ESD claim in adjudication while facing eviction - need urgent help before becoming homeless

You need to act quickly on multiple fronts. First, for your immediate housing situation, contact your county's emergency rental assistance program - most have funds specifically for preventing evictions. Google "[your county] emergency rental assistance 2025" to find the right agency. Second, you can try to expedite your ESD claim by requesting an emergency hardship review - call the main number at 7am exactly when they open (set multiple alarms) and immediately select the option for financial hardship. Third, WA has tenant protection laws that might give you more time even with a month-to-month lease. Contact the Tenants Union of Washington for free advice on legally responding to your eviction notice: https://tenantsunion.org/

You need to file an answer to the eviction notice ASAP!!! Don't ignore it thinking unemployment will come through in time. The court process moves FAST. Go to washingtonlawhelp.org to find the forms you need to respond. Also call 2-1-1 for emergency assistance resources in your area that can help with rent while your UI claim is pending. Some churches and non-profits have emergency funds too.

im so sorry ur going thru this!! i was in the EXACT same situation last yr... eviction notice + UI claim stuck in adjucation. have u tried contacting ur state represntative? thats what finally worked 4 me. google ur district rep and email/call explaining ur situation. my rep's office contacted ESD directly and my claim was approved in 3 days after waiting 5 weeks!!! worth a shot

I went through this nightmare last year and found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in less than 15 minutes after I'd been trying for WEEKS on my own. They basically wait on hold for you and call you when they have an agent on the line. It saved my sanity and possibly my housing situation. Check out their video to see how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 and their website claimyr.com. When I finally got through, I explained my housing emergency and they were able to expedite my adjudication.

Talk to your landlord immediately and see if they'll work with you! Many landlords would rather work out a payment plan than go through the hassle and expense of eviction. Show them proof you've filed for unemployment and try to negotiate. Even buying yourself an extra 2 weeks could make the difference while your claim processes.

The adjudication process is unfortunately taking 3-4 weeks for most claims right now. Two important things you should know: 1) Even while in adjudication, make sure you're filing your weekly claims every week without fail. 2) If your claim is eventually approved, you'll receive all back payments for those weeks you certified. For your housing situation, contact the Housing Justice Project immediately. They provide free legal help for people facing eviction and can often help negotiate with landlords or connect you with emergency rental assistance: https://www.kcba.org/For-the-Public/Free-Legal-Assistance/Housing-Justice-Project

CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS IMMEDIATELY!!! Not the governor's office! Your actual state rep and senator can often get ESD to expedite claims when there's an emergency like eviction. I was about to lose my apartment last year and my state senator's office had my claim resolved in 3 days after I'd been waiting for 5 weeks in adjudication hell. Google "who represents me WA state" to find your district representatives. Both their offices can help - contact them all!

dont forget to check with social service agencies in ur area too! Salvation Army and Catholic Community Services often have emergency rent assistance even if ur not religious. Also if u have kids, definitely mention that in ALL ur communications with ESD and legislators bc families with children get priority for expedited processing.

btw make sure ur still doing the required job search activities (3 per week) even while in adjudication!!! So many ppl get their claims denied bcuz they didnt do this while waiting. u dont wanna finally get thru adjudication only to be denied for not meeting job search requirements!

If your adjudication is taking longer than expected, it might be because they're waiting for information from your previous employer. It's worth calling your former employer's HR department to make sure they've responded to ESD's request for information. Sometimes following up directly with them can speed things along.