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Quick question related to this - when a claim goes from adjudication to paid, does that mean all the issues are resolved forever? Or can they come back later and say you owe that money back? I'm in adjudication right now for 3 weeks and getting nervous.
Once your claim is approved and paid, that specific issue is resolved. However, ESD can still identify other issues later or audit claims up to 2 years afterward. If they discover something like unreported earnings or eligibility issues, they could issue an overpayment notice. But if you've been honest and accurate in your weekly claims, you should be fine.
Chase is actually pretty good with ESD deposits, I usually see mine the very next day after it switches to paid. You should definitely get it before your rent is due Monday unless something unusual happens.
Just wanted to add that you might want to consider applying for other assistance programs while you wait for your new UI eligibility: - SNAP benefits (food stamps) - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) if you have children - Housing assistance through local programs - Utility assistance programs Also, make sure you're ready to file immediately when your benefit year ends. Mark the exact date on your calendar and file your new claim that same day to avoid any delays in receiving benefits. With 1000 hours, you're well above the 680-hour requirement, so you should be approved quickly once you're eligible to file.
I went thru something kinda similar last year and ended up driving for doordash while i was waiting to be able to file a new claim. not great money but it kept me afloat and the schedule was flexible. might be worth looking into gig work just to get you through until july.
To clarify some information that's being shared here: 1. Yes, weekly certifications ARE required for PFML medical leave due to injury (not always for parental bonding leave, which works differently) 2. You can file retroactively for missed weeks within a limited timeframe (I believe it's within 4 weeks) 3. The approval process typically takes 2-3 weeks if all documentation is complete 4. Benefits are paid retroactively to the date of eligibility once approved 5. The weekly certification process is simpler than UI - primarily confirming continued medical need Make sure all medical documentation clearly states: - Specific diagnosis - Expected recovery timeline - Work limitations - Treatment plan This will help avoid delays in processing. And yes, contacting ESD can be challenging - having a reference number from your claim ready when you call can help.
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! We logged in last night and were able to file the weekly certification for the missed week and the current week. The system did allow retroactive filing, which was a relief! The doctor provided really detailed documentation about his construction accident injuries and recovery timeline, so hopefully that helps with the approval process. Now we just wait and keep doing the weekly certifications. I'll update here when we get an approval decision in case it helps someone else.
Great to hear! Just remember to keep filing those weekly claims every week, even if you don't hear anything about the main claim approval. The most common mistake is giving up on the weekly certifications when the approval takes longer than expected.
Good job! One more tip - if you haven't already, make sure he's submitted the Authorization for Disclosure of Information form. Sometimes that gets overlooked, and it's required for the doctor's office to communicate with ESD if they have any questions. You can find it in the documents section of the PFML portal.
have u tried the ESD escalation form on their website?? Sometimes that works better than calling. Go to esd.wa.gov > unemployment > customer care > escalation form. It's burried on purpose I think lol
The system is so confusing sometimes! I remember when I got my last job offer, I called ESD three different times and got three slightly different answers about when exactly to stop claiming. 🤦♀️ One agent said stop immediately after accepting, one said claim until I start working, and one said something confusing about the day of acceptance being some kind of cutoff? Ultimately I claimed until I started working (reporting the future start date) and it was fine.
Unfortunately this is common. The correct answer is that you can claim until you start working, but you must report accepting the job with a future start date. The agents should all be providing consistent information, but sometimes the training varies. The ESD handbook actually addresses this specifically, but not everyone reads the 40+ page document.
My neighbor did CATS for some IT certification and said the key was getting approval BEFORE starting school. You already started your bootcamp which might be a problem - they sometimes deny people who started without approval first. ESD is super picky about the rules. Good luck dealing with their ridiculous bureaucracy!
just want to say good luck with the coding bootcamp! my cousin did one last year and now makes like $95k at Amazon. totally worth it even if ESD gives you a hard time about CATS
During the appeal process, you can request a "stay" on collections, which will prevent them from adding interest or taking collection actions while your case is being decided. There's a specific form for this on the ESD website under "Benefit Payment Control." Also, make sure you continue to carefully document all communication with your former employer. If they reach out to you about this matter, keep records of everything. Sometimes employers will try to get you to admit to something that could hurt your case. In my experience, these appeals typically take 6-10 weeks to resolve, so prepare for a bit of a wait. The hearing itself usually only lasts about an hour.
Yes, if you're still claiming benefits you absolutely must continue your job search activities (3 per week) and report them accurately. Your current appeal situation doesn't change your ongoing eligibility requirements. Make sure you report your part-time work and earnings correctly too - mistakes there could lead to additional issues. Also, while waiting for your appeal, it's a good idea to check your eServices account regularly. Sometimes important notices are only posted there and not mailed.
One other tip - if your claim is still not resolved after 6 weeks, you can request an "escalation" by sending a secure message through your ESD account. Go to the dashboard, click on "Send a message", then select "Claims Questions" from the dropdown. Explain that it's been X weeks since you filed a combined wage claim and there's still no update regarding your Oregon wages. Ask specifically for the claim to be escalated to a claims specialist. In the meantime, if you're facing financial hardship while waiting, be sure to indicate that as well. Sometimes they can expedite truly urgent cases.
Update: I checked the ESD handbook and found this official statement about combined wage claims: "Combined wage claims may take 30 business days or longer to process as we must wait for other states to transfer your wages." So unfortunately, your 3-week wait is still within the normal timeframe. I know it's frustrating, but at least according to their official guidance, you're not yet at the point where something has definitely gone wrong. Hang in there!
This is a useful tip that many claimants don't know about. A few points of clarification from someone who handles these cases: 1. The Governor's office doesn't actually process your claim faster; they submit what's called a "legislative inquiry" to ESD, which flags your claim for immediate review by a specialist. 2. This works best for claims stuck in processing limbo, not for claims with legitimate adjudication issues that need resolution. 3. The current adjudication backlog is approximately 4-6 weeks, which is actually improved from last year's 8-10 week backlog. 4. Always check your ESD portal first for any pending issues that might require your input. For those who prefer to speak directly with ESD but can't get through on the phones, state WorkSource offices can sometimes help, or services like Claimyr that help connect you with agents.
Logan Greenburg
btw make sure ur checking ur eServices messages and spam folder. sometimes they send important notices that u need to respond to and if u miss them it delays everything!
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Hunter Edmunds
Update after reviewing your situation more carefully: Since you had multiple employers and one job ended due to lack of work (seasonal), you should still qualify for benefits even if they determine the quit wasn't for good cause. They'll likely just apply a denial period for the voluntary quit portion. This is good news because it means you should eventually receive benefits regardless of the quit determination, though there might be a disqualification period. The main thing causing delay is probably just the investigation process for the job separation issues.
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Angelica Smith
•That's really helpful to know! I was worried the quit might torpedo my entire claim. Fingers crossed they process everything soon.
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