Washington Unemployment
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5 weeks in ESD adjudication with zero updates - employer confirmed their part is done
I'm at my wit's end with this adjudication process. My claim has been stuck in 'pending adjudication' for 5 full weeks now with absolutely zero updates or communication from ESD. I've checked my eServices account daily, and there's nothing new. My previous employer told me they've already submitted everything ESD requested from them over 3 weeks ago. I've uploaded all the documentation they asked for on my end too. Bills are piling up fast, and I'm about to miss my rent payment if this isn't resolved soon. I've called the ESD number about 20 times, but either get disconnected or sit on hold until the office closes. Has anyone had their claim stuck this long and actually managed to get it resolved? I'm desperate for any advice on how to actually reach a human who can tell me what's going on or expedite this process.
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When to file initial ESD application - last day is Friday, claim now or wait for new week?
Hey ESD folks, I'm about to be laid off and I'm trying to time my application right so I don't mess anything up. My final day at work is this Friday (August 30th, 2025) and my shift ends at 5pm. I've never filed for unemployment before and I'm not sure when I should submit my initial application. Should I: 1. File immediately after my shift ends on Friday? 2. Wait until Saturday when I'm officially unemployed? 3. Hold off until Sunday since that's the start of a new ESD claim week? I'm worried about making a mistake that could delay my benefits. Does timing really matter? Will I get paid for partial weeks? Any advice from people who've been through this would be super helpful! Thanks in advance!
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My daughter works at ESD and she always tells people to file on Sunday for a clean start to the claim week. Makes the whole process smoother for everyone! Also remember that your first week is a waiting week (unpaid) but you STILL have to file a weekly claim for it or your claim can get messed up.
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I'm going to wait until Sunday to file my initial claim. It seems like that's the best approach to avoid complications with partial weeks. I'll make sure to have all my employment information ready and set aside enough time to complete the application thoroughly. I'll also remember to file for that first "waiting week" even though it's unpaid. Really appreciate all your insights!
Good plan! Feel free to come back if you have questions during the process. The first application can be a bit overwhelming but it gets easier after that.
ESD adjudication updated date after answering questionnaire - how much longer to wait?
I'm getting really stressed about my unemployment claim. I received an email from ESD on Tuesday with questions they needed me to answer by Friday (today) at 8am. The email warned that if I didn't respond by the deadline, they'd make a decision based on the information they already had. I answered everything before the deadline, and I just noticed my adjudication date has been updated in the system, but there's still no decision showing. Has anyone experienced this? How much longer should I expect to wait now that I've responded to their questions? I'm getting worried because rent is due next week and I really need this sorted out soon.
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Has anyone tried contacting their state representative? My friend did that when her claim was stuck in adjudication for like 2 months and suddenly ESD called her within 3 days of her contacting the rep's office.
i tried that once didnt work for me but might be worth a shot i guess
UPDATE: I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended and actually got through to ESD! The agent told me that my claim is currently assigned to an adjudicator and they're aiming to have decisions made within 10-14 days from when they receive responses to questionnaires. She said my case looks straightforward and I should hopefully hear something by the end of next week. Such a relief to at least know what's happening!
Great news! Thanks for updating us. This timeline (10-14 days) is pretty typical for straightforward adjudications right now. Keep us posted on the outcome!
Benefits suddenly stopped for hearing after ESD already decided employer lied about quitting - why?
I've been on unemployment for about 10 weeks and now I'm completely panicking. My former employer initially told ESD that I quit (I absolutely did NOT - I was terminated after questioning some safety violations). I submitted all my documentation proving I was fired - text messages, emails, performance reviews, everything. ESD investigated for 5 weeks before finally approving my benefits and I've been receiving payments since March. Now out of nowhere, my payments just stopped and eServices says there's a 'hearing' scheduled. Does this mean my ex-employer appealed ESD's decision? Why would they wait until now to challenge it? And why do I have to go through this entire process again with the exact same evidence I already provided? My daughter (7) and I are currently staying in my car because I couldn't keep up with rent after waiting so long for the initial benefits. We were about to get into a new place next week and now this happens. I'm absolutely terrified. Is there anything I can do to speed this up or get my benefits reinstated while waiting for this hearing? The OAH notice doesn't even explain why this is happening again!
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btw i forgot to mention my hearing was over the phone not in person. is yours phone or zoom or in person? the phone one was actually easier than i expected. the judge was super nice and my old boss kept contradicting himself and sounded like an idiot lol. i won my case in the end!
Mine is scheduled as a phone hearing too! That's encouraging that your experience wasn't awful and that you won your case. My former employer tends to get flustered when questioned so maybe the same will happen. Congrats on winning your case!
UPDATE??!! Did you manage to get your benefits continued during the appeal? Hope you and your daughter are ok 💜
Yes! Thank you for checking in. I got through to OAH and filed for continued benefits yesterday. They said I should know within 48 hours if it's approved. We got a hotel voucher for 5 days through 211, which is such a relief. The Unemployment Law Project called me back and I have an appointment with them tomorrow to go over my case. Still extremely stressful but feeling slightly more hopeful.
ESD waiver approved but repayment site still shows balance - can I get my $4K back?
I just got the best news! After waiting a WHOLE YEAR, ESD finally approved my pandemic overpayment waiver request tonight. When I check my ESD eServices account, the balance is completely gone (which I'm taking as confirmation they waived it). But here's my confusion - the separate repayment website still shows I owe the full balance! Two questions that are keeping me up: 1. Does this mean I'm actually off the hook, or should I call the overpayment department to confirm everything's official? 2. I've already paid back around $4,200 toward this debt. Since they approved the waiver, am I eligible to get that money refunded to me? Has anyone else had their waiver approved and successfully received a refund of what they already paid? I'm so relieved about the approval but nervous about trusting the system until everything is properly cleared up.
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I wouldnt trust the zero balance until you get confirmation in WRITING from ESD! My waiver got approved then REVERSED two months later and they started collections again and added penalties!!!! get everything in writing and dont spend that refund $$$ until your 100% sure its final
Oh no, that sounds like a nightmare! Do you know why they reversed the decision? That makes me really nervous now. I'll definitely ask for written confirmation when I call.
they said i actually didnt qualify for the waiver in the first place and the approval was a "system error" 🙄 i had to file an appeal with OAH and im still waiting for a hearing date. its been a total mess!!!
To address the concern about waiver reversals - this is extremely rare and typically only happens in cases where fraud was later discovered or if the waiver was clearly issued in error (like if you didn't actually have an overpayment to begin with). For most people who legitimately qualified for a pandemic overpayment waiver, once approved, it's final. However, it's always good practice to: 1. Request a formal waiver approval letter (they don't always send these automatically) 2. Print and save screenshots of your zero balance 3. Keep all communication with ESD regarding your waiver 4. If you do receive a refund, save the documentation that came with it The vast majority of approved waivers remain approved permanently - but documentation is your best protection.
Thank you so much for the reassurance. I'll definitely follow all of these steps. I legitimately qualified for the waiver (it was due to one of those confusing pandemic rule changes that affected so many people), so hopefully I won't have any issues with reversal. I'll make sure to get everything in writing.
Yuki Tanaka
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE PPL GIVE UP!!!! They WANT us to get frustrated and stop trying to get OUR MONEY that WE EARNED! I've been fighting with ESD for MONTHS and finally got paid last week. DON'T GIVE UP! Keep calling, keep messaging, be the most annoying person they've ever dealt with until they fix your claim just to get rid of you!!!!
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Nia Thompson
AuthorIt definitely feels that way sometimes! I'm trying to stay positive but it's getting harder each day. Congrats on finally getting your payment! I'm definitely going to be persistent - I have no choice at this point.
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AstroAce
heyy just wonderin if u ever got this resolved? im in same boat (6 weeks now) and freaking out
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Nia Thompson
AuthorYes! I actually did get it resolved last week. What finally worked was (1) calling at exactly 8:00 AM and waiting on hold for about an hour, then (2) specifically asking for an escalation due to financial hardship as someone suggested in this thread. They pushed my claim through and I got my determination two days later. Then payments came through about 3 days after that. Keep trying - use the 8 AM trick and specifically request escalation when you get through. Good luck!
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