yaaaaay!!!! 🎉🎉 so happy for you!! now you can breathe again!!

Congratulations on getting your payment! That's such a huge relief after 10+ weeks of uncertainty. Your story gives me hope as someone who's currently waiting for my own adjudication to resolve. It's stories like this that remind us the system does eventually work, even if it feels broken while you're stuck in it. Enjoy being able to pay that rent and get back on solid ground with your kids! 🙏

I help clients with ESD issues regularly, and here's what you need to know about contacting them effectively: 1. For adjudication issues specifically (which you mentioned in a comment), phone is actually the fastest method despite the frustration 2. Timing matters - call Tuesday-Thursday between 8:15-9:30am for shortest wait times 3. Secure messages are handled in the order received but have a 3-5 business day current response time 4. Be extremely specific in any message you send - include your claim ID, the exact issue, and what resolution you're seeking 5. If it's been more than 3 weeks in adjudication, your state representative can often help expedite The system is frustrating but persistence with the right approach does work eventually.

I went through this exact nightmare 3 months ago and ended up having to take time off work to camp out on their phone system. What finally worked for me was calling literally the second they opened at 8:00am on a Wednesday and staying on the line for 2+ hours until I got through. I know it's not realistic for everyone, but I treated it like a part-time job for that one day. Also - if you do get through and they say they need to transfer you, DO NOT let them hang up first. Ask them to stay on the line during the transfer because I got disconnected twice that way. Once you finally reach someone, get their name and direct extension if possible. Some agents will give you their direct line for follow-ups. The whole system is broken but unfortunately persistence is the only thing that works.

Thanks for asking this question OP! I'm starting a new job next week and was wondering the same thing. This thread has been super helpful for understanding the reporting requirements.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your eServices account on the Washington ESD website to see exactly what information they have on file for you. It shows your quarterly wage reports from employers, so you can see what gets reported and when. This helped me understand the timeline better - there's definitely a delay between when you work and when it shows up in their system through employer reporting.

Make sure you understand the difference between stopping your claim temporarily vs ending it permanently. If this new job is temporary or contract work, you might want different options.

Make sure to keep a record of when you filed your final weekly claim for your own records. I'd recommend taking a screenshot of the confirmation page showing you reported your employment. That way if there are any questions months down the road, you have proof you properly closed your claim. Also, don't be surprised if you get a final determination letter in the mail a few weeks later - that's normal and just confirms your claim has ended.

My advice is don't stress too much about it. I know easier said than done when you need the money, but fact finding is pretty routine and most people get approved. Just keep filing your weekly claims and it'll work out.

I went through fact finding last year and it was nerve-wracking, but here's what I learned: the status usually means they're verifying information with your employer or checking wage records. The frustrating part is they don't always tell you upfront what they're investigating. In my case, it took about 4 weeks before I got a determination letter saying my benefits were approved. The key things are: keep filing your weekly claims (you'll get backpay if approved), check both your online account AND physical mail daily for any requests, and try not to panic - most legitimate claims do get approved eventually. I know the financial stress is real, but hang in there!