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Have you tried contacting the Office of Administrative Hearings directly? Sometimes they can give you updates on your appeal status when ESD won't. Their number should be on your appeal paperwork. Also, while waiting, make sure you're keeping detailed records of ALL your job search activities - more than the minimum 3 per week if possible. This helps if they question your job search later.
Just to add one more thing to think about - do you have your hearing scheduled yet with OAH? If not, you might want to check if your appeal was actually received and processed. Sometimes paperwork gets lost in the system. Call the OAH directly (not ESD) to confirm they have your appeal in their system.
Just wanted to say I'm really sorry you and your family are going through this. The system is absolutely broken, and it's infuriating that there's no clear communication during adjudication. Have you looked into emergency assistance programs while you wait? Most counties have emergency rental assistance and food banks that don't have the same wait times as ESD.
I just went thru this nightmare!!!! What finally worked for me was emailing my state senator AND representative on the same day explaining my hardship (I was about to be evicted). Got a call from ESD within 48 hours after WEEKS of nothing!!! The lady said my claim was just sitting there basically waiting to be assigned to an adjudicator. So frustrating!!! They backdated everything once it was approved though. Hang in there and DEFINITELY contact your elected officials!!!
Wow, that's both encouraging and infuriating to hear! Just sitting there waiting to be assigned?! I've already emailed my representative this morning after seeing the earlier suggestion. I'll add my state senator to the list too. Did you just find their contact info on the state legislature website?
Great news! Glad you got it sorted out. Make sure you get confirmation that the corrected request was submitted, and keep monitoring your account for the standby approval to show up.
mine took like 6 weeks from when i appealed till hearing then another 2 weeks to get decision in mail. but i heard they backpay u for all weeks if u win so just keep doing weekly claims
One final piece of advice: during your hearing, stick to the facts and timeline. Don't get emotional or make accusations about your employer's motives, even if you believe they're acting in bad faith. The judge wants to hear what happened, not how you feel about what happened. Keep your statements clear and factual: "I was on approved FMLA until [date]. I communicated with HR on [dates] about my return. I have email evidence showing I intended to return to work. I never resigned or abandoned my position." Good luck with your appeal! Based on what you've shared, you have a strong case.
Andre Laurent
FYI - the adjudication doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with your work search. It just means they're reviewing it. If your contacts were legitimate and you can document them, you should be fine. And like others said, keep filing weekly claims no matter what.
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Carmen Diaz
UPDATE: I just got an email from ESD saying I need to provide additional documentation for the job contacts from that week. They want company addresses and contact names, which I didn't include originally. I'm gathering that info now. Still no answer about whether my current payments will be affected, but at least I know what they need now. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Zoe Kyriakidou
•Good news! That's a straightforward request. Once you provide that additional documentation, the adjudication should resolve relatively quickly. In my experience, if there's no issue with your current weeks, your payments should continue while they sort out that specific week. Get that documentation in ASAP though!
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