5 weeks into ESD adjudication for voluntary quit - employer hasn't responded, what happens next?

In Washington, employers have 10 days to respond to an unemployment claim, but many don't respond at all. After a certain point (usually 6-8 weeks total for voluntary quit adjudications), ESD will make a determination based on the information they have, which would be just your side of the story. This could actually work in your favor! I went through something similar last year - quit a really bad workplace situation, my employer never responded, and after about 7 weeks total ESD approved my claim. They basically ruled that since the employer didn't contest my version of events, they had no grounds to deny benefits based on a voluntary quit. Make sure you've documented everything about why you quit (hostile work environment, etc.) with specific examples in your adjudication response. Continue filing your weekly claims while you wait, and if you need to check on status you can try calling again.

yea i quit my job too and it took FOREVER to get a decision!!! like 9 weeks!!!! so frustrating. employer never responded either. they approved me eventually but only after i was practically broke. the esd system is SUCH GARBAGE! they should make the employers respond faster not make us wait for them!!! like what is even the POINT of giving them deadlines when nothing happens when they miss them!??!?!?!

When I was going through adjudication last year (different reason though, not a quit), I found that calling ESD repeatedly was the only way to get any progress. Their system is overwhelmed and sometimes cases just sit there if you don't keep checking on them. I discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually get through to an ESD agent instead of getting disconnected or waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 It made a huge difference in pushing my adjudication forward - I was able to speak to someone who could actually look at my file and make notes that seemed to help things move along. Worth considering if you're not getting anywhere after another week or so.

quit jobs r hard 2 get benefits for. u have to prove it was 4 good cause. my cousin tried n got denied even tho his boss was terrible. depends on who reviews ur case i think

I quit my job back in January and went through adjudication too. Have you been filing your weekly claims this whole time? VERY IMPORTANT that you keep doing that even with no payments coming in. My adjudicator actually called me twice - once for initial questions and then again a week later for follow-up questions about why I felt I had to quit. Did they already interview you or just confirm the adjudication is in process? Also, yes, employers do have a deadline but ESD doesn't automatically rule in your favor if they miss it. My former employer responded on like day 29 of a supposed 10-day window and they still accepted it. System definitely favors employers time-wise.

Here's what typically happens in the voluntary quit adjudication process in 2025: 1. After you file, both you and your employer receive requests for information about the separation. 2. Technically, employers have 10 business days to respond, but ESD often gives them more time, especially if the employer requests an extension. 3. If an employer doesn't respond within approximately 30 days, ESD will generally proceed with making a determination based on available information. 4. For voluntary quits specifically, the burden of proof is on you (the claimant) to demonstrate good cause for quitting. 5. Even without the employer's response, an adjudicator will review your reasons against the qualifying good cause criteria under WAC 192-150. 6. Current processing times for adjudications are running 6-8 weeks on average. I recommend calling again at the 6-week mark and specifically requesting that your case be escalated since the employer has had ample time to respond. Continue filing weekly claims, and make sure you're completing your three job search activities each week.

my situation was kinda similar - I had adjudication for like 7 weeks last summer! what finally worked for me was contacting my state representative's office. they have liaisons who work with ESD and can sometimes get things moving faster. might be worth a try if you hit week 7 with no movement?

Update: Just got off the phone with ESD again. They told me that my employer now has until the end of next week to respond (which would be around 6.5 weeks total since I filed). If they don't respond by then, the adjudicator will make a decision based solely on my statement and documentation. The agent said my case notes look good, but couldn't promise anything about the outcome. Fingers crossed!

That's actually a positive update! Getting a specific deadline from ESD is rare, so the fact that they gave you a concrete timeframe (end of next week) suggests they're ready to move forward with your case. The comment about your case notes looking good is encouraging too - adjudicators usually don't say that unless your documentation is solid. Since you have detailed records of the hostile work environment and your employer still hasn't responded after 6+ weeks, you're in a much better position than many voluntary quit cases. Just keep filing those weekly claims and try not to stress too much over the next week. You've done everything right on your end!

Just wanted to add my experience - I went through a voluntary quit adjudication in late 2024 and it took about 8 weeks total. My employer also never responded, which actually worked out in my favor since I had good documentation about why I had to quit (unsafe working conditions). One thing that really helped was when I called ESD, I always asked them to add notes to my file about our conversation. The agents can put timestamps and details about what was discussed, which creates a paper trail showing you're actively engaged in the process. It seemed to help move things along faster than just waiting passively. Also, if you do get approved, remember that Washington pays benefits retroactively to when you first filed, so all those weeks you've been waiting won't be lost money. Keep your chin up - it sounds like you've done everything right and documented your case well!