I'm new to unemployment benefits and just got my first payment, but I'm seeing a small "intercept" deduction too. Reading through this thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were so many different types of old debts that could cause this! I'm definitely going to check the Department of Revenue website first since it sounds like vehicle registration fees and tax issues are pretty common causes. It's kind of scary how easy it is to forget about these small government fees over the years, especially if you've moved around. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and the specific resources to check - this community is amazing for helping navigate these confusing situations!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm dealing with my own intercept issue right now and was really worried it might be some major problem with my claim. It's actually reassuring to see that most of these turn out to be small forgotten debts rather than anything serious. I'm going to start by checking the Department of Revenue website like several people suggested, and then try the secure messaging through eServices if I can't figure it out on my own. The fact that they're legally required to send a notice explaining the intercept is good to know too - I'll keep an eye out for that in the mail. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice, especially the original poster for updating us with their resolution!

Just be prepared for this to potentially take MONTHS to resolve. The appeals backlog at OAH is ridiculous right now. Make sure you have a plan for how to stay afloat financially in the meantime. Not trying to be negative, just realistic based on current timeframes I've been seeing.

I work in HR (not for your company obviously) and this kind of situation is unfortunately common. The good news is that you have strong documentation with your call records. A few practical tips for your appeal: 1. Request your complete personnel file from Brookfield Manufacturing - they're required to provide it within 14 days in WA. This will show if there were any prior attendance issues documented. 2. If possible, get the employee handbook section on attendance policy in writing. Companies sometimes claim different policies during hearings. 3. Consider requesting phone records from your carrier as backup to your screenshots - Verizon, AT&T, etc. can provide detailed call logs that are harder to dispute than phone screenshots. 4. Document EVERYTHING - dates, times, who you spoke with, what was said. The more detailed your timeline, the better. The fact that you were only there 4 months and this was allegedly your first "no call no show" actually works in your favor. Most misconduct cases require a pattern of behavior, not a single disputed incident. You've got this!

Hope some of these suggestions help! The unemployment system is frustrating but don't give up. Keep trying different approaches until something works.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for over a year now and can confirm there's really no direct email for unemployment claims. The secure messaging system through eServices is your only "official" option, but it's basically broken - I've sent multiple messages over the past few months and maybe got one actual response. The phone system is equally terrible, but I've found that persistence is key. Set aside entire mornings to call repeatedly starting right at 8 AM. Also, don't overlook reaching out to your state legislators - their constituent services staff can sometimes push your case through when normal channels fail. It shouldn't be this hard to get basic help with unemployment benefits, but unfortunately that's the reality we're dealing with right now.

I'm going through this exact situation right now too! Filed my claim 2 weeks ago after being laid off from my office job, submitted all the paperwork from HR, and just got the same form letter from Pamela. It's so stressful not knowing how long this will take. One thing I learned from calling around is that you can also reach out to your state representative's office - they sometimes have staff who can help with ESD issues. I called mine yesterday and they said they'd make an inquiry on my behalf. Not sure if it'll speed things up but at least someone else is advocating for me now. Also, if you have any friends or family who can lend you money for rent, don't be too proud to ask. I had to swallow my pride and ask my parents for help, but it's better than getting evicted while waiting for bureaucracy to sort itself out. This whole system is so broken - you shouldn't have to choose between paying bills and following their endless processes.

I'm dealing with this same situation right now - got the exact same message from Pamela last week after submitting everything from my employer when I got laid off from my hotel job. What's really frustrating is that I called the ESD line 47 times yesterday (yes I counted) and only got through once, just to be told there's nothing they can do to speed up the adjudication process. One thing I found out though - you can check if there are any new requests for information by logging into your ESD account and looking under "Messages" and also "Correspondence." Sometimes they ask for additional docs but don't always send you an email notification. I missed a request for 3 days because of this and it probably delayed my claim even more. Also, if you're really struggling financially, look into the Washington state Emergency Food Assistance Program and see if your county has emergency rental assistance. I applied for both and it's helping me get through this waiting period. The whole system is designed to wear you down and make you give up, but don't let them win. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what!

Congratulations on winning your appeal and getting your backpay! That's such a relief after going through all that stress. Your timeline of 12 business days seems pretty typical from what I've seen others report here. I'm currently waiting on a decision for my own appeal (going on week 3 now) and this gives me hope that once I get a favorable ruling, the payment processing won't drag on forever. Did you notice any changes in your eServices account in the days leading up to the payment, or did everything just switch to "paid" all at once overnight like you mentioned?

Wow, what a rollercoaster this thread has been! It's really encouraging to see the positive outcome and the realistic timeline. I'm currently going through my own appeal process (filed 2 weeks ago) and seeing everyone's experiences here is both nerve-wracking and reassuring. The 12 business day timeline seems to be the sweet spot based on what most people are reporting. I'm bookmarking this thread to refer back to when I (hopefully) win my appeal. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know what to expect and that there's light at the end of the tunnel!