Another denial reason people forget - if you don't register with WorkSourceWA within a reasonable time after filing. It's not optional, it's a requirement for maintaining eligibility.

Also be careful about how you describe your reason for leaving on the initial application. The way you word it can really impact whether they approve or deny you. I've seen people get denied because they said they "quit due to stress" instead of explaining the specific unsafe or hostile conditions that made it impossible to continue working. The initial application sets the tone for your entire claim, so be detailed and specific about circumstances rather than just giving a general reason.

Does anyone know if there's a way to see what information your employer provided to Washington ESD when they responded to the notice? I'm curious what my former boss said about my layoff.

Just wanted to share my experience since I was in a similar situation a few months ago. I was also worried about my employer being notified, but it turned out to be no big deal at all. They got the standard notice from Washington ESD, didn't contest it (since it was a legitimate layoff), and that was that. The whole process was actually pretty straightforward once I stopped overthinking it. Focus on your job search requirements and don't stress too much about the employer notification - it's just part of how the system works to verify claims are legitimate.

I went through the exact same confusion when I first started collecting! Washington ESD definitely pays weekly, not biweekly. The schedule is pretty reliable once you get used to it - file your weekly claim on Sunday (I usually do mine around 7 PM to avoid any last-minute rushes), and then your payment hits your account Tuesday or Wednesday if you have direct deposit set up. Just make sure you don't skip any weeks because you can't go back and file for missed weeks later. Set up a phone reminder if you need to - it becomes second nature after a few weeks!

I was in the same boat when I first started collecting! Washington ESD definitely pays weekly - your friend might be thinking of how regular paychecks work, but unemployment is different. The routine is pretty straightforward: file your weekly claim every Sunday (I do mine right after dinner), and you'll typically see the payment in your account by Tuesday or Wednesday if you have direct deposit. The first payment might take an extra day or two while they get everything set up, but after that it's very consistent. Just don't forget to do your 3 job search activities each week and report them when you file - they can audit your job search log at any time. Good luck with everything!

Anyone else notice that ESD seems to move faster on claims right after the end of the quarter? My theory is they're trying to clear backlogs before submitting their quarterly performance metrics. Might be worth waiting until early April when the new quarter starts to try contacting them again.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this nightmare last year. I was stuck in adjudication for 8 weeks and tried everything - calling, messaging through eServices, contacting my rep. What finally broke it loose was filing a formal complaint with the Washington State Auditor's office about ESD's lack of responsiveness. Within 48 hours of filing that complaint, I got a call from an ESD supervisor who resolved my claim that same day. The auditor's office takes these complaints seriously because ESD is supposed to meet certain performance standards. You can file online at their whistleblower portal. Might be worth adding to your list of things to try!

not to be negative but i called the governors office twice about my claim last year and both times they just took my info and said someone would call back. still waiting for that call lol. maybe you'll have better luck tho

I'm so sorry you're going through this - 9 weeks is absolutely ridiculous and the stress of potential eviction makes it even worse. I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago (stuck for 8 weeks) and what finally worked for me was a combination approach: 1. I did contact the Governor's office at 360-902-4111 and specifically asked for constituent services about ESD delays. They created a case file but it took about 2 weeks to see any movement. 2. More importantly, I also reached out to the Washington State Ombuds office at 1-800-562-6025. They specialize in helping people navigate state agency problems and they actually have some pull with ESD that the Governor's office doesn't. 3. Like others mentioned, I also went to my local WorkSource office with all my documentation and politely but firmly explained I needed help escalating this. The combination of all three seemed to finally shake something loose. My claim was resolved within a week of doing all of this. In the meantime, definitely look into emergency rental assistance programs in your county - many have funds specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits. Don't let pride stop you from asking for help while you're fighting this bureaucratic nightmare. Keep detailed records of every contact and don't give up. The system is broken but you can get through this!