wats adjudication mean anyways? my claim says that but nobodys telling me what it means

Hey everyone, I'm dealing with the exact same issue - been trying to reach ESD for 2 weeks now about my pending claim. After reading through all your experiences, I'm starting to think the phone system really is just overwhelmed rather than deliberately broken (though the end result is the same frustration for us). A few things I've learned from this thread that I'm going to try: 1. Calling right at 8 AM sharp tomorrow 2. If that doesn't work, I'll contact my state representative's office 3. Keep filing weekly claims even while pending (doing this already) @Aidan Percy - have you checked your online account to see if there are any notices or documents they're requesting? Sometimes they post requirements there that don't get communicated by phone. Also, identity verification seems to be a common holdup based on what others have shared. Thanks for starting this thread - it's helpful to know we're not alone in this mess, even if the situation still sucks.

One last thing - if your circumstances change (like you move, change banks, etc.), make sure to update your information with Washington ESD right away. Don't wait until your next weekly claim to report changes.

Welcome to unemployment benefits, Anna! Everyone here has given you great advice. I just want to add that it's also important to keep copies of all your weekly claim confirmations. I save screenshots every time I file just in case there are ever any discrepancies. Also, if you're using a smartphone to file your claims, make sure you have a stable internet connection - I've had claims get messed up because my connection dropped in the middle of filing. The weekly routine does get easier once you get into the habit of it. Good luck with everything!

Has your daughter tried visiting a WorkSource office in person? Sometimes they can help with ESD issues or at least provide direct contacts. Not all WorkSource staff can access ESD systems, but some can and it might save a lot of phone frustration.

I've been dealing with ESD phone issues for months and finally found success with a combination approach. First, I use an auto-redial app on my phone to continuously call the 833-572-8400 number starting at 7:59am (calls the second it hits 8:00am). Second, I have multiple phones calling different numbers simultaneously - the main line, the technical support line Oliver mentioned, and sometimes the Spanish line trick. The key is persistence and having backup plans. I also keep a detailed log of every attempt with timestamps, which helped when I finally got through and the agent could see how long I'd been trying. They were actually more willing to escalate my issue because of the documentation. One more tip: if you get disconnected while on hold, immediately call back and explain to the first person you reach that you were disconnected from an active call. Sometimes they can transfer you directly without going through the full queue again. Don't give up - the system is broken but people do eventually get through!

UPDATE: OP, any luck reaching Washington ESD about your backdating request? I'm curious how it worked out.

I went through something similar last year when I got furloughed. The key thing that helped me get backdating approved was having documentation from my HR department showing they advised employees to wait before filing because they expected to bring people back within 2-3 weeks. Washington ESD considered that "good cause" for the delay. Make sure to gather any emails, texts, or written communication from your employer about the potential callback - that's going to be your strongest evidence. Also, be persistent with calling. I had to try for about a week straight before I finally got through to someone who could help with the backdating request.

Just to add one more detail - when you report your training hours, you'll report them for the week they're worked, not when you get paid for them. So if your training is this week but you don't get your first paycheck until next week, you still report the hours and earnings for this week's claim.

Great question! I went through something similar when I started my current job. Just want to emphasize what others have said - definitely report ALL paid training hours as work. ESD doesn't care if you're filing paperwork, watching training videos, or doing hands-on work - if you're getting paid, it's reportable income and hours. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to report some orientation hours and had to deal with their overpayment process later. Better to be completely transparent from the start!