ESD claim stuck in adjudication for answering 'not available' during vacation - what's the right way to handle?

You did the right thing by being honest. If you had said you were available when you weren't, that could potentially be considered fraud if they found out later. The ESD system flags any week where you answer "no" to availability as requiring adjudication - it's automatic. For the timeline, adjudication is currently taking about 3-4 weeks in most cases. Since you've already uploaded your documentation (flight tickets), that was the right step. What's happening is they need to determine if those days make you ineligible for the whole week or if they'll just prorate your benefit amount for that week. Keep filing your weekly claims correctly while you wait for the adjudication to resolve. The system will hold payment for that specific week, but subsequent weeks should process normally if there are no other issues.

Actually, the adjudication is only for that specific week where you answered "no" to availability. Your other weeks should process normally as long as you answer "yes" to being available and complete your job searches. I went through almost the exact same thing last year when I took a weekend trip right after getting laid off. My first week went to adjudication, but my subsequent claims were paid on schedule. They eventually approved my first week but prorated it (reduced the amount slightly because of the days I wasn't available).

NEVER LIE on yr claim!!!! ESD is super strict about this stuff and they can make you pay back EVERYTHING if they catch you being dishonest. three of my coworkers got hit with overpayment notices for thousands last year and one even had to go to a hearing cus they said he committed fraud (he didnt get charged but still!

I had something simmilar happen to me back in January. I was in the hospital for 3 days and answered that I wasn't able/available. My claim got stuck for 5 weeks!!! I tried calling ESD every single day and could never get through. Always busy signals or disconnects after waiting on hold forever. I finally used this service called Claimyr that someone on this forum recommended. It cost some money but it got me through to an actual ESD agent in about 30 minutes instead of me trying to call for weeks with no luck. The agent was able to review my case on the spot and release my payment after verifying my documentation. You can check out how it works at claimyr.com or watch their demo video: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Might be worth it if you're desperate for that money. The waiting game with ESD adjudication is brutal.

The whole system is designed to trip people up! They WANT you to make mistakes so they can delay paying you. I've been on UI three times in the past decade and every single time they find some reason to put things in adjudication. My neighbor had the same thing happen - he took a pre-planned trip right after layoff and ended up waiting 7 weeks for resolution!!! And don't get me started on their phone system. Total joke. ESD knows exactly what they're doing - making it as difficult as possible to actually get benefits we've paid into the system for. It's all part of the same game to save money on their end.

Wait, I just checked my account again and now I see a message saying I need to call about identity verification?? Is this related to my adjudication or something totally different? I'm so confused about what's happening with my claim now.

hey just wandering if u ever got this resolv'd? im in similar spot right now. went to my daughters graduation the first week after my layoff and now im stuck in 'adjudication' too. been 2 weeks alredy no payment

Quick update to my earlier comment - I checked with a colleague who works with unemployment cases, and the current adjudication time for straightforward cases like yours (with documentation already submitted) is running closer to 2-3 weeks rather than the 3-4 I mentioned earlier. So you might hear back sooner. Regarding the identity verification issue - that's completely separate but equally important to resolve. Unfortunately, having two issues at once is fairly common with ESD. The good news is that once both are resolved, any back payments you're eligible for will be processed at once.

i had this happen back in 2023 and heres a tip: if u call right when they open at 8am and keep hitting redial youll eventually get thru. took me 26 tries one morning but i finally got a person! they can sometimes push ur adjudication thru faster if u explain ur situation. good luck!!