Approved for ESD unemployment but weekly claims show disqualified - can't reach anyone by phone!

The same exact thing happened to me back in March! My claim was approved but like 6 weeks of weekly claims still showed as disqualified. I eventually got it fixed but it took FOREVER to reach someone. Keep trying the phone lines right when they open at 8am - that's when I finally got through after trying for weeks.

Thanks for the tip! I've been trying midday mostly. Did they fix your disqualified weeks right away once you got through? I'm just wondering if I need to prepare for even more waiting after I finally reach someone.

This is actually a common issue with ESD's system. When your initial claim gets approved, it doesn't automatically update your previous weekly claims from disqualified to payable. Each weekly claim needs to be manually reviewed and changed to payable status by an agent. The system is ridiculous but that's how it works. You absolutely need to speak with an agent to get this fixed.

Wow that makes NO sense! Why wouldn't they just update everything automatically once they've decided you're eligible? The ESD system feels designed to be as frustrating as possible!!!

have you tried the online chat? sometimes thats easier to get through

Is there an online chat option? I've only seen the message center in eServices. If there's a chat function I'd definitely try that!

There's no live chat function with ESD. The only contact options are phone, the message center in eServices, or visiting a WorkSource office in person (though they can't directly access or change your claim status there).

After dealing with a similar situation (approved claim but disqualified weeklies), I discovered Claimyr and it was a LIFESAVER. I was about ready to drive to an ESD office and camp out after weeks of trying to call. Claimyr connects you with an ESD agent way faster than calling directly. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3\n\nIt worked for me and I finally got my disqualified weeks changed to paid. The agent told me this happens all the time and they have to manually fix each week.

Thank you SO MUCH for this suggestion! I'm going to check this out right now. At this point I'll try anything that might help me get through to someone.

is this like legit?? sounds kinda sketch to have a service just to call unemployment for you...

It doesn't call for you - it holds your place in line and calls you when it's about to connect with an agent. Then you talk directly to ESD yourself. I was skeptical too but it actually worked for me after wasting weeks trying to call on my own.

I worked as an ESD claims specialist for 6 years before retiring in 2022. Here's what's happening: When your initial claim is approved, the system doesn't automatically reverse previous disqualifications. Those weekly claims need to be individually adjusted by an agent.\n\nA few recommendations:\n\n1. Continue filing your weekly claims even while trying to get this resolved\n2. Call exactly at 8:00am when the phone lines open\n3. Try Thursdays and Fridays - typically lower call volumes\n4. Be prepared with your claim ID and a list of the weeks that show as disqualified\n5. When you do get through, ask the agent to check if there are any additional issues that might be causing the disqualification beyond the initial eligibility determination\n\nOnce an agent reviews your case, they can typically change the status of those weeks immediately, though payment processing may take 24-48 hours to appear in your account.

Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! It helps to understand what's actually happening. I'll definitely be calling right at 8am tomorrow (Friday) and hope for the best. Quick question - is it normal that I've been approved but haven't received ANY payments yet, not even for the most recent weeks? Or should my new weekly claims be processing normally?

Once your claim is approved, new weekly claims should process normally, usually within 2-3 business days after filing. If even your newest weekly claims aren't processing, there might be another issue. When you get through to an agent, specifically ask them to check for any issues on your current weeks as well. It could be something simple like a verification flag or a job search documentation requirement that wasn't fully explained in your approval letter.

ESD IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST!!!! I went through EXACTLY this garbage last year. Got approved but payments showed \

That's good to know about WorkSource! There's one about 30 minutes from me - if I can't get through by phone by Monday I might just drive there. Thanks for the suggestion!

Did you check if those disqualified weeks have a specific reason code? Log into eServices, go to your weekly claims, and look at each disqualified week. Sometimes it'll tell you WHY it was disqualified, like if you answered a question wrong or something. I found out one of my weeks was disqualified because I accidentally said I wasn't available for work when I meant to say I was.

That's a good point! I just checked and there are no specific reason codes showing - they all just say \

my cousin works at worksource and she says they're super understaffed right now that's why nobodys answering the phones

One more thing to try: if you've been reading all of your correspondence from ESD carefully, check if they assigned you any job search requirements or adjudication calls that you might have missed. Sometimes disqualifications happen because you missed an interview or didn't complete required job search activities. If this is the case, you need to explain to the agent why you missed these requirements when you get through.

I've been doing my 3 job search activities every week and logging them. I don't think I've missed any requirements, but I'll double-check all my letters again just to make sure. Thanks!

UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning! Used the Claimyr service that someone recommended here, and it worked perfectly. The agent confirmed what many of you said - my initial claim approval didn't automatically update my previous weekly claims. She fixed all 7 of my disqualified weeks right on the call! She said the payments should process within 48 hours. Such a relief! Thank you all so much for your help and suggestions!

CONGRATS!!! It's so ridiculous we have to jump through all these hoops just to get what we're entitled to. Glad you got it resolved!

That's great news! Thanks for updating us. Hope your payments come through quickly.