Washington Unemployment
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Identity verification nightmare with ESD - wrong driver's license info cost me 5 weeks of benefits
Just went through hell with ESD because I accidentally transposed two digits in my driver's license number when filing my initial claim. My claim was flagged for identity verification and sat in limbo for FIVE WEEKS before I finally figured out what was wrong. The verification letter they sent just said my identity couldn't be verified - it didn't specify what information was incorrect! I called ESD 27 times before finally getting through to someone who could tell me exactly what was wrong. Turns out they were trying to match my DL against DOL records and the numbers didn't match. I had to submit copies of my ID through their secure message system, then wait another week for processing. SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE - double-check ALL your personal info before submitting your claim! Triple-check your: - Driver's license number (every digit matters) - License issue/expiration dates - Height/weight (I know it sounds silly but they match everything) - SSN (obviously) Just sharing this so nobody else loses over a month of benefits because of a simple typo!
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Weekly claim disappeared after filing by phone (IVR) - do I need to file again?
Really confused and worried right now! I usually file my weekly claim online, but my internet was down yesterday so I used the phone system (IVR) for the first time. This afternoon it was showing as "Processing-IVR" in my eServices account, which I figured was normal. But I just checked again and now there's NO record of my claim and the system is telling me I have a weekly claim to file! Did I do something wrong with the phone system? Should I file again online or will that mess things up? Has anyone else had their claim disappear after using the phone system? I don't want to miss this week's payment!
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UPDATE: My claim finally showed up correctly in the system! It took about 36 hours from when I filed by phone. The dashboard no longer shows that I need to file, and instead shows my claim as being processed. Thanks everyone for your help and preventing me from filing twice!
Great news! This is the typical timeline for IVR claims to fully process. For future reference, the online system is generally more reliable and updates faster, but it's good to know the phone system works as a backup option when needed.
mine just updated too! what a relief!
wait so we're supposed to file online each week? i thought we only had to file once at the beginning? is that why my payments stopped????
Yes, you need to file a claim EVERY week you want to receive benefits, either online or by phone. This is the weekly "certification" process that confirms you're still eligible. If you haven't been doing this, that's definitely why your payments stopped. You should log in immediately and see if you can file for any missed weeks (there's a limited window to file for previous weeks).
Confused about ESD overpayment waiver - do I pay or get money back?
I received some letter from ESD about a waiver and I'm completely lost. Is this waiver to pay back money I supposedly owe them or to get money back that they owe me? I can't figure it out from the paperwork. The letter mentions something about 'financial hardship' and 'equity and good conscience' but I don't understand what I'm supposed to do with this. There's a dollar amount of $4,650 but I don't know if that's what I'm waiving or what? I've been so stressed about this and can't get through on the phone. Can anyone explain in simple terms what this overpayment waiver actually means and what I need to do?
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Yes, I eventually got it approved after the appeal, but only because I got a pro bono attorney through the Unemployment Law Project to help me. The appeal hearing was intimidating - they had an ESD representative arguing against me! If you can, try to get legal help with this. The whole process is stressful and unnecessarily complicated.
The Unemployment Law Project is an excellent resource! I should have mentioned them earlier. They provide free legal assistance to people with unemployment issues, including overpayment waivers. Definitely worth contacting them for help with your waiver request - they know exactly what ESD is looking for and how to present your case effectively.
Reopened ESD claim stuck in limbo since June - no decision after 6+ weeks
I reopened my unemployment claim back in June (it's now August) and still haven't received any decision from ESD. My previous claim ended in December when I found part-time work, but I got laid off again. The ESD website just shows my claim as 'pending' with no other details. I've tried calling but can't get through - just constant busy signals or automated hangups. Does anyone know how long it typically takes for them to make a decision on reopened claims? I'm getting desperate since rent is due next week and I've already gone through my savings. Is this delay normal or should I be doing something?
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Update on my situation - I finally got approved after using Claimyr to reach an agent. Turns out my claim was stuck because I had worked in two different states since my last claim period. The agent was able to manually push it through once I explained my situation. If you're still stuck after another week, I'd seriously consider trying to get through to an actual person.
I might try that service if nothing changes by next week. At this point, I just need to get this resolved before I can't pay bills anymore.
Since you mentioned your claim ended in December and reopened in June, make sure you understand that this is still considered part of your benefit year if it's within 52 weeks of your initial claim. This means your weekly benefit amount would typically be the same as before, but your total available benefits would be reduced by what you already received. If it's past your benefit year, you'd be filing a new claim entirely, which might explain the additional processing time.
My original claim was from October 2024, so it should still be within the benefit year. I did get a message saying I was reopening an existing claim rather than filing a new one.
ESD payment delay this week - normally processed by Wednesday but still pending?
I'm getting a bit concerned about my weekly unemployment payment. I've been claiming every Sunday morning since October, and my payments have always been processed by Wednesday at the latest. It's now Thursday afternoon and my eServices account is still showing 'pending' with no explanation. Nothing has changed with my claim or work search activities (still doing my 3 per week). Has anyone else noticed delays with ESD processing claims this week? Is there some kind of system issue going on? Starting to stress since rent is due next week...
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update: just got my payment notification! check your accounts again everyone
Mine just updated too! Status changed to paid about 10 minutes ago. What a relief. Thanks everyone for the info and support!
is there anything special we need to do for the job search requirement during these delays? i didnt submit my job contacts yet because i was waiting for the payment to process first
You should always submit your job search activities when you file your weekly claim, regardless of payment processing delays. The job search requirement is separate from payment processing. If you've already filed your weekly claim without adding job search activities, you need to update your claim immediately with those activities before it's considered late, which could affect your eligibility.
Sean Murphy
Thanks for this post! Just checked my drivers license against what I entered and realized I put the wrong issue date. Going to send a message to ESD right now before they flag my account. You probably saved me weeks of waiting!
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NeonNinja
my roommate had this happen to. he entered his weight as 185 but his license says 175 from when he got it years ago. took 5 weeks to fix and he almost got evicted waiting for unemployment to start. they need a better system
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Anastasia Popov
wait they actually check your WEIGHT? that's crazy lol mine is way off from my license
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