I'm in a similar situation - filed about 3 weeks ago and been in adjudication for 2 weeks now. The waiting is awful when you're worried about bills! One thing I learned from calling ESD (took me 47 tries to get through) is that you can check if there are any outstanding issues by logging into your eServices account and looking under "Issues and Determinations." Sometimes there are action items you need to complete that aren't obvious from the main dashboard. Also, make sure your contact info is current because they sometimes try to reach you and if they can't, it delays everything even more. Hang in there - from what I'm reading here it sounds like most people do eventually get approved, it's just the waiting that's brutal.

Just wanted to add that if you're really struggling financially while waiting, you might also want to look into your local food banks and see if your utility companies have hardship programs. Most major utilities in Washington will work with you on payment plans if you explain you're waiting on unemployment benefits. I had to do this when my claim took 5 weeks - called Puget Sound Energy and they gave me a 60-day extension on my bill with no fees. Also, if you have any credit cards, call them too - many will defer payments if you're temporarily unemployed. It's not ideal but can help bridge the gap until ESD gets their act together. The stress of waiting is bad enough without worrying about getting your power shut off!

Just wanted to add that the timing of when suitable work requirements change can vary based on your individual circumstances too. While 13 weeks is a common milestone, factors like your occupation, local job market conditions, and even seasonal employment patterns can affect when Washington ESD expects you to expand your search criteria. I learned this the hard way when I assumed I had more time to be selective. It's really worth getting personalized guidance about your specific situation rather than relying on general timelines.

Reading through all this has been really enlightening! I'm in a similar situation to the original poster - been unemployed for about 8 weeks now from a project management role. The 80% wage rule for the first 13 weeks gives me some relief that I don't have to jump at every minimum wage offer right away. I've been keeping detailed records in both a personal spreadsheet and WorkSourceWA, but I'm still nervous about potentially making the wrong decision if I get a job offer that's borderline suitable. The advice about getting personalized guidance really resonates - it seems like there are so many individual factors that could affect what's considered suitable work for each person's specific situation.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about filling out my work search activities now. This thread has been super useful.

I've been dealing with this same confusion! One thing that really helped me was setting up a dedicated folder on my phone to screenshot every online application confirmation page right after I submit. I also keep a simple notes app entry for each activity with the basic details - makes it so much easier to transfer everything to WorkSourceWA later. The key is being consistent and not overthinking it. As long as you're genuinely looking for work and documenting your efforts, you should be fine. The 3 activities per week is really manageable once you get into a routine.

Pending status usually resolves itself within 1-2 weeks if there are no major issues. The key is just being patient and continuing to file your weekly claims.

I went through the same thing about a month ago - my claim was pending for 8 days and I was panicking the whole time. Turns out it was just a random audit of my work search activities. Washington ESD never told me what triggered it, but one day it just switched back to paid status and I got all my back payments. The waiting is absolutely brutal but try not to stress too much - most pending issues resolve on their own within a couple weeks. Just keep filing your weekly claims like everyone said!

One more tip - if you need to speak with someone about a denial specifically, you might want to consider starting the appeals process online through your eServices account. Once you file an appeal, you'll often get a call from an ESD representative to discuss your case before it goes to the formal hearing stage. This can be faster than trying to reach someone through the general phone line.

I feel your frustration! I was in a similar situation last month - denied claim, bills piling up, couldn't get through to anyone. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I started the formal appeal process online (which Aidan mentioned) AND kept calling using the sequence he provided (1-4-2-SSN/PIN-5). The appeal triggered a callback within 5 business days, which was way faster than trying to get through the phone maze. Also, when you do get someone on the line, have all your documents ready - denial letter, work separation paperwork, etc. They can often resolve simple issues on the spot if you have everything they need. Hang in there, it does get resolved eventually!