ESD denied my unemployment for missing first week job search and late ID verification - approved but no payments

The system can be really confusing! The fact that you got an approval letter is a good sign. What's probably happening is that you have two separate issues: the missed job search week (which is usually just denied for that specific week) and the ID verification (which can hold up your entire claim). You need to call ESD directly about the ID verification issue - that's likely what's preventing payment for ALL weeks. Even though you're approved now, they might need to manually release the payments for your eligible weeks (everything after that first denied week). Check your notices in eServices to see if there's a specific deadline to appeal the ID verification denial.

this happened to me!!!! first week denied is normal but the ID thing screwed up EVERYTHING. took me 6 weeks to get paid even tho my claim was "approved". they need to manually release the hold on ur account

Based on what you're describing, you have two separate issues: 1. First week denial due to no job search - This is normal and that specific week will remain denied. Nothing you can do about this one. 2. ID verification timing issue - This is what's holding up your payments. Despite getting an approval letter, the system often needs manual intervention to release payments after ID verification issues are resolved. What you should do immediately: - File an appeal for the ID verification issue before the deadline - Continue filing your weekly claims without interruption - Try to reach ESD by phone to explain the situation In my experience, once they clear the ID verification hold, you'll receive back payments for all eligible weeks (everything except that first denied week). The approval letter means your claim itself is valid, but they still need to clear the payment block.

Have you tried using Claimyr? It helped me get through to ESD when I was stuck in a similar situation with ID verification. You can check out their service at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It basically helps you skip the phone queue. I was skeptical at first but it saved me weeks of stress when my claim had that verification hold.

DON'T WAIT FOR THEM TO FIX IT!!! ESD doesn't automatically release payments even after they approve you!! They'll leave you hanging FOREVER if you don't keep pushing them. File that appeal AND call them EVERY DAY until they fix it. The system is DESIGNED to make you give up. I lost my apartment waiting for them to "process" my approved claim last year. When I finally got through, the agent fixed it in 5 minutes and admitted the system had me approved the whole time but no one cleared the payment block!!!!!

Make sure you're checking your Secure Access Washington messages too. Sometimes they send requests for additional info there and if you miss them, your payments stay on hold. I missed one of those messages for two weeks and it delayed everything.

This exact thing happened to me in January. The approval letter means your claim is valid, but the ID verification hold needs to be manually removed. Here's what worked for me: 1. File the appeal immediately (don't wait) 2. In the appeal, clearly state that you've received approval but payments are still blocked 3. Attach a copy of your approval letter to the appeal 4. Keep filing weekly claims 5. Call ESD and specifically ask for a supervisor who can remove the ID verification hold Once they removed the hold, I got paid for all eligible weeks (except the first one that was denied for job search) within 2 business days. The key is getting someone on the phone who actually has authorization to remove holds.

Since you're now approved, keep filing your weekly claims consistently - don't miss any weeks. Once the ID verification hold is removed, they'll process payments for all eligible weeks at once. The first week will remain denied (that's normal), but you should receive everything else. Also, double check that your payment method is properly set up in the system (direct deposit or debit card). Sometimes people get approved but their payment method isn't configured correctly, which causes another delay.

Quick update on my suggestion earlier - after you file the appeal, you should get assigned an appeal date/time. Don't wait for this! Keep trying to reach ESD directly because they can often fix it faster than the appeal process. The appeal is just a backup plan to protect your rights while you try to get it fixed the quicker way.

One last tip - when you do reach an ESD agent, ask them to check specifically for an "identity verification flag" or "payment block" on your account. Using those exact terms helps them understand what to look for. Also request that they make notes in your file about your contact attempt and what was discussed. This creates a paper trail showing you've been actively trying to resolve the issue.