Update: I finally got through to ESD after trying for days! They told me this situation is considered a "constructive layoff" since the employer has essentially eliminated my position by not offering work for such an extended period. The agent said I should formally resign but explicitly state in my resignation letter that I'm leaving due to "lack of work for over 24 months." I need to upload a copy of this letter to my ESD account after sending it to my employer. Apparently, this is fairly common in the hospitality industry with on-call or as-needed positions.

Did you use Claimyr to get through to ESD? Their service saved me hours of frustration when I was dealing with my claim issues.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE US SUFFER!! I got the 'paid' status and then had to wait A FULL WEEK before the money showed up. ESD claimed they sent it, my bank said they never received it, and neither would help. I had to file a claim with the state ombudsman to get anyone to investigate. Turns out ESD had mistyped ONE DIGIT in my account number. Double-check EVERYTHING in your ESD profile. They make 'mistakes' all the time and then blame you for it!

Just wanted to check in - did your payment arrive? It's been a couple days since your post. Hope everything worked out!

One more tip: after you finally get through to someone, ask for their direct extension number. Many agents will give you their direct line if you've had an ongoing issue, which lets you bypass the main system in the future. Also, be sure to document everything - the date/time of your call, who you spoke with, and what they told you. This can be extremely helpful if you need to escalate your claim later.

UPDATE: I finally got through! I used the tips about calling at 7:58am and selecting the payment issue option. Still had to wait 67 minutes on hold, but eventually spoke with someone who was actually really helpful. My claim was stuck in ID verification (even though I uploaded all my documents weeks ago), and they were able to push it through to the next step. Thank you everyone for your help! For anyone facing the same issue, persistence is key - and those early morning calls really do make a difference.

btw did anyone tell u that u need to keep doing ur job search activities even during adjudication?? u still gotta do the 3 job search things each week or they can deny u for that reason even if the discharge issue gets approved

Just wanted to follow up on this thread. Based on your situation, here's what you should expect: 1. Your claim will likely enter adjudication for 2-4 weeks 2. An ESD adjudicator may call you to get your side of the story 3. They'll also contact your employer for their version 4. Since 'not a culture fit' is generally considered a non-disqualifying reason, you should be approved 5. Once approved, you'll receive all back payments for the weeks you claimed If for some reason your claim stays in adjudication for more than 4 weeks, that's when you should consider more aggressive follow-up. The documentation you've uploaded should be sufficient, but the ESD backlog can sometimes cause delays.

Have you tried contacting your state representative? When my husband's claim was stuck for over a month, I emailed our state rep's office and they actually helped escalate the issue. Had it resolved within a week after that. Just a thought!

UPDATE: I finally got through this morning! For anyone else struggling, here's what worked: I followed the advice to call right at 8:00am, but I also used a different phone than I had been using previously. Not sure if that made a difference, but I finally got into the queue instead of getting disconnected. Waited on hold for 47 minutes but eventually spoke with an agent who was actually very helpful. Turns out there was an issue with my ID verification that needed to be resolved. They're expediting my claim now and said I should see movement in the next 2-3 business days. Thank you everyone for the advice and support!