I'm so sorry you're going through this @Daniela Rossi - 12 weeks is absolutely unacceptable! I just went through something similar and finally got resolution after 10 weeks of hell. Here's what ultimately worked for me: 1. Contact your state senator AND representative (not just one) - they have dedicated ESD liaisons who can actually get answers. I emailed both with my timeline and got a response within 24 hours. 2. File a complaint with the Washington State Ombudsman at the same time - having multiple pressure points seems to get better results. 3. When you do get through to ESD, ask specifically for a "tier 2" agent or supervisor. Regular agents often can't access adjudication details, but supervisors can see more information and submit higher-priority requests. 4. If your issue involves employer verification (which is super common), ask the agent to send a "priority employer inquiry" rather than waiting for the standard process. This puts a rush on getting employer responses. The whole system is designed to wear people down and hope they give up - don't let them win! Keep fighting for what you're legally entitled to. Also make sure you're still certifying weekly even though it's frustrating - you'll get all that back pay once this mess is resolved. Sending you strength to keep pushing through this bureaucratic nightmare. You've got this! 💪

I've been lurking in this community for a while and finally decided to create an account after reading your post @Daniela Rossi. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - 12 weeks is completely unacceptable! I just wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was stuck in adjudication for 9 weeks last fall: the WorkSource offices sometimes have direct lines to ESD that bypass the main customer service queue. I went to my local WorkSource in person (you can find locations at worksource.wa.gov) and explained my situation to a counselor there. She was able to make a direct call to ESD on my behalf and actually got through to someone who could access my file immediately. The counselor told me this isn't widely advertised because they'd be overwhelmed, but WorkSource staff have special access for helping clients with urgent ESD issues. It might be worth trying if the other suggestions don't work out - sometimes an in-person advocate calling on your behalf carries more weight than individual calls. Really hoping the expedite request works out for you! The fact that they identified the actual issue (employer not responding) is a huge step forward. Keep us posted on how it goes! 🤞

Just checking back in - did you end up getting any official letter from ESD yet? When I talked to the agent, they said letters were going out in batches and some people might not get them for 4-6 weeks after the balance shows as zero in the system.

That's awesome news Dylan! I'm so glad you got confirmation and can finally stop worrying about it. I've been dealing with a similar situation - my PUA overpayment of $2,800 disappeared about a week ago and I've been checking daily to make sure it doesn't come back. Haven't called yet but your experience gives me confidence that it's probably legitimate. Did the ESD rep mention anything about whether these waivers affect your eligibility for future benefits? I'm planning to file a new claim later this year and want to make sure this won't cause any issues.

Yes, interviews definitely count as job search activities! Applications, interviews, attending job fairs, and even certain WorkSource workshops all qualify. For your medical appointments - you can request a temporary exemption from job search requirements due to illness by indicating this on your weekly claim. You may need to provide documentation, but ESD can approve temporary exemptions when you have valid reasons like medical treatment.

I'm sorry you're going through this - it sounds incredibly stressful to deal with health issues AND job loss at the same time. From what you've described, you definitely have grounds for an unemployment claim. The fact that you documented everything and that your employer initially agreed to accommodations works in your favor. A few things that might help: - When you apply, be very detailed about the timeline - when you disclosed your condition, what accommodations were discussed, when you filed the HR complaint, and when you were terminated - Keep copies of ALL your medical documentation, emails about accommodations, and any records of the HR complaint - The hostile work environment aspect is important too - if you have any witnesses to the supervisor's behavior or written evidence, keep that handy I've seen similar cases where people were initially denied but won on appeal. The key is showing that your termination was related to your protected medical condition or retaliation for the HR complaint, not legitimate misconduct. Don't get discouraged if it takes time - the system is designed to investigate thoroughly when there are competing claims about the reason for termination. Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions as you go through the process!

Just went through something similar a few months back! I live in WA but had a short stint working in Oregon before getting temporarily laid off. Here's what worked for me: Since you were previously receiving WA unemployment benefits and only worked in Oregon for 2 weeks, you should definitely reopen your Washington claim rather than filing a new one in Oregon. You haven't built up enough wage credits in Oregon to qualify there anyway. The standby status is perfect for your situation - 2 weeks is well under the 8-week limit, and having that definite 3/31 return date is key. When you reopen your claim online, make sure to: 1. Report your Oregon wages accurately (have your paystubs ready) 2. List the temporary layoff reason 3. Enter your exact return-to-work date 4. When filing weekly claims, select "on standby" instead of doing job searches One heads up - the system might flag your claim for review since you worked out of state, which could delay your first payment by a week or two while they verify everything. But as long as you have that email confirmation from your supervisor about the layoff and return date, you should be fine. Good luck getting through to ESD if you need to call - it's still a nightmare but worth it for peace of mind on cross-state situations like this!

Hey there! I'm pretty new to this whole unemployment thing, but I just wanted to say how helpful this thread has been. I'm not dealing with cross-state work like you are, but reading through everyone's responses about standby status and reopening claims has been really educational. It sounds like you've gotten some solid advice here - especially about making sure you have that documentation from your Oregon employer about the layoff and return date. I had no idea that working out of state for just a couple weeks could make things so complicated! From what I'm reading, it seems like reopening your Washington claim is definitely the way to go since you only worked in Oregon for such a short time. The standby status sounds perfect for your 2-week temporary layoff situation too. Hope everything works out smoothly for you and you can avoid having to spend hours trying to get through to ESD on the phone. Keep us posted on how it goes - I'm sure other people will run into similar situations and your experience could help them out!

Reading through all these stories really hits home for me. I just went through something similar last month - got fired for "attitude problems" right after I started asking questions about unpaid overtime and meal break violations. Been with the company for 2.5 years and suddenly I'm a "problem employee"? The whole thing felt like retaliation but I was scared to file for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified me. After seeing everyone's experiences here, I finally filed my claim and just heard back from Washington ESD - they approved it! My former employer tried to contest it claiming I was insubordinate, but ESD saw right through it when they looked at the timeline of my questions about wage violations versus when I suddenly became a "poor performer." For anyone hesitating about filing - just do it! The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised. Document everything and be honest about any workplace issues you reported. Washington ESD really does investigate fairly and they know how to spot employer retaliation patterns.

I'm in a really similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Got terminated two days ago for what they called "failure to meet productivity standards" but it happened exactly one week after I submitted a formal complaint to management about broken safety guards on our machinery. I've been there for 20 months with solid performance reviews until suddenly last month they started documenting every tiny mistake I made. The timing feels like obvious retaliation but I was terrified to file for unemployment because I thought getting fired meant automatic disqualification. After reading everyone's experiences here though, I'm definitely filing my claim tomorrow morning. It's so encouraging to see that Washington ESD actually investigates these cases thoroughly and recognizes retaliation patterns. I have emails documenting the safety issues I reported, so hopefully that will help my case. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - you've given me the confidence to fight for what I deserve instead of just accepting their bogus termination excuse!