ESD questioning my ability to work while waiting for healthcare credentials - no income!

Same thing happened to me last year with my CNA license renewal! ESD kept denying my claims because they said I wasn't "able and available" for work. What I had to do was request an adjudication interview specifically about the credential issue. I explained that I was able to work in related positions that didn't require the specific credential while waiting for renewal. I also submitted proof that I had completed all the requirements on my end (exam results, application confirmation, etc). Try calling and requesting a formal determination on your ability to work - they should schedule a phone interview.

this is why the whole system is GARBAGE. they expect u to magically work when the SAME GOVERNMENT is what's holding up ur ability to work!!!! i had almost the exact situation with my barber license and ended up having to take out a payday loan just to make rent. such a joke.

You need to specifically address the "able and available" requirement in your weekly claims. From my experience working with ESD cases, you should: 1. Continue filing your weekly claims even while this is being resolved 2. Request a formal determination (adjudication) specifically on the credential issue 3. Submit documentation showing you've completed all requirements on your end 4. Explain that you're available for other related work that doesn't require the specific credential 5. Get a statement from the Dept of Health confirming your renewal is in process If the adjudicator determines you're making reasonable efforts to maintain employment eligibility, they should approve your claims. They may backdate it once your credentials are issued.

I had trouble getting through to ESD on the phone too when I had an adjudication issue. Have you tried using Claimyr? It helped me get through to an actual agent after weeks of trying. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3) and it actually worked - got me connected to ESD in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours or getting disconnected. Their website is claimyr.com. Might be worth it to actually talk to someone who can help with your specific situation.

You might also want to ask the Dept of Health for a letter confirming that your renewal is in process and that you've completed all the necessary requirements. Some employers will accept this as proof that your credentials are just pending administrative processing. You could then apply for jobs and tell ESD you're actively seeking work with this documentation in hand. I've helped several clients through similar situations, and having official documentation of your "in process" status can make a big difference with both employers and ESD.

When I had issues with ESD questioning my ability to work, I ended up contacting my state representative's office. They have staff who deal with constituent services and can sometimes help navigate government agencies. Might be worth a try if you keep hitting dead ends with ESD directly.

Update: I finally got through to someone at ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned here. The agent scheduled me for an adjudication interview next week and told me to get documentation from DOH showing my renewal is in process. They said I should continue filing weekly claims even though they might show as "denied" for now. If the adjudicator rules in my favor, they'll backdate payments to when I first applied. Fingers crossed this works out! Thanks everyone for your help.

my friend works at a nursing home and she said they hire people with expired credentials if they can prove they took the test and r just waiting for paperwork. maybe try applying at places and explaining situation? might help with the "looking for work" requirement at least

Im sorry ur dealing with this! I had something kinda similar happen with my cosmetology license last year and what helped was getting a letter from my previous employer stating that they would rehire me once my license was renewed. ESD accepted this as proof that I was just temporarily unable to work due to administrative processing and not due to any fault of my own.

After your adjudication interview, if they still deny your benefits, remember you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal would go to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), where an Administrative Law Judge would review your case. You have 30 days from the date of the determination letter to file an appeal. While it takes time, the appeal process often results in reversals of incorrect ESD determinations, especially in complex cases like yours where you're clearly making good faith efforts to maintain your eligibility to work.