The same thing is happening to me right now but my letter said I'm approved starting November 1st. I've been trying to call ESD but it's impossible to get through! I've been hung up on 8 times already this week. Did you get this resolved yet? Did you have to do anything special to get someone on the phone?

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning! The agent confirmed exactly what you all said - the approval went through in their system but the disqualification flag wasn't removed. She fixed it while I was on the phone and said all my weekly claims should update to 'paid' status within 2-3 business days. She also said I should receive all the back payments for the weeks that were showing as disqualified (but that I had filed for) in one lump sum. Such a relief! For anyone else dealing with this issue, definitely call and specifically mention the 'disqualification flag' - that seemed to help the agent understand exactly what needed to be fixed.

That's a really good point I hadn't considered. I work in tourism and it's definitely seasonal, but I don't have any guarantee of being rehired next summer - they just lay us all off in winter when visitor numbers drop. Should I specifically mention that in my claim?

Yes, absolutely mention that! When filing your new claim, there should be a section asking about the reason for separation. Select

I had a hearing last year about being fired vs. laid off and let me tell you my story real quick. I thought the hearing went terrible because my boss kept interrupting me and the judge seemed annoyed with both of us. But guess what? I actually won! Got my decision letter after about 2.5 weeks and all my back benefits came through the following week. It was over $5,000 they owed me! So don't lose hope even if you think it went badly. Sometimes these judges are just hard to read.

One important thing to remember is that if you win and they rule in your favor, sometimes the employer can also appeal the decision to the Commissioner's Review Office. So even winning at the OAH level doesn't always mean the case is finished. However, the good news is that ESD will typically begin paying benefits after an OAH decision in your favor, even if the employer appeals. But be aware you could potentially have to repay them if the employer wins at a higher appeal level.

Thank you for these practical suggestions. I'm definitely going to call all my creditors tomorrow and explain the situation. I didn't think about keeping screenshots - that's a really good idea. And I'll look into legal aid if this drags on much longer. It helps to know I'm not alone in dealing with this nightmare.

My brother works at a bank and said they're seeing TONS of ESD delays right now. Something about a new payment processing system ESD is implementing. He said their branch has been reversing overdraft fees for customers with pending ESD deposits as a courtesy. Doesn't hurt to ask!

yah this happens sometimes. the phone system is actually more reliable than the website ime. wait til tomorrow and check again before u do anything else

Update: You all were right! I checked this morning and now the website is showing my claim as "Processing" with yesterday's date. Looks like it just needed some time for the systems to sync up. Thank you everyone for the advice and keeping me from panicking or filing twice!

If you're worried about finances while waiting, remember to continue filing your weekly claims even though they'll show as

Thank you - I've been filing my weekly claims religiously even with the disqualification status. I'll check out the hardship resources in my county. Appreciate the suggestion!

@profile6 Yes, Claimyr definitely works. I was skeptical too, but after trying to get through for days with no luck, I was desperate. They don't replace the ESD service - they just help you get connected to the actual ESD agents without the endless hold times and disconnections. The agents who answer are the same government employees who would help you anyway.

Update: I got through to ESD this morning! I called right when they opened at 8am and only waited about 15 minutes. The agent was really helpful and confirmed that I had accidentally filed a subsequent claim. She said it was likely because I answered 'yes' to a question about having worked in the last 18 months (which I had). She was able to convert my application to an initial claim and said everything should process normally now. For anyone else who makes this mistake, definitely call and get it fixed ASAP! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

This happened to me but turned out my internet was the problem! My router was acting up. Have you tried using completely different internet connection like at a library or coffee shop?

UPDATE FROM ESD: I just spoke with an ESD technical support representative who confirmed they're experiencing issues with their enhanced security system. Here's the official information: 1. The firewall issue is affecting approximately 15% of users when filing weekly claims 2. It's primarily triggered by multiple login attempts, certain browsers, or specific network configurations 3. They expect to have a patch implemented by Monday, April 14, 2025 4. In the meantime, they recommend using private/incognito browsing mode or the ESD mobile app 5. If you're still blocked, call the technical support line at 855-682-0785 Most importantly, they've implemented a grace period for anyone affected by this issue. You won't be penalized if your claim is filed late due to the firewall problem. Just document your attempts (screenshots if possible) and note the issue when you do get through.

One thing nobody has mentioned - check your spam folder for emails from ESD. I had a claim in adjudication and they sent a request for documents that went straight to my spam folder. I didn't see it for 3 weeks and that delayed everything. Also double check that the contact info in your ESD profile is 100% correct - wrong phone numbers are a common issue.

One final piece of advice - document everything. Keep a log of all your weekly claims with confirmation numbers, take screenshots of your claim status showing the adjudication date, and note any attempts to contact ESD. If there are any issues with backpay once your claim is processed, this documentation will be crucial for proving you did everything correctly on your end.

this is why i always come to this forum instead of trusting what ESD says lol. half the time they give wrong info!!!!

Fingers crossed for you! The processing status is definitely a good sign compared to disqualified. The system is so frustrating sometimes, but glad you're making progress!