Just wanted to share that I finally got my call back yesterday! They apologized for the delay and said they're prioritizing cases based on hardship level and claim date. The rep asked if I had immediate hardship (like eviction risk) and when I said yes, they expedited my case. Maybe call the Governor's office back and specifically mention your rent situation? That might bump you up in priority.

I'm in a similar boat and wanted to add another option that worked for me - contacting the ESD Customer Resolution Team directly through their secure messaging system on eServices. It's buried in the menu but if you go to "Send ESD a Secure Message" and select "Adjudication Question" as the category, I've found they respond faster than phone calls sometimes. I got a response within 3 business days and they were able to move my case forward. Worth trying while you wait for the Governor's office callback! Also echoing what others said about answering ALL calls - they called me from a weird 360 number that almost looked like spam.

This thread convinced me to appeal my disqualification instead of just accepting it. Submitted everything yesterday and feeling optimistic. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and it's so frustrating! The key thing that helped me win was getting a letter from HR confirming the layoff was due to company restructuring, not performance issues. If you still have contacts at your old company, see if HR can provide an official statement about the layoffs. Also, keep detailed records of every interaction with ESD - dates, times, who you spoke with. The appeal process worked for me but it took about 8 weeks total. Stay persistent and don't let them discourage you from fighting this!

Just file online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. Don't wait thinking your hours might get restored - you can always stop claiming if they do.

I went through a similar situation a few years ago when my retail hours got slashed. The partial unemployment benefits were a lifesaver during that tough period. One tip that really helped me - when you're doing your weekly claims, keep track of all your earnings in a simple spreadsheet or notebook. It makes reporting so much easier and you'll have records if they ever ask questions. Also, don't stress too much about the job search requirements - looking for positions with more hours at other retail stores totally counts toward your weekly activities. The whole process seems overwhelming at first but once you get into the routine of weekly claims it becomes pretty straightforward.

I work with unemployment claimants regularly, and the contact issues with ESD are unfortunately very common. Here's what I recommend to my clients: 1. Be strategic with timing: Tuesday-Thursday are typically better days to call than Monday or Friday 2. For adjudication issues specifically: Send a follow-up secure message with the subject line "ADJUDICATION UPDATE REQUEST - [Your Claim ID]" and include any new supporting documentation 3. Request a call-back through WorkSource: Schedule a virtual appointment with a WorkSource specialist who often has better connections to ESD staff 4. Review your claim online carefully: Sometimes there are specific action items or document upload requirements that aren't clearly communicated but are visible in your eServices account If your issue is specifically about an employer providing incorrect separation information, you should be gathering documentation that supports your version of events (emails, performance reviews, separation notice, etc.) to have ready when you do connect with an adjudicator.

I feel your frustration! I went through something very similar last year and it took me 6 weeks to finally connect with ESD. Here's what eventually worked for me: I combined several strategies: First, I used an auto-dialer app on my phone (there are free ones available) to continuously redial starting at exactly 7:58am. Second, I sent multiple secure messages using the specific format that @Christian Bierman mentioned - that subject line format really does seem to get more attention. Third, and this was key for my adjudication issue - I contacted my union representative (if you have one) AND filed a complaint with the state's Office of the Insurance Commissioner since unemployment is technically insurance. They have a consumer protection division that can sometimes help escalate cases. Also, document EVERYTHING - keep a log of every call attempt, every secure message sent, dates and times. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you need to escalate further or if there are delays in your benefits that need to be backdated. The system is definitely overwhelmed, but don't give up! Your persistence will eventually pay off. In the meantime, see if you qualify for any emergency assistance programs in your county to help with bills while you're waiting.

Yes - if your claim is eventually approved, you'll receive all back payments for the weeks you correctly filed! Just make sure you accurately report any earnings during those weeks.

I feel your pain! I went through this exact same nightmare last month. After weeks of getting nowhere with the phone system, I finally got some movement by doing three things simultaneously: 1) Filed a complaint with the state ombudsman's office (they have a specific ESD complaint process), 2) Contacted my state legislator's constituent services office, and 3) Kept detailed logs of every call attempt with timestamps. The ombudsman complaint seemed to be what finally got someone's attention - I got a callback within 5 business days. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're checking your eServices account daily for any correspondence requests that might be buried in there. Sometimes they send requests for additional info that can hold up your claim if you miss them. Hang in there - the system is broken but there are ways to work around it!