One important thing to remember - if you're transitioning from standby to regular UI because you reported reduced hours, make sure you start logging your job search activities (3 per week) ASAP. Even if you're still waiting for the adjudication to complete. If they determine you need to switch to regular UI, they'll expect you to have been doing job searches during this time. I learned this the hard way and almost lost a week of benefits because I didn't have job search logs for the week I was in adjudication.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! Week 4 of standby went fine, but week 5 got flagged for adjudication. In my case, I think it was triggered because I reported some part-time hours for the first time after weeks of zero earnings. From what I'm reading in these comments, it sounds like the combination of hitting the 4-week standby threshold AND reporting earnings is what sets off their review system. They want to verify if you should stay on standby or transition to regular UI with job search requirements. I've been trying to get through to ESD for days with no luck. Might have to try that Claimyr service if this drags on much longer. The uncertainty is killing me - I just want to know what they need from me to resolve this! Keep us posted on how it goes, and definitely keep filing your weekly claims even without payment. Sounds like that's crucial for getting backpay once they sort it out.

my freind did appeal in january took almost 10 weeks!! but she won and got all back pay. bring all ur evidence to hearing they wont believe u otherwise

I'm in a similar boat right now - filed my appeal 2 weeks ago for a disqualification and still waiting to hear back from OAH. The stress is killing me! Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying. Some people got hearings in 3-4 weeks, others waited months. I've been keeping meticulous records of everything since filing the appeal and continuing to file my weekly claims like everyone suggests. Does anyone know if the current wait times are longer than usual because of the holidays or is this just the normal pace? Also wondering if anyone has tips for staying sane during this waiting period - the uncertainty is the worst part.

Congrats again! Just remember you can always reopen your claim later if needed - unemployment isn't a one-time thing if your employment situation changes.

Congratulations on the new job! I went through this same process last year. The key thing is to make sure your final weekly claim is 100% accurate about when you started work. I'd also suggest keeping a screenshot of your final claim submission just in case there are any questions later. Washington ESD makes it pretty straightforward - once you're working full-time, you're no longer eligible anyway, so just stop filing and you should be all set. Best of luck with the new position!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm new to this community and currently on unemployment myself, so reading about situations like this really prepares me for what I might face during my own job search. It's eye-opening to learn that eligibility is based on hours worked rather than when you actually get paid - that's definitely not intuitive. What really stands out to me is how this discussion evolved from identifying the problem to finding practical solutions. The suggestion about asking employers for payroll advances seems like such valuable advice that I never would have thought of on my own. It's encouraging to see that many employers actually have policies in place to help with these exact transition challenges. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences here - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes navigating these systems so much easier!

As someone new to this community and currently navigating unemployment myself, this thread has been incredibly educational! I had no idea that unemployment eligibility was based on hours worked rather than payment received - that's such an important distinction that isn't immediately obvious. What really impressed me was how quickly this discussion shifted from identifying the problem to finding real solutions. The success story with the employer payroll advance gives me hope that there are more support systems out there than we realize. I'm definitely going to keep this approach in mind during my own job search - being proactive about discussing transition challenges with potential employers rather than just assuming I'll have to struggle through any gaps. It's threads like this that make me grateful to have found such a supportive and knowledgeable community. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice!

btw if u do decide to switch from direct deposit to the card or vice versa you can do it online through ur eServices account. go to UI claim > settings > payment options. takes effect for the next payment after u make the change.

Just wanted to add another perspective - I've been using the ReliaCard for about 6 months and while the speed is great, there are some hidden costs to consider. The "free" ATM withdrawals are only at specific ATMs (mostly 7-Eleven and some bank ATMs), and if you need cash elsewhere you're looking at $2.50+ fees. Also learned the hard way that international transactions (even online purchases from some foreign websites) get blocked automatically and you have to call to unlock your account. The 2-3 day wait for direct deposit might be worth it if you do most of your banking online and don't need immediate cash access.