Claim stuck in 'pending' for 5 weeks after issues resolved - call ESD or keep waiting?

dont wait just call them NOW!! my claim was stuck for almost 2 months b4 i finally called. turns out there was a 'hidden flag' on my account that wasnt showing on the website. took 5 mins to fix once i got someone on the phone but i wasted 7 weeks waiting for nothing!!

This is unfortunately very common with ESD right now. They're showing issues as 'resolved' on the customer-facing side while they still have internal processing steps happening in the background. It's incredibly frustrating because you have no way to see what's actually happening. In my experience working with clients facing this issue, you should absolutely call if it's been more than 3 weeks since the last visible activity on your claim. Many times there are small verification issues that don't appear on your end but are preventing payment. Sometimes it's as simple as the agent needing to click a button to move your claim to the next stage of processing.

As someone who dealt with this exact situation in January 2025, I'd recommend calling immediately. Here's what you need to know: 1. Yes, the system does show issues as "resolved" when they're actually in a state the ESD calls "clear-pending" internally. This means a human needs to review and approve it. 2. These claims can sit for weeks or months without movement because they're essentially in a queue that isn't prioritized until you call. 3. When you call, specifically ask the agent to check if your claim is stuck in "clear-pending" status and request they escalate it for final review. 4. Make sure to have all your claim details ready - claim ID number, dates of issue resolution, and a list of all documents you've already submitted. Don't wait any longer - each week you wait is another week without benefits you're entitled to receive.

I've tried calling ESD like 20 times over the past week and CANNOT get through!!! Either get disconnected immediately or stuck on hold for 2+ hours before getting hung up on. It's IMPOSSIBLE to reach anyone!! Anyone have any tricks??? My claim has been pending for 7 weeks now. I'm about to lose my apartment.

The ESD system is a complete disaster right now. They've made so many backend changes to their processing system that claims are getting stuck in these weird limbo states. I work with a community assistance program helping people navigate unemployment issues, and we're seeing this exact problem with about 40% of our clients. Here's what's actually happening: When an issue is marked as "resolved" in your online account, it's only resolved from an information-gathering perspective. It then moves to an internal processing queue for final approval. The cruel part is that there's no indicator of this on the claimant side, so you think everything is done when it's not. Definitely call. Be prepared to explain that all issues show as resolved but your claim is still pending. Ask them to check if there are any internal holds or if your claim is in the "adjudication-cleared" or "clear-pending" status needing manual approval. Sometimes it literally takes an agent 30 seconds to push the right button once you get someone on the phone.

same thing hapened to me but mine was stuck for TEN WEEKS!!! i should have called earlier but kept thinking "it'll process next week for sure" and it never did. when i finally got thru they said there was some stupid flag on my account because my previous employer contested something but then withdrew their objection. the withdrawal never got properly recorded in there system. got fixed in 10 minutes once i talked to someone but i lost 2 months of benefits because i waited!!! DONT WAIT!!!

Update on calling ESD: They've recently established a specific queue for people with claims in pending status for over 3 weeks. When you call the main number (800-318-6022), you need to specifically tell the automated system "pending claim over three weeks" to get routed correctly. They added this option in February 2025 because of the backlog issues. Also, if possible, try calling on Wednesday or Thursday - their staffing is typically better those days compared to Mondays when everyone tries to call. And prepare yourself with your claim ID, the date your issues were marked resolved, and the specific weeks you're waiting on payment for.

One more important suggestion: After you call and (hopefully) get your claim moved forward, make sure to log into your account daily to check for any new action items. Sometimes fixing the pending status triggers other verification requirements that need prompt response. Also, document everything - write down the date and time you call, the name of any agent you speak with, and notes about what they tell you. If you have to call back, having this information can help tremendously.

Update: I FINALLY got through to ESD this morning! Called right at 8am and used the "pending claim over three weeks" phrase when the automated system asked why I was calling. Still waited about 45 minutes, but I actually got a human! Turns out there was indeed a "clear-pending" flag on my account that needed manual override. The agent said my claim had passed all verification steps but was sitting in a review queue that wouldn't have been processed for ANOTHER 2-3 weeks without my call. She pushed it through while I was on the phone and said I should see payment within 48 hours for all my back weeks. Thank you all for pushing me to call instead of waiting longer. Will update when the money actually hits my account!