Stuck in 'adjudication in progress' for 6 weeks - should I be worried?

Adjudication in' progress basically means'there s an issue with your claim that ESD needs to investigate before they can approve or deny benefits.'It s not necessarily bad, but it does mean your payments are on hold until they resolve whatever question they have. Common reasons include verification of job (separation making sure you were laid off, not fired for)cause , checking your work and wage history, or verifying your identity.'It s unfortunately normal for adjudication to take 4-8 weeks right now -'they re seriously backlogged. Have you checked if there are any messages in your ESD inbox? Sometimes they request additional information but'don t make itobvious.

omg im in the EXACT same boat!!! been waiting 5 weeks now and nothing. adjudication sucks. my landlord is getting super angry about late rent. this system is such garbage.

Adjudication isn't good or bad - it's just their process for resolving questions on your claim. What's concerning is how long it's taking. 6 weeks is excessive but unfortunately common. I'd recommend trying to contact your state representative. My cousin was stuck in adjudication for 2 months and his state rep's office helped escalate his case. Look up who represents your district and email their office - many have staff dedicated to helping with ESD issues. Also, keep detailed records of all your call attempts and weekly claims in case you need to prove you were trying to resolve this.

I waited 7 weeks in adjudication last year only to get denied because they said I didn't provide proof of job search activities fast enough. Then I had to appeal and wait ANOTHER 2 months!!! The whole system is designed to make people give up. Keep calling every day - that's the only way to get anything done with ESD.

I had my claim stuck in adjudication for 5 weeks earlier this year. What finally worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to an ESD agent. I was super skeptical at first, but after trying to call for weeks with no success, I gave it a shot. Their system got me on the phone with a real ESD agent in about 20 minutes who then escalated my claim. Got approved 3 days later with all backpay. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent told me my claim was just sitting there waiting to be assigned to an adjudicator, and sometimes they need a nudge to move claims along.

Adjudication isn't good or bad - it's just part of the process. But 6 weeks is definitely on the longer side. Here's what you should do: 1. Check your ESD inbox AND your regular email daily for any requests for information 2. Make sure you're completing your weekly claims correctly 3. Verify your identity documents are on file (driver's license, SSN, etc.) 4. If you worked for multiple employers in your base year, they might be verifying your work history Most importantly - if you DO get through to ESD, ask them specifically what issue is causing the adjudication. Sometimes it's something simple you can resolve immediately. And remember, if approved, you'll get all back payments from when you first filed.

I work with unemployment cases frequently, and I can tell you that adjudication itself isn't bad - it's just their investigation process. However, there are a few things that can extend adjudication unnecessarily: 1. Not checking your ESD inbox for document requests 2. Not responding promptly to any requests for information 3. Inconsistencies in your application or weekly claims 4. Your former employer disputing your reason for separation For construction workers specifically, sometimes there are questions about whether the layoff was temporary or permanent, or if it was a lack of work or performance issue. I'd recommend calling early in the morning (right when they open) as that's usually the best time to get through. Be prepared with your claim ID and details about your former employment.

One thing no one has mentioned yet - check if you're on "standby" status. If your employer indicated the layoff was temporary (common in construction), you might be on standby, which has different requirements than regular unemployment. With standby, you don't have to do job searches, but it's only valid for a certain number of weeks. If your standby period expired and you didn't switch to regular UI with job searches, that could trigger an adjudication to sort out your status.

Hey Tyler, I just went through something similar - was stuck in adjudication for 8 weeks last fall. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when bills are piling up. A few things that helped me: 1. Document EVERYTHING - screenshots of your claim status, records of every call attempt, copies of all your weekly claims 2. Try calling at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - I finally got through after 3 weeks of trying this 3. Check if your local WorkSource office offers in-person help - some do appointments for complex cases 4. Look into emergency assistance programs in your area while you wait - many counties have rent/utility assistance for people waiting on UI The good news is that once it's resolved, you'll get all your back pay. I know it doesn't help with immediate bills, but hang in there. The system is broken but most people do eventually get approved if they were legitimately laid off. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - that's crucial for getting your back pay when this gets sorted out.

I went through a similar situation last year - 5 weeks in adjudication hell after being laid off from my retail job. The uncertainty is the worst part because you have no idea if you're waiting for approval or heading toward a denial. What finally helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking my weekly claim submissions, call attempts, and any status changes. When I eventually got through to an agent, having all that info organized made the conversation much more productive. They could see I'd been diligent about filing and following up. Also, don't overlook your local food banks and utility assistance programs while you wait. I was too proud to use them at first, but they really helped bridge the gap during those weeks without income. Many churches and community centers also have emergency rent assistance - you don't have to be a member to apply. The waiting is brutal, but construction layoffs are pretty straightforward for ESD to verify, so you're likely just caught in their processing backlog. Keep doing exactly what you're doing - file weekly, document everything, and keep trying to get through by phone. You've got this!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - been in adjudication for 5 weeks after being laid off from my warehouse job. The stress is unreal when you're watching bills pile up and have no idea when (or if) you'll get approved. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful though - I had no idea about contacting state representatives or that there might be confusion between temporary and permanent layoffs. One thing I discovered recently is that some credit unions and banks offer emergency loans specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits. My credit union has a "UI bridge loan" program that covers basic expenses while you wait for your claim to process. The interest rate isn't great, but it's better than missing rent. Might be worth checking if any local financial institutions in your area have similar programs. Also, Tyler - definitely look into that standby vs regular UI situation that Madeline mentioned. Construction workers get caught in that trap all the time because employers often say layoffs are "temporary" even when they're not sure. Getting clarification from your former employer in writing could be the key to resolving this whole mess. Hang in there - from what everyone's saying, most people do eventually get approved and receive all their back pay. The system is frustrating but it sounds like persistence pays off.

I've been watching this thread as someone who went through adjudication last year, and wanted to add a few more resources that might help while you wait. First, check if your county has a 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local emergency assistance programs for utilities, food, and sometimes even rent help. Many people don't know this exists. Also, I noticed several people mentioned the construction industry confusion between temporary and permanent layoffs. If you're having trouble getting written clarification from your former employer, try contacting them through your state's employment verification system or ask if they filed your separation as a "lack of work" layoff versus something else. Sometimes employers don't realize how their paperwork affects your claim. One last thing - while you're waiting, make sure you're keeping detailed records of your job search activities even if you think you might be on standby status. ESD sometimes asks for retroactive job search logs, and having them ready can prevent additional delays. The whole system is frustrating, but construction layoffs are usually straightforward once they get to your file. Hang in there!

Tyler, I completely feel your pain - I was in adjudication for 7 weeks last year after my restaurant job ended, and the stress of not knowing what's happening while bills pile up is absolutely brutal. Based on all the great advice in this thread, here's what I'd prioritize if I were in your shoes right now: 1. **Get written clarification from your employer ASAP** - As others mentioned, the temporary vs permanent layoff confusion is huge for construction workers. Even a simple email saying "we don't have work available for the foreseeable future" can resolve a lot of adjudication delays. 2. **Try the 8 AM calling strategy consistently** - Set an alarm and call right when they open. It took me 12 tries, but I finally got through on a Tuesday morning. 3. **Contact your state representative's office today** - This was a game-changer for me. Their constituent services staff know exactly how to escalate stuck ESD cases. Look up your district and email them with your claim details. 4. **Document everything moving forward** - Screenshots, call logs, dates of weekly claims. When you do get through to ESD, having this organized makes a huge difference. The hardest part is the uncertainty, but construction layoffs are usually straightforward once they actually review your case. You're doing everything right by continuing to file weekly - that's crucial for getting all your back pay when this resolves. Hang in there!

I've been helping people navigate ESD issues for years, and 6 weeks in adjudication is unfortunately becoming more common due to their backlog. Here's what's likely happening: they're verifying your employment separation details with your former employer, which can take forever if the employer is slow to respond to their requests. A few things that might speed this up: - Call ESD at exactly 8:00 AM when they open (best chance of getting through) - Check if your former employer received any paperwork requests from ESD that they haven't returned yet - Consider having your former employer proactively send a letter to ESD confirming the layoff was due to lack of work The good news is that construction layoffs are usually straightforward to verify once they actually get to your case. Keep filing those weekly claims religiously - when you get approved, you'll receive all back payments from your original filing date. I know the waiting is brutal when bills are piling up, but try to stay patient. Most legitimate layoff claims do eventually get approved.

I've been dealing with ESD adjudication issues for months now and wanted to share something that might help. While you're waiting, definitely look into your local Community Action agencies - they often have emergency rental assistance programs specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits. I found one in my county that covered two months of rent while I was stuck in adjudication limbo. Also, regarding the phone calls - I had better luck calling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays around 8:15 AM (not exactly at 8:00 when everyone else calls). Sometimes waiting those extra 15 minutes helps you avoid the initial rush. When you do get through, ask specifically what documents they need from your employer and if there's a way to expedite getting those documents submitted. One more tip - if your former employer is part of a larger company, try calling their corporate HR department instead of your local site. Corporate HR is often more responsive to ESD requests because they deal with unemployment claims regularly. Hang in there, Tyler - the system is broken but most legitimate construction layoffs do get approved eventually!

I'm so sorry you're going through this Tyler - 6 weeks in adjudication is absolutely exhausting, especially when you're trying to keep up with bills. I went through something similar last year (though mine was only 4 weeks, so I can't imagine how stressed you must be right now). Based on all the great advice in this thread, it sounds like you've got a solid action plan forming. I wanted to add one more thing that helped me - if you have any text messages or emails from when your employer first told you about the layoff, screenshot those and have them ready when you finally get through to ESD. Even casual messages like "work's slow, we'll call you when things pick up" can help clarify the temporary vs permanent layoff situation everyone's been discussing. Also, don't feel bad about using emergency assistance programs while you wait. That's exactly what they're there for - people in temporary tough spots who are doing everything right but caught in bureaucratic delays. You've been paying into the unemployment system, you deserve these benefits, and it's not your fault ESD is backed up. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter how hopeless it feels. When this gets resolved (and it will), you'll be so glad you kept that documentation consistent. Rooting for you to get some good news soon!

I'm really sorry you're going through this Tyler - 6 weeks in adjudication is brutal, and I totally get the stress about bills piling up. I went through something very similar last year and wanted to share what finally worked for me. After reading through all the great advice here, I'd especially emphasize getting that written clarification from your employer about the layoff being permanent rather than temporary. That temporary vs permanent confusion seems to trap a lot of construction workers in extended adjudication. Even just an email saying "no work available for the foreseeable future" can make a huge difference. I also had success with the early morning calling strategy - but here's a twist that worked for me: try calling at 7:58 AM and staying on the line. Sometimes you'll get connected right when they open before the main rush hits at exactly 8:00. It took me about 8 tries doing this, but I finally got through to an actual person who could see what was holding up my claim. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was creating a simple timeline document showing when I was laid off, when I filed, every weekly claim I submitted, and every attempt to contact ESD. When I finally got through to an agent, having everything organized like that made the conversation much more productive. Hang in there - construction layoffs are usually pretty straightforward for them to verify once they actually get to your file. You're doing everything right by continuing to file weekly. When this gets resolved, you'll get all that back pay from day one.

Tyler, I completely understand your frustration - 6 weeks in adjudication is way too long, but unfortunately it's becoming more common with ESD's current backlog. I went through almost the exact same situation last year as a construction worker, so I wanted to share what finally got my claim moving. The key breakthrough for me was realizing that ESD was waiting for my former employer to respond to their verification request. My employer had received paperwork from ESD asking to confirm the reason for my layoff, but it was sitting in someone's inbox for weeks. Once I called and asked them to prioritize sending it back, my claim was approved within 5 days. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1. Call your former employer (try corporate HR if it's a bigger company) and ask if they've received any paperwork from ESD about your claim 2. If they have, ask them to send it back ASAP and get a confirmation that they did 3. Try the 7:58 AM calling strategy that Ava mentioned - it actually works better than calling right at 8:00 4. Contact your state representative's office - they have staff specifically for ESD issues and can sometimes expedite stuck claims The waiting is absolutely brutal when bills are piling up, but construction layoffs are usually straightforward once they actually get reviewed. Keep filing those weekly claims religiously - when you get approved, you'll receive every penny of back pay from your original filing date. Don't give up, you're almost through this nightmare!

Tyler, I just wanted to jump in and say how much this thread has helped me too - I'm currently on week 4 of adjudication after being laid off from my manufacturing job, and reading everyone's experiences has been both reassuring and incredibly informative. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is checking if your county has a legal aid society that offers free unemployment assistance. I discovered ours last week and they actually have attorneys who specialize in ESD appeals and can sometimes help expedite stuck claims by filing formal inquiries on your behalf. They told me that adjudication delays of 6+ weeks often qualify for their intervention services. Also, while you're working on getting that employer documentation sorted out, you might want to create a simple one-page summary of your situation (layoff date, claim filing date, weekly claims submitted, employer contact info, etc.) that you can quickly reference when you finally get through to ESD. When I called unemployment in my previous state, having all that info immediately available made the conversation much more efficient. The stress of not knowing what's happening while bills pile up is absolutely brutal, but it sounds like you're building a solid plan based on all the great advice here. Keep us posted on how the employer paperwork follow-up goes - I think that's going to be your breakthrough moment!

Hey Tyler, I'm so sorry you're going through this - 6 weeks in adjudication is absolutely brutal and the stress of not knowing while bills pile up is just awful. I went through something very similar last year after being laid off from my restaurant job, and the uncertainty was honestly the worst part. Reading through all the responses here, it sounds like you've gotten some incredible advice, especially about the temporary vs permanent layoff confusion that seems to trap construction workers frequently. That really could be the key to resolving your situation. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're struggling with immediate expenses while waiting, check if your local utility companies have hardship programs for people waiting on unemployment benefits. Many will defer payments or set up payment plans specifically for UI delays. I was able to get my electric bill deferred for two months while waiting for my claim to resolve. Also, document every single interaction you have moving forward - calls to ESD, conversations with your former employer, emails to your state rep. Having that paper trail was crucial when I finally got through to someone who could actually help. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - when this gets resolved (and it will), you'll be so grateful for that consistent documentation. Most construction layoffs do get approved once they actually review the case. Hang in there, you're closer to resolution than it feels right now!