r/UnemploymentWA • u/BadOlives • Dec 08 '25
In Progress... Claim Opened 10/23/2025, Pending Adjudication Since 11/7/2025
Hey there!
I was terminated from my job on 10/23/2025 and immediately filed for unemployment after receiving my termination letter. I was given the option to resign in lieu of termination, but refused that option because I wanted the option to file a grievance/arbitrate with the employer. I received a letter about a week later stating how much I will receive each week and I've been filing my claims every week, but when I sign in to the portal it shows that my claim has been pending adjudication since 11/07/2025. I haven't received any other correspondence from ESD other than that one letter and I am currently in panic mode as I have no other income or resources available to pay my bills or needs.
I've tried calling ESD numerous times, both in the morning and the afternoons and am unable to get through without getting a "due to high volume, we are unable to take your call. Please call back later." message and then immediately getting disconnected.
I'm currently in the process of grieving with my union for unjust termination with the potential that it might go into arbitration. The union told me that the employer does not respond to any claims in adjudication or appeals, so even if I had resigned I would have likely still been able to get unemployment, though it would take longer than if I was terminated.
- Is there a way to get in contact with ESD (other than calling in) to see what the status is of adjudication or if they need additional information from me?
- Is it true that if a former employer does not respond in adjudication/appeal process that my claim will be approved automatically?
- If I do get my job back and receive backpay from the date of termination to the date of rehire, will I have to pay back all the wages received from unemployment assuming my claim gets approved?
- I lost about 4-5 weeks of my job search logs as I forgot to save them to my Google Drive when I did a clean install of my OS. Will this be a problem if ESD audits me?
TYIA
1
u/SoThenIThought_ Admin for WEBA.Law, WA Unemployment Benefits Dec 08 '25
Is there a way to get in contact with ESD (other than calling in) to see what the status is of adjudication or if they need additional information from me?
Not really, you can try the Worksource Chat, ... Which of course is cataloged in the section of the road map that you think is titled
Miscellaneous>
- How to Call ESD
5+ entries
as
Is it true that if a former employer does not respond in adjudication/appeal process that my claim will be approved automatically?
Absolutely incorrect and has never been true in any state ever
If I do get my job back and receive backpay from the date of termination to the date of rehire, will I have to pay back all the wages received from unemployment assuming my claim gets approved?
I truly do not understand this question. This seems to imply that you've been working. But I'm not sure. Can you please clarify
1
u/BadOlives Dec 08 '25
Thanks for the reply.
I have filed a grievance to my former employer through the union. I haven't been working since 10/23/2025. However, the contract between the employer and the union states that if I am rehired by them after being terminated, they must pay me back for lost time as if I had still been working there. Would I need to pay back the money I received from unemployment (assuming I am approved) because I was paid back from my former employer?
1
u/SoThenIThought_ Admin for WEBA.Law, WA Unemployment Benefits Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
It would depend on how the payment is structured; at least some part would need to be paid back; perhaps as little as 1 weekly benefit payment.
it sincerely does depend on the details
once you get acquainted in the community and you scroll around and see other posts if you want to ask me to do the >>>initial eligibility troubleshooting<<< with you please let me know and I'll be happy to do that
1
u/Curious_Werewolf5881 Dec 09 '25
If you are retroactively paid for the time you collected unemployment, yes, you will most likely have to pay back what you received in benefits.
1
2
u/BadOlives Dec 10 '25
Called the Governor's Office on 12/8/2025. Received a letter about 15 minutes later saying that my case had been assigned to an agent and expedited. Received a determination letter on 12/10/2025 stating my case was approved and paid. Thanks everyone for the help.
1
1
u/alyxandreeea89 Dec 11 '25
Can you give me the phone number that you called? I was let go the same week as you and still waiting to get paid. Thanks!
2
u/BadOlives Dec 11 '25
360-902-4111
You'll get a recording at the beginning talking about the next steps for unemployment claims. I waited on hold for about 10-15 minutes.
1
1
u/Actual_Size_3704 Dec 12 '25
If you have to wait for them to respond and they don’t it will take a long long time to get your benefits. I was terminated from my last job in September and I didn’t get my benefits paid out till December.
1
u/Kanawhippedx100000 Dec 12 '25
Hello! what were your exact dates? Currently in pending hell waiting :((
1
u/Actual_Size_3704 Dec 12 '25
I was let go on September 28th I didn’t get me benefits till last week. They back paid me but it took forever I had to DoorDash to stay afloat and then you have to report that income to them as well.
1
u/Kanawhippedx100000 Dec 12 '25
Ah congrats! So sorry to hear about that, very difficult times. I was let go about a week before you and still nothing :(
2
u/LinkOk2271 Dec 08 '25
Yes, you can call the local governors office to escalate your claim