Called governor's office but still stuck in pending since December - any success stories?
I'm at my wit's end with this endless pending status. Filed my initial unemployment claim on 12/17/23 (over 6 weeks ago!) and it's still showing as pending with zero movement. I've called ESD probably 30+ times but either get disconnected or told to 'just wait.' Finally called the governor's office last Thursday (02/01) out of desperation, and they said they submitted an urgent request to ESD on my behalf. It's now been 5 days and still crickets from ESD. Has anyone actually had success getting the governor's office to help speed things up? How long did it take after they intervened? My savings are basically gone and I'm starting to panic about March rent. 😪
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Zane Gray
The governor's office helped me last year but it still took about 10 days after they put in the request. They don't exactly rush things at ESD even with the governor involved... Just keep doing your weekly claims while waiting! When I finally got approved, they paid all my back weeks at once.
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Aileen Rodriguez
•Thanks for sharing your experience. 10 days feels like forever when you're watching your bank account drain, but at least it's something to hold onto. And yes, I've been religiously filing my weekly claims even though it feels pointless right now.
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Maggie Martinez
im in the EXACT same boat!!! filed 12/20 and still pending. called gov office last week too and they did something but who knows what. this is the 3rd job ive lost in 2 years and ESD gets worse everytime i stg
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Alejandro Castro
•When you file multiple claims within the same benefit year, it often triggers additional verification processes. The system flags these accounts for potential identity verification. Make sure you've uploaded all required documents in your eServices account under the 'Upload Documents' section. This often solves these delays.
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Monique Byrd
The pending status without explanation usually means one of three things: 1. Identity verification issues 2. Employment separation investigation (they're contacting your employer) 3. Wage verification problems Have you received any letters or alerts in your eServices Message Center? Sometimes they request information but don't make it obvious in the system. Also, double-check if your previous employer is contesting the claim - that's the most common reason for these extended delays.
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Aileen Rodriguez
•I've been checking my Message Center obsessively and there's nothing there asking for more info. My former employer isn't contesting anything - I was laid off in a company-wide reduction and they even told me they'd approve my unemployment. This makes it even more frustrating because there shouldn't be any issues!
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Jackie Martinez
I was stuck in pending for SEVEN WEEKS before I finally got through to someone who could help. The regular phone line is completely useless. After trying literally everything, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual claims specialist instead of the general helpline people who can't do anything. Took me from pending to paid in 48 hours once I got to the right person. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Worth every penny after I wasted 7 weeks of my life on hold.
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Lia Quinn
•is this legit? seems weird to pay money just to talk to esd?
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Haley Stokes
something feels wrong about the governor having to get involved for a simple unemployment claim!!! the system is BROKEN!!! when I applied in 2021 it took 3 days to get approved, now people wait MONTHS?? what changed????? they have the same number of staff but treat us like we're all committing fraud or something
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Alejandro Castro
•The system implemented much stricter verification protocols after the massive fraud during the pandemic. ESD lost hundreds of millions to sophisticated fraud rings in 2020-2021, so now legitimate claimants are subjected to much more intensive verification processes. It's frustrating but that's the reality we're dealing with now.
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Aileen Rodriguez
Update: I FINALLY got a call from an ESD specialist today. Turns out there was an issue with verifying my identity even though I uploaded my driver's license when I first applied. The person I spoke with was able to verify everything over the phone and said my claim should move from pending to paid within 48 hours. So calling the governor's office DID help - it took 8 days from when they intervened to getting this call. Fingers crossed it actually processes now!
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Zane Gray
•That's great news! See, sometimes the governor's office push does work. Make sure to keep checking your account daily and if it doesn't change to paid in 48 hours, call them back immediately. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with ESD.
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Maggie Martinez
has anyone else notice how the ESD website is always "down for maintenance" at the EXACT times u need to file ur weekly claim?? happened to me AGAIN last night when i tried to file right at midnight. seems suspicious...
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Monique Byrd
•Their system maintenance is scheduled for midnight to 4am on Sundays. It's on their website under System Availability. Best practice is to file your weekly claim during business hours on Sunday or Monday to avoid these maintenance windows.
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Aileen Rodriguez
FINAL UPDATE: My claim finally switched from pending to paid today! All 7 weeks of backpay are scheduled to hit my account tomorrow. Such a relief! If anyone else is stuck in pending limbo, definitely try the governor's office route - it took about 10 days total from when they got involved, but it worked when nothing else did.
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Lia Quinn
•congrats! bet that backpay is gonna feel good lol
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