7 weeks stuck in ESD adjudication - what's normal wait time in 2025?

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.

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.

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!!! 😡😡😡

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

I'm in week 5 of adjudication myself (applied January 15th) and this thread is both helpful and terrifying. My case is also a separation issue - laid off but employer is claiming it was a "workforce reduction due to performance." Complete BS but here we are. What's really getting to me is the complete lack of communication. Like, I get that they're backed up, but would it kill them to send an email saying "hey, we're still working on it, expect X more weeks"? The uncertainty is almost worse than the financial stress. I've been doing gig work (DoorDash, Instacart) just to keep some money coming in, but I'm careful to report it properly on my weekly claims. Last thing I need is to mess up my claim when it finally gets approved. Thanks @Brianna Schmidt for all the detailed info - you seem to really know the system. And @Ella Lewis, I hope your employer's late response doesn't actually reset your whole timeline. That would be absolutely infuriating.

I'm currently on week 9 of adjudication (filed December 20th) and honestly reading this thread makes me feel less alone but also more worried. My situation is a bit different - I was laid off from a tech startup that went under, but ESD is questioning whether I was actually an employee or a contractor because my final few months I was working reduced hours with some freelance-style projects mixed in. The most frustrating part is that I have ALL the documentation they could possibly need - W2s, pay stubs, employment contract, even emails from HR confirming my employee status. But apparently getting someone to actually LOOK at these documents is the impossible part. I've been surviving on credit cards and help from family, which I hate. Already had to defer my student loan payments and I'm behind on car insurance. @Brianna Schmidt - do you know if "employment classification" issues typically take longer or shorter than the separation issues? And has anyone had success uploading additional documentation through the online portal, or does it just disappear into the void? Really hoping we all see some movement soon. This system is beyond broken.

I'm in week 4 of adjudication (filed January 21st) and this thread is both reassuring and terrifying. My situation is a "voluntary quit" that I'm disputing - I left due to unsafe working conditions and harassment that HR refused to address, but my employer is claiming it was just a standard resignation. The hardest part for me has been the financial anxiety. I saved up what I thought was enough for a few weeks of job searching, never imagining it could take 2-3 months to even get a decision. I've started picking up freelance writing gigs but I'm paranoid about reporting the income wrong and messing up my claim. @Brianna Schmidt - your breakdown of timelines by issue type is incredibly helpful. Do you know if "good cause" quit cases fall into the separation issue category with the 6-10 week timeline? And is there any advantage to having documentation of the harassment/unsafe conditions uploaded ahead of time? Really grateful for everyone sharing their experiences here. Makes me feel less like I'm going crazy dealing with this system alone.