


Ask the community...
I'm in a similar situation right now - filed about 10 days ago and still showing "pending employer response." Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful. It sounds like most people eventually get approved even when employers don't respond, which is reassuring. I've been keeping up with my weekly claims like others suggested. Has anyone had luck calling Washington ESD directly to get an update on timeline, or is it pretty much just a waiting game?
From what I've seen in this thread and my own experience, calling Washington ESD directly is usually more frustrating than helpful - you'll likely spend hours on hold or get disconnected. The waiting game seems to be the reality for most people. Since you're at 10 days, you're getting close to that typical 2-3 week timeframe where non-responsive employer claims usually get processed. Keep doing those weekly claims and checking your account regularly. The fact that most people here eventually got approved even with unresponsive employers should give you some confidence that yours will move forward soon too.
I'm going through this exact same situation right now - filed about 10 days ago and still stuck on "pending employer response." Reading through all these experiences has been really helpful and honestly a bit of a relief. It sounds like most people do eventually get approved even when employers don't respond, which gives me some hope. I've been religiously doing my weekly claims and checking my account multiple times a day (probably obsessively at this point). The waiting and not knowing what's happening is definitely the most stressful part. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - it helps to know I'm not alone in this frustrating process.
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.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My claim has been in adjudication since July 15th with absolutely no communication from ESD. It's so frustrating to see that portal just sitting there showing "pending" day after day. I've been filing my weekly claims religiously too but zero payments. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and terrifying - reassuring that I'm not alone in this mess, but terrifying that some people have waited 12+ weeks! I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that Brady mentioned because I've called ESD probably 15 times and can never get through to a human. @Daniel Rivera - please keep us updated on how your interviews go and whether you end up getting your backpay sorted out. We're all in this together and it helps to know we're not going crazy dealing with this broken system.
@Clay blendedgen I m'so sorry you re'dealing with this too! It s'honestly a relief to hear from someone else in the exact same situation - I was starting to think there was something uniquely wrong with my claim. July 15th is even longer than mine, that s'just insane. I think I m'going to try the Claimyr service this week too since multiple people here have mentioned it. At this point I figure it s'worth a shot if it can actually get me through to someone who can tell me what s'going on. Even if they can t'fix it immediately, at least I d'know if there s'something specific holding it up or if it s'just the normal bureaucratic slowness. I ll'definitely update everyone here once I know more - whether from the interviews or if I manage to get through to ESD. Fingers crossed we both get some movement on our claims soon. This whole system really is broken when people are waiting months with zero communication. Stay strong!
Here's what I suggest based on helping several people through similar situations: 1. First, file an appeal specifically about the hour calculation. Bring any evidence showing more hours worked (paystubs, timesheets, etc). 2. Contact your State Representative's office. They have liaisons who can often get answers from ESD much faster than you can alone. 3. For those original 3 weeks showing as pending: call ESD specifically about those. They might be able to release those payments since they're from your previous claim that you were eligible for. 4. Don't wait until January to file a new claim - mark your calendar for exactly January 1st, 2026 and apply that day to include Q3 hours. 5. In the meantime, register with WorkSource immediately. They can help with job search and might know of short-term opportunities while you wait. The system is frustrating but navigable with persistence!
Did you submit ALL your paystubs when you reapplied? I found out that my employer didn't report all my hours to ESD correctly, which is why my hours were short. If you have paystubs showing more hours than what ESD is counting, definitely appeal and submit those documents. Also - about changing careers - WorkSource has some great retraining programs that can even extend your benefits while you learn a new skill. Worth looking into!
I think I did submit everything, but now I'm not 100% sure. Going to double-check all my records tonight. That WorkSource retraining program sounds perfect for my situation - do you know if I need to qualify for regular unemployment first before I can get into their programs?
You don't necessarily need to qualify for regular unemployment first for some WorkSource programs! They have different funding streams - some are through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) that don't require UI eligibility. I'd recommend calling your local WorkSource office directly to ask about your options. They can sometimes even help with supportive services like transportation assistance while you're in training. Given your 15 years of work history, you'd likely be a strong candidate for their programs.
Update us on how it goes! Always helpful to hear how others' claims process, especially for situations like yours without formal termination documentation.
I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when my construction job ended abruptly. No termination letter, just told to clean out my locker and leave. I was stressed about filing but went ahead anyway. Washington ESD approved my claim without any issues - they called my former employer to verify the layoff and that was it. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks from filing to first payment. Don't let the lack of paperwork stop you from filing right away!
Keisha Robinson
Update us on how your claim goes! I'm in a similar situation and would love to hear how the process works out for you.
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Carmen Reyes
•Will do! Planning to file this weekend and I'll post an update once I hear back from Washington ESD. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice.
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Paolo Conti
•Good luck! Sounds like you have a solid case with all your documentation.
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Omar Zaki
I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. Got fired from my retail job for missing work due to a severe migraine condition that flared up multiple times. Even though I had medical documentation and followed all their procedures, they still terminated me for exceeding attendance limits. I was terrified to file for unemployment because of the termination reason, but I'm so glad I did. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 4 weeks of investigation. The key was that I had consistent medical records and proof that I always called in properly. Don't let the "fired for cause" label scare you - file your claim and let the experts determine if it meets the legal definition of misconduct. In your case with doctor's notes and proper notification, you have a really strong case. The worst thing you can do is not file at all.
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James Maki
•This is so reassuring to hear! Your situation sounds almost identical to mine - having medical documentation but still getting terminated for attendance. The 4 week investigation timeline is helpful to know too. Did Washington ESD contact your former employer during their investigation, and if so, did that create any issues? I'm a bit nervous about them reaching out to my old boss since things were pretty tense by the end.
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Oliver Fischer
•Yes, Washington ESD did contact my former employer as part of their standard investigation process. They requested documentation about the company's attendance policy and details about my specific termination. My former manager wasn't thrilled about it, but they're legally required to provide factual information. The good news is that employers can only report the facts - they can't embellish or give opinions. Since you followed proper procedures and have medical documentation, the facts should work in your favor. The investigation process is actually designed to be objective and protect workers from unfair denials. Don't worry too much about the tension with your old boss - focus on the documentation you have that proves you handled everything correctly.
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