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UPDATE: It finally processed and I got paid. It was just a day later than normal..... Has anyone else experienced a delay with their weekly claim processing this week? I filed on Sunday like I always do, but it's still showing as 'pending' in my eServices account. Usually by Tuesday afternoon it shows as 'paid' and the money hits my account Wednesday morning. It's now Wednesday and no updates at all. No messages about issues needing resolution either. Is the ESD system running behind? Should I be worried or just wait it out? This is my 7th week claiming and it's the first time there's been a delay.
I'm completely frustrated with the ESD application system right now! I originally qualified for unemployment several months ago but missed the acceptance window (was dealing with a family emergency and totally overlooked the notification). Now I'm trying to reapply since I'm still jobless, but hitting a massive roadblock in the system. Here's my situation: I've done some freelance work since my original claim to make ends meet while continuing my job search. When I try to reapply, it asks "Have you worked since you opened your claim?" I answer "yes" because I have done freelance work. Then it demands I list an employer - but I was self-employed doing freelance graphic design! There was no employer to list. When I get to the question "Did you work for any other employers not mentioned above?" I'm stuck in a loop: - If I answer "no" (which is technically correct - there were no employers), the system won't let me proceed - If I answer "yes" it asks for employer details I don't have I've tried calling ESD about 20 times but either get disconnected or can't get through the queue. Has anyone dealt with this specific issue? How do I report freelance/self-employment work in this broken system?
Adjudication timelines are currently running 5-8 weeks for standard issues and 8-12 weeks for more complex cases (like those involving self-employment verification). If you've been waiting 7 weeks, you might want to check your online account to see if there are any pending document requests or action items. Sometimes they need additional information but the notification gets lost.
UPDATE: I finally got this resolved! Here's what worked for me in case anyone else is stuck in the same situation: 1. I used the instructions from @ProfileUser4 above and listed myself as the employer with "Self-Employed" after my name 2. The system initially still got stuck, so I cleared my browser cache and tried again with Microsoft Edge instead of Chrome 3. I got through the application but as predicted, my claim went to adjudication 4. I used the Claimyr service that was recommended here to reach an ESD agent (it took about 30 mins but ACTUALLY WORKED!) 5. The agent was able to update some details on my claim and told me exactly what documentation to upload for my freelance work My claim is still in adjudication but at least I'm confident everything is submitted correctly now. The agent said to expect 6-8 weeks for review but to keep filing my weekly claims in the meantime. Thanks everyone for your help with this frustrating situation!
Great news! The adjudication process is definitely lengthy for freelancers, but keep filing those weekly claims as instructed. One tip: on your weekly claims, make sure to report even small amounts of freelance income accurately - being consistent will help your case move through smoothly.
So I've been stuck in adjudication limbo for almost 3 weeks now and I'm starting to get really nervous about making rent. My claim dashboard just says "adjudication in progress" with zero explanation. The frustrating part is that I'm also taking classes at a local college (just 2 evening courses), and now I'm paranoid this might be what's holding things up? Does anyone know if being in school automatically triggers adjudication, or is adjudication typically just for employer-related issues? My position was completely eliminated during a company restructuring - it wasn't performance related at all. I have documentation from HR confirming this. I've tried calling ESD about 20 times but just get stuck in the automated system and eventually disconnected. At what point should I be seriously worried? Has anyone successfully gotten through to an actual human being at ESD recently? Any advice would be really appreciated!
One thing I'd suggest is checking if there are any messages in your ESD account that might have been missed. Sometimes they send requests for information that don't trigger email notifications. Also, make absolutely sure you're doing your weekly claims even while in adjudication! If you miss those, you could lose those weeks of benefits even after approval.
Thanks for the reminder about weekly claims. I've been doing them religiously and documenting my job search activities meticulously. I've triple-checked my ESD account messages - absolutely nothing there requesting information from me. It's like they've just put my claim on a shelf somewhere and forgotten about it.
have u tried the message center in ur esd account? sometimes they respond there faster than phone. also try calling exactly at 8am and hit option 2 then 3 in the menu, worked for me last month
I am beyond frustrated with this ridiculous overpayment situation! Back in January 2022, ESD suddenly decided I owe them money - no explanation, no breakdown, nothing. I've checked my eServices messages and letters literally DOZENS of times looking for any clue about why they think I owe this money. \n\nI've been trying to get a hearing scheduled for over THREE YEARS now (since January 2022)! How is this even legal? Today I finally called the governor's office hoping for some help, and the woman was completely cold. She basically said "sorry, can't help, it's a legal issue" and brushed me off. \n\nThe only somewhat useful thing she did was give me the number for Office of Administrative Hearings, who said they don't even have a hearing request from me on file! They're supposedly sending my info to ESD to get one scheduled and told me to call back in a week if I don't hear anything.\n\nI'm absolutely baffled. How am I supposed to prepare for a hearing when I don't even know what I'm being accused of? What exactly do they think I did wrong? How can they demand money without telling me why? Isn't there something in the Constitution about facing your accuser? This feels completely wrong and I'm reaching my breaking point.
Yes, definitely inform OAH that you're awaiting documents from a public records request. You can request that they schedule the hearing with enough time for you to receive and review those documents. They're generally accommodating with this type of procedural request.\n\nIf the hearing gets scheduled before you receive your documents, you can also file for a continuance (postponement) based on waiting for essential documentation. Just be sure to file that request as soon as you get the hearing date, not at the last minute.
I'm completely frustrated with ESD right now! Just got denied benefits today after waiting WEEKS for a decision. My situation: I relocated to Oregon for family reasons and reported this when I applied for unemployment. My former WA employer told ESD I was laid off (which was true!), but because I mentioned relocating, ESD is claiming I 'voluntarily quit' without good cause!!! I already submitted an appeal but I'm freaking out about what to include. The determination letter says I'm disqualified because of 'voluntarily leaving work' but that's NOT what happened! I moved AFTER getting laid off and was honest about relocating when filing. Does anyone know what specific evidence I need for the appeal? Do I need statements from my former boss? Pay stubs showing termination date vs when I moved? I'm seriously stressing about paying bills while this gets sorted out...
When is your appeal hearing scheduled? Make sure you have all your documents ready at least 3 days before! And yes keep filing those weekly claims or you'll lose those weeks even if you win the appeal.
Based on the additional details you've shared, I think your strongest appeal argument would be: 1. You were laid off first (provide documentation) 2. You moved for a qualifying family reason (partner's job) 3. You've been actively looking for work in your new location Also, contact the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) directly if you don't hear about your hearing date within 3 weeks. Sometimes appeals get lost in the system. Their number is different from the regular ESD line. Be prepared for specific questions about your job search efforts in your new location. The judge will want to know you've been actively seeking work since moving.
GamerGirl99
mine is late too but i'm on standby status so i don't have to do job search i wonder if that makes a difference? anyone else on standby having delays?
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Javier Morales
Standby status shouldn't affect payment timing. The processing timeframes should be the same regardless of whether you're on standby or doing regular job search activities. It sounds like there might be a broader processing delay at ESD this week based on multiple reports.
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Paolo Bianchi
UPDATE: It finally processed and I got paid. It was just a day later than normal. Thanks everyone for the reassurance and suggestions! I was getting worried for nothing. For anyone else experiencing delays, it seems like it's just taking ESD a bit longer than usual this week.
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Olivia Clark
Just got mine too FINALLY! Still annoying they can't be consistent. Glad you got your payment!
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Yara Assad
thx for the update! good 2 know its working now
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