


Ask the community...
anyone know if theyre still requiring the 3 job search activities per week? i heard they might have changed it but the ESD website is so confusing
Just be aware that sometimes when you reopen a claim they automatically put you back in adjudication even if nothing's wrong. Happened to me TWICE. First time took 4 weeks to resolve, second time took 6 WEEKS!!! The ESD system seems designed to make people give up.
While adjudication can happen, it's not automatic for everyone reopening a claim. Having clear documentation about why your temp job ended (a letter from the employer stating it was a temporary position with a predetermined end date) significantly reduces this risk. The key is being proactive with documentation rather than waiting for ESD to request it.
One more thing to consider: Even if you win your appeal (which seems likely), there might be a delay before payments start. The employer has the right to petition for review of the ALJ's decision within 30 days. Some employers automatically file these petitions even when they didn't show up for the hearing. If they do file, it could add another 2-3 months before you receive benefits. However, if your financial situation is critical, once you receive a favorable decision, you can call ESD and request a hardship payment while waiting for the petition period to expire.
I didn't even think about that possibility! This whole process is already taking so long. I was laid off back in January, then found this job in February, and was terminated in March after only 3 weeks. It's now May and I'm still fighting for benefits. I'll definitely ask about the hardship payment if I get a favorable decision.
does anybody know how long it takes to get the decision after the hearing? mine took 4 weeks and i was going crazy checking the mail everyday!!
Have any of you tried contacting your state representatives? My cousin was stuck in adjudication for 7 weeks, then emailed her state rep and magically got approved 3 days later. Worth a shot if you're desperate.
UPDATE on wait times: I just attended a WorkSource webinar yesterday where an ESD representative said they're now prioritizing claims that have been in adjudication for more than 5 weeks. They've also added 15 new adjudicators this month who are completing training. The rep said we should start seeing processing times improve by late May, possibly getting back to 3-4 week timeframes by June. Just wanted to share this bit of hope!
UPDATE: I got through to ESD this morning! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned here and it actually worked - got a call back with an agent in about 45 minutes. The adjudication is because they need to verify my identity (apparently routine for some new claims). The agent said I'll likely continue receiving payments during this process since it's just verification, not an eligibility issue. Such a relief! She said to just keep filing weekly claims as normal. Thank you everyone for your advice and support!
CosmicVoyager
its criminal how they can just demand thousands back with no warning and then take forever to process waivers!!! my friend had his tax refund seized while waiting for a waiver decision and esd said 'oops sorry' but never gave it back
0 coins
Omar Mahmoud
•If your tax refund was seized while a waiver was pending, you can request a refund of those funds if the waiver is ultimately approved. It requires filing form ESD-800-084 and providing proof the collection occurred after your waiver submission date. There's a 90-day deadline for requesting this refund after waiver approval.
0 coins
Isabella Ferreira
Update: I finally got through to ESD this morning after calling right when they opened. They confirmed my waiver was received but said there's a 14-16 week processing time currently! The agent was able to put a temporary hold on collections for 30 days, which helps a little. She suggested I send in additional documentation about my financial hardship to strengthen my case. Going to gather more paperwork now.
0 coins
Ravi Kapoor
•Great! That 30-day hold is crucial. Make sure to call back before it expires to get it extended if your waiver still hasn't been decided. For additional documentation, focus on demonstrating that repayment would cause significant financial hardship - include your current income, all expenses, any dependents, medical issues, housing insecurity risks, etc. The more comprehensive, the better your chances.
0 coins