ESD approval timeline - Is waiting 6+ weeks normal now? Employer contesting

it really depends!! my claim last month took 4 weeks total with no issues. but my friend filed in february and hers is STILL in adjudication (thats like 10 weeks)!! she says her boss is fighting it hard. so i guess if ur employer does contest it expect longer wait times. the esd system is sooooo random tho

The current ESD processing timeline varies based on claim complexity. When an employer contests a claim, it automatically triggers adjudication, which typically adds 4-8 weeks to the process. Here's what you should know: 1. File immediately regardless of potential contest - the filing date affects your benefit period 2. Document everything related to your performance - emails praising your work, performance reviews, etc. 3. Continue filing weekly claims while in adjudication 4. Be prepared for a fact-finding interview where you can present your side If your metrics were truly above target as you mentioned, make sure you have documentation to prove this. The adjudicator will want specific evidence contradicting the "performance issues" claim.

I just went through this exact situation. Filed in January, employer contested claiming I was fired for cause (I wasn't), and my claim was stuck in adjudication for 7 weeks. The most frustrating part was the COMPLETE LACK OF COMMUNICATION from ESD. I called every day for two weeks straight and couldn't get through to anyone. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. The agent was able to see exactly what was holding up my claim and scheduled my fact-finding interview for the following week. The claim was approved 5 days after my interview. My advice: document EVERYTHING, be persistent, and don't wait around hoping ESD will contact you.

Yes, it actually worked. After dozens of failed attempts calling on my own, I was skeptical too. But they connected me directly to an ESD agent who could see my claim details and tell me exactly what was happening. Worth it to get answers after weeks of silence.

lol ESD is a JOKE. my claim took 13 WEEKS in 2024 and they never even bothered to interview me!!! just denied me after all that waiting. the whole system is designed to wear people down until they give up. good luck but don't hold your breath

nah i just gave up and found another job. couldn't deal with more waiting

My advice from going through this twice: File immediately and start your job search right away. Don't wait for ESD to make a decision before you start looking. Continue filing weekly claims throughout the process, even when in adjudication. For contested claims, prep for your fact-finding interview like it's a job interview. Be professional, stick to facts, have documentation ready. Avoid badmouthing your former employer - just present objective evidence countering their claims about your performance. Don't count on getting benefits quickly. My first claim (uncontested) took 3 weeks. My second claim (contested) took 9 weeks to resolve. The system seems to be getting slower, not faster.

They typically give you about 3-5 days notice via your ESD message center and email. Make sure your contact info is up to date in the system. If you miss the call, it can delay things significantly as they'll have to reschedule, which might take weeks. Set multiple reminders and be ready 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

I applied back in November and I'm STILL waiting!!! My former employer made up some garbage about me quitting voluntarily when they actually cut my hours to almost nothing until I had no choice but to leave. Been in adjudication for 14 weeks now. I've left about 50 messages with ESD and gotten exactly ZERO responses. Meanwhile I'm about to be evicted. This is why people end up homeless!!!!!

Hang in there bud! Just went through this myself starting in January. My company tried to say I was fired for misconduct (completely false). It took 6 weeks in adjudication, but I was eventually approved AND got all the backpay from when I first filed. The key is documenting everything and being super responsive when they contact you for the fact-finding interview.

Handled it all myself. Just made sure to respond to everything quickly and had all my documentation organized. You don't need a lawyer for the initial claim process - just be thorough and honest.

One thing nobody told me - even in adjudication, you MUST keep filing weekly claims! I didn't know this and stopped filing while waiting for my adjudication to finish. When I finally got approved, I only got paid from the weeks I had actually filed claims for, not from my initial application date. Don't make my mistake!