Stuck in ESD adjudication for 6 weeks - need contact number that actually works!

Adjudication is taking FOREVER these days but 6 weeks is definitely pushing it. I was in adjudication for 4 weeks in January. Have you checked your ESD account for any notifications or requests for additional information? Sometimes they need something from you and never tell you directly, but your claim sits in limbo.

Six weeks is longer than average but not unheard of. The most important thing is to keep filing your weekly claims while you wait! Many people stop filing thinking they need to wait for adjudication to complete first, but you absolutely must keep submitting those weekly claims or you'll lose benefits for those weeks. As for reaching someone, the secret is to call the Technical Support line at 855-682-0785 instead of the regular claims line. They're mainly for technical issues but can sometimes see what's happening with your claim and transfer you to the right department. Try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM.

I recently went through this exact situation. After 5 weeks of not being able to get through on the phone, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an ESD agent in under 10 minutes. They have this system that navigates ESD's phone maze for you and calls you back when there's an actual agent on the line. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 When I finally spoke to the agent, they told me my claim was actually just sitting there waiting for review and they escalated it right away. Got my determination letter 3 days later and backpay for all 5 weeks the following day. Sometimes your claim just needs a little nudge to get someone to look at it.

OMG DONT GET ME STARTED ON ESD!!!!!! I was in "adjudication" for EIGHT FREAKING WEEKS from November to January!!!! No explanation, no way to talk to a person, NOTHING. The worst part? When they FINALLY approved my claim, I found out the ENTIRE HOLDUP was because they mispelled my previous employer's name and the verification system couldn't match it!!!! A SIMPLE TYPO cost me 2 months of stress!!! The phone system is DESIGNED to make you give up. That's not an accident. They know exactly what they're doing. The more people who give up calling = fewer claims they have to process = more money saved for the state. IT'S DISGUSTING.

Have u tried contacting ur state representative? that worked for my sister when she was stuck in adjudication for like 2 months! just google ur district and find who represents u and email their office explaining ur situation. sometimes they can speed things up with esd!

i had this problem and ended up going in person to a WorkSource center!! they have ESD people there sometimes who can look up your claim. bring ID and all your claim info. the one in Redmond helped me after i was stuck for 5 weeks. worth a try if phones arent working!!

Has anyone tried those paid services that supposedly help with unemployment claims? I've seen ads but they seem sketchy to me. Don't want to throw away money when I'm already broke!

Update for anyone finding this thread: Current ESD adjudication is taking 4-7 weeks on average as of March 2025, according to their latest performance metrics. The backlog is worse for claims involving employer disputes or employment separations that aren't straightforward layoffs. For the original poster - make sure you're documenting all your job search activities (minimum of 3 per week) while waiting. If your claim is eventually approved, you'll need those records to receive backpay for the weeks you've been waiting. Also, if you're truly facing eviction due to the delay, mention that specifically when you do reach an agent - they have a hardship escalation process for people at risk of losing housing.

My adjudication took 5 weeks and when I finally got through to someone, they told me the issue was that my previous employer hadn't responded to their request for information. Have you tried contacting your previous employer's HR department? Sometimes they're sitting on paperwork and don't realize they're holding up your benefits.