Washington Unemployment

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ESD claim says 'processing-IVR' after filing by phone instead of usual 'processing web' - payment delay?

So I've always filed my weekly unemployment claims online for the past 6 months and immediately after submitting, it always shows 'processing web' in my account. Then like clockwork, I get paid by Wednesday. But I had internet problems yesterday and had to file by phone through the automated system for the first time, and now my claim status says 'processing- IVR' instead of the usual message. I'm freaking out a little because rent is due soon. Does this mean my payment will be delayed? Has anyone else filed by phone and knows what the normal timeline is? Thanks in advance!

my husban alwys files by fone becaus he dosent trust computers lol and his payment comes same time as mine but i do it online. IVR just means fone system but the computer proceses it just the same way.

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Update: Just wanted to let everyone know my payment came through this morning! Same schedule as usual, just like you all said. Thanks for helping me not panic over nothing!

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Great to hear! This is exactly what I'd expect. The processing tag is really just for ESD's internal tracking purposes. Filing method doesn't affect payment timing.

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Awesome news! One less thing to stress about 👍

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ID verification cleared but 5 weeks stuck in adjudication for ESD claim - normal?

So confused about my unemployment claim right now! I called ESD today and found out that one of my "adjudication in progress" issues was cleared - it was just my identity verification. When I asked the agent what the other pending adjudication issues were, they just said my claim was "being reviewed." It's been 5 WEEKS now! My employer definitely got notification that I filed (they told me they got it right at the beginning). But here's what's weird - I haven't received ANYTHING from ESD saying whether my employer responded or disputed my claim. Does the lack of communication mean everything is fine with my employer's response? Or should I be worried? Is 5 weeks normal for adjudication in 2025? How much longer should I expect to wait before I get a decision? Getting desperate here...

do u know what type of adjudication issues are on ur claim? like quit vs fired vs laid off? sometimes different issues take different amounts of time. mine was a quit issue and took 11 weeks! its ridiculous but just keep filing

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I was laid off due to budget cuts, so I thought it would be straightforward. The ESD person I talked to wouldn't tell me what specific issues they're reviewing. Maybe that's why it's taking so long? 11 weeks is insane!

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Another thing to consider - make sure your former employer is actually responding to ESD. Sometimes they don't respond at all, which can actually delay things even more because ESD has to make multiple attempts to contact them before moving forward. Have you tried contacting your former employer's HR department to confirm they've responded to ESD's requests?

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That's a good idea. I haven't reached out to my former employer about this. I'll contact HR tomorrow and see if they've responded to ESD. I was assuming no news was good news, but maybe they're just ignoring the requests!

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ESD Job Search Waiver for 64-year-old with lung issues near retirement?

My dad (64) just lost his job last week after working at the same company for 10 years. He's planning to officially retire in about 6 months, but needs unemployment benefits to bridge the gap. I'm trying to help him figure out the job search requirements. He has documented lung damage that limits what jobs he can do, and honestly, it seems ridiculous to make someone actively search for work when they're so close to retirement age. Does anyone know if ESD offers job search waivers for people in his situation? Can he get an exemption from the 3 job search activities per week requirement due to his health condition and/or age? He's really stressed about this and convinced he won't qualify for benefits because he can't physically handle the job search requirements. Any advice or links to official info would be incredibly helpful. Thanks!

my dad had to do this last year he got a note from his doctor saying he couldnt do certain jobs becuz of his back and esd gave him the waiver. he still had to be willing to work jobs he COULD do tho. its not like a total free pass but they dont make you apply for jobs you cant physically do

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That's reassuring to hear! My dad is definitely willing to work suitable jobs until retirement - he just physically can't handle anything requiring physical labor or exposure to harsh conditions because of his lungs. Did your dad have to wait a long time for approval?

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To answer your question about timing - job search waivers typically take 2-3 weeks to process in 2025, but it can take longer during busy periods. And yes, as others have mentioned, he MUST continue doing and documenting his job searches until he gets an official approval. One strategy while he waits: he can focus his job search activities on positions that would accommodate his health limitations. Informational interviews and career workshops also count as job search activities, which might be easier for him than actual applications. Make sure he keeps detailed records of all communications with ESD regarding the waiver request. If there's any confusion later, having documentation of when he applied for the waiver will be important.

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Thank you so much for all this information! I'll help him submit the waiver request ASAP and make sure he keeps up with the job search activities in the meantime. The workshop idea is brilliant - that would be much more manageable for him. Really appreciate everyone's help!

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Can't reach ESD for weeks - how to contact Governor's office about my stalled claim?

I've been trying to reach someone at ESD for 3 weeks now with absolutely zero luck. My claim is sitting there with no movement, bills are piling up, and I'm at my wit's end. I've tried calling at different times (early morning, mid-day, right before closing), sent messages through eServices, and even tried the callback feature but nothing works. Everyone says "be patient" but how patient can I be when rent is due?? Has anyone successfully reached out to the Governor's office about unemployment issues? Is there a specific email or phone number I should use? I've heard they can sometimes intervene when claims are stuck. Any advice would be really appreciated because I'm getting desperate here.

For your specific situation, I'd recommend you clearly document your financial hardship when communicating with ESD. Washington has a process for expediting claims where there's a risk of eviction or utility disconnection. When contacting them (through any method), explicitly state: 1. The exact number of days your claim has been pending 2. That you're at risk of eviction/utility disconnection 3. Any specific deadlines for payments you're facing Also, while waiting for resolution, make sure you continue filing your weekly claims without interruption. Missing even one weekly certification can further delay your payments once the claim is approved.

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Thank you - I've been keeping up with my weekly claims but I haven't specifically mentioned the financial hardship in my messages. I'll definitely add that detail going forward and try the expedited hardship route.

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Just want to add a quick update on my earlier comment - when contacting your state rep, email works better than calling in my experience. I got an auto-reply with a case number and then a real response within 48 hours. They asked for my claim ID and contact info, then reached out to their ESD liaison directly. My claim was resolved about 5 days later. Much faster than the governor's office route!

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That's really good to know, thank you! I'll email my rep today with all my claim details.

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6 weeks in ESD adjudication hell - governor's office won't answer either

I'm losing my mind here. Been stuck in adjudication for SIX WEEKS now with absolutely zero movement or explanation. My bills are piling up, and I'm about to lose my apartment. I've called the ESD number literally 30+ times a day, either get a busy signal or that stupid automated message saying they're experiencing high call volume. I even tried contacting the governor's office thinking they might be able to push things along, but nobody answers there either! I worked at the same manufacturing plant for 8 years before getting laid off when they moved operations overseas. This is ridiculous! Do I just keep waiting and hope I don't get evicted first? Has anyone actually managed to get through to a human being at ESD lately?

If your claim is stuck in adjudication for this long, it often means there's a specific issue they need to resolve. The most common causes are: - Your employer disputed something about your separation - There's a question about your availability for work - There's a discrepancy in your reported work history - You have wages from multiple states The key is getting someone on the phone who can tell you exactly what's holding things up. Once you know the specific issue, you can address it directly. I recommend calling right when they open at 8am - that's when your chances are best. Also, Thursdays and Fridays tend to have shorter wait times than Mondays and Tuesdays. Don't give up. Keep documenting all your attempts to contact them (dates/times). This can be helpful if you need to show you've been trying consistently to resolve the issue.

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I've been calling at 8am sharp for the past three weeks with no luck. I'm pretty sure my employer isn't disputing anything since we were all laid off when they moved operations overseas, but I guess I can't know for sure until I talk to someone. I'll try the Thursday/Friday approach this week.

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Update: I just got through to ESD this morning after trying that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. It actually worked! Found out my claim was stuck because they needed to verify my identity (never told me this) and the agent was able to clear it on the spot. My payments should start processing in 48 hours. Just wanted to let you know there's hope!

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That's amazing news! I'm going to try that service today. So relieved to hear you got it resolved. Did they give you any back pay for all the weeks you were waiting?

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Yes, they're processing all 7 weeks I was waiting at once. The agent said I should see the deposit by Friday. Such a relief! Good luck with yours!

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