, as I can see how people might misunderstand that question.
Just wanted to check back - any updates? Were you able to get through to anyone yet? Don't give up!
I called my state rep's office this morning like you suggested! Their staff was super helpful and took all my info. They said they've been getting tons of similar calls and have a direct contact at ESD they'll reach out to. They said to expect a call or email within 3-5 business days. Fingers crossed this works! I'll update when I hear something.
Can I get current unemployment while ESD is reviewing backdated claims?
I messed up and didn't file my weekly claims for about a month (March to mid-April) because I thought I wouldn't qualify after some temp work. Turns out I still could have claimed partial benefits for those weeks. I submitted the late claims through eServices about 10 days ago and now my account shows they're all under 'adjudication' status. My question is: Can I still claim and receive benefits for current weeks while they're reviewing my backdated claims? Or will they freeze my current payments until they finish the adjudication process for the older weeks? I really need the current payments to make rent next month and I'm worried this might hold everything up. Anyone dealt with this before?
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One other thing to keep in mind - if you were eligible for those backdated weeks but they deny them just because they were filed late, you have the right to appeal that decision. ESD can waive the "timely filing" requirement if you had "good cause" for filing late. Things like illness, confusion about eligibility, or technology issues can sometimes qualify as good cause. So even if they initially deny those backdated weeks, don't give up if you were actually eligible during that time!
That's really helpful to know. I think I might have good cause since I genuinely misunderstood the rules about partial benefits. I thought any work at all disqualified me, but I learned later that I could have claimed partial benefits for those weeks. I'll definitely appeal if they deny them for being late.
ESD says 'paid' but funds not showing in bank account - normal delay?
I filed my weekly claim last Sunday and checked my ESD account today - it shows 'paid' status for both weeks I claimed ($728 total). But nothing has shown up in my checking account yet? This is my first time getting UI benefits and I'm getting worried because rent is due Monday. Is there normally a delay between when ESD marks it as 'paid' and when it actually hits your bank account? How many business days should I wait before panicking? I triple-checked my direct deposit info and it's definitely correct.
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Just wondering - did you check the payment details in your ESD account? Sometimes it will say "paid" but if you click into the details it might show it was sent as a paper check instead of direct deposit. This happened to me when I first signed up - I thought I had entered my direct deposit info correctly but somehow it defaulted to mailing a check. Worth double-checking!
I just checked and it definitely says direct deposit. I can see my bank account info (last 4 digits match my account). So weird that it's taking so long!
One more thing to keep in mind - if this is your first payment ever from ESD, the first one sometimes takes a little longer than subsequent payments. My first payment took almost 4 business days to show up, but after that they were consistently 2-3 days. It's like the banking system needs to establish the connection the first time. So don't worry if this one is taking longer - future payments should be more predictable.
Update: the money just hit my account this morning! Looks like it took exactly 3 business days. Thanks everyone for the reassurance - I feel silly for worrying now but it's my first time dealing with unemployment and everything makes me nervous. Appreciate all the help!
Don't feel silly! ESD doesn't explain anything clearly and money stuff is stressful. Glad it worked out!
Isaiah Thompson
Any updates? Has your status changed at all?
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Nick Kravitz
AuthorUpdate: I FINALLY got through to ESD yesterday! The agent confirmed it was the vacation payout plus the date discrepancy causing the adjudication. They said everything looks good otherwise and they've expedited the review. Supposedly should be resolved within 5-7 business days. Fingers crossed!
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Isaiah Thompson
That's great news! Make sure you keep doing your weekly claims while waiting. And please update us when it's resolved - helps others know what to expect time-wise.
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Nick Kravitz
FINAL UPDATE: My claim was approved! Took exactly 3 weeks and 2 days from when I first applied. All weeks were paid including the waiting week (not sure why, but I'm not complaining). To anyone else in adjudication - hang in there! And definitely try to speak with an agent if you can, it seemed to speed things up in my case.
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Mateo Silva
congrats! ur lucky it was only 3 weeks tbh
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Hannah White
Thanks for updating! It helps to see realistic timeframes. Glad it got resolved relatively quickly for you.
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