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I went through something similar last year and it was incredibly stressful. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of every call attempt, what happened, and any reference numbers they gave me. When I finally got through to someone, having all that documentation made the conversation much more productive. Also, if you haven't already, try calling right at 7:30am when they open - that's when I had the most luck getting through. The automated system sometimes drops calls later in the day when volume is high. Hang in there, it really does get resolved eventually even though it feels hopeless right now.
That's really smart advice about keeping a detailed log! I wish I had started doing that from the beginning. I'll definitely try calling right at 7:30am tomorrow - hopefully the early bird gets the worm with ESD. It's good to hear from someone who actually got through this process successfully, gives me hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel.
I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Filed my claim 2.5 weeks ago and it's been stuck on "pending - need more info" with absolutely no indication of what they actually need. I've uploaded everything I can think of too - W2s, pay stubs, termination letter, driver's license. It's so frustrating that their system can't at least give you a hint about what's missing. I've been afraid to keep calling because I don't want to seem pushy, but reading all these responses makes me realize I need to be more persistent. The stress of not knowing when (or if) this will get resolved is almost worse than being unemployed. Thanks for posting this - it helps to know I'm not the only one going through this nightmare!
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I think it depends on how they structured your severance? When I got laid off my employers payroll lady said they coded it as "continuation of wages" not "severance" so unemployment treated it differently? i dunno the whole system is confusing af
This is an important point. The classification of your severance can matter. "Continuation of wages" and true "severance pay" might be treated differently. Check your separation agreement for the specific language used.
Update: I went ahead and filed my initial claim. The ESD website had a specific section where I could report the severance arrangement. I also uploaded my separation agreement as supporting documentation. I got an automated message saying my claim was received and that I should continue filing weekly claims even if I'm receiving severance. I'll start my job search activities this week and keep everyone posted on what happens!
Smart move filing right away! Just wanted to add - when you're doing your weekly claims, be super precise about reporting your severance amounts. ESD calculates it based on when you receive the payment, not when it's "earned." So if you get paid bi-weekly like you mentioned, report it in the week you actually receive each payment. Also keep copies of all your pay stubs/severance documentation - you might need them later if there are any questions about your claim.
That's exactly the right approach! One thing to watch out for - make sure you understand how your 8-week severance timeline aligns with ESD's benefit year. Since you're getting paid bi-weekly, that's 4 payments over 8 weeks. Just double-check that your separation agreement specifies whether those 8 weeks are consecutive calendar weeks or if there's any gap. Sometimes companies structure it differently and it can affect the timing of when your benefits kick in. Good luck with the job search!
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Just to summarize the main disqualification reasons: voluntary quit without good cause, misconduct, not able/available for work, refusing suitable work, not meeting job search requirements, not reporting income correctly, and not participating in required services. Most can be appealed or resolved with proper documentation.
This is a great summary. I'm going to save this thread for reference.
And remember, if you need to talk to Washington ESD about any of these issues, don't waste hours trying to get through on your own. There are services that can help you actually reach a human when you need one.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you receive severance pay, it can affect your unemployment benefits timing. Washington ESD considers severance as wages for the period it covers, which means your benefits might be delayed until after the severance period ends. I learned this the hard way when I got laid off with a severance package and couldn't figure out why my claim was delayed. It's not exactly a disqualification, but it can definitely impact when you start receiving benefits.
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One more thing to consider - you should apply for standby status if you're expecting to return to work soon or have job prospects. This temporarily waives the job search requirement. Also, prepare yourself mentally for the adjudication process. It can be really stressful and the uncertainty is tough. Make sure you're taking care of your mental health during this time - the ADHD + unemployment stress combo can be really challenging.
Thank you for that advice. I'm not expecting to go back to that employer, but the mental health reminder is important. I've already been feeling extra scattered with the stress. I'll make sure to mention that to my doctor too when I ask for the documentation.
I'm a disability rights advocate and wanted to add some important legal context here. The fact that you disclosed your ADHD when hired but weren't provided accommodations could actually work strongly in your favor. Under the ADA, employers have a duty to engage in the "interactive process" once they know about a disability - even if you didn't formally request accommodations. The key question ESD will ask is whether your errors were due to your disability or willful misconduct. Document everything: your diagnosis timeline, any medical treatments, specific ways ADHD affects data entry (like hyperfocus making you miss details or working memory issues), and all the strategies you tried. Also keep records of your job search efforts during adjudication. This isn't just about proving you weren't being careless - it's about showing your employer failed to provide a reasonable workplace accommodation for a known disability.
This is really eye-opening - I had no idea about the interactive process requirement! I'm realizing now that my employer might have actually violated the ADA by not engaging with me about accommodations after I disclosed my ADHD. I'm going to document everything you mentioned, especially the specific ways ADHD affects my work. It's helpful to frame this not just as performance issues but as a failure to accommodate a known disability. Thank you for giving me this legal perspective - it makes me feel more confident about my case.
Nathaniel Mikhaylov
Don't forget to document EVERYTHING. Each time you call, write down the date, time, and what happened (even if you couldn't get through). If you eventually need to escalate this or file an appeal, having this documentation really helps. Also, if you do get through, ask for a direct number or extension to reach that same person again if possible!
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Adriana Cohn
•That's smart advice. I'll start keeping a detailed log of all my attempts. Hopefully it won't come to needing an appeal, but better to be prepared.
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Isabella Silva
I'm dealing with something very similar - 5 weeks of pending claims after being laid off from my retail job. The most frustrating part is the complete lack of communication from ESD about what's actually happening with our claims. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like there are so many different reasons claims can get stuck, but they don't bother to tell us which one applies to our situation. I'm going to try calling right at 8am tomorrow and also reach out to my former employer to make sure they responded properly. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not alone in this nightmare!
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