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Adjudication means they're investigating some aspect of your claim that needs clarification or verification. Common reasons include: - Questions about why you left your previous job - Verifying your identity or work authorization - Resolving discrepancies in reported wages - Checking your availability for work - Verifying job search activities During adjudication, an ESD specialist reviews your case and might reach out to your former employer or request additional documents from you. The frustrating part is that they don't always clearly communicate what specific issue they're investigating.
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.
Good luck with everything! Sounds like you've got a solid plan. File the claim, report the severance honestly, and keep your documentation handy. You should be all set.
Awesome! Feel free to come back if you have any other questions during the process.
I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - got laid off with a $12k lump sum severance. I was so nervous about messing up my unemployment claim, but it ended up being much smoother than I expected. Filed my claim the Monday after my last day of work, reported the severance amount when prompted, and my benefits started after the standard waiting week. Washington ESD didn't give me any hassle about it at all. The key really is that it's a lump sum payment rather than ongoing payments. Just make sure you're completely honest about the amount and date you received it. You've got this!
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.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about managing my weekly claims now.
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!
Logan Scott
update us when you get your first payment! always curious how long it actually takes for different people
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Ethan Clark
•Will do! Hopefully I'll have good news to share next week.
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Diego Mendoza
I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 12 days ago and still waiting for my first payment. The uncertainty is really stressful, especially when you're trying to budget for basic expenses. It's somewhat reassuring to read that 2-4 weeks is normal, but when you're in the middle of it, every day feels like forever. I've been checking my account obsessively hoping to see some movement. Has anyone found any reliable way to track where your claim is in the verification process, or do we just have to wait it out?
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NebulaNomad
•I totally get that obsessive account checking - I've been doing the same thing multiple times a day! From what I've gathered reading through everyone's experiences here, there isn't really a detailed tracking system that shows exactly where your claim is in the verification process. The account dashboard is pretty basic and just shows general status updates. The waiting really is the hardest part, especially when you're counting on that money for rent and bills. At least we know we're both still within that normal 2-4 week window everyone's mentioning.
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Mikayla Brown
•I feel you on the daily account checking! I've been doing the exact same thing. One thing I learned from reading through this thread is that if you got your determination letter, that's actually a good sign that things are moving along. The wage verification with employers seems to be the step that takes the longest. I haven't found any detailed tracking either - the ESD portal is pretty bare bones when it comes to showing you exactly where you are in the process. Hang in there though, sounds like most people do eventually get their payments within that 2-4 week window.
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