ESD delaying payments over 'Able and Available' issues - organizing for action

I'm right there with you! Been waiting 9 weeks with my claim stuck in adjudication over this exact same 'able and available' nonsense. I answered YES to being available for work (because I AM!), but apparently checking that box triggered some automatic review??? I've called over 25 times and either get disconnected or told 'we can't expedite your claim.' Meanwhile my savings are gone and credit cards maxed. This system is BROKEN. Thank you for posting the contact info. I'm calling the governor tomorrow.

While I understand everyone's frustration, I want to clarify a few things about the 'able and available' issue since I've been through this process recently. The 'able and available' requirement is actually a federal standard for unemployment benefits, not just an ESD thing. What triggers these reviews are usually: 1. Answering 'no' to being available for full-time work 2. Reporting school attendance/training 3. Reporting travel outside your job search area 4. Mentioning childcare constraints 5. Reporting medical limitations The adjudicator needs to determine if these factors actually prevent you from accepting suitable work. The problem isn't the requirement itself, but how long ESD is taking to process these reviews. For those waiting, make sure you've uploaded all supporting documentation to your online account AND call weekly to check status. Sometimes claims get 'stuck' in the system and need a manual push.

ya ive been waiting 11 weeks now... claimed every week and got nothing. rent is late again and landlord threatening eviction. called esd like 40 times and they always hang up on me before i talk to anyone!!! this is total bs

I think the main problem is ESD is severely understaffed. During covid they hired a bunch of temp workers to handle claims and then let them all go, but claim volume is still way higher than pre-pandemic levels. My neighbor works there and says most adjudicators are handling 3-4x the normal caseload. Not making excuses for them, just explaining why it's such a mess right now. I waited 5 weeks for my benefits (also for an "able and available" review) and finally got paid last week.

This whole A&A review thing happened to me too!! They flagged my claim because I mentioned in passing that I was taking an online course to improve my job skills. Apparently that made them think I wasn't "available" for work even though the class was self-paced and I could do it anytime. Took 8 weeks to resolve and I nearly lost my apartment. I think contacting reporters is a great idea. The Seattle Times did that investigation on ESD a couple years ago that led to some changes. Maybe they'd be interested in following up.

Just an update for those following this thread - I contacted my state representative about my delayed claim using their constituent services email (found on leg.wa.gov). Their office contacted ESD on my behalf, and my claim was processed within 72 hours. Apparently legislative inquiries get prioritized. Might be worth trying this approach alongside the other suggestions. Each representative has staff dedicated to helping constituents with state agency issues.

tried that claimyr thing someone mentioned above and it ACTUALLY WORKED!! got thru to a real person at esd for the first time! they said my claim was waiting for review but nobody was assigned to it yet. they put in some kind of expedite request. fingers crossed something happens now

I want to respond to the original suggestion about class action lawsuits - while this might feel satisfying, unemployment insurance laws actually make it very difficult to sue state agencies over benefit delays. Courts typically defer to agencies on how they process claims as long as they eventually make the correct eligibility determination. A more effective approach is coordinated pressure through: 1. Media coverage (local TV stations love these stories) 2. Legislative channels (as others have suggested) 3. Formal complaints to the Governor's office 4. Documenting financial hardship caused by delays The best leverage is often when legislators start getting hundreds of constituent complaints about the same issue. That's what tends to trigger oversight hearings and budget reviews.

Update on my situation: I finally got my benefits released yesterday after 9 weeks of waiting! What finally worked was getting my state senator's office involved (thanks to whoever suggested that). Their constituent services staff contacted ESD directly and suddenly my claim was "prioritized." Seems wrong that it takes political connections to get what you're legally entitled to, but at this point I'm just relieved to have rent money. For those still waiting - don't give up, and definitely try the state representative/senator route!

@OP - Yes, it was indeed the able and available issue. Apparently the system had flagged me because I mentioned in one weekly claim that I had attended a family event out of state (was only gone for a weekend). That triggered the A&A review because they thought I might not be available for work. The ridiculous part is that once someone actually looked at my claim, it took them less than 10 minutes to resolve it. It just sat in a queue for 9 weeks with nobody looking at it!