Contract ending soon - ESD application timeline and potential delays in 2025?

I just went through this in January when my seasonal position ended. Here's what you should expect: 1. Apply the Sunday after your last day of work (not before) 2. Have your ID.me account set up beforehand - this verification step trips up a lot of people 3. Your first payment will likely take 2-3 weeks even if everything goes perfectly 4. Start your job search activities immediately and document EVERYTHING My claim was processed in about 10 days, but then went into adjudication for another week because my employer reported slightly different dates than I did. Overall it took about 3 weeks from application to first payment. The system is working much better now than during COVID.

dont wait until ur last day to apply!! file asap so ur in the system. my buddy waited til his last check and then ESD gave him all kinds of problems about why he didnt file sooner. and make sure u do the work search stuff every week even before u get approved

I help people navigate ESD claims regularly, and contract endings are generally straightforward. Here's what you need to know: - Processing times are currently averaging 10-14 days for uncomplicated claims - Adjudication (if needed) adds another 2-4 weeks typically - Contract ending is one of the cleanest separation reasons, so that works in your favor - The most common delay triggers are: missing work history information, earnings verification issues, availability limitations, or job search non-compliance To avoid problems: 1. Have exact employment dates and earnings ready 2. Set up your ID.me verification ahead of time 3. Be prepared to complete 3 job search activities each week (starting the first week) 4. Answer the weekly claim questions carefully - minor mistakes can trigger manual review The system is much more efficient now than during COVID times, but occasional delays still happen. With a cooperative employer and proper documentation, you should be in good shape.

Job search activities include: - Applying for jobs (online or in-person) - Attending job interviews - Creating or updating your resume on WorkSourceWA.com - Attending workshops (virtual or in-person) at WorkSource - Informational interviews - Taking skills assessments - Creating a LinkedIn profile or other job-related social media - Some networking activities if documented properly You need 3 different activities each week. Keep detailed records including: date, company name, contact info, position, application method, and outcome. The ESD system lets you log these when submitting weekly claims.

EXPECT DELAYS!! I don't care what anyone says about "improved systems" - ESD is STILL a nightmare. My contract ended in March and I didn't see a PENNY for SIX WEEKS!!! They kept saying my claim was "pending" with no explanation. Tried calling HUNDREDS of times - never got through. Sent messages through the portal - crickets. Finally had to contact my state rep to get any movement. The system is BROKEN. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. And document EVERYTHING.

When my contract ended in February, getting through to ESD was my biggest challenge. After days of calling and getting disconnected, I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Worth it to actually speak with someone who could explain what was happening with my claim. Turned out there was a simple verification issue that got resolved in minutes once I actually talked to a person. Saved me weeks of waiting.

Yes, it absolutely worked. The ESD phone system is incredibly frustrating - you wait through all the prompts only to get disconnected when they're at capacity (which seems to be always). Claimyr basically keeps dialing for you and then connects you when a line opens up. I got through in about 40 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own with no success. The agent I spoke with was actually super helpful once I got connected.

I think everyone's experience is different with ESD. my claim went thru in 8 days with no issues but my coworker who applied the same day was in adjucation for like 3 weeks. we had the same employer and everything so it's kinda random sometimes lol. just make sure you answer everything super accurate and consistent. good luck!!

one thing i havent seen mentioned here - if your contract has any kind of severance or final project payment coming later, make sure you report that correctly. i messed this up and ended up with an overpayment notice for $2,300 that im still paying back. if ur not sure how to report something call and ask first!!!!

One last piece of advice based on recent experience: When you file, be very careful about the "able and available" questions. ESD has been extra strict about this lately. If you say you're not available for full-time work for ANY reason (childcare issues, school schedule, transportation limitations, etc.) they'll likely deny your claim or at minimum send it to adjudication. Also, make sure you're checking your ESD account messages regularly after applying. Sometimes they request additional information with short deadlines, and if you miss those, your claim gets delayed substantially. I recommend checking daily until you're receiving payments reliably.