Quick update: I tried all the suggestions here. Left detailed message for governor's office (no response yet), filled out the form for my state rep (got an auto-reply saying they'll contact me within 3 business days), AND used Claimyr this morning to get through to ESD directly. The Claimyr thing actually worked - I got a call back when they reached an agent and spoke to someone who could see my claim. Here's what they told me: my adjudication is for "able and available" verification because I had a 2-week trip during my claim period. The agent said it could take another 2-3 weeks to resolve but they added notes about my hardship situation. So at least I know what's happening now. I'll update again if the governor's office or my rep gets back to me!

Just went through something similar last month! The governor's office voicemail system is actually monitored - I know it seems like a black hole but they do respond. Here's what worked for me: I left a very specific message with my full name, claim ID, phone number, and a brief timeline of how long I'd been waiting. I also mentioned specific hardships (behind on utilities, car payment due). Got a call back 5 days later from their constituent services team. They didn't solve it directly but they sent an inquiry to ESD's executive escalation team. My adjudication was resolved within 10 days after that call. The key is being very detailed in your voicemail - treat it like you're filling out a form, not just venting frustration. Include claim ID, dates, specific issue if you know it, and your contact info. Good luck!

did u check ur eservices account? sometimes the decision shows up there before u get the mail. just login and look under 'letters' or 'decisions' tab

I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago! My employer also didn't show up to the OAH hearing, and I was so nervous testifying alone. The good news is I won my case and got about 9 weeks of back pay. From what I learned during my experience, employers often don't show when they realize their documentation isn't strong enough to defend their position. The fact that you brought performance reviews and had approved medical leave documentation sounds really promising. One tip - keep checking your eServices account daily, but also watch your mail carefully. My decision letter actually arrived a day before it showed up online. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but it sounds like you prepared well and presented your case thoroughly. Fingers crossed for you!

One last thing I'll add - if you have any doubts or Washington ESD questions your claim for any reason, don't panic. Severance issues are usually easy to resolve if you've been honest about reporting everything.

Just wanted to add my experience here since I went through this exact situation recently. I received 10 weeks of severance pay when I was laid off in March, and I was able to collect unemployment benefits the entire time without any reduction in my weekly amount. The key is being completely transparent about the severance when you file your weekly claims. Washington ESD processed everything smoothly once I reported it correctly. Don't let the severance stop you from filing - you've earned those unemployment benefits and the severance is separate compensation for your past work. File your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work!

Final reminder for OP - file your claim on February 16th, report your severance during weekly claims, keep your job search log updated, and don't hesitate to reach out for help if you run into issues. Washington ESD can be challenging to navigate but the benefits are worth it.

Just want to add that when you file your initial claim, make sure you have your employer's information handy including their federal employer identification number (FEIN) if possible. Washington ESD will need details about your job separation and having all the info ready will make the process smoother. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, you'll need employment dates and wages from all of them. The more complete your initial application, the less likely you'll face delays or need to provide additional documentation later.

This is such a common and stressful situation! I went through something similar a few months ago where my payment was delayed by almost a week. What helped me was creating a little checklist to work through systematically: 1) Check eServices payment history for any status changes, 2) Call your bank to see if they're holding the deposit, 3) Verify all your profile info (address, bank details) is current in the system, and 4) Check Washington ESD's website for any system maintenance announcements. In my case it ended up being a combination of a system update on their end plus my bank being extra cautious about a larger-than-usual deposit. The waiting is awful when you're counting on that money, but in most cases the payment does eventually come through. Hang in there!

I've been dealing with Washington ESD payment delays on and off for over a year now, and what I've learned is that persistence is key. When this happens, I always start by checking three things in this order: first, log into eServices and look at your payment history - not just the main dashboard but actually click into the payment details to see if there are any status codes or notes you might have missed. Second, if it shows as "paid" on their end, call your bank immediately - don't wait. Banks can hold ACH deposits for all sorts of reasons (address changes, new account activity, fraud prevention, etc.) and they can usually tell you right away if that's what's happening. Third, if your bank says they haven't received anything, then you know it's definitely a Washington ESD processing issue and you'll need to contact them directly. The Claimyr service mentioned earlier in this thread actually does work - I've used it twice when I absolutely needed to get through to an agent quickly. Yes it costs money, but when you're facing rent deadlines, sometimes it's worth it to avoid hours of busy signals. The key thing to remember is that these delays are usually temporary processing issues, not permanent problems with your claim. Stay calm and work through the steps systematically!