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This is exactly the kind of detailed success story we need more of in this community! I'm currently on week 2 of identity verification (moved states and had to update my address with ESD) and have been getting nowhere with the regular phone line. That Special Investigations Office number is a game-changer - I had no idea that existed. I've been banging my head against the wall calling the main line and getting either busy signals or generic "wait several weeks" responses. Going to call (800)246-9763 first thing tomorrow morning. One thing I'm curious about - did you have to provide any additional documentation beyond what you initially uploaded, or did they just need time to review what you had already submitted? I uploaded my lease agreement, updated driver's license, and a utility bill showing my new address, but I'm wondering if I should add anything else to strengthen my case. Also really appreciate you sharing the timeline breakdown. 18 days is still nerve-wracking when bills are due, but it's so much better than the 5+ weeks some people are reporting. Fingers crossed I have similar luck!
Hey Andre! From what I can tell from the original post, Darren only needed to provide the documents he initially uploaded (marriage certificate, driver's license, and social security card for the name change issue). It sounds like they just needed time to review rather than requesting additional documentation. Your documents (lease, updated license, utility bill) sound pretty comprehensive for an address change situation. I'd probably hold off on uploading more unless the Special Investigations Office specifically asks for something else when you call - sometimes too many documents can actually slow things down. That phone number really does seem to be the key here! Hope you have the same luck with timing. Make sure to call early in the morning like some others suggested - seems like that might help with getting through quickly.
This is incredibly helpful timing for me! I just filed my claim last week and immediately got hit with the identity verification requirement. I was dreading the wait based on all the horror stories I've read here, but your experience gives me hope that it might not take the full 5+ weeks everyone talks about. I'm definitely going to call that Special Investigations Office number - (800)246-9763 - instead of wasting time with the main line. The fact that they can actually confirm they have your documents and give you real timeline estimates sounds so much better than the generic responses. Quick question - when you uploaded your documents, did you upload them all at once or separately? I have my birth certificate, current driver's license, and a recent bank statement, but I wasn't sure if I should submit them as one batch or individual uploads. Also really appreciate you mentioning to check the spam folder for ESD emails - I almost missed an important notice last month because it got filtered. Going to keep a close eye on that during this process. Thanks for taking the time to share your success story and all the specific details. Posts like this are exactly what people in this situation need to see!
Update us once you get through to someone! And definitely keep filing those weekly claims even while you're waiting. I've seen too many people miss a week thinking 'what's the point?' and then have to restart their whole claim when the adjudication finally clears.
I took your advice and tried Claimyr this morning - actually got through to an ESD agent in about 25 minutes! They confirmed my claim is in adjudication because my employer reported a higher final quarterly income than what I reported. The agent put a note in my file to expedite review since I explained about my upcoming rent payment. Feeling so much better now that I at least know what's happening. Will update when I get a resolution!
Reading through this thread as someone who went through a similar situation last year. The income reporting discrepancy issue is super common - happened to me too when my employer's final payroll summary didn't match what I reported on my application. For anyone else dealing with this, here's what helped me: When you do get through to ESD (whether through calling or using a service like Claimyr), ask the agent to explain exactly what documentation they need to resolve the discrepancy. In my case, I was able to email them my final paystub and W-2 which cleared everything up within a week. Also want to echo what others said about continuing to file weekly claims even during adjudication. I almost stopped filing thinking it was pointless, but my caseworker told me that would have reset my claim date and I would have lost weeks of backpay. The system is definitely frustrating but hang in there - once it's resolved you'll get all your backpay at once. Sounds like you're on the right track now that you know what's causing the delay!
This is really helpful advice! I'm dealing with a similar pending situation right now and was wondering if I should keep filing weekly claims. Good to know that stopping would reset everything. Did you have to provide any other documentation besides your paystub and W-2, or was that enough to clear up the income discrepancy? Also, when you say it was resolved "within a week" - was that from when you submitted the documents or from when you first talked to the agent?
File your claim TODAY if you haven't already. Every day you wait is money you can't get back. Even if there's adjudication, even if your employer contests it, file now.
Just wanted to add that when you file your claim, make sure to be completely honest about the circumstances of your termination. Washington ESD will investigate anyway, and being upfront about the "performance issues" will work in your favor during adjudication. Also, keep all your termination paperwork - any write-ups, performance reviews, or termination letter. These documents can help prove it wasn't willful misconduct if your employer tries to contest the claim.
Just wanted to share my recent experience with this exact situation! I was on Training Benefits for a dental assistant program and started working 15 hours/week at a retail job. The key is being super transparent with ESD from day one. When I started working, I called them directly to let them know and they actually appreciated the heads up. They walked me through exactly how to report my earnings and even helped me calculate what my weekly benefits would look like. One tip: keep a simple spreadsheet tracking your weekly hours and gross pay - it makes filling out the weekly claims so much easier and helps you plan ahead to make sure you don't accidentally earn too much in any given week. The combination of Training Benefits plus part-time income actually worked out great financially and I was able to complete my program without any issues!
This is such great advice about being proactive and transparent with ESD! I love the idea of keeping a spreadsheet to track everything - that sounds like it would really help avoid any surprises when filing weekly claims. It's also reassuring to hear that calling them directly worked well for you. I was nervous about contacting ESD because I've heard horror stories about long wait times, but it sounds like being upfront about starting work actually helped your case. Did you find that having the part-time income made the training period less stressful overall? I'm hoping the combination will work out similarly for me!
I'm in a similar boat - just got approved for Training Benefits for a cybersecurity program and was offered a part-time remote job. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add is that if you're doing an online/hybrid program like mine, make sure ESD knows your exact class schedule including any virtual components. I had to submit my detailed course schedule as part of my approval process, and I think having that documentation upfront will help if there are any questions later about work conflicts. Also, for anyone else reading this - the ESD website has a benefit calculator tool, but as others mentioned, it doesn't always work perfectly. I've found it helpful to do the math manually using the formula Connor shared (subtract $5, multiply remainder by 0.75, subtract from weekly benefit amount) and then double-check with the online tool if it's working. Planning to start my part-time work next week and feeling much more confident after reading everyone's experiences here!
This is such valuable info about submitting your detailed course schedule! I hadn't thought about how important it would be to have that documentation upfront, especially for hybrid programs. That's really smart planning. I'm also glad you mentioned doing the manual calculation - I've been practicing with that formula and it's definitely more reliable than trying to use the website tools. It's so reassuring to see so many people successfully managing both training and part-time work. Sounds like being organized and proactive with ESD communication is really the key. Good luck with starting your part-time work next week - you seem well prepared! Thanks for adding those tips about the detailed schedule documentation.
James Martinez
That's amazing news about getting your back pay! I'm dealing with a similar situation - my hearing was last week and I just saw "reversed" on my account too. Reading through all these comments really helped me understand what to expect. It's so frustrating that ESD doesn't explain these statuses clearly anywhere. I'm definitely going to keep filing my weekly claims like everyone suggested. Fingers crossed mine processes faster than 5 weeks!
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CosmicCrusader
•Hope yours goes smoothly too! One thing I learned is to screenshot everything in your eServices account - the status changes, dates, everything. The agent I talked to through Claimyr said having those details helps them track your case faster when you do get through to someone. Also keep an eye out for that Notice of Redetermination document - apparently that's when you know it's really official and processing has started. Good luck with your case!
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MoonlightSonata
A "reversed" decision is definitely good news - it means the Administrative Law Judge ruled in your favor and overturned ESD's original denial! However, the waiting game isn't over yet unfortunately. From what I've experienced and seen in this community, it typically takes 2-4 weeks for ESD to actually implement the judge's decision and start processing your payments. The most important thing right now is to keep filing your weekly claims during this waiting period - if you don't file for those weeks, you won't get paid for them even though you won your appeal. I know it's incredibly stressful when you're counting on that money, but hang in there! You've cleared the biggest hurdle by winning your hearing.
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Cedric Chung
•This is such helpful advice! I'm new here and going through something similar - just had my hearing yesterday and anxiously waiting to see what happens. It's really reassuring to read everyone's experiences and know that "reversed" means good news. The tip about continuing to file weekly claims is super important - I almost missed filing this week thinking I should wait for the decision to be processed first. Thank you for explaining the timeline too, helps set realistic expectations even though the waiting is torture when you need the money!
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