UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD today! For anyone with a similar issue in the future: They confirmed my payment was returned to them yesterday. The agent was actually really helpful (surprised me after reading horror stories). They're reissuing the payment to a ReliaCard which should arrive in 7-10 business days. They said they can't expedite the card delivery (contrary to what someone suggested above), but once the card arrives, the payment should be on it right away. I also updated the name format to exactly match my bank account just in case I want to switch back to direct deposit later. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

Glad you got through and got it sorted out! That's a relief. Just a heads up though - when you get your ReliaCard, make sure to activate it right away and set up the mobile app. Sometimes there can be a delay between when the card arrives and when your funds actually get loaded onto it, so having the app helps you track when the money hits. Also, keep your direct deposit info updated in case you want to switch back later - the ReliaCard has some fees for ATM withdrawals that can add up if you're not careful about which ATMs you use.

i had a similar issue last year and ended up going to my local worksource office in person. they couldn't directly fix my esd claim but the lady there gave me a special email address for escalated cases and my issue got fixed in about a week without ever getting through on the phone. might be worth trying if you can get to a worksource office!

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me when I had a similar adjudication mess-up. Contact your state representative's office! I know it sounds crazy, but they have a constituent services department that can help with state agency issues. I called my rep's office and explained I'd been trying to reach ESD for weeks about an incorrect separation reason. They made a call on my behalf and I got a callback from ESD within 3 days. It's free and they're used to helping with these kinds of problems. You can find your rep at leg.wa.gov. Worth a shot if the phone system keeps failing you!

To answer your follow-up question - this is likely just a one-time thing for your missed week. Once you're back in the regular weekly claim cycle online, you should be able to enter your job search activities directly in eServices when you file your weekly claim. The paper form is typically only used for exceptional circumstances like the one you experienced. You should see in your eServices account that you need to enter job search details when you file your regular weekly claims online. If you're on standby or have a different job search requirement, that would be reflected there too. Make sure you keep copies of all your job search documentation regardless of how you submit it. ESD can request verification up to a year later during random audits.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! The key thing to understand is that when ESD sends you a paper weekly claim form, it creates a separate workflow outside of their normal eServices system. That's why the upload function shows "no documents required" - the system doesn't recognize that you have paperwork to submit. Here's what worked for me: 1. Fax the completed job search log to 800-301-1796 (main ESD fax line) 2. Include a cover sheet with your claim ID, full name, and last 4 of SSN 3. Write "Paper Weekly Claim - Job Search Log for week ending [date]" at the top 4. Take photos of everything before faxing and keep your confirmation receipt The good news is this should be a one-time thing. Once you're back to filing regular weekly claims online, you'll enter job search activities directly in eServices. I was worried about the same documentation issues, but faxing with proper identification worked fine and I got my benefits processed without problems. Don't stress too much - as long as you completed the actual job search activities, submitting the log is just a formality to match their paperwork requirements.

just wondering...did they tell u how long ur claim would be in adjudication for? mines been in that status for 5 weeks now and idk what to do

I just went through this exact same thing two weeks ago! Got the scary voicemail and panicked just like you. Here's what I learned: the adjudicator is required to give you a reasonable opportunity to respond, but "reasonable" is subjective. In my case, I called back within 24 hours and had the interview the next day. During the call, be prepared to explain not just what happened, but WHY it happened. For performance issues, focus on specifics - were you given clear performance metrics? Did you receive proper training? Were the expectations communicated in writing? If your manager kept changing expectations without proper documentation or training, that actually works in your favor. Also, don't be afraid to ask the adjudicator questions during your call. They're supposed to be neutral fact-finders, not advocates for your employer. Ask them to clarify anything your employer claimed that doesn't match your experience. The whole process took about a week from my phone interview to getting the approval decision. You've got this - just call them back ASAP and be honest but thorough in explaining your side!

Don't let the negativity get to you - planning ahead is smart, especially after multiple layoffs! I've been through similar situations and it's totally reasonable to understand your safety net before making job decisions. One thing I'd add that others haven't mentioned: if you do end up reopening your claim, make sure to keep all your documentation from the new job (offer letter, job description, any performance feedback, termination letter, etc.). Even if everything goes smoothly with ESD, having a paper trail helps if there are any questions later. Also, don't forget that you can do some part-time or gig work while on unemployment too - might help ease the financial pressure while you're looking for the right permanent position. Good luck with the interview!

Just wanted to add my experience from a similar situation last year - I was on unemployment, took a job that seemed great during interviews, but after 6 weeks they said I "wasn't meeting expectations" and let me go. I was able to reopen my existing claim without any issues since I still had benefit weeks remaining. The key thing that helped me was that my former employer was honest about it being a performance/fit issue rather than misconduct, so there was no contest from their side. One tip: when you're at the new job, try to get any feedback in writing if possible. In my case, they sent me an email saying they appreciated my efforts but felt I wasn't the right match for their team culture - that email actually helped when I reopened my claim because it clearly showed it wasn't misconduct or voluntary quit. Don't let fear of "what if" stop you from taking opportunities, but definitely good to know your options ahead of time like you're doing!