ESD decision timeline - filed 2/5/25, still waiting for determination letter

Unfortunately with employer disputes, adjudication can take 4-6 weeks or sometimes even longer. The fact that your employer is contesting it automatically triggers a more thorough investigation. ESD has to contact both parties, gather evidence, and then make a determination. Make sure you've submitted any documentation that supports your side (performance reviews, emails, etc). The good news is that if they rule in your favor, you'll get backpay for all weeks you've certified.

mine took 8 weeks!! it was awful. they kept saying 'we need more information' but never told me what they needed!!! the system is so broken

You should definitely upload any supporting documentation right away through your eServices account. Don't wait for them to ask - be proactive. Go to your dashboard, click on "Upload Documents" and select "Adjudication Documents" as the document type. Make sure to also keep filing your weekly claims without interruption while you wait. In my experience, getting through to a claims agent can give you more specific information about your case status and potentially speed things along. I was stuck in adjudication for weeks until I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an ESD agent. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent was able to see notes on my claim that weren't visible to me online and gave me a much clearer timeline.

the secret to getting thru is calling at EXACTLY 7:59am right before they open!! thats how i finally got someone after trying for weeks. have all ur info ready cause they transfer u quick

I had an employer dispute situation last year and it took EXACTLY 32 days from my initial filing to get my determination letter. The ESD agent told me they have a 30-day target for adjudication but rarely meet it because they're so understaffed. The most important thing is to KEEP FILING YOUR WEEKLY CLAIMS even when you're in adjudication! I know someone who stopped filing because they thought they should wait for the determination first, and they lost out on 3 weeks of benefits they could never get back. Also, if you're approaching financial hardship, you can request an expedited review. You need to call and specifically mention hardship (like eviction risk, utility shutoffs, medical needs) and ask for your case to be flagged for expedited processing. They don't advertise this option but it exists.

my cousin waited 5 weeks and when she finally got through they said they were missing one document and the whole thing could have been resolved in week 2 if someone had just told her!! make sure you check your eServices account DAILY for alerts and messages, they don't always send emails when they need something from you

While you're waiting, make sure you're meeting the job search requirements too! Even during adjudication, you need to be completing 3 job search activities each week. I learned this the hard way - I was finally approved after 6 weeks in adjudication only to find out my first few weeks were disqualified because I hadn't properly documented my job search activities. I thought I didn't need to do them until after approval. Big mistake that cost me almost $3,800 in benefits I never got. Keep a detailed log of every job application, resume submission, networking event, WorkSource workshop, etc. The ESD system lets you record these each week when you file your claim, but I also kept a separate spreadsheet with more details just in case I was ever audited (which does happen randomly).

Thanks everyone for the helpful information! I'm going to upload my documentation today, keep filing my weekly claims, and try to get through to someone about expediting my case due to financial hardship. I'll also make sure to properly log my job search activities going forward. I'll update this thread when I finally get a determination for anyone else who might be in the same situation.