One last thing - if you ever get confused about something or make a mistake on your weekly claim, you can usually call and get it corrected. Don't panic if you realize you reported something wrong, just contact them as soon as possible to fix it.

I've been in a similar situation and can confirm that $200-300 per week should be totally fine with your $487 weekly benefit amount. The key thing to remember is that Washington uses a "disregard" system where they subtract $5 from your weekly benefit amount to get your earnings threshold. So you can earn up to $482 before any deductions kick in. Since your freelance work is projected at $200-300, you'd still receive your full $487 benefit plus keep all your freelance income. When you file your weekly claim, there's a clear section asking "Did you work or earn money?" - just answer honestly with the gross amount you earned and the dates you worked. The system will automatically calculate everything for you. I'd definitely take the freelance opportunity - it's a great way to keep your skills sharp while job hunting and the extra income helps a lot!

I went through this exact same situation last year! My MS Teams hearing was set up for both audio and video, but I was so nervous about the technical side that I called the OAH office the day before to confirm everything. The staff member told me that while video is available, audio-only participation is completely acceptable and won't hurt your case at all. What really helped me was doing a test call with a friend using MS Teams beforehand - we discovered my microphone wasn't working properly and I had to switch to my phone's headset. Also, make sure you have the phone number backup option ready just in case there are internet issues. For your training situation, document everything with dates and names. I had a similar issue with lack of training and the judge really focused on specific instances rather than general statements. Having emails or even notes about conversations with supervisors about training requests made a huge difference in my case. The whole process is stressful but the judges are generally fair and understand that technical issues happen. You've got this!

I had my OAH appeal hearing via MS Teams just last month and wanted to share some practical tips since you're going through this soon! The setup allows for both video and audio, but I found that having my camera on actually helped - the judge could see my sincerity when I was explaining my situation. Make sure to log into MS Teams about 10 minutes early to test your connection. I also kept my phone nearby with the backup dial-in number just in case. The hearing lasted about an hour for me. Since your case involves training issues, organize your evidence chronologically and be very specific about dates and who you spoke with. I had a similar situation where my employer claimed I wasn't meeting standards, but I was able to show through emails and documentation that I repeatedly requested additional training that was never provided. One thing that really helped was writing out a brief timeline beforehand with key dates and events. During the hearing, I could refer to it quickly without fumbling through papers. The judge appreciated the organization. Don't let them intimidate you - you have the right to be heard and to present your evidence. Stay calm, answer questions directly, and stick to the facts. You've got this! Let us know how it goes.

I want to emphasize something important: apply for Training Benefits ASAP. Don't wait until your benefits are about to run out. The application process involves multiple steps and potential delays: 1. You submit the initial application 2. ESD reviews it and may request additional documentation 3. You submit any requested documents 4. ESD makes a determination 5. If approved, they send a formal approval letter Each of these steps can take time. With only 6 weeks left on your claim, you're already in a time crunch. Submit your application this week if possible. Also, keep detailed records of everything - confirmation numbers, copies of all documents you submit, names of ESD representatives you speak with, etc. This documentation is invaluable if there are any issues later.

Just wanted to add one more thing about the timing - since you're cutting it close with only 6 weeks left, consider calling ESD after you submit your application to confirm they received everything. Sometimes applications get stuck in their system or documents don't upload properly. Also, if your medical coding program has evening or weekend classes, that could help with scheduling around your part-time warehouse job. Many people successfully balance Training Benefits with part-time work, especially in programs with flexible scheduling. One last tip: if you run into any roadblocks with your application, some community colleges have ESD liaisons who can help advocate for students. Your school might have someone who deals with these situations regularly and knows exactly what documentation ESD is looking for. Good luck!

This is exactly what I needed to see right now! I'm currently on week 5 of adjudication and have been spiraling with anxiety about it. Reading through this whole thread, especially Hugo's happy ending, gives me so much relief. I've been in the same boat - checking the portal multiple times a day, stressing about rent, the whole nightmare. I'm going to check my weekly benefit amount right now to see if it's changed from pending. It's wild how the ESD system works in such mysterious ways, but at least there are patterns we can look for. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community is a lifesaver when you're going through this alone!

I'm in week 7 of adjudication and this thread is giving me life right now! Hugo, congratulations on getting your payments processed - that must be such a huge relief after 6 weeks of waiting. I've been in the exact same cycle of obsessively checking the portal and panicking every time nothing changes. Reading about the signs to look for (weekly benefit amount changing, adjudication status disappearing) is super helpful because honestly ESD doesn't give us much guidance on what any of this means. I just checked my portal after reading this and my weekly benefit amount is still showing as pending, but at least now I know that's one of the key things to watch for. The stress of not knowing whether you'll be able to pay rent is absolutely crushing, so seeing successful outcomes like yours gives me hope that this nightmare will eventually end. Thanks for taking the time to update us - it means more than you know to those of us still stuck in limbo!

Hey Chloe, huge congratulations on winning your appeal! 6 months is way too long to wait but I'm so glad justice prevailed. I went through something similar last year and the back pay took about 12 business days to hit my account after the decision letter was issued. Washington ESD automatically processed all the retroactive weeks in one payment - it was actually larger than I expected because they included the federal supplements too. One thing I'd recommend is setting up text alerts in your online account if you haven't already, that way you'll get notified as soon as any payments are processed. The wait is almost over!

That's such great news about your appeal being reversed! I know exactly how stressful that whole process can be. From my experience with Washington ESD, the back pay usually processes pretty quickly once the decision is final - typically within 5-10 business days. They'll handle all the retroactive weeks automatically, so you don't need to file claims for the missed weeks during your appeal period. Just keep up with your regular weekly claims going forward. One thing I'd suggest is checking your correspondence inbox on the ESD website daily - sometimes they'll send additional forms or requests that can delay payment if you don't respond quickly. The hardest part is behind you now, so hopefully you'll see that money in your account very soon!