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I'm having the exact same issue! Started yesterday when I tried to file my weekly claim. I keep getting that firewall block message no matter what I do. It's so stressful because I don't want to miss my filing deadline. I tried switching from my home WiFi to mobile data but still getting blocked. Really glad to see I'm not the only one - I was starting to think I did something wrong with my account. Going to try the incognito mode suggestion right now!
I'm dealing with the same thing! Just tried incognito mode after reading the suggestions here and it worked for me. If that doesn't work for you, definitely try waiting 30 minutes between attempts - someone mentioned that helped them. Also good to know from @Kingston Bellamy s'update that ESD won t'penalize us for late filing due to this firewall issue. Hope you get through soon!
This is such a relief to find this thread! I've been trying to file my weekly claim since yesterday morning and keep getting hit with that firewall block. I was starting to panic thinking my account got flagged for something. After reading through all these responses, I tried the incognito/private browsing method and it worked! Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions. For anyone else still struggling - the private browsing mode really does seem to bypass whatever security issue they're having. And knowing there's a grace period from ESD for this issue takes a huge weight off my shoulders. Hopefully they get this sorted out by Monday like they said!
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Just went through this whole process myself after getting laid off from my software engineering job in November. Can confirm the $999 maximum is correct for 2025. With your $95k salary you should definitely qualify for close to the max - I was making around $85k and got $876/week. One thing nobody mentioned yet is that Washington ESD has been processing claims faster lately compared to the horror stories from 2020-2021. My initial claim took about 10 days to get approved, which was way better than I expected. Also heads up that the job search requirements are no joke - they really do audit people's WorkSourceWA activity logs. I got randomly selected for a review after 8 weeks and had to provide detailed documentation of all my job search activities. Make sure you're logging everything properly from week one. The direct deposit setup is crucial too - I made that mistake initially and waited 3 weeks for my first paper check to arrive. Once I switched to direct deposit, payments came like clockwork every Tuesday.
Thanks for sharing your recent experience! It's really reassuring to hear that processing times have improved - I was worried about waiting months based on the horror stories from the pandemic era. The fact that you got $876/week with an $85k salary gives me a good benchmark for what to expect with my $95k. I definitely won't make the paper check mistake - direct deposit from day one for sure! The job search audit situation sounds intense but good to know they're actually checking. I'll make sure to be super detailed with my WorkSourceWA logging from the start. Did you find the 3 activities per week requirement hard to meet, or was it pretty manageable once you got into a routine?
Hey Amelia! As someone who just went through the unemployment filing process in Washington, I can confirm the $999 maximum is accurate for 2025. With your $95k tech salary, you should definitely qualify for close to the max amount - probably around $900-950 per week based on your earnings. A few tips from my recent experience: File your claim online as soon as possible since there's a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Make sure to set up direct deposit immediately - paper checks can take weeks to arrive. Also, register with WorkSourceWA right away and start documenting your job search activities from day one. They require 3 job search activities per week and they do audit people randomly. The good news is that Washington ESD has been processing claims much faster lately compared to the pandemic years. My claim was approved in about 2 weeks. Just make sure all your employment information is accurate when you file - any discrepancies can trigger adjudication which delays everything. Given the current tech job market, hopefully you won't need the full 26 weeks of benefits, but it's good to know you'll have that safety net while you search for your next opportunity!
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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - 8 weeks stuck in adjudication, facing eviction, the whole nightmare. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the governor's office AND my state senator's office on the same day, then followed up with written complaints to both within 24 hours. The key was being very specific about the timeline and financial impact. In your written communication, include: - Exact dates of when you filed and when adjudication started - Number of attempted contacts with ESD (you mentioned 23 calls) - Specific financial hardship (mention the apartment situation with timeline) - Your claim number and contact info The senator's office actually got back to me first and had someone from ESD call me within 3 business days. Turns out my case was just sitting in a queue with no one assigned to review it. Sometimes you really do need that external pressure to get things moving. Don't give up - 9 weeks is definitely long enough to warrant escalation. You're not asking for special treatment, just for them to do their job.
This is exactly the kind of detailed roadmap I needed! Thank you for breaking down the specific steps and what to include in the written complaints. It's really encouraging to hear that someone in a similar situation actually got results. I'm going to call both offices tomorrow morning and then send follow-up letters with all those details you mentioned. The fact that your case was just sitting unassigned is so frustrating but at least gives me hope that mine might be the same situation. I really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you!
I've been watching this thread and wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. The Washington State Office of the Ombuds can sometimes help with state agency issues like this. Their number is 1-800-562-6028 and they have a specific process for ESD complaints. What made the difference in my case was calling them AND filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against ESD at the same time. The BBB complaint creates a paper trail that agencies have to respond to within a certain timeframe. It sounds like overkill, but when you're facing eviction, you need to hit them from multiple angles. Also, if you do get through to ESD (whether through Claimyr or the governor's office), ask to speak with a supervisor immediately. Don't let them tell you to "just wait" - after 9 weeks you have every right to demand escalation within their system. Get the supervisor's name and direct number if possible. Hang in there - I know how hopeless this feels but you're doing all the right things by reaching out everywhere you can.
Wow, I had no idea about the Ombuds office or the BBB option - thank you for sharing these additional resources! It's overwhelming to think about hitting them from all these different angles, but you're absolutely right that desperate times call for multiple approaches. I'm definitely going to add both of these to my action plan for this week. The tip about demanding to speak with a supervisor right away is gold - I've been way too polite in my previous calls when I should have been more assertive after waiting this long. Really appreciate everyone in this thread sharing what actually worked for them instead of just sympathy. Gives me hope that there's light at the end of this tunnel!
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I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my company had layoffs. The advice here is spot on - file that first Sunday after your last day of work. I had all my documents ready and the online application took about 40 minutes to complete. One thing I'd add is to screenshot or print your confirmation page after you submit - I had a minor glitch where my application seemed to disappear for a day and having that confirmation number helped when I called. The waiting week goes by faster than you think, and then the weekly claims become routine. You've got this!
That's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing recently! The screenshot tip is brilliant - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense given how many online systems have glitches. I'm definitely going to do that when I file. It's also good to know the whole process becomes routine after that initial hurdle. Thanks for the encouragement - feeling much better about tackling this now.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you understand Washington's work search requirements before you start collecting. You'll need to complete 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. Activities can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or even informational interviews. The key is documenting everything properly because they can audit your job search log at any time. I'd recommend setting up your WorkSourceWA account early so you're ready to track your activities from day one. It's also worth noting that some people may qualify for reduced work search requirements depending on their situation - like if you're in a union with a callback date or participating in approved training programs.
This is really valuable information about the work search requirements - I was wondering about that but hadn't looked into the specifics yet. Three activities per week seems manageable, and it's good to know that networking and informational interviews count too, not just formal job applications. I'll definitely set up my WorkSourceWA account ahead of time like you suggested. The audit possibility is a bit nerve-wracking but as long as I'm documenting everything honestly it should be fine. Do you know if volunteer work or skills training courses count toward the job search activities, or is it strictly job-hunting related stuff?
Volunteer work typically doesn't count toward the job search requirement since it's not directly related to finding employment. However, skills training courses can count if they're approved by Washington ESD and directly related to improving your employability in your field. The key is that activities need to be aimed at securing employment. Things like updating your LinkedIn profile, attending industry meetups, or taking relevant online courses through platforms like Coursera can also qualify as long as you document how they relate to your job search goals.
Ethan Brown
I'm currently going through this same identity verification adjudication process - filed about 3 weeks ago after my temp contract ended and I've been in "adjudication in progress" status ever since. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring! I was definitely starting to spiral thinking something was wrong with my application, but it sounds like this is just the normal (albeit slow) process for first-time claimants like myself. I've been filing my weekly claims religiously and just started doing the job search activities after reading the advice here. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully got through this process, did ESD send you any kind of notification when the identity verification was complete, or did you just notice the status change when you logged into your account? I'm checking eServices probably way too often but I don't want to miss anything important! Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and advice - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with this stressful waiting period.
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Sara Unger
•Hey Ethan! I went through this same process about 8 months ago and I totally understand that obsessive checking of eServices - I was doing the same thing! To answer your question, when my identity verification was finally approved, I got both an email notification AND a message in my eServices account on the same day. The status changed from "adjudication in progress" to "approved" and all my pending weekly claims got processed within 24 hours. You'll definitely know when it happens! The waiting at 3 weeks is tough but you're right in the normal timeframe. Just keep doing exactly what you're doing - filing weekly and documenting those job searches. Hang in there, you're almost through the worst part of the wait!
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Luca Esposito
I'm also dealing with identity verification adjudication right now - filed about 2 weeks ago after my seasonal job ended and got the same "adjudication in progress" status. This thread has been a lifesaver! I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my application, but hearing from so many people who went through the exact same thing is incredibly reassuring. I've been filing my weekly claims but honestly hadn't started the job search activities yet because I thought "what's the point if I'm not approved?" - clearly I need to get on that ASAP! It's encouraging to hear about people getting substantial back pay once everything gets sorted out. The waiting is definitely stressful when you're watching your savings dwindle, but at least now I know this is normal and I just need to be patient and keep following the process. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and advice - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel!
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