Claim stuck in pending after short employment period - employer won't contest but no movement from ESD

Same thing happened to me after I worked for just 4 months! My claim was stuck in pending for like 3 weeks even though my employer was cool about it. It's probably because you need to have earned enough in your base year or something? I panicked too but it eventually went through. The ESD systems are a NIGHTMARE right now!!

This is likely a base year issue. When you worked for only 4-5 months between claims, ESD has to verify you earned enough wages in your new base year to qualify for a new claim. If you don't have enough quarters of earnings, they might reopen your old claim instead of creating a new one (if your benefit year hasn't expired). Check your "Monetary Determination" letter in your eServices account - it should show your base year wages. You need roughly $4,300+ in total earnings and at least some earnings in 2-3 different quarters to qualify for a new claim. If your old benefit year is still active, they might just reactivate that claim with remaining benefits.

I'll add some important information here. The "pending" status after brief employment periods is very common in 2025 because ESD is scrutinizing these claims more carefully. Here's what's likely happening: 1. ESD is checking if you earned enough in your new base year (about $4,800 in 2025) to qualify for a new claim 2. They're verifying that your work separation was qualifying (which shouldn't be an issue if employer won't contest) 3. If you don't qualify for a new claim, they'll check if your previous benefit year is still active You have several options: 1. Continue trying to call (though I know how frustrating that is) 2. Send a secure message through eServices specifically asking about the pending status reason 3. Contact your WorkSource office and ask if they can help escalate Don't stop filing your weekly claims while you wait - that's critical even if it shows pending!

I was in your EXACT situation in January. Worked for 5 months after being on UI, then got laid off again. My claim was stuck in pending for almost 3 weeks despite dozens of call attempts. I finally got through to ESD by using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They connected me to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks with no luck. The agent told me my claim was flagged for a base year review and they just needed to verify my wages. She pushed it through while I was on the phone. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Totally worth it to avoid weeks more of pending status, especially when savings are running low.

not sayin its ur fault but they have to see if u qualify for a new claim or if they need to reopen ur old one. had this happen to me bc i didnt work long enough to qualify for a whole new claim. took forever but eventually they just reopened my old claim w/ remaining benefits. make sure ur still doing those 3 job search activities every week even while pending!!

ESD is THE WORST AGENCY EVER! My claim was "pending" for SIX WEEKS after a short job, then they just DENIED it without even TALKING to me!!!! Had to file an appeal and wait ANOTHER month before they fixed their mistake. The system is DESIGNED to make people give up. Don't trust what they say about "employers not contesting" - they'll still find ways to deny you. The whole thing is rigged against workers!!!!

One more important thing: while your claim is pending, make sure you're still completing your weekly filings AND documenting your three job search activities each week. If your claim is eventually approved, you'll only be paid for weeks that you properly filed, so don't miss any while waiting for the status to change. Also, if it's been more than two weeks and your employer confirmed they won't contest it, you should try reaching out to your state representative's office. They often have direct contacts at ESD who can look into claims that are stuck in processing.

my freind works at ESD and says theyre super backed up right now cuz of their new computer system update. like thousands of claims in backlog!! she says claims with short work periods get flagged for manual review which is why yours is stuck. keep filing weekly claims tho!!

Following up on your situation - you mentioned the previous benefit year should have ended in April. If that's April 2025 (which is coming up), that could be another factor in the delay. ESD might be waiting until your old benefit year expires before making a determination on the new claim. When you talk to an agent (whether through regular channels or using a service to connect faster), specifically ask these questions: 1. Is my claim pending due to a base year wages verification? 2. Am I eligible for a new claim, or will my old claim be reopened? 3. Is there any additional information I need to provide? 4. Can they expedite the review since it's been over two weeks? Be sure to mention that your former employer has confirmed in writing they won't contest the claim, as this might help speed things up.