Missed adjudicator call - will ESD decide my claim without talking to me?

This happens all the time. The adjudicators are handling hundreds of cases and they often don't call back right away even after you leave messages. Keep trying, but also log into your eServices account and check for any new questionnaires or fact-finding forms they might have posted there. Sometimes they'll add those without telling you, and if you don't complete them by the deadline, they'll make a decision without your input. Also, document every call attempt you make with date and time in case you need to appeal later.

omg ths happened to me 2 weeks ago!! they called from a blocked number and i missed it. i called back 6 times!!! finaly got thru on day 3 and the lady was super nice and just needed to verify my last employer contact info. dont freak out but def keep trying to reach them!!

I've had this experience multiple times with ESD. In my case, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual ESD agent who was able to see notes on my account about what the adjudicator needed. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Saved me a ton of stress because the agent explained exactly what information they needed and made a note in my file that I had been trying to respond. Much better than waiting and hoping for a callback that might not come before their decision deadline.

THEY DONT CARE if you call back!!! ESD is a joke! I called back 22 times over 3 days and left messages EVERY TIME. They still denied my claim because they said I "failed to provide requested information." Then I had to file an appeal and wait ANOTHER 8 weeks for a hearing where the judge immediately overturned the denial because I HAD called back. The system is DESIGNED to make you give up!!!!!

Update: I finally got through! For anyone with the same problem in the future - I called right when they opened at 8:00 AM and only waited 20 minutes. The adjudicator just needed to verify my reason for separation from my last job. Apparently my former employer told them I quit, but I was actually laid off due to lack of work. The adjudicator is going to call my former manager to confirm. Fingers crossed everything works out!

my cousin had this exact thing happen last month and he just kept calling the number back every few hours for 2 days. the adjuticator finally picked up and it was just about verifying his identity because someone else with a similar name had filed a claim in oregon. took like 5 minutes to fix. i think they just leave those scary voicemails to make sure people call back tbh

Glad you got through Connor! This is a great reminder for everyone that calling right at opening time (8 AM) is usually the best strategy. The early morning hours have much shorter wait times. Also, for future reference, if you can't get through to the adjudicator directly, you can sometimes get helpful info by calling the main ESD customer service line and asking them to check your account for any pending issues or deadlines. They can't resolve adjudication matters, but they can often see what the adjudicator is investigating and confirm whether you have any outstanding requirements.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had a similar situation where I missed an adjudicator call and panicked thinking they'd automatically deny my claim. Turns out they're actually required to make a reasonable effort to contact you before making a decision. If you've been calling back and leaving messages, that shows good faith on your part. One thing that helped me was also trying to call during different times of day - I found late afternoon (around 3-4 PM) sometimes had better luck than mornings. And definitely check your mail AND email for any correspondence they might have sent about what specific information they need. Sometimes the voicemail is generic but they've already mailed you a detailed questionnaire about the issue. Don't give up! The fact that Connor got through and it was just a simple verification issue is pretty typical from what I've seen in this community.

Reading through this thread as someone new to the unemployment system, I'm struck by how common this adjudicator callback situation seems to be! It's both reassuring and frustrating to see that so many people have dealt with missed calls and the anxiety that comes with those vague voicemails. What I'm taking away from everyone's experiences: 1) Call right at 8 AM for shortest wait times, 2) Document every attempt you make to contact them, 3) Check eServices, mail, AND email for any additional information they might have sent, 4) Don't panic - most of these turn out to be routine verification issues, and 5) They are required to make reasonable contact efforts before deciding your claim. Connor, I'm so glad you got through and it was just a simple employer verification issue! Your update gives me hope that the system, while imperfect, does eventually work when you're persistent. Thanks to everyone else for sharing your strategies and experiences - this thread is going to be a great resource for anyone facing similar situations.