Can I still claim ESD benefits approved in 2023 that I never received due to standby confusion?
I'm in a weird situation with unemployment benefits from late 2023 and wondering if it's too late to do anything about it. I was laid off and put on standby status in September 2023. My benefits were approved, but there was a mix-up with my first claim - I submitted it before my standby status was officially approved, so the system expected job searches even though I was told I wouldn't need them while on standby. The whole thing became a confusing mess that took about 6 weeks to try to sort out. By then, I'd already found and started a new job. I spent MONTHS trying to reach someone at ESD during their call hours, but I was either immediately disconnected or couldn't get through because of my work schedule overlapping with their phone hours. I had to put a bunch of expenses on credit cards during that period while waiting for benefits, and I'm still paying those off. Is there any way to still access those benefits I was approved for but never received? Or is that money just gone forever because too much time has passed? Has anyone successfully claimed back-benefits after such a long time?
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Emma Johnson
You might still be eligible to receive those benefits! ESD allows for backdated claims in some circumstances, especially when there were system issues or confusion about requirements. You'll need to contact them directly and explain that you were approved but never received payment due to the standby status confusion. The key is getting through to an actual claims specialist who can review your file. Your best bet is to call right when they open at 8am and be prepared to explain your situation clearly.
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Leila Haddad
•Thanks for the info! Do you know if there's a time limit for backdating claims? It's been about 18 months now and I'm worried that's too long. I've tried calling at 8am before but still couldn't get through.
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Ravi Patel
same thing happened to me last year!!! the standby stuff is SO confusing. i thought i didnt need to do job searches then got disqualified then got requalified but never got paid either. let me know if u figure out how to get the money
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Leila Haddad
•It's frustrating, right? The instructions were completely unclear. Did you ever try to follow up with them about it?
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Astrid Bergström
There is actually a statute of limitations on collecting benefits you were entitled to but didn't receive. According to RCW 50.24.190, you generally have two years to claim benefits you were eligible for but didn't receive. Since you're at about 18 months, you're still within that window, but not by much. You'll need to specifically request a "backdated payment review" when you speak with ESD. Make sure you have documentation showing: 1. Your original approval notice 2. Any communications about the standby status confusion 3. Records showing your attempts to contact them The tricky part is actually reaching someone who can help. The ESD phone lines are notoriously difficult to get through.
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Leila Haddad
•Thank you so much for this detailed information! I didn't know about the two-year limit or that there was a specific term for what I need to request. I'll definitely gather all that documentation.
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PixelPrincess
I've been in a similar situation and used a service called Claimyr to actually get through to ESD on the phone. Their website is claimyr.com and they basically hold your place in line and call you when an ESD agent is ready to talk. Saved me hours of redial frustration. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - it was literally the only way I managed to get through to resolve my standby issues.
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Ravi Patel
•does that actually work?? ive never heard of it before sounds too good to be true lol
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PixelPrincess
•Yeah, it definitely works! I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for weeks to get through. They just hold your place in line and then connect you when an agent is available. Totally worth it for me since I got my issue resolved in one call instead of weeks of trying.
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Omar Farouk
I HATE the ESD system with a burning passion!!!! I was on standby too in 2023 and they messed up EVERYTHING!!!!! The fact that you have to call during business hours when MOST PEOPLE WORK is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. How are you supposed to call them when you're at your new job??? The whole system is DESIGNED to make people give up on benefits they DESERVE!!!!
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Chloe Martin
•While I understand your frustration, there are some alternatives to calling during business hours. You can use eServices to send secure messages, though response times vary. Also, they do have some Saturday hours once a month, which might help people who work weekdays.
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Omar Farouk
•LOL at 'secure messages' - I sent TWELVE messages over TWO MONTHS and got ZERO responses!!! And those Saturday hours? They're like 4 hours once a month and STILL impossible to get through! The system is BROKEN!!
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Diego Fernández
my cousin works at esd and she says they're actually really backed up still from the pandemic. they had to hire a bunch of new people and some claims from 2023 are still being processed. u might randomly get a payment someday lol thats what happened to my neighbor
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Astrid Bergström
•This isn't accurate information. While ESD may still be processing some complex claims from previous years, they don't randomly issue payments for unresolved claims without contact from the claimant. The OP needs to proactively contact ESD to resolve this issue, especially since they're approaching the two-year statute of limitations period.
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Chloe Martin
I work with unemployment issues regularly, and here's what you need to know: 1. The standby status confusion is actually quite common - it's a system design flaw that trips up many claimants. 2. You need to request what's called a "backdate adjudication" specifically. This is different from a regular appeal. 3. You are still within the timeframe to recover these benefits, but you should act quickly as you're approaching the limit. 4. Prepare a clear timeline of events: when you were laid off, when standby was approved, when you started your new job, and all your attempts to contact ESD. 5. If you're having trouble reaching them by phone, try sending a detailed secure message through eServices with "URGENT: BACKDATE ADJUDICATION REQUEST" in the subject line. I've seen several cases like yours resolved successfully, but it does require persistence.
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Leila Haddad
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll definitely use the specific terminology you suggested. Would you recommend I also mail in any documentation I have, or just describe everything in the secure message?
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Chloe Martin
•I'd recommend attaching any relevant documentation to your secure message. If you have approval notices, communications about standby status, or records of your attempts to contact them, include those. The more evidence you can provide, the stronger your case will be. Also, once you send the message, follow up with a phone call within 3-5 business days if you don't get a response.
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Anastasia Kuznetsov
Im going through something kinda similar right now and its so annoying. Have you tried contacting your state representative? My friend did that when she couldnt get her unemployment issues fixed and someones office helped her get it sorted out pretty quick.
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Emma Johnson
•This is actually excellent advice. Your state representatives often have dedicated staff who can cut through red tape with state agencies like ESD. They can sometimes resolve issues in days that would otherwise take months. Just go to your state legislature's website to find your representatives and reach out to their constituent services team.
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Leila Haddad
Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm going to try several approaches: 1. Send a secure message with "URGENT: BACKDATE ADJUDICATION REQUEST" 2. Try calling using Claimyr since I keep getting disconnected otherwise 3. Reach out to my state representative as a backup plan I'll gather all my documentation tonight and start the process tomorrow morning. Really appreciate knowing there's still hope to recover these benefits, especially since I'm still paying off those credit card bills from that period. I'll update this thread if I make any progress!
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Astrid Bergström
•Good plan of action. Make sure to document all your communication attempts going forward as well. If you do get through to ESD, ask for a claim specialist rather than a general agent, as they'll have more authority to resolve complex backdating issues. Best of luck!
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