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When I had to call ESD about my military spouse thing, i had to call like 50 times before getting through!! The website is so confusing and the agents kept telling me different things. One told me I couldn't get benefits while working part time at all which was WRONG!!! Just keep trying and don't give up!!
That's why I ended up using Claimyr - couldn't deal with the constant busy signals and disconnects. Got through to someone who actually knew what they were talking about regarding partial benefits.
To address your question about speeding up adjudication - unfortunately, there's no guaranteed way to expedite the process. However, ensuring your application is complete and providing all documentation upfront can help prevent additional delays. If you're experiencing financial hardship while waiting, you can request an expedited review by explaining your situation when you speak with an agent. Also, don't forget that you may qualify for a job search waiver for a few weeks after relocating. This means you won't have to perform the usual three job search activities per week immediately, giving you some time to settle in. Be sure to ask about this when you speak with ESD.
OP be careful, lotta people giving advice here but at-will means AT-WILL!! they can fire you for almost any reason as long as they dont say its cuz ur pregnant. Happened to my cousin!! She told them she was pregnant and 2 weeks later they fired her for "performance issues" that never existed before. ESD denied her too saying she was fired for cause!!!
While this can happen, it's important to note that if the timing is suspicious (like being fired shortly after announcing pregnancy with no prior documented issues), you can appeal the ESD decision and potentially win. Also, Washington State has stronger protections than some other states. But your point about documentation is absolutely crucial - always keep records of performance feedback.
Thank you everyone for all the advice! I think I'm going to: 1. Start the job and document EVERYTHING from day one 2. Wait until I'm about 5 months along (so 3-4 weeks into the job) 3. Tell HR first with a written plan for my leave 4. Hope for the best but be prepared with documentation if things go badly It's such a relief to know I'd likely qualify for ESD benefits again if the worst happens. I'll definitely update this thread once I've had the conversation with them. Wish me luck!
Hey so random question but are you on standby status or regular unemployment? Because standby claims are supposed to be processed faster than regular ones. When I was on standby last year it only took 2 weeks to get my first payment even though regular UI was taking forever for everyone else
Just checking in - did you have any luck getting through to ESD? I've been thinking about your situation with the utilities and kids.
I actually tried that Claimyr service and got through to ESD yesterday! The agent put a hardship flag on my account like someone here suggested. They said I should see movement within 48-72 hours because of the utility shutoff risk. Also called my utility company and they gave me a 2-week extension. Feeling much more hopeful now. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!!
i thought u could only get unemployment once for the same job lol. didnt know u could keep claiming after benefit year ends
That's a common misconception. You're entitled to your full benefit amount (typically 26 weeks) during your benefit year, which is 52 weeks from when you first apply. If your benefit year ends and you haven't used all your benefits, you can apply for a new benefit year if you still meet the eligibility requirements. However, to qualify for a new benefit year, you generally need to have worked and earned wages since the beginning of your previous benefit year. This is called the "requalification requirement." The OP likely worked after their initial claim but before they reactivated it 6 weeks ago.
UPDATE: I called ESD this morning (tried for 2 hours and finally got through). The agent confirmed they DO need to contact my employer again but said she put a note on my file that this was recently verified and requested expedited processing. She said it shouldn't take the full 6 weeks but couldn't promise anything. Just wanted to share in case anyone else runs into this situation!
That's great news! The note should definitely help speed things up. Make sure you continue filing your weekly claims during this time. Did they say anything about when you might receive your first payment?
They said I probably won't get payments until the adjudication is complete, but they'll be retroactive. So I need to keep filing weekly in the meantime.
Amara Adebayo
I was in virtually the same boat last year! The key for me was getting through to an actual ESD person. After I finally reached someone (took forever), they were able to see that my claim was just sitting there waiting for an adjudicator assignment. The agent escalated it and I got my determination within a week after that. Keep trying to reach a human!
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Jamal Washington
•THIS. The system is designed to make you wait but sometimes just talking to a human can move things along. Problem is GETTING to a human at ESD is like winning the lottery 🙄
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Carmen Ortiz
UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD! Used that Claimyr service mentioned above and was connected to an agent within an hour. The agent confirmed my suspicion - they were waiting for a response from Job B about my separation. The agent noted that my uploaded emails showed good evidence of constructive discharge and flagged my case for expedited review. Should hear something within a week! Thank you all for the advice and support during this stressful time.
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