7 weeks stuck in ESD adjudication - what's normal wait time in 2025?
I submitted my unemployment claim on January 3rd and my ESD account shows 'adjudication in progress' since January 14th. I'm now heading into WEEK 7 of waiting with zero updates or communication. I've called literally 42 times (yes, I counted) and either get disconnected or told 'someone will contact you' - which never happens. Does anyone know what the current average wait time is for adjudication in 2025? The website says 3 weeks but that's clearly not accurate. I prepared for unemployment with some savings, but it's quickly disappearing. Can't imagine how people with no financial cushion survive this process. Seriously considering taking a job that pays way less than my previous position just to have something coming in. Anyone else stuck in adjudication limbo? Any success stories or tips on getting through to an actual human?
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Andrew Pinnock
I'm in almost the identical situation! Applied December 28th, adjudication started January 10th, and I'm still waiting. Today is day 48 with no movement. I've called about 20 times and can't get through either. The worst part is they're still telling me to submit weekly claims but not actually paying anything. I feel like I'm just doing paperwork for no reason at this point.
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Ella Lewis
•Day 48? That's terrifying. Are you still submitting your weekly claims? I've been doing mine religiously but starting to wonder what the point is if it's going to be months before they pay anything.
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Brianna Schmidt
The adjudication timeline has been getting worse since they updated their systems in November. From what I've seen, 6-10 weeks is unfortunately becoming standard for complex claims. The type of issue affects wait time too: - Separation issues (quit/fired): 6-10 weeks - Ability to work issues: 4-6 weeks - Identity verification: 2-4 weeks - Availability issues: 3-5 weeks DEFINITELY keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting. If your claim is eventually approved, you'll get backpay for all properly filed weeks. Missing even one weekly claim can mess up your entire benefit series.
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Ella Lewis
•Thank you for the breakdown. Mine's a separation issue (layoff but employer is contesting it as performance-based). Guess I should prepare for the full 10 weeks then. Still filing weekly claims but burning through savings fast.
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Alexis Renard
OMG the ESD system is COMPLEETLY BROKEN!! I waited 13 WEEKS back in December-February and then they denied me for 'insufficient information' even though they NEVER ASKED for anything!!! I appealed and won but that took ANOTHER 5 weeks!!! The system is designed to make people give up!!! 😡😡😡
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Camila Jordan
•same here!! waited 11 weeks and then got denied for something i could have fixed in 5 minutes if they'd just called me!! the whole system is a joke
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Tyler Lefleur
I was stuck in adjudication for 8 weeks (Dec-Jan) and finally got through to someone who could actually help. I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an ESD agent within 20 minutes after weeks of failing to reach anyone. The agent was able to see my file needed a simple verification that had been overlooked. My claim was approved 2 days later with full backpay. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Before that I was ready to give up completely. Might be worth trying if you're desperate to talk to someone.
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Ella Lewis
•I've never heard of Claimyr before. Did you actually get through to a real ESD agent or just another call center person? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point.
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Tyler Lefleur
•It connected me to a real ESD claims specialist who could actually see my file and fix the issue. Not just a receptionist or call screener. After 8 weeks of getting nowhere it was honestly worth it to finally talk to someone who could help.
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Madeline Blaze
I think whats happening is they dont have enough staff to handle all the aerospace layoffs that happened in WA late last year. My neighbor works for ESD (not in claims tho) and said they're completely overwhelmed right now. Sucks for everyone waiting but theres just not enough people to process everything I guess
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Brianna Schmidt
Important reminder for everyone stuck in adjudication: make absolutely sure you're meeting your job search requirements (3 job search activities per week). I've seen several claims get denied after adjudication because people thought they didn't need to do job searches while waiting. Even if your claim is in adjudication limbo, you must: 1. File your weekly claim every week 2. Complete 3 job search activities each week 3. Document all activities in your job search log 4. Be able and available for work If you miss any of these, you could be disqualified for those weeks even after your main issue is resolved.
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Max Knight
•wait we have to do 3 job search activities EVERY week?? i thought it was just 3 total! oh no i've only been doing like 1 a week 😰
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Brianna Schmidt
•Yes, it's 3 job search activities EVERY week. You should start doing the full 3 activities immediately for all future weeks. For past weeks, there's not much you can do now except be honest if they audit your job search log. Sometimes they'll offer a one-time excuse for misunderstanding the requirements.
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Ella Lewis
Update: I finally got through to ESD this morning after 51 attempts over 3 days. The agent told me my claim is delayed because my employer responded late to their information request, which apparently reset the whole adjudication timeline. Now they're saying it could be ANOTHER 4-6 weeks! That would put me at 11-13 weeks total. I asked if there was any way to expedite due to financial hardship and they said they could "flag" my account but couldn't promise anything. This is beyond frustrating.
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Andrew Pinnock
•How did you even get through to them? I've been trying for weeks with no success. Was there a specific time of day or number that worked?
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Ella Lewis
•I called exactly at 8:00am when they opened and used option 2, then 3, then 4 in their phone tree (different from what I was trying before). Still took 3 days of trying this method to get through. But at least I got some information, even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear.
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Camila Jordan
my cousin works at boeing and got laid off in the big cuts and he got his unemployment in like 2 weeks no adjudication at all so i think it depends on ur employer and if they fight it or not
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Ella Lewis
•That makes sense. My employer is contesting it, claiming I was fired for performance instead of laid off (which is totally false). Seems like the disputed claims get stuck in this horrible waiting pattern.
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Brianna Schmidt
For anyone in a desperate financial situation while waiting, remember you can request an ESD hardship payment. It's not widely advertised, but if you're facing eviction, utility shutoff, or can't afford essential medications, you can request a partial payment while adjudication continues. Call the main ESD number and specifically ask for the "hardship payment request form" or "emergency payment request." You'll need to provide documentation of the hardship (eviction notice, shutoff notice, etc.). It's not guaranteed, but I've seen it work for several people facing critical financial situations during extended adjudication periods.
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Ella Lewis
•Thank you for this information! I'm not quite at eviction point yet, but it's good to know this exists if the wait extends much longer. My landlord has been understanding so far, but that won't last forever.
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