I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! My Washington ESD claim has been stuck on pending for 4 weeks now with zero explanation. I've tried calling probably 30+ times and either get busy signals immediately or sit on hold for hours before getting disconnected. It's incredibly stressful not knowing if there's an actual problem or if I'm just supposed to keep waiting indefinitely. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like speaking with an agent is really the only way to find out what's actually wrong, but their phone system seems designed to prevent that from happening. I'm seriously considering trying Claimyr after reading all these positive reviews - $20 seems reasonable if it actually gets me through to someone who can tell me what's holding up my claim. The uncertainty is honestly the worst part of this whole process!

I'm in a very similar situation - my claim has been pending for 7 weeks now and I'm getting really desperate for answers. Like everyone else here, I've tried calling Washington ESD dozens of times but can never get through. What's really concerning me after reading all these comments is how many people discovered their claims were stuck due to issues that weren't visible in their online accounts at all - employer disputes, identity verification flags, wage record problems, even system glitches. It seems like the online portal just shows "pending" regardless of what's actually wrong behind the scenes. I think I'm going to try Claimyr this week based on all the positive experiences people have shared here. At this point, $20 is a small price to pay for finally getting some answers instead of continuing to waste hours every day calling with no success. The stress of not knowing what's wrong or how long this might take is honestly affecting my mental health at this point.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm a newcomer to unemployment benefits and seeing "Processing-IVR" on my claim this morning sent me into a panic. Reading through everyone's experiences here really helps clarify that it's just a technical status indicating phone system interaction, not something to immediately worry about. Sofia, thank you so much for updating with your resolution - it's such a relief to see a success story! The fact that your real issue was a hidden employer response problem that wasn't visible in your account is really important for others to know. Connor's troubleshooting checklist is also fantastic - I'm going to work through all those steps. It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate such a confusing system. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

I'm new to unemployment benefits and just saw "Processing-IVR" appear on my claim today after I called to verify my identity yesterday. This thread is so helpful - I was getting really worried about what it meant! Reading everyone's experiences here, especially Sofia's success story, gives me hope that this is just a normal part of the process when you interact with ESD by phone instead of online. It's reassuring to know that the status itself isn't the problem, but I'll definitely keep Connor's checklist in mind and be proactive about calling if my payments don't come through in a reasonable timeframe. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this community is invaluable for navigating such a confusing system!

Hope this helps everyone! The key is persistence and having multiple strategies. Don't rely on just one approach - try calling at different times, use the messaging system, and consider services like Claimyr if you're really stuck.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months now and here's what I've learned: The main number 800-318-6022 is correct, but timing is everything. I've had the best luck calling exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - set multiple alarms and start dialing right on the dot. Also, if you get through to the automated system, don't hang up even if it says they're experiencing high call volume. Sometimes you'll get placed in a callback queue where they'll call you back within a few hours instead of making you wait on hold. Save yourself the headache and have your SSN, claim number, and recent employer info ready before you even dial.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more confident about filing my weekly claim now. Going to try the phone system this week.

Just wanted to add that if you're filing by phone and have any earnings to report from part-time work, make sure you have the exact gross amount ready before you call. The automated system will ask for the specific dollar amount you earned during that week, and you can't go back to correct it once you've entered it. I learned this the hard way when I had to call back and file all over again because I accidentally reported my net pay instead of gross pay.

One more helpful tip - set a weekly reminder on your phone or calendar to file your claim! I use Sunday at 7 AM so I never forget. Missing even one week can really complicate things, and it's so easy to lose track of time when you're dealing with unemployment stress. The consistency helps make it feel less overwhelming too.

Just want to add - when you're filing your weekly claim, pay attention to the questions about being "able and available" for work. If you're sick or have other circumstances that prevent you from working that week, you need to answer honestly. I made the mistake of saying I was available when I had the flu, and it caused issues later when they cross-referenced with my job search activities (or lack thereof that week). It's better to be truthful even if it affects that week's benefits than to risk having problems down the road.