Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This thread answered way more questions than I even knew I had.

This is super helpful! I'm in a similar boat making around $1,400/week and was worried about what would happen if I got laid off. So if I understand correctly, even though we make good money, we're still capped at that $844 maximum? That's a pretty big drop from what we're used to earning. Does anyone know if there are any other programs or assistance available in Washington to help bridge that gap?

Congratulations Emily! It's so great to see someone finally get clarity on their WBA after all the confusion. Your $847 weekly amount is actually pretty solid - that should definitely help while you're job searching. Just wanted to add that once you start receiving payments, keep all your paperwork organized for tax time since unemployment benefits are taxable income. Also, if you haven't already, consider setting up direct deposit if Washington ESD offers it - saves time compared to waiting for checks in the mail. Best of luck with your job search!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this same confusion a few months ago! Emily, you're definitely not alone in being confused about WBA - Washington ESD really doesn't explain these acronyms well at all. The good news is that $847 is a solid weekly amount and will make a real difference while you're job hunting. One thing I learned the hard way is to screenshot or print your benefit determination letter that shows how they calculated your WBA - it's helpful to have for your records and if you ever need to reference it later. Also, since you mentioned you're new to this, make sure you understand the difference between your claim effective date and when you can actually start filing weekly claims. Sometimes there's a waiting period. Good luck with everything!

This is so helpful to know as someone new to the unemployment system! I had no idea there were different systems running behind the scenes. The disconnect between what agents can see/do and what shows up on our end explains so much frustration I've been having. I kept thinking something was broken when the website didn't immediately reflect what I was told over the phone. It's reassuring to hear this is totally normal and that payments can still process even when the website looks like nothing is happening. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this kind of insider knowledge makes navigating ESD so much less stressful!

As someone who just started dealing with ESD a few weeks ago, this thread is incredibly reassuring! I had a similar experience where an agent told me my issue was resolved but the website kept showing the same error message for two full days. I was convinced something had gone wrong until the payment finally appeared. It's so frustrating that they don't explain this disconnect upfront - I spent hours on hold trying to get someone to "fix" what wasn't actually broken. Now I know to trust the agent's timeline over the website status. This community knowledge is so much more helpful than anything on the official ESD site!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed 2 weeks ago after a layoff and my claim has been stuck in adjudication ever since. It's so frustrating not knowing what's happening or how much longer it will take. I've been checking my account obsessively and calling ESD but can never get through. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring (I'm not alone) and terrifying (some of you waited months!). Has anyone had luck with the online messaging system through eServices? I sent a message last week but haven't heard back yet. Also wondering if there's any way to check if they actually received the employer response or if that's part of what's causing the delay. Stay strong everyone - sounds like we just have to ride this out but at least we'll get backpay once it's resolved!

I'm in a similar boat - filed about 10 days ago after my position was eliminated due to budget cuts at a nonprofit. Been in adjudication for over a week now with no communication from ESD whatsoever. What's really frustrating is that I called my former HR department and they confirmed they submitted their response within 48 hours of receiving the request. I've been trying to call ESD daily but like everyone else, just get the "high call volume" recording. The uncertainty is killing me - I have rent due next week and my emergency fund is almost gone. It's reassuring to read that others are going through this same process, but scary to see some of you waited 5+ weeks! One question for those who've been through this: do they typically call/email before making a decision, or does the status just change in your account one day? I'm checking my account multiple times daily and don't want to miss any communication from them.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Filed in late January and have been in adjudication for over a month. After reading your post, I'm thinking about contacting the governor's office too. How exactly did you go about doing that? Did you call their main number or is there a specific department for unemployment issues? I'm really struggling financially and need to try something different since calling ESD directly has been impossible.

I went through something very similar back in December! My adjudication date changed three times after I contacted my state representative's office, and I was convinced I had somehow messed up my claim. Turns out it was actually the system updating as my case moved through different stages of review. The final date they gave me was accurate - I got my determination letter exactly on that date and was approved with full backpay. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly claims no matter what, because if you miss those you can't get backpay for those weeks even if approved. Hang in there, the date changes are usually a good sign that things are moving!