I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - 8 weeks stuck in adjudication, facing eviction, the whole nightmare. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the governor's office AND my state senator's office on the same day, then followed up with written complaints to both within 24 hours. The key was being very specific about the timeline and financial impact. In your written communication, include: - Exact dates of when you filed and when adjudication started - Number of attempted contacts with ESD (you mentioned 23 calls) - Specific financial hardship (mention the apartment situation with timeline) - Your claim number and contact info The senator's office actually got back to me first and had someone from ESD call me within 3 business days. Turns out my case was just sitting in a queue with no one assigned to review it. Sometimes you really do need that external pressure to get things moving. Don't give up - 9 weeks is definitely long enough to warrant escalation. You're not asking for special treatment, just for them to do their job.

I've been watching this thread and wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. The Washington State Office of the Ombuds can sometimes help with state agency issues like this. Their number is 1-800-562-6028 and they have a specific process for ESD complaints. What made the difference in my case was calling them AND filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against ESD at the same time. The BBB complaint creates a paper trail that agencies have to respond to within a certain timeframe. It sounds like overkill, but when you're facing eviction, you need to hit them from multiple angles. Also, if you do get through to ESD (whether through Claimyr or the governor's office), ask to speak with a supervisor immediately. Don't let them tell you to "just wait" - after 9 weeks you have every right to demand escalation within their system. Get the supervisor's name and direct number if possible. Hang in there - I know how hopeless this feels but you're doing all the right things by reaching out everywhere you can.

One more important note: When you have your exit meeting, try to get them to explicitly state the reason for your separation in writing. If they say it's due to "business needs," "reorganization," "position elimination," or similar terms, ask for that in an email or letter. This documentation will be valuable if there's any dispute about your UI eligibility. When you file your claim, you'll have the opportunity to explain the circumstances. Be clear that you were laid off but received severance with certain conditions. The ESD adjudicators are familiar with these situations and will look at the totality of circumstances, not just the language in a severance agreement. As others have mentioned, your severance may delay the start of your benefits, but it won't necessarily make you ineligible altogether. Make sure you're completing all your weekly claims during this time, even if you're not receiving payments yet.

I'm going through something very similar right now! My company announced layoffs last week and my position is being eliminated at the end of this month. I haven't had my exit meeting yet, but I'm already worried about the same thing - that they'll try to make it look like I'm voluntarily leaving. Reading through everyone's responses here is really reassuring. It sounds like the key is being completely honest with ESD about what actually happened, regardless of what the paperwork says. I'm definitely going to document everything and ask for the business reason in writing like others suggested. One question for those who've been through this - how long did it typically take for ESD to make a decision on your claim? I'm trying to plan my finances and wondering if there might be delays beyond just the severance period. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with these corporate tactics!

Final thought - make sure you understand the difference between 'refusing' a job and 'not being selected' for a job. Only actual refusals of job offers need to be reported to Washington ESD. If you interview and they don't offer you the position, that's different.

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. Had a marketing background like you and got offered a basic admin role at 60% of my previous salary. Washington ESD actually sided with me when I refused it because the skill level was so far below my experience. The key things that helped my case: I documented my 12+ years of marketing experience, showed the huge pay cut, and explained how taking such a step backward would hurt my long-term career prospects. I also made sure to keep applying for appropriate positions in my field to show I was actively job searching. Don't let them pressure you into taking something that doesn't make sense for your situation - just make sure you have solid documentation of why it's not suitable work.

I'm in a similar situation as a freelance graphic designer - been struggling with inconsistent income and wondering about my options. This thread has been really eye-opening about the W-2 wage requirements. I had a part-time marketing job last year that I totally forgot about. Going to look into filing a claim too. It's frustrating how the system works against independent contractors, but at least there might be some hope if you've had traditional employment recently. Thanks for asking this question OP - you've helped more people than just yourself!

This whole conversation has been incredibly helpful! I'm also a freelancer (photographer) and had no idea that previous W-2 wages could still count toward unemployment eligibility. I worked at a coffee shop for about 8 months in early 2023 before going full-time with my photography business. The creative industries have been hit hard lately and I've been barely scraping by. Reading through all these responses gives me hope that I might actually qualify for some benefits. It's really frustrating that the system doesn't recognize our self-employment income, but at least knowing about the W-2 wage option is something. Going to gather my old pay stubs and file a claim this week!

Final thought - don't stress too much about the process. I know it's easier said than done when you're waiting for benefits, but most people who were legitimately laid off or fired without misconduct do eventually get approved. The system isn't perfect but it generally works. And if you need help reaching Washington ESD during the process, services like Claimyr can be a real lifesaver for getting through to actual people who can help.

I went through a similar contested claim situation last year when my employer claimed I was fired for "violating company policy" but really they were just downsizing and didn't want to pay unemployment. The adjudication process was nerve-wracking but I kept detailed records of everything - all my emails, performance reviews, witness statements from coworkers who saw what really happened. Washington ESD ultimately approved my claim after about 5 weeks of investigation. The key is being thorough and honest in your fact-finding response. Don't let them intimidate you - if you were truly terminated unfairly, the evidence will speak for itself. Stay strong and document everything!