ESD says my claim has 'separation issue' needing adjudication - what does this mean?

seperation issue just means they need 2 figure out if u qualify based on how u left ur job. could b anything from layoff vs firing vs quitting. employer might have said something different or maybe they just need more info. happened 2 me last yr

A separation issue means ESD needs to determine if the way your employment ended qualifies you for benefits. This happens when there's a question about whether you were laid off, fired for misconduct, or quit. Your employer has 10 days to respond to your initial claim with their version of events. If their story differs from yours, or if anything seems questionable to ESD, they place the claim in adjudication to investigate. During adjudication, an ESD claims specialist will review both sides, possibly interview both parties, and make a determination based on state laws and guidelines. They're essentially determining if you meet the qualifying separation requirements.

UGH the ESD system is SUCH a nightmare!! I had the EXACT same "separation issue" garbage last year and it took them 11 WEEKS to resolve!!! My employer said I quit when I was actually laid off. The whole time ESD kept saying "just keep filing weekly claims" while my bills piled up and my savings drained. The system is DESIGNED to make us give up!!!

Currently, separation issue adjudications are taking anywhere from 4-12 weeks depending on complexity and current workload. Make sure you've uploaded any documentation that supports your claim about being laid off due to budget cuts (termination letter, emails, etc.) to your eServices account under "Upload a Document." You should also keep filing your weekly claims during this time. If approved, you'll receive back pay for all eligible weeks. If you need to speak with someone at ESD directly to check on status or provide additional information, I used a service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person after weeks of failed attempts. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 and their website is claimyr.com. It was the only way I could get answers about my adjudication timeline.

Wonder if my problem counts as a separation issue too? I got fired but my boss was totally unfair about it. Been waiting 5 weeks now. Sorry, not trying to hijack your thread but this adjudication stuff is so confusing!

I went through this exact situation in January. In my case, my former employer claimed I quit voluntarily when I had actually been laid off. Here's what helped me resolve it faster: 1. I called ESD every day until I got through (typically right when they opened) 2. I sent a detailed timeline of events through eServices messaging 3. I uploaded emails showing the layoff notification 4. I had a former colleague submit a statement confirming layoffs occurred Most importantly, I requested an escalation after 5 weeks by specifically asking for my case to be marked as "financial hardship" due to the delay. That seemed to speed things up, and it was resolved about 10 days later. The adjudicator eventually called both me and my former employer separately to get statements. Be ready for that call - have your dates and facts organized.

just keep filing ur weekly claims while u wait. i forgot to do that and lost like 3 weeks of pay even tho i was approved in the end

has anyone tried calling the special investigations unit instead of the regular number? my friend said thats how she got through faster

Based on recent cases I've seen, separation issues are taking about 7-9 weeks to resolve right now. The key is to be proactive while you wait: 1. Continue filing weekly claims 2. Upload any documentation that supports your version of events 3. Check your eServices account daily for any new questionnaires or information requests 4. Be prepared for an adjudicator to call - they often don't schedule these calls in advance If it goes beyond 8 weeks, you can request an escalation due to financial hardship. Also, consider reaching out to your state representative - sometimes their constituent services can help move things along with ESD.

I'm dealing with a separation issue too - been waiting 5 weeks now. My employer said I was terminated for "performance issues" but I think they're just trying to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes. The whole thing feels so unfair when you're already stressed about money. Has anyone had success getting their employer's version overturned during adjudication? I have some emails that might help my case but not sure if they're enough.

I'm going through something similar - been waiting 8 weeks now for my separation issue to be resolved. My employer claimed I "abandoned my job" when I was actually dealing with a family emergency and tried to communicate with them. It's so frustrating because I provided all the documentation I could think of (texts, emails, medical records) but still haven't heard anything back from ESD. The financial stress is getting really bad at this point. Has anyone here had success with the financial hardship escalation that was mentioned? I'm wondering if I should try that route or just keep waiting it out. Also, when the adjudicator finally calls, do they usually give you advance notice or does it just come out of nowhere?

I'm in a similar boat - filed my claim 4 weeks ago and just got the dreaded "separation issue" message too. My employer is claiming I was fired for "policy violations" but it was really just a disagreement about work procedures that got blown out of proportion. I've been reading through everyone's advice here and it's both helpful and terrifying to see how long this can take! One thing I'm wondering - has anyone had luck getting legal aid or free consultation with an employment attorney during this process? I'm worried my employer might have more resources to present their side than I do. Also, for those who got through the adjudication successfully, did you feel like the final decision was fair based on the evidence you provided? Thanks for starting this thread @Freya - it's good to know we're not alone in this nightmare process!

Going through the same thing right now - week 6 of waiting on a separation issue. My former employer is claiming I was "terminated for cause" when I was actually let go during a restructure. The whole process feels designed to wear you down and make you give up. One thing that's helped me stay sane is keeping a detailed log of every interaction with ESD - calls made, documents uploaded, messages sent through eServices. It helps when you finally get someone on the phone and they ask "what have you already tried?" Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're checking your eServices account multiple times per day. Sometimes they'll send questionnaires or document requests that have short deadlines, and missing those can delay things even longer. The waiting is brutal but from what I'm seeing here, most people do eventually get approved if they have good documentation. Hang in there!

I'm currently going through this exact situation - filed my claim 3 weeks ago and just found out about the separation issue yesterday. My employer is claiming I quit when I was actually laid off due to company downsizing. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! A few questions for those who've been through this: Should I be proactively sending additional documentation through eServices even if they haven't specifically requested it? I have the layoff notice and some internal emails about the restructuring. Also, has anyone had luck with keeping notes about specific dates and conversations to present to the adjudicator when they call? The financial stress is already starting to build up, but it sounds like persistence and good documentation are key. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is incredibly helpful for navigating this confusing process!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this - I had a separation issue that took 9 weeks to resolve earlier this year. My employer claimed I was fired for "attendance issues" when I was actually dealing with documented FMLA-qualified medical leave that HR apparently didn't communicate properly to my supervisor. What really helped my case was being extremely organized when the adjudicator finally called. I had a timeline written out with specific dates, names of people involved, and reference numbers for all my FMLA paperwork. The adjudicator appreciated having everything laid out clearly and was able to make a decision quickly once they had all the facts. One thing I learned - if your separation involves any kind of medical situation, disability accommodation, or family leave, make sure to mention that explicitly in your documentation. Those situations have additional protections under state and federal law that can override what might otherwise look like disqualifying circumstances. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're already dealing with financial stress, but don't give up. Keep filing those weekly claims and stay on top of any communications from ESD. Most separation issues do get resolved in favor of the claimant when there's good documentation to support their case.

I'm dealing with this nightmare right now too - been waiting 5 weeks for my separation issue to be resolved. My employer claimed I was "terminated for performance" but I suspect they're just trying to avoid higher unemployment taxes since they laid off half the department right after me. Reading through everyone's experiences here gives me both hope and anxiety! I've been uploading every piece of documentation I can find - performance reviews, emails, even my training completion certificates to show I was meeting expectations. One question for those who've been through the adjudicator call - do they ask really specific questions or is it more of a general "tell me what happened" conversation? I'm worried I'll forget important details when put on the spot. Also has anyone tried recording the call for their own records or is that not allowed? Thanks @Freya for starting this thread - it's such a relief to know other people are going through the same thing and that there's light at the end of the tunnel!

I'm currently in week 4 of waiting for my separation issue to be resolved, and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My employer is claiming I was "terminated for insubordination" when I was actually let go after raising safety concerns about workplace conditions to management. From reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like having documentation is absolutely crucial. I've uploaded emails where I reported the safety issues, photos of the hazardous conditions, and witness statements from coworkers who can confirm what really happened. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone dealt with a separation issue involving whistleblower protections? I know there are laws protecting employees who report safety violations, but I'm not sure if ESD adjudicators take that into consideration or if it's something I need to specifically mention when they call. The waiting is definitely taking a toll financially and mentally, but reading about everyone's success stories gives me hope. I'm keeping detailed records of everything and checking eServices multiple times daily. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're not going through this alone!

I'm so glad you reached out about this - separation issues are one of the most stressful parts of the unemployment process! Based on what you've described, it sounds like there's a discrepancy between what you reported (laid off due to budget cuts) and what your employer may have told ESD about your termination. The good news is that you already have communication from ESD acknowledging your claim is being reviewed, which means you're in the system and progressing through the process. Make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims during this time - you'll receive back pay for all eligible weeks once it's resolved. Since you mentioned budget cuts as the reason for your layoff, gather any documentation you have that supports this - termination letters, company-wide emails about layoffs, news articles about the company's financial situation, anything that shows the separation was due to economic reasons rather than your performance or conduct. The adjudication timeline varies, but from what I've seen it's typically 6-10 weeks right now. When the adjudicator calls (and they will, usually without advance notice), have your timeline and supporting documents ready. Be clear and factual about the circumstances of your separation. Keep checking your eServices account daily for any questionnaires or document requests, and don't hesitate to upload additional supporting documentation proactively. You're doing the right thing by staying on top of this!

I'm dealing with a separation issue too - week 8 and counting! My employer claimed I "violated company policy" when I was actually terminated after requesting reasonable accommodations for a disability. The whole process has been incredibly stressful, especially with bills piling up. What's helped me stay organized is creating a document with three columns: Date, Action Taken, and Reference Number. Every time I upload a document, send a message, or make a call, I log it immediately. This has been invaluable when ESD agents ask "what have you already tried?" One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have any performance reviews, awards, or positive feedback from your time at the company, upload those too. They help paint a fuller picture that contradicts claims about poor performance or policy violations. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that persistence pays off. Keep fighting for what you're entitled to!