How fast do you get unemployment benefits approved in Washington ESD?

Filed mine about 3 weeks ago and still waiting on my first payment. The initial claim got processed in about a week, but then it went into adjudication because they needed to verify my job separation. Been stuck there ever since.

The timeline really depends on your situation. If your claim is straightforward with no issues, you could see your first payment in 2-3 weeks. But if there are any complications like job separation issues or identity verification needs, it can take 4-6 weeks or longer.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for two weeks to check on my claim status and it's impossible. The phone lines are always busy and when you do get through, you get disconnected. Found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to an agent in under 10 minutes - seriously saved my sanity. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Just got my first payment last week! Filed on a Monday and got approved the following Friday. No issues or delays. The key is filing your weekly claims on time and making sure all your info is correct the first time.

The system is completely broken. I've been waiting 8 weeks for my claim to process. EIGHT WEEKS! Meanwhile I'm behind on everything and they act like it's no big deal. The incompetence is unreal.

Here's what I learned from my experience - file your claim immediately, like within the first week of being unemployed. Don't wait because you can't get paid for weeks before you file. Also make sure you start doing job searches right away because they require 3 job contacts per week.

depends on ur situation but mine took like 3 weeks total from filing to first payment. not too bad compared to what ive heard from other states

Just want to clarify the general timeline for everyone: Week 1 - File initial claim, Week 2 - Complete identity verification if needed, Week 3 - First payment if no issues. But this assumes no adjudication delays. If your claim goes to adjudication, add 2-4 weeks minimum.

I was in a similar boat last year - got laid off right before Christmas. The waiting was awful but my first payment came through in about 20 days. The weekly claims are easy once you get the hang of it, just make sure you file every week even if your initial claim is still processing.

Update on the Claimyr thing - used it again yesterday to check on a different issue and got through to an agent in 8 minutes. Definitely worth it if you're stuck and need to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly.

The longest part for me was waiting for my employer to respond to Washington ESD's inquiry. They have 10 business days to respond and my company waited until day 9. That alone added two weeks to my process.

Got my first payment in 16 days but had to jump through hoops to verify my identity. They wanted bank statements, utility bills, the whole nine yards. Once I uploaded everything through their secure portal it moved pretty quick.

been there, the anxiety is real when you're waiting for that first payment. just remember to file every week and keep looking for work. the money will come, washington esd is slow but they do pay eventually

Pro tip: Set up direct deposit when you file your claim. Getting a debit card mailed takes an extra week and then you have to activate it. Direct deposit is much faster for getting your money.

One more thing about Claimyr - they also helped me understand why my claim was taking so long. The agent was able to see notes in my file that I couldn't see online. Really helpful for peace of mind when you're waiting.

Just want to add that even though the wait is stressful, Washington ESD does backdate your payments to when you first became eligible. So you won't lose money for the time you're waiting, just delayed in getting it.

My timeline was: Filed Monday, got confirmation Tuesday, identity verification Wednesday, approved the following Monday, first payment Thursday. So about 10 days total but I had all my documents ready and no employment issues.

The worst part is not knowing what's happening with your claim. I called every day for two weeks before someone finally told me what documents I needed to upload. Communication is their biggest weakness.

Bottom line - if everything goes smoothly, 2-3 weeks. If there are any hiccups, 4-6 weeks. But you'll get all your money eventually so try not to panic. Focus on finding your next job and the unemployment will help bridge the gap.