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I'm in a very similar situation - got the adjudication status about 2 weeks ago after being laid off from my retail job. The uncertainty is the worst part! From reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like 3-6 weeks is pretty typical, but it really depends on your specific issue. One thing I learned from calling WorkSource is that you can also check if there are any local food banks or emergency assistance programs in your area while you wait. I know it's not ideal, but it might help stretch your savings a bit further. Also, if you have any bills that can be deferred (utilities sometimes have hardship programs), it's worth calling them to explain your situation. Keep filing those weekly claims like everyone said - that's been my lifeline knowing that when this gets resolved, I'll get all that back pay. Sending good vibes that yours gets resolved quickly! The construction industry has been hit so hard lately, hopefully ESD recognizes these are legitimate layoffs.
Thanks for sharing your experience - it's reassuring to hear from someone in a similar boat! Two weeks in adjudication must feel like forever too. I really appreciate the practical suggestions about food banks and utility hardship programs. I hadn't thought about calling my utility company, but you're right that it could help buy me some time while waiting for this to get resolved. It's frustrating that we have to think about these things when we should just be getting our rightful unemployment benefits, but I guess that's the reality right now. Definitely going to look into local resources tomorrow along with visiting WorkSource. Thanks for the encouragement about the construction layoffs being recognized as legitimate - hopefully ESD sees the bigger picture with what's happening in our industry. Fingers crossed both our cases get resolved soon!
I'm going through adjudication right now too - started about 10 days ago. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and nerve-wracking! It sounds like the timeline really varies depending on your specific situation, but most people are seeing resolution in 3-6 weeks. For what it's worth, I've had some success getting through to ESD using the early morning calling strategy someone mentioned - calling right at 8:02 AM seems to work better than later in the day. Also, make sure you're checking your eServices account daily for any requests for additional information. Sometimes they ask for stuff with really short deadlines. The waiting is brutal when you're worried about bills, but it sounds like most legitimate layoff cases do get approved eventually. Keep filing those weekly claims and hang in there!
If you're really struggling to get information, I had success with that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Worth checking out their demo video to see if it might help you get through to Washington ESD faster.
Bottom line: with your work history at $16-18/hour, you're probably looking at somewhere between $300-500 per week, but could be higher or lower depending on your exact quarters. The only way to know for sure is to file and see what Washington ESD calculates.
In Washington, you typically need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week to maintain eligibility. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking activities, or meeting with career counselors. You'll need to log these activities in your weekly claim and be prepared to provide details if asked.
Bottom line for the OP - you did everything right! Multi-employer claims are totally normal and your benefit amount should reflect wages from both jobs. Just keep filing your weekly claims while they verify everything.
Just want to add that when you have multiple employers, Washington ESD may also ask for additional documentation like pay stubs or separation notices from each job. I had to provide proof of my layoffs from both employers before my claim was fully approved. Keep any paperwork you have from both jobs handy - it can speed up the verification process significantly!
another option is just find another job asap. took me like 2 weeks to find something when this happened to me. faster than dealing with all the unemployment stuff tbh
I went through a very similar situation two years ago when my mother had a heart attack in the Philippines. Initially got denied, but won my appeal after 3 months. Here's what worked for me: The judge really focused on whether I made a "reasonable effort" to keep my job before quitting. Your text to your boss asking for emergency leave is actually really valuable evidence - print screenshots with timestamps! What helped my case: - Showed the emergency was truly unforeseeable (stroke definitely qualifies) - Proved I tried to work with my employer first (your text messages) - Documented that I had no choice but to leave immediately - Kept detailed records of trying to return to work One thing to add to your appeal packet: if your father's condition required specific family coordination that only you could handle (like being the only English speaker, having medical power of attorney, etc.), document that too. It shows why remote work or delayed travel weren't realistic options. Also, restaurant management experience should make you pretty marketable for quick employment while you wait for the appeal decision. Don't let this stress consume you - you have a legitimate case and good documentation to support it!
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! Your situation sounds almost identical to mine. I'm the only one in my family who speaks both English and Portuguese fluently, so I was really the only one who could coordinate with the doctors and handle all the medical decisions. I didn't think to document that aspect but you're absolutely right - it shows why I couldn't just delay the trip or handle things remotely. I'm feeling much more confident about appealing now with all this advice from everyone. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Mia Rodriguez
This has been super educational. I thought calculating quarterly earnings would be much more complicated but it's actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basic rules. Thanks for all the help everyone!
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AaliyahAli
•Exactly! I feel ready to file my claim now. This thread probably saved me hours of confusion.
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Raúl Mora
•And if anyone needs to actually talk through their specific situation with Washington ESD, definitely check out that Claimyr service. Made my whole process much smoother.
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Amina Sow
One thing that helped me when I was calculating my quarterly earnings was to organize all my information first before trying to figure out if I qualified. I made a simple spreadsheet with columns for each quarter and listed all my employers and their reported wages. It made it much easier to see if I met the requirements - especially the part about having wages in at least two quarters. Also, don't forget that if you had any wage adjustments or bonuses that were reported in different quarters than when you actually worked, those could affect your totals. Washington ESD goes by when wages were reported to them, not necessarily when you earned them.
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Aisha Khan
•That's a really smart approach! I wish I had thought to make a spreadsheet when I was trying to figure this out. The timing issue you mentioned about when wages were reported versus when earned is something I hadn't considered - that could definitely throw off someone's calculations if they're not careful. Did you run into any situations where a bonus or final paycheck got reported in a different quarter than expected?
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