i tried calling 37 times yesterday no joke

Update: I tried that Claimyr service and it actually worked! Got a call back from ESD within 2 hours. The agent said my claim was delayed because of the severance calculation, but since I've been waiting 4+ weeks already, she expedited it. Should be processed within 3-5 business days. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

The whole system is RIGGED against workers!! Of course they share everything with employers - the ESD is in the pocket of big business!!! I submitted evidence last year and my employer straight-up LIED about what happened in their response. The adjudicator believed them even though I had proof!!! Had to appeal to OAH and waste MONTHS of my life fighting for benefits I deserved. The system is designed to wear you down until you give up. FIGHT BACK and don't let them intimidate you!!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to update after talking to my adjudicator directly. She confirmed that yes, my employer will see most documents I submit, but she also said I can request certain sensitive items be marked for "adjudicator review only" if they contain personal information beyond what's needed for the claim decision. I ended up submitting everything including the texts since they directly relate to why I left. The adjudicator actually thanked me for being thorough with my evidence. Still waiting on the decision, but feeling better about the process now. Thanks for all the advice!

Pro tip: document EVERYTHING. Take screenshots of all confirmations when you submit documents. Write down dates, times and names when you talk to anyone. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you send them. The system is a mess right now and I had to prove multiple times that I had already submitted certain documents.

When I had my baby last year I went from regular UI to PFML and it actually only took 2 weeks!!! But my coworker who did the same thing a month later waited for almost 7 weeks. I think it's totally random and depends on who processes your claim. Just bad luck sometimes.

i got this message to but didnt even notice til i saw your post lol. i just file anyway and got paid like normal so i think its fine.

When I first started on unemployment last year I got so confused about when weeks begin and end! I remember submitting for the wrong week and having to call and sort it all out. Such a pain! But yeah, this is definitely just an error in their messaging. The actual claim period should be correct when you go to file.

Idk if this is helpful but I had a weird experience with adjudication last month. Was stuck for 3 weeks, then suddenly got a call from an ESD agent at like 7:30am! They just had one quick question, I answered, and my payments started processing the next day. So maybe keep your phone nearby even at odd hours?

Quick update on adjudication timeframes - ESD just announced they're working to reduce the current backlog and have added additional adjudicators. While their official target is still 3 weeks, many claims are taking 4-5 weeks right now. One recommendation: make sure you're completing your work search activities and documenting them correctly while you wait. I've seen cases where claims finally make it through adjudication only to be held up because of incomplete job search records.

my cousin works at esd and says their whole computer system is a mess since the 2025 upgrade. apparently the verification system and the payment system aren't talking to each other properly. lots of claims are getting stuck in this weird limbo where the docs are verified but the payment release doesn't happen automatically like it should. she says they're totally overwhelmed with these cases.

I had the exact same problem last month - stuck in ID verification for 7 weeks despite uploading crystal clear documents. The regular phone line was completely useless (when I could even get through). One thing I discovered is that if you go to your nearest WorkSource office in person, they sometimes have direct lines to ESD specialists who can help with these identity verification issues. I went to the one in Tacoma and the staff person there made a call on my behalf to someone who could actually see what was happening with my claim. Turned out my verification had passed weeks ago but was stuck in what they called a "technical exception queue" waiting for manual review. The in-person WorkSource staff escalated it for me, and my claim was paid three days later. Might be worth trying if the Governor's Office approach doesn't work for anyone.

BTW they should backpay you for all those weeks in adjudication as long as you filed your weekly claims during that time. that was a lifesaver for me when i finally got approved after waiting forever

I wish ESD would stop using these vague status terms without explaining what they mean anywhere on their website! My neighbor works for DSHS and she says they get constant calls from people confused about their claim status because the terminology is so unclear. Active should definitely mean approved though, so hopefully you'll see money soon!

Here's a strategy that often works for pending claims: 1. Contact your state representative or senator's office - they have liaisons who can contact ESD directly 2. Provide your claim ID, contact info, and a brief explanation of the delay 3. Sign their privacy release form so they can inquire on your behalf I was an ESD adjudicator before switching careers, and legislative inquiries always got fast-tracked. It's not ideal that it works this way, but it often gets results within 7-10 days versus months of waiting.

I waited like 5 months last year lol. Then got all the backpay at once which was nice but still had to max out credit cards waiting. The system is broken but they do pay eventually if you're eligible.

btw those emails are good sometimes tho,, I actually got a decent job lead from 1 of the hiring events last month so dont ignore them completely maybe

Quick tip about WorkSource emails - they typically use this format for different communications: - "INFORMATION ONLY" emails = optional events, resources - "ACTION REQUIRED" emails = mandatory stuff that affects benefits - "REMINDER" emails = could be either type Always check the subject line and first paragraph to determine if it's mandatory. And remember, you can always count event attendance as one of your three weekly activities, so they can be useful even though they're optional.

Just to add some clarification about what's actually happening: When claims get stuck, it's often because they're flagged for manual review but haven't been assigned to an adjudicator due to backlog. What the Governor's office does is essentially flag your claim for priority handling, moving it to the front of the queue. It's not that they're suddenly approving claims that weren't valid - they're just ensuring someone actually looks at your claim sooner rather than later. This is why it's important that your claim is legitimate and all documentation is already uploaded. They won't approve anything that doesn't qualify, but they will make sure it gets reviewed promptly.

My BFF works at ESD (don't want to say which office lol) and she says they're still super understaffed since covid. Like they lost a ton of experienced people and the new folks are still learning the system. That's why so many claims get stuck - the complicated ones need experienced staff to review them but there aren't enough to go around. She actually suggested the governor's office trick to me before when my neighbor was having issues!