ESD website issues and long callback wait times - will my benefits be delayed?

Been there... ESD delays are unfortunately still a huge problem. Their system gets overwhelmed at the end of seasonal employment periods. A couple things to try with the website: 1. Clear your browser cache and cookies completely 2. Try using Microsoft Edge or Firefox instead of Chrome 3. Do your application between 7-8am when server load is lower As for processing times, they're better than during COVID but still running 3-4 weeks for initial claims with no issues. If your claim goes to adjudication for ANY reason, add another 4-6 weeks. Make sure you file your weekly claims on time regardless of whether you've been approved yet - they'll pay retroactively once approved.

your making a mistake by waiting for a callbak!!! i waited 2 WEEKS and never got one then i had to start the process all over. its bs how they treat us when were already stuggling smh

I went through this exact situation in January. The website has been glitchy since they did that "upgrade" in December. Here's what worked for me: 1. Call right when they open at 8:00 am (not 8:15) 2. If that doesn't work, I found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an ESD agent within 30 minutes after I had been trying for days on my own. Check their website at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 showing how it works. It was literally the only way I could get through. 3. Once you reach someone, ask them to check if there are any issues flagging your account from previous claims. Sometimes old issues can slow down new claims. As for payment timeline - standard processing is around 3 weeks now IF everything goes smoothly. Start your weekly claims immediately regardless of approval status. Call your landlord proactively and explain the situation - some will work with you if you communicate early.

Anyone else think its CRAZY that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits WE PAID FOR through our taxes? The ESD website has been broken for YEARS and nobody fixes it!!! They make it hard on purpose so people give up. 😡

I work in HR and deal with ESD all the time. Here's what's happening behind the scenes: - Website issues are usually heaviest Tuesday-Thursday (avoid those days if possible) - Wait times increase dramatically at month-end when more people file - If you've had a previous claim within the past year, your new claim might trigger an automated review For callbacks, they're currently running about 24-48 hours behind schedule. If you don't receive a call by tomorrow afternoon, you should call again and specifically request to speak with a claims specialist (not just any agent). Regarding payment timeline: initial claims without issues are processing in about 21-24 days right now. If you need emergency assistance while waiting, contact your local WorkSource office - they can sometimes connect you with emergency funds through partner organizations.

hey just wanted to say dont lose hope i was in ur exact situation last month lol. the website kept giving me errors and i couldnt get thru on the phone for dayssss. finally got my benefits last week tho. make sure u answer all the questions super accurately cuz one mistake = weeks of delay trust me

One more critical piece of advice: start documenting your job search activities immediately (at least 3 per week). Even if your claim is still processing, you need to be completing and logging these activities from the first week you're unemployed. I've seen so many people get denied retroactive payments because they didn't do their job search requirements during the waiting period. The WorkSource Virtual Job Fair next Tuesday might be worth attending - it counts as a job search activity and you might find something that beats waiting for unemployment.

btw dont forget to check ur spam folder for ESD emails.. they sent me like 5 messages asking for more info and they ALL went to spam. cost me like 3 extra weeks of waiting!