this whole thing reminded me when i got denied benefits last year because they said i voluntarily quit. took 3 months of appeals to finally get someone to understand i was laid off not fired. esd is such a mess sometimes

btw even if u have to do job search now doesnt mean u cant go back to ur old job later. ur not locked into taking a new job just cuz u applied. the system just wants u to try to find work while getting benefits

Hey just wondering did u leave ur job voluntary or were u laid off? Cuz that makes a HUGE difference in adjudication time... voluntary quits take way longer to process i learned that the hard way last year 😞

UPDATE: Just wanted to check in - has there been any change in your claim status? Sometimes claims can suddenly be approved after sitting in adjudication for weeks with no apparent movement.

so wait do we still get paid during the training or only during the application process? i'm confused

One more thing I remembered - while your Training Benefits application is pending, make sure you answer "No" to the question "Were you in school or training?" on your weekly claim until you're officially approved. Sounds counterintuitive but that's what ESD told me to do. After approval, you'll answer "Yes" to that question.

so does everyone have to do the id.me thing or just some ppl? i've been on ui for 4 months and never had to do this

Just to follow up for anyone reading this thread in the future: The ID verification requirement when transitioning to Training Benefits is part of ESD's 2025 fraud prevention measures. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your claim - it's just an extra security step. After you complete the ID.me verification: 1. Allow 3-5 business days for processing 2. Continue filing your weekly claims as normal during this time 3. Keep checking your eServices account for status updates 4. Your claim should return to active status once verification is complete If it takes longer than a week after verification, then contact ESD directly as there might be another issue that needs attention.

Has anyone on here ever successfully challenged ESD's definition of "reasonable distance"? I'd love to know what kind of evidence they accepted. The one-hour guideline seems completely arbitrary and doesn't account for gas prices in 2025!!!

To follow up on my earlier comment, if you're really concerned about this issue, I recommend these steps: 1. Call ESD directly and ask for clarification about distance expectations for your specific job classification and location. Get the agent's name and note the date/time of the call. 2. Visit your local WorkSource office if possible - they can provide guidance specific to your area and help document any geographic limitations in your job search. 3. When logging job search activities, include distance calculations for jobs you apply to, showing you're making good-faith efforts within a reasonable radius. 4. If you decline an interview due to distance, document the exact reason (cost analysis showing the job would be financially unfeasible after transportation costs). Being proactive about this documentation can prevent potential issues later.

This is a known issue that happens periodically with ESD's payment processing system. Here's what you need to know: 1. The "processing IVR" status means your claim was received through the phone system and is queued for processing. 2. ESD typically processes claims in batches, and occasionally their system experiences delays, especially after weekends with high claim volumes. 3. These system delays DO NOT affect your eligibility or payment amount - you'll still receive the full amount you're entitled to. 4. Most processing delays resolve within 48-72 hours without any action needed on your part. 5. If your claim hasn't processed by the third business day after filing, then you should contact ESD directly as there might be an additional issue. For your situation, since you filed yesterday afternoon, I'd recommend waiting until tomorrow afternoon before becoming too concerned. The system is likely just experiencing a backlog.

UPDATE: Mine just changed from processing to paid!!! Check your account again - maybe they're finally pushing payments through.

quick question - does anyone know if these delays affect direct deposit and debit cards differently? i use the debit card option and still nothing for me :

this happened to me back in january too. i think it happend to everyone. took like 4 extra days but the money showed up eventually. unemployment is such a pain!! but at least it pays the bills... when it finally comes through lol

did u try WorkSource? sometimes they can help u get thru to someone at esd because they have internal connections. worth a shot!

UPDATE: I just called ESD this morning using the early call trick someone mentioned, and I actually got through! Waited on hold for about 40 minutes, but finally spoke to someone. My issue was that they needed verification from my former employer about my layoff, and apparently they hadn't responded to ESD's inquiries. The rep sent a new request with higher priority and said I should see movement within 7-10 days. Just wanted to share in case it helps anyone else!

Great news! This is exactly why getting through to a live agent can make such a difference. Once you can speak with someone who can actually look at your specific case details, things often get resolved much faster. Glad to hear you'll be getting a decision soon!

nice! hope u get paid soon

they'll probably backpay you for the weeks once approved so don't stress too much. but yea this system is horrible i feel ur pain

This is a prime example of why ESD adjudication takes so long - the distinctions between being laid off, quitting, being terminated, or refusing unsuitable work are so nuanced, and the application doesn't really let you explain unique situations well. I went through something similar last year. I was told my position was being eliminated in a restructure (layoff), but on my last day they tried to say I was being fired for performance (termination). Took 5 weeks in adjudication, but ultimately I won because I had emails from months earlier discussing the restructuring. Document everything. If you have the original restructuring notice plus the email saying it wasn't a termination, you're in good shape. But absolutely call ESD to make sure they understand the full picture, especially if you accidentally selected 'quit' on your application.