THE WHOLE ESD SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! They DELIBERATELY make it confusing so people get disqualified for tiny mistakes. I got disqualified for answering honestly about a job interview I had that didn't work out. They said I "failed to accept suitable work" even though I never got a job offer!!! Been fighting for 6 WEEKS to get it fixed and still nothing. Good luck getting through to anyone who actually cares.

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning! The agent said I was disqualified because I accidentally marked that I was fired for misconduct when I was actually laid off due to reduced hours (I misunderstood the question). She said they're sending me a form to fill out explaining the circumstances, and once I return it, they'll review my case again. She said this happens ALL THE TIME and told me to keep filing my weekly claims like someone here suggested. Thanks everyone for the advice - especially about continuing to file weekly claims while this gets sorted out!

UPDATE: I checked my eServices after seeing all these helpful comments. There was an "Additional Information Needed" alert that I completely missed! It was asking for a second form of ID since my driver's license is about to expire. Uploaded my passport and birth certificate just to be safe. Hopefully this moves things along! Thanks everyone for your help - I'll update again when there's progress.

FINAL UPDATE: My claim finally got approved! After finding and uploading the missing document they requested, I used the Claimyr service that someone recommended here to actually speak with an ESD representative. The rep confirmed they had everything they needed and manually pushed my verification through. Claim status changed from pending to active within 24 hours! Thank you all for your help - this community is amazing!

anyone know if the 4 week thing applies when they cant contact YOU?? my phone has been acting up and im worried i missed calls from esd

Update: Good news everyone! One of the payments just showed up in my account this morning. It took about 72 hours from when it disappeared from adjudication to when the money arrived. The ESD website still doesn't show it as paid in the system yet, so definitely check your bank accounts like someone suggested! Still have two weeks in adjudication, but progress is progress. Thanks for all the helpful advice!

Just wanted to add some context about adjudication timing in 2025 - the ESD has been overwhelmed with seasonal construction layoffs combined with some recent tech company downsizing. Their current published estimate for adjudication is 4-8 weeks, but many cases are taking longer. If you're facing eviction due to the delay, make sure to mention that specifically when you do reach someone - they can sometimes expedite cases with imminent hardship.

Update: I tried the Spanish line trick this morning and also tried the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above. The Spanish line still gave me the "we're too busy" message after one ring, but Claimyr actually got me through to an agent after about 45 minutes of waiting! The agent was able to see that my adjudication was delayed because they needed employment verification from my previous employer, who never responded to their request. They're expediting my case now and said I should have an update within 5-7 days. Thank you all for the suggestions!

Quick update on this topic based on recent changes: As of 2025, ESD is required to pause garnishments once they receive proof of both payment AND appeal filing. The key is getting that proof to the right department. Use the secure message portal and specifically state "REQUEST TO PAUSE GARNISHMENT PENDING APPEAL" in the subject line. Reference both your payment confirmation and appeal number in the message. This new process was implemented after a class action lawsuit last year forced ESD to improve their procedures.

hey just wondering did it work? did they garnish u again or did u get them to stop it?

Just to add to my earlier comment - another thing to consider is that the reemployment services staff are separate from the unemployment benefits staff. Your WorkSource case manager is focused on helping you find employment, not on enforcing benefit eligibility. If you clearly explain the geographical limitations and lack of relevant positions in WorkSource, most case managers will work with you to modify your approach. They might suggest filters or search terms to find more suitable positions, or even adjust your action plan for the next period. The key is to approach the meeting as a collaborative effort to improve your job search strategy, not as a compliance check. Bring specific examples of the WorkSource job listings that weren't suitable and be open to suggestions for alternative approaches.

One thing no one's mentioned - have you tried adjusting your search radius on WorkSource? Sometimes the default is set really low like 10 miles. If you bump it up to maybe 30 (still reasonable commute) you might find more options. Also check if your resume has all the right keywords for your field - WorkSource uses those to match you with jobs.

my sister went thru this with TCC nursing program last quarter and said dealing with esd was WAY harder than nursing school lol. make sure u check ur eservices messages like everyday because sometimes they send important notices there instead of mail and if u miss them ur in BIG trouble. happened to her and she almost lost benefits

One important thing no one mentioned - when you're in approved training, your job search requirements change but don't disappear completely. Instead of regular job searches, you'll need to submit academic progress reports. TCC should provide these at mid-term and end of quarter. Missing these is the #1 reason people in training programs suddenly find their benefits suspended.

To directly answer your question: You should report your volunteer hours in the section that asks if there was anything that affected your availability for work. In the explanation box, make it clear that: 1) This is unpaid volunteer work 2) It won't interfere with your job search activities (3 per week) 3) You would immediately stop volunteering if offered suitable employment As long as those three things are true, your benefits should not be affected. The 10 hours per week you mentioned is certainly reasonable and shouldn't raise any flags at ESD.

my bad i guess i was doing it wrong the whole time lol. lucky i never got audited by ESD!

Has anyone noticed that ESD seems to be getting WORSE each year instead of better? Like they've had years to fix these systems and they still can't get simple things right like telling people when they'll get their money back. I swear the whole department is running on Windows 95 computers and fax machines.

Some additional insights that might help those waiting for refunds: - The refund process is handled by a completely separate department from the waiver approval team - Refunds over $5,000 require additional verification steps and take longer - If you made payments while under an active payment plan, the refund is typically faster than if you made lump sum payments - The fiscal year transition (June-July) can cause additional delays - If your banking information has changed since you made payments, notify ESD immediately to avoid further delays For the original poster, since your amount is $2,800, you're in the standard processing category which is generally more predictable.

my cousin works at esd (not supposed to tell anyone that lol) but she says theyre SUPER backlogged right now cuz of budget cuts and staff shortages. claims that used to take 3-4 weeks now take 6-8 sometimes. its not ur fault just fyi

One more thing - when you do get through to ESD, ask specifically about the Domestic Violence Unemployment Benefits provisions. There are special considerations for DV survivors under Washington law, including potentially waiving certain requirements. Also ask about backdating your payments to when you first applied once your claim is approved. The adjudication process for DV cases does tend to be more complex because they need to verify your situation while also protecting your privacy, but they should prioritize these cases when possible. If your shelter has legal advocates, they might be able to help navigate this process with you.