Has ESD improved since COVID? Got laid off and dreading the claim process

I filed in January this year after my construction contract ended. It's definitely better than during COVID, but still not perfect. The main improvements I've noticed: 1. The eServices website is more stable and has better mobile compatibility 2. They have clearer instructions about job search requirements (still 3 activities per week) 3. Regular claims (not complicated ones) are processing faster - mine took about 10 days But if you hit adjudication, it can still take 3-4 weeks. Make sure your identity verification is done right away - that seems to be what delays a lot of claims now. And document EVERYTHING about your separation so you're ready if they have questions.

I got laid off in february and still havent seen a dime!!!! been in "adjudication" for 7 weeks now with no updates at all. called 47 times last week and either got hung up on or was on hold for 3+ hours and then the line disconnected. ESD is STILL A DISASTER dont believe anyone who tells u different!!!!!!

I had a pretty smooth experience filing in November 2024 after my tech job got eliminated. The key difference now vs COVID era is they're fully staffed again. Some tips from my experience: - File your initial claim on a Tuesday or Wednesday (less traffic on the site) - Be EXTREMELY careful about how you answer the separation reason questions - Make sure your employer's contact info is 100% accurate - Start doing your job search activities immediately, even before approval - If you do need to call, try right when they open at 8:00 AM The big pain point is still getting through on the phone if you have questions. I was getting the runaround for weeks trying to reach someone about an issue with my standby status.

its way better now dude. i filed in march took like 2 weeks to get paid. just make sure u dont mess up tha weekly claims or theyll hold yr money. also the job search stuff is annoying af gotta do 3 things every week and document everything

I work as an employment counselor at WorkSource and can provide some current information on the ESD system. The biggest improvements since COVID: 1. Identity verification is now automated and faster for most people 2. The mainframe system has been partially updated (still not completely new) 3. Regular claims without issues typically process in 7-14 days 4. The job search log system is now fully digital and easier to track However, adjudication is still taking 3-5 weeks on average when issues arise. The most common reasons for adjudication delays are: - Separation reasons that differ between claimant and employer - Availability issues (childcare, transportation, etc.) - Work and earnings reporting discrepancies - Identity verification problems My advice is to be completely honest in your application, check your eServices account daily for requests, and upload any documents they ask for immediately. Also, make sure you understand the job search requirements - they're strictly enforcing the quality of job search activities now.

I filed back in December after my restaurant closed down and my experience was wayyy better than during covid! My payments started in like 2 weeks. The website works so much better now too. But my friend who got fired (instead of laid off) had to wait almost 6 weeks because of adjudication. So I think it really depends on your situation?

I was trying to file my weekly claim yesterday and got so frustrated with the website I nearly threw my computer across the room. The interface might be *slightly* better than COVID times but not by much. And their instructions are still confusing as hell. Like what exactly counts as "able and available" if you're sick for two days but could have worked the other days? No one gives clear answers. Also be warned - if you make even a tiny mistake reporting your hours or earnings, your claim can get flagged for fraud review and then you're looking at 6+ weeks with no benefits while they investigate. Happened to my roommate who accidentally transposed two digits in his earnings report.

One more important tip I forgot to mention - the identity verification system they use now (ID.me) is much faster than in 2020, but some people still have issues with it. If you have a state-issued ID that's not expired and access to a smartphone with a camera, you should be fine. But if your verification gets stuck, that will hold up your entire claim. Also, they're much stricter now about checking that you're using Washington State's job search resources specifically. Make sure at least one of your three weekly job search activities involves WorkSource or the WorkSourceWA.com website. They're automatically cross-referencing those systems.

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences - this has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like things have definitely improved since the COVID chaos, but I should still expect some delays if anything triggers adjudication. I'm going to file tomorrow (Wednesday) morning per the advice here, make sure my separation reason is clearly documented, and start my job searches right away. Fingers crossed my healthcare employer doesn't contest anything! Also, I'm saving that Claimyr info just in case I need to actually reach someone. Last time I literally never got through on the phone lines despite trying for weeks.