I actually had good luck emailing them through the eServices message center. It took about 4-5 days to get a response, but they did eventually get back to me and resolved my issue without needing to speak to anyone. Might be worth trying while you continue attempting to reach someone by phone.

Has your daughter tried visiting a WorkSource office in person? Sometimes they can help with ESD issues or at least provide direct contacts. Not all WorkSource staff can access ESD systems, but some can and it might save a lot of phone frustration.

I've been through this process twice during different unemployment periods. Here's what to expect: 1. They'll review your resume for improvements - be open to suggestions even if you think your resume is already good. 2. They'll verify your job search logs meet requirements - make sure each entry has complete information. 3. They'll discuss your job search strategy and might suggest different approaches or industries based on your skills. 4. They'll introduce WorkSource services like workshops, training programs, and job fairs. As for follow-ups, it varies by region and individual circumstances. In my first experience, I had mandatory bi-weekly check-ins for about two months. In my second experience (different county), I just had the one meeting with optional resources afterward. The key is demonstrating that you're making genuine efforts to find work. If they believe you're doing everything reasonably possible, they typically don't require ongoing meetings. But if they feel you need more guidance or structure, they might schedule follow-ups.

Just to add some important information: these WorkSource appointments (often called RESEA - Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment) are federally mandated for certain unemployment claimants. The selection is usually based on various factors that might indicate you could benefit from additional assistance. The meeting serves two purposes: 1. To provide personalized job search assistance 2. To verify you're meeting unemployment eligibility requirements Failure to attend without a good reason can result in benefit denial, so it's critical to keep the appointment or reschedule in advance if necessary. For your job search logs, make sure they clearly show you're meeting the 3 job search activities per week requirement. Each activity should be fully documented with specific details. If you've been recording your activities through the ESD online portal, print those out to bring with you.

BTW the governer trick is hit or miss. my brother tried it and nothing happened for weeks. but my neighbor got a call THE NEXT DAY!! so weird how it works sometimes

Just to add one more important point: If your husband's employer does contest the claim and says he quit voluntarily without mentioning they were going to fire him, your husband should immediately request the full employer response records and appeal if necessary. By law, ESD must share what the employer stated as the reason for separation. If there's a discrepancy, your husband can request a fact-finding interview where both parties are present. In "quit in lieu of discharge" cases, employers sometimes try to avoid admitting they were going to terminate to prevent unemployment claims. Be prepared for this possibility.

I HATE to be negative, but I would prepare for the worst. I had what I thought was a simple layoff claim in 2025 and ended up in 'adjudication' for 11 WEEKS!!! The problem? My employer checked 'lack of work' instead of 'layoff' on their form - WHICH MEAN THE SAME THING!!! But the system flagged it as a 'discrepancy'!!! ESD is BROKEN and UNDERSTAFFED and NOBODY ANSWERS THE PHONES!!! I'm not saying you'll have problems, but have a financial backup plan just in case. Not trying to scare you, just being realistic based on what I and at least 6 of my former coworkers experienced.

Thank you everyone for the responses! Sounds like I shouldn't panic but should be prepared just in case. I'm going to: 1. Keep detailed records of everything 2. Make sure my job search activities are thoroughly documented 3. File my weekly claims consistently 4. Respond immediately to any ESD communications Fingers crossed I'll be one of the straightforward cases! I'll update if I hit any snags.

Update us after you call them! I suspect this is a technical error rather than an actual policy application. I've seen similar situations where the system automatically disqualifies claims that should just have deductions. Once a knowledgeable agent reviews it manually, they should be able to correct it and process your payments. One other possibility: did you fully complete all your job search activities each week and report them correctly? Sometimes people get confused between being disqualified for income reasons versus job search compliance issues.

good luck!! esd is such a mess sometimes lol

One other thing to keep in mind: if for some reason they don't accept your explanation and they deny benefits for a week, you can still appeal that decision. Appeals for WorkSource-related issues have a fairly high success rate when there are legitimate circumstances like mail delivery problems. Just make sure you file the appeal within the deadline (usually 30 days from the denial notice).

UPDATE: Finally got through to WorkSource! The person I spoke with was actually really understanding. They said this happens more often than you'd think. They've rescheduled my appointment for next week and added notes to my file explaining the situation. They also said I should call ESD to make sure everything is documented there too. Going to try that now. Thanks everyone for your help!

i moved last year and applied for unemployment and they made me do extra verification stuff to prove i was actually looking for work in my new city. make sure u keep detailed records of ur job search in spokane! they wanted like names and addresses and phone numbers of places i applied, it was a pain

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I went through my pay stubs tonight and added everything up. Looks like I'm at about 710 hours if I count both jobs from the base year period, so I should qualify! I'll wait until October to apply since that will give me a better quarter in my base year calculation. And I'll definitely keep detailed records of my job search activities in Spokane. Really appreciate all the insights!

When you file, make sure to address these specific points: 1. Your last day of actual paid work 2. That the agency is not providing you with any income currently 3. That they are conditioning future income on relocation 4. Your specific reason why relocation isn't possible (elder care) Also, start your job search immediately and document all activities. You'll need to report 3 job search activities per week once you start claiming. Even if your claim goes into adjudication, keep filing weekly and doing your job search activities.

Based on what you've shared and similar cases, you're very likely eligible. The key test is whether you're receiving substantial pay - and zero pay clearly fails that test. File your claim, clearly document why relocation isn't possible (family care is a recognized good cause), and be prepared for possibly needing to provide additional information during adjudication. The agency might try to argue you refused suitable work, but that argument typically fails when relocation is required and you have family obligations. Good luck!

While there's some anecdotal evidence in this thread suggesting morning calls might be processed faster, I'd like to clarify how ESD actually handles claims: 1. Phone and online claims enter the same processing queue 2. Claims are typically processed in the order received, not by time of day 3. The standard initial processing time is 7-10 business days plus the waiting week 4. Adjudication issues can add 3-6 weeks to processing time Some factors that might create the appearance of time-of-day differences: - Morning calls might get same-day entry into the system while afternoon calls might be entered the next business day - Staffing levels are often higher during morning hours - Friday afternoon claims might not be processed until Monday/Tuesday For the fastest processing, make sure you have all your information ready before calling, respond promptly to any requests for additional information, and continue filing your weekly claims while waiting for your initial payment.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm going to keep filing my weekly claims and will try calling again next week if I still haven't received anything. Sounds like the morning might be slightly better for getting through, but the actual payment timing depends more on whether there are any issues with my claim. I'll post an update once I get paid!

Im going through something kinda similar right now and its so annoying. Have you tried contacting your state representative? My friend did that when she couldnt get her unemployment issues fixed and someones office helped her get it sorted out pretty quick.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to try several approaches: 1. Send a secure message with "URGENT: BACKDATE ADJUDICATION REQUEST" 2. Try calling using Claimyr since I keep getting disconnected otherwise 3. Reach out to my state representative as a backup plan I'll gather all my documentation tonight and start the process tomorrow morning. Really appreciate knowing there's still hope to recover these benefits, especially since I'm still paying off those credit card bills from that period. I'll update this thread if I make any progress!