ESD approved my claim but payments stuck as 'pending' for weeks - when will I actually get paid?
I finally got through the adjudication process and received my approval letter on November 27th, 2025. It's been almost three weeks, but my payment status on eServices still shows 'pending' for all my weekly claims. I've been filing diligently every week since getting approved. My account shows I'm eligible for $825/week, but I haven't seen a dime hit my bank account yet. The 'payment issued' column just says pending with no dates or explanations. I tried calling but can't get through after waiting for 2+ hours multiple times. Has anyone experienced this delay between approval and actual payment? How long did you have to wait? I'm really starting to stress because my rent is due in 10 days and I was counting on at least some of this money coming through by now.
20 comments
Natalie Khan
pnding paymnets is normal, takes like 4-5 wks somtimes. they say approved but still gotta do checks or whatever. hang in there lol
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Rudy Cenizo
•4-5 WEEKS after approval?? That's insane! The approval letter made it sound like I'd start getting paid right away. How am I supposed to pay bills??
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Daryl Bright
There's actually an important distinction between being approved for benefits and having your weekly claims processed for payment. Your overall claim was approved (meaning you qualify for benefits), but each weekly claim still needs to go through processing. A few things to check: 1. Look at your "Alerts" tab - any messages about missing information? 2. Verify your payment method is set up correctly (direct deposit or debit card) 3. Make sure you answered all work search questions correctly If everything looks correct, it's likely just processing time. In my experience helping people with ESD claims, the first payment after approval typically takes 7-10 business days, but can take up to 3 weeks during busy periods. Subsequent payments are usually faster.
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Rudy Cenizo
•Thank you for explaining that! I didn't realize there was still more processing after approval. I checked my Alerts tab and there's nothing there. My direct deposit info is correct (I triple-checked), and I've been submitting my 3 job search activities every week. Guess I just have to keep waiting, but it's really stressful not knowing when money will actually arrive.
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Sienna Gomez
I'm in literally THE EXACT SAME SITUATION!! Approved Nov 22 and still nothing but "pending" on all my payments. This system is absolute garbage. I've called over 30 times and either get disconnected or told the wait is 4+ hours. How are we supposed to survive while they sit on approving payments for claims THEY ALREADY APPROVED?!? Makes me want to scream!
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
•Same here, happened last year when I got laid off too. The approval is just step 1, then they make you wait forever for the actual money. Classic ESD.
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Abigail bergen
Have you checked if your identity verification is complete? Sometimes they approve the claim but then put a hold on payments until they verify your identity. Look under "Pending Issues" in your account. Also, did you select any weeks for backpay that might be under separate review? That can delay the whole batch of payments.
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Rudy Cenizo
•Just checked - no pending issues showing. I didn't request any backpay, just regular weeks going forward from when I initially applied. My ID verification shows as completed too. It just seems to be stuck in payment processing limbo with no explanation.
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Ahooker-Equator
I had this exact problem last month after getting approved. The trick that worked for me was using Claimyr to actually reach someone at ESD. I spent days trying to call on my own and never got through. With Claimyr, I got a callback from an ESD agent in about 45 minutes. Turns out there was a flag on my account that wasn't visible to me but was holding up my payments. The agent fixed it and my money arrived 2 days later. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Saved me from missing my car payment.
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Sienna Gomez
•Does this actually work? I'm desperate at this point but skeptical of paying for something when ESD should just answer their damn phones.
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Ahooker-Equator
Yes, it honestly worked for me after I wasted days trying to call myself. They just help you get in the callback queue faster. I was super hesitant too but my payments had been pending for almost a month and I was about to lose my mind.
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Rudy Cenizo
•I might try this if nothing changes by Friday. At this point I just need to talk to someone who can tell me what's happening with my claim. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Anderson Prospero
Just to add some factual info here: There's often a payment processing delay that happens at year-end because of ESD's accounting systems. Late November/December approvals sometimes get caught in this cycle. What typically happens is that payment processing slows down during the last few weeks of the year and then speeds up again in January. This is completely normal but frustrating if you're caught in it. One thing that can help: Send a secure message through your eServices account specifically asking for the status of your payments. Include the weeks that are pending and ask if there's any action needed on your part. Sometimes this can trigger a review of your pending payments.
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Rudy Cenizo
•Thank you! I'll send a message right now. This year-end slowdown theory makes sense with the timing. Really appreciate the advice.
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Natalie Khan
my buddy said he got aproved then had to wait THREE MONTHS for money! ESD is crazy slow man
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Anderson Prospero
•That's extremely unusual and likely means there was another issue with the claim that needed resolution. The standard processing time for payments after approval is 7-14 business days, though it can extend to 3-4 weeks during busy periods or year-end. Three months suggests there was an unresolved issue that required additional adjudication.
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Rudy Cenizo
UPDATE: Finally got through to ESD this morning! Turns out there was a payment block on my account because of a random quarterly review flag. The agent removed it and said my payments should process in the next 2-3 business days. She said this happens sometimes and isn't visible in the claimant portal. So if anyone else is stuck in payment pending status despite being approved, keep trying to reach them because there might be something they need to fix on their end!
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Sienna Gomez
•That's great news! How did you finally get through to them? I'm still trying with no luck.
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Rudy Cenizo
I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Honestly didn't want to pay for something that should be free, but I was desperate. Got a callback from ESD within an hour and they fixed it right away. Worth it considering I was about to miss rent.
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Daryl Bright
•Glad you got it resolved! That quarterly review flag happens to quite a few people. For anyone else reading this - if your payments are stuck in pending status after approval, it's almost always something ESD needs to fix on their end. Document all your attempts to contact them (dates/times) in case you need to request backdated payments once it's resolved.
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