ESD pending for weeks due to mysterious CAT status - help!
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with my unemployment benefits. It's been weeks since I filed my claim and I'm still waiting for a check. I've been doing my weekly claims like clockwork, but it just says 'pending'. I called workforce and they mentioned something about waiting on 'commissioner approved training'??? I don't even remember signing up for any training. Has anyone else dealt with this? What's the deal with this CAT thing? I'm getting desperate here.
27 comments
Tom Maxon
I found a way to solve unemployment benefits pending issue, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sqLP_mBEzQ
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Connor O'Neill
Ugh, I feel your pain. The ESD system is a total mess rn. I was stuck in pending hell for like 2 months before I finally got through to someone. Turns out there was a flag on my account for some random reason. Keep pushing and don't give up!
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QuantumQuester
2 months?! 😱 I'm only 3 weeks in and I'm already losing my mind. How did you survive that long without benefits?
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Connor O'Neill
Lots of ramen and favors from friends lol. It was rough, but I finally got it sorted. Hang in there!
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Yara Nassar
This is why we need to overhaul the entire system. It's ridiculous that people have to wait months for help they need NOW. 😤
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Keisha Williams
CAT stands for Commissioner Approved Training. It's a program that lets you keep getting benefits while you're in some kind of approved training or education program. The weird thing is, you usually have to apply for it. If you didn't, there might be a mix-up in the system.
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Zainab Ismail
Thanks for explaining! I definitely didn't apply for anything like that. How do I fix this mess?
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Keisha Williams
You'll need to talk to an ESD agent directly. They can check your account and see why it's showing CAT status. Be prepared for a loooong wait time tho 😅
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Paolo Ricci
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone! I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video explaining it: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ
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Amina Toure
Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Oliver Zimmermann
20 bucks to skip the hold time? Idk man, seems kinda sketchy 🤔
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Paolo Ricci
I get the skepticism, but I swear it's legit. Saved me hours of frustration. Worth every penny imo
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CosmicCommander
Can confirm, I used it last week. Got through in like 30 mins instead of 3 hours 👍
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Natasha Volkova
Here's what you need to do: 1. Document everything. Keep a log of all your calls, emails, and weekly claim submissions. 2. Try to reach ESD through multiple channels. Phone, email, and even social media if you have to. 3. Contact your local state representative. They often have liaisons who can help push your case through. 4. Be persistent but polite. The people answering phones are overworked and dealing with a broken system too. 5. If you're really in a bind, look into local food banks and assistance programs while you wait. 6. Keep filing your weekly claims even if you're not getting paid. Once it's resolved, you should get backpay. Hang in there. The system sucks, but don't give up!
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Zainab Ismail
This is super helpful, thank you! I'll definitely try reaching out to my rep. Didn't even think of that.
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Javier Torres
Solid advice. I'd add: join Facebook groups for unemployment help in your state. Sometimes you can get insider tips there.
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Emma Davis
am i the only 1 who thinks its crazy we gotta jump through all these hoops just to get what we're owed? 🤡 system is a joke fr
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Malik Johnson
Have you checked your spam folder? Sometimes important ESD emails end up there. Also, double-check that all your contact info is up to date in the system.
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Zainab Ismail
Good call, just checked and everything seems to be in order. No luck in spam either 😕
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Isabella Ferreira
Oof, CAT issues are the worst. I had something similar happen last year. Turned out it was a glitch in their system. Took forever to fix, but keep pushing!
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Ravi Sharma
How long did it take you to resolve it? I'm going on 6 weeks now and I'm about ready to lose it 😫
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Isabella Ferreira
It took about 2 months total. But once I finally got through to the right person, they fixed it in like 2 days. The key is just getting to that person!
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NebulaNomad
Pro tip: call right when they open. I mean like, be dialing at 7:59:59 AM. Sometimes you can get through before the queue fills up.
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Freya Thomsen
This! Also, try calling on Wednesdays. For some reason, it seems to be their least busy day.
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Omar Fawaz
Anyone else feel like they're playing unemployment roulette? 🎰 Spin the wheel, maybe you'll get paid, maybe you'll be pending for 3 months! 🙃
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Chloe Martin
Lmao too real 😂 I'm convinced they just throw darts at a board to decide who gets paid
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Diego Rojas
unemployment roulette omg 💀 that's exactly what it feels like
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