Update: Just wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions. I ended up using Claimyr and got through to Washington ESD this afternoon. Turns out I needed to submit additional documentation for my work separation. Finally have a clear path forward!

I'm in a similar situation - been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication case. Based on all the advice here, I think I'm going to try that Claimyr service since the traditional calling method clearly isn't working for most people. It's frustrating that we have to pay a third-party service to access a government agency that's supposed to serve us, but if it actually works and gets me connected to someone who can explain what's holding up my claim, it might be worth it. Has anyone who used Claimyr had any issues with the service or felt like it wasn't worth the cost?

UPDATE: The money just hit my account this morning (Monday)! So it took about 3 business days from when the claim showed 'paid' on the ESD website to when it actually appeared in my bank account. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance!

So happy to hear you got your money! That 3-day timeline seems pretty standard from what I've seen here. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation - don't panic if it takes a few business days after ESD shows "paid" status. The system is slow but it does work eventually. Congrats on finally getting through the approval process after 8 weeks, that must have been incredibly stressful!

Filing today after reading all this advice. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - makes the whole process feel less overwhelming.

I just went through this process last month after getting laid off from my construction job. Filed my claim on the Tuesday after my last day of work and had zero issues. The online application took about 20 minutes once I had all my info ready. My advice is don't overthink it - just file as soon as you can and make sure you have your employment history for the past 18 months handy. The waiting week goes by fast and then you'll start getting benefits if you keep up with your weekly claims. Also, set up direct deposit right away so you don't have to wait for checks in the mail.

File ASAP once your hours get cut. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start getting benefits. And don't be intimidated by the application - it's actually not that complicated once you get started.

I went through something very similar when my retail job cut my hours from 32 to 15 per week last year. Definitely file for partial unemployment benefits - you absolutely qualify since your hours were reduced through no fault of your own. The process was easier than I expected, and even though the benefits weren't huge, they really helped bridge the gap between my old income and the reduced hours. Just make sure to report your earnings accurately each week and keep up with the job search requirements. Don't wait to apply - I wish I had filed sooner because you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually submit your claim.

So what ended up happening? Were you able to get any backdated benefits or did they deny you?

Sorry to hear they denied your request, but honestly that's what I expected based on my own experience. The silver lining is that you're getting benefits now and you've learned how strict they are about following the rules. Make sure you're documenting everything carefully - I keep a spreadsheet with all my job applications, contact info, dates, etc. It's saved me a couple times when they've asked for proof of my job search activities. Also don't forget to report any part-time work or odd jobs you might pick up while collecting - they're really picky about that stuff too. Good luck with your job search!