


Ask the community...
Appeals typically take 4-6 weeks for processing before OAH schedules a hearing. Here are some tips while you wait: 1. Continue filing weekly claims (very important) 2. Gather evidence for your case (emails, texts showing you had good cause) 3. Create a timeline of events leading to your separation 4. Check your mail daily as notices only come via USPS 5. If you move, update your address with both ESD and OAH I recommend looking at the OAH website as they have guides for unemployment hearings. If you truly were forced to resign, make sure you have documentation showing the conditions that made continued employment impossible or unreasonable.
Thank you for the advice! I'll start gathering my evidence. My boss essentially told me I needed to resign or they'd find a reason to fire me, but it was in person so I don't have it in writing. Will it just be my word against theirs at the hearing?
Without direct evidence of the conversation, it will be more challenging, but not impossible. Look for circumstantial evidence: any performance reviews showing good work, sudden changes in treatment, witnesses who saw/heard anything relevant, any texts/emails that hint at the situation even if they don't state it explicitly. Document any relevant workplace issues that led to this situation. Also, during the hearing, be very specific about exactly what was said, when and where the conversation occurred, and any other details. Specific testimony is often more credible than generalities.
When i made a mistake on my hours last fall i had to call like 30 times and finally got through. the lady was super nice and fixed it right away but said next time i should contact my employer and have THEM report the correction becuase it's way faster that way. might be worth asking your employer if they can verify the correct hours to ESD directly. worth a try maybe?
Just to clarify one important point - if you reported MORE hours than you actually worked (32 vs 23), this might actually be working in your favor temporarily since you'd receive less benefits than you're entitled to. The real problem comes when you report fewer hours than you worked, as that can trigger fraud investigations. Either way, it needs to be corrected, but you're not likely facing a fraud issue here - just a bureaucratic delay. Keep trying the phone routes suggested here, and document all your attempts to contact them as proof you're trying to fix this in good faith.
Hey there! I was in your exact situation last month - redetermination lost in the void and couldn't get through on the phone. I ended up trying the Claimyr service someone mentioned above, and I hate to admit it worked really well. But here's a hack: if you can find someone who works for the state government (any department), they often have internal contact numbers or can help escalate your issue. My neighbor works for DOL and was able to get me in touch with someone at ESD directly. \n\nAlso, don't forget to keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the redetermination! I made that mistake and it caused even more problems.
If you're having trouble getting through to ESD to ask questions about your specific situation (which is likely - their phone lines are insane), I'd recommend using Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to an ESD agent quickly instead of waiting on hold forever. Really saved me when I had complicated questions about my claim. There's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 and their website is claimyr.com. Basically they hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available.
Let us know how it goes with your claim! The application is pretty straightforward but sometimes the identity verification part can be tricky. Make sure you have your ID and social security card handy!
Connor Richards
Just checking back - were you able to get through using any of these suggestions? The adjudication department is definitely the toughest to reach, especially with the staffing issues the other poster mentioned.
0 coins
Lucy Lam
•Update: I tried the adjudication number but still couldn't get through after multiple attempts. I ended up using Claimyr yesterday morning out of desperation and actually got connected to someone who could help! They transferred me to an adjudicator who reviewed my case on the spot. They're releasing my payments later this week. SUCH a relief. Also contacted my state rep who said they'd look into it, but the phone connection ended up working faster. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!
0 coins
Aidan Hudson
Glad you got it resolved! The whole system is so ridiculous. It shouldn't be this hard to talk to someone when your financial survival is at stake. Hope your payments come through quickly!
0 coins