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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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The entire ESD system is DELIBERATELY DESIGNED to be confusing and trip people up so they can deny benefits!!! I went through this exact situation last year and ended up getting disqualified because I didn't know I still needed to do job searches when filing by phone. No one told me! The automated system doesn't tell you! They sent me a letter MONTHS later saying I owed $4,800 in overpayments because I failed a job search review. The system is RIGGED against claimants. They don't want to pay benefits so they make the process as complicated as possible hoping people will make mistakes.
While I understand your frustration, the job search requirement is clearly stated in the claimant handbook and on the ESD website. It's a requirement regardless of how you file your weekly claim. Did you appeal the overpayment? Sometimes they'll work with you if it was a genuine misunderstanding.
When I had to file by phone once during a power outage, I actually used my neighbor's internet the next day to log into my eServices account and add my job search activities after I'd already filed by phone. There's a section where you can view and edit your job search activities separate from filing your weekly claim. Not sure if that's still possible in 2025, but might be worth checking once your internet is back!
That's good to know! I'll definitely look for that option when my internet comes back. Would be nice to have everything properly documented in the system rather than just in my notebook.
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my neighbors cousins was in adjudiction for 3 months!!! but that was back in 2023 so maybe its faster now. but yeah the systems still a mess from what i can tell
Quick update on timeframes based on recent cases I've seen: Current ESD adjudication is averaging 5-7 weeks for standard issues. Senator intervention is helping, but their offices are getting flooded with requests which is diluting the effectiveness somewhat. One thing to verify: check that your identification verification is complete and shows "verified" in your account. That's often an invisible blocker that keeps claims stuck.
Just checked and my ID verification does show as "verified" so at least that's not the issue. I'm about 6 weeks in now, so hopefully I'm nearing the end of this nightmare based on your timeframes. Thanks for the insight!
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To answer your follow-up question - yes, the monetary determination letter means you're eligible based on your past earnings. You should definitely start filing weekly claims right away. Just because your status can change later (as others have mentioned) doesn't mean you should delay filing. Each week you don't file is potentially lost benefits that can't be recovered later. Regarding your employer - there's no direct way to see if they've contested anything, but if they had immediately disputed your claim, you likely wouldn't have seen the status change to active so quickly. Most employer disputes show up within the first 10 days, though they technically have more time than that. If your separation was a departmental layoff as you mentioned, it's very likely your claim will remain approved. Just make sure you're doing your 3 job search activities every week and documenting them properly.
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! I'll start filing my weekly claims right away and make sure to keep up with the job search requirements. This whole system is more complicated than I expected, but I feel much better now understanding how it works.
anyone else notice how ESD seems to be speeding up for some people but still keeping others waiting FOREVER??? seems totally UNFAIR how they pick and choose who to process quickly!
It's actually based on complexity factors rather than random selection. Claims with clear documentation, no employer disputes, straightforward work history, and standard separation reasons (like layoffs) can be processed much faster with their new automated system. Claims that involve multiple employers, unusual separation circumstances, potential availability issues, or employer disputes require human review, which takes longer. The system is prioritizing claims that can be quickly resolved while ensuring complex cases still get proper review.
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Unfortunately, I think you've missed the window for unemployment benefits from that job. The deadline is usually within 6 months of separation, and it's been well over a year now. However, since you mentioned you got your cosmetology license, have you considered looking into any of the Work Source programs? They might be able to help you find flexible work options that could accommodate your needs while bringing in some income. Also, as others have mentioned, PFML is probably your best option right now. Washington has one of the better PFML programs in the country, and it specifically covers recovery from childbirth. The application process is completely separate from unemployment. Whatever you do, don't give up. The system is complicated, but there are resources available.
Thank you - I hadn't thought about Work Source. I will definitely look into that for the future. My cosmetology license is still good, and once I'm physically and mentally ready to work again, I'd love to find something part-time that works with my disability needs. Right now I'm focusing on the PFML option since that seems most relevant to my current situation with the recent C-section.
The ESD phone lines are IMPOSSIBLE!! I spent 3 weeks trying to get through about my claim last month. If u need to talk to someone try early morning like 7:59am right when they open. Or use that Claimyr thing someone mentioned, my friend said it actually works.
OMG this is so true. I literally had to set an alarm for 7:55am and start calling over and over until I got through. Took me 4 days of trying this before I finally didn't get a busy signal. The whole system is broken.
Yara Haddad
Don't forget that working part-time might qualify you for partial unemployment too!! I work part time and get a small UI payment each week. It's not much but every bit helps!
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Keisha Robinson
•This is an important point. Even if your part-time earnings reduce your weekly benefit, you should still file every week. As long as you receive at least $1 in UI benefits for a week, you also get the working connections benefit which gives you a discount on your health insurance through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. That alone can be worth hundreds of dollars monthly.
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Zainab Khalil
Another thing to consider is that sometimes working part-time can help extend your benefit year. Since you won't be drawing your full WBA each week when you have part-time earnings, your total benefit amount will last longer. Just make sure that your part-time work doesn't interfere with your availability for full-time work, as that's a requirement for receiving UI benefits. You need to be able and available for suitable full-time work and actively seeking it.
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Sofia Ramirez
•That's a really good point! I didn't think about stretching out my benefits that way. I'm definitely still looking for full-time work - just trying to bridge the gap financially with part-time hours. Thanks for all the helpful info everyone - this makes the whole process much clearer!
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