Multiple jobs confusion causing 6-week ESD adjudication delay? Quit one job but forced out of other
I'm stuck in ESD adjudication limbo for nearly 6 weeks and wondering if having two simultaneous jobs is causing the holdup. Here's my situation: I worked two jobs until July 2025. Job A was in Washington (info already in ESD system) but I voluntarily quit that one in July, so I know I'm not eligible based on that employer. Job B was a remote position that I worked continuously for 18+ months, and I had to manually enter all that employer info. The tricky part is Job B essentially forced me out to avoid doing an official layoff (basically told me to resign or be fired). I believe I'm eligible for benefits through Job B and should qualify for the max benefit amount based on my earnings there. Is this dual-job situation likely causing my extended delay? Anyone dealt with something similar or have advice on speeding things up? I've tried calling ESD multiple times but can't get through. Starting to worry about bills piling up...
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MidnightRider
From my experience, any time you have a "quit" situation, even from just one of multiple jobs, it triggers automatic adjudication that can take 6-10 weeks. The fact that you were forced out of the second job (constructive discharge) also requires adjudication because ESD needs to determine if you had good cause to leave. Have you received any fact-finding questionnaires from ESD about either job separation?
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Carmen Ortiz
•Thanks for the info! Yes, I got a questionnaire about Job A (the one I quit) about 4 weeks ago and filled it out immediately explaining I wasn't claiming benefits based on that employer. But nothing about Job B yet, which is where my claim should be valid. Should I try to contact them again about Job B specifically?
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Andre Laurent
omg ur situation sounds exactly like what happened to my cousin last year!!! she had 2 jobs too and it took ESD foreverrrrr to figure out which job she could claim from. i think it was like 2 months b4 she got anything. the system gets confused with multiple employers especially when u quit 1 but got forced out of another. hang in there!
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•While the system doesn't technically get "confused," it does trigger automatic investigation (adjudication) when there are multiple separations with different circumstances. Each employer separation has to be individually evaluated, especially when one is a voluntary quit and one is potentially a constructive discharge. It's a sequential process that unfortunately takes time.
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Jamal Washington
THIS RIGHT HERE is why I HATE the ESD system!!! They make you wait FOREVER while bills pile up and don't even tell you what's happening!! I had a similar situation (but with 3 jobs) and they took 9 weeks to finally approve my claim. And guess what? ZERO COMMUNICATION during that time. Absolute garbage system designed to make people give up.
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Mei Wong
•I know it's frustrating, but you can check claim status through your eServices account. Look for pending issues under the "Disqualifications" tab. Sometimes they're waiting for employer responses which can take weeks.
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Liam Fitzgerald
After trying to call ESD for 3 weeks straight about my adjudication issue, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They basically hold your place in line and call you when an ESD agent is available to talk. Saved me literally days of calling. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - Worth it since I found out there was a specific issue holding up my claim I couldn't see online.
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Carmen Ortiz
•Thanks for the suggestion! I've been trying to call for weeks too with no luck. I'll check out that service because I really need to find out if there's a specific issue with my Job B that's causing the delay.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
This is a classic multiple-employer adjudication case. Here's what's happening: ESD must determine eligibility for each separation from employment. When you have multiple employers, they investigate each one: 1) For Job A (the one you quit), they'll likely determine you're not eligible based on that separation 2) For Job B (forced resignation), they need to determine if this qualifies as a "good cause quit" or constructive discharge This second determination is what's taking time. ESD has to contact Job B for their side of the story. If they claim you quit voluntarily, ESD will need evidence that you were essentially forced out. My recommendation: Submit additional documentation through your eServices account showing why you were forced to resign from Job B. Text messages, emails, or witness statements can help prove constructive discharge. This might speed up the process.
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Carmen Ortiz
•This is incredibly helpful - thank you! I do have emails where my manager at Job B basically told me I should "consider other options" and that my position was being "restructured" (code for eliminated). I'll upload those to my account right away. Do you think I should also try to call them to explain the situation or just wait after uploading the documents?
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Mei Wong
Just to add some context to the wait time - the current ESD backlog for complex adjudication cases (like yours with multiple employers) is averaging 7-8 weeks. Your 6-week wait is unfortunately within the normal range right now. If you can prove the "forced resignation" from Job B, you should eventually be approved, but the wait is brutal. Keep filing your weekly claims while you wait!
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PixelWarrior
•Sorry to jump in but is this true even if you have a simple claim? im at 5 weeks for a straightforward layoff with only 1 employer and still stuck in adjudication... starting to panic since my savings are almost gone...
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Zoe Papadopoulos
@profile4 Those emails about "considering other options" and "restructuring" are exactly what you need! Upload them ASAP. And yes, you should absolutely try to call ESD to explain the situation directly. The documentation helps, but speaking with an adjudicator can speed things up considerably. @profile5 Even "simple" claims are taking 4-6 weeks currently due to staffing shortages at ESD. If you're at 5 weeks with no issues flagged in your account, you should be close to a determination.
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Carmen Ortiz
•Just uploaded those emails and will try calling again tomorrow. This thread has been so helpful - I was starting to think my claim was lost in the system! I'll update once I hear anything.
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Andre Laurent
btw don't forget to keep doing ur weekly claims even while waiting!!!! my friend didn't realize and lost like 3 weeks of benefits cuz she thought she had to wait until approved to start filing!!!
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Carmen Ortiz
•Thanks for the reminder! Yes, I've been doing my weekly claims and job search activities religiously. At least if/when I'm approved, I should get all those weeks as backpay.
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Amara Adebayo
I was in virtually the same boat last year! The key for me was getting through to an actual ESD person. After I finally reached someone (took forever), they were able to see that my claim was just sitting there waiting for an adjudicator assignment. The agent escalated it and I got my determination within a week after that. Keep trying to reach a human!
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Jamal Washington
•THIS. The system is designed to make you wait but sometimes just talking to a human can move things along. Problem is GETTING to a human at ESD is like winning the lottery 🙄
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Carmen Ortiz
UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD! Used that Claimyr service mentioned above and was connected to an agent within an hour. The agent confirmed my suspicion - they were waiting for a response from Job B about my separation. The agent noted that my uploaded emails showed good evidence of constructive discharge and flagged my case for expedited review. Should hear something within a week! Thank you all for the advice and support during this stressful time.
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