How long after OAH hearing until ESD decision arrives? Mail only or online updates?
Just had my unemployment appeal hearing with OAH this afternoon (like literally 3 hours ago). The judge said they'd mail the decision but I'm wondering if anyone knows how long this typically takes? Also, will they update anything in my online OAH account or ESD portal before the mail arrives, or is snail mail the only way I'll find out? I'm stressing about my finances and need to know if I should expect to wait days, weeks, or (please no) months for a decision. This whole appeal process has been such a rollercoaster already!
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Evan Kalinowski
When I had my hearing back in January, it took exactly 9 days to get the decision in the mail. Nothing showed up in my online accounts before that. The judge actually told us the decision would be mailed within 5-7 business days but it took a bit longer. Hang in there!
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The Boss
•9 days isn't too bad I guess. My judge didn't give any timeframe so I was imagining the worst. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Victoria Charity
mine took 3 weeks!! absolute nightmare waiting. kept checking online everyday but nothing updated til after i got the letter
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The Boss
•3 weeks?! That's exactly what I'm afraid of. Was there anything complicated about your case that might have caused the delay?
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Jasmine Quinn
The OAH (Office of Administrative Hearings) typically issues decisions within 7-10 business days after your hearing. They don't update the online portal with the decision - the written decision is only sent by mail. However, once you receive the decision, if it's in your favor, ESD will usually update your eServices account within 3-5 business days to reflect the new status of your claim. If the decision is not in your favor, you'll have 30 days from the mailing date (not the date you receive it) to file a Petition for Review with the Commissioner's Review Office.
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The Boss
•This is super helpful information, thank you! I'll watch the mail carefully. My case seemed pretty straightforward during the hearing, so hopefully it won't take the full 10 business days.
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Oscar Murphy
I remember waitng for my decision letter last year... most anxious time ever!! Checking mailbox obsessively lol. Got mine in about 8 days. Good luck!!
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The Boss
•I'm already checking my mailbox too much and it's only been a day 😅 Thanks for the good wishes!
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Nora Bennett
The real problem with ESD is nobody can ever get through to them on the phone to ask these simple questions! I spent 2 weeks trying to get someone on the line about my appeal decision timing last year. Kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Eventually I found Claimyr service at claimyr.com which got me through to an ESD agent in about 14 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent told me decisions take 5-15 business days depending on case complexity and judge workload. No online updates until after the decision is processed.
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Ryan Andre
•I had a similar experience with the inability to reach ESD. It's frustrating that basic information like processing times isn't clearly communicated upfront. The 5-15 business day range is actually quite helpful to know - most judges try to issue decisions within 10 days, but complex cases with lots of evidence or multiple witnesses can take longer. Did they specify if weekends count in the business days?
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Lauren Zeb
why dont they just email the decisions??? its 2025 for crying out loud. the whole unemployment system is still stuck in the stone age with their paper mail obsession. my friend got his decision in 12 days and his neighbor got hers in 4 days so its totally random.
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The Boss
•That's what I was thinking too! Email would be so much more efficient. The inconsistency in timing is really stressful when you're depending on that money.
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Victoria Charity
check ur junk mail folder too! my decision actually came as an email but went to spam and i didnt know for like 2 weeks until paper copy came lol
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Jasmine Quinn
•This is incorrect information. OAH does not email decisions for unemployment insurance appeals. They are only sent by physical mail. What you likely received was a different notification or perhaps a message through your eServices secure inbox, but not the actual judicial decision. The official OAH decision document is always sent by USPS mail.
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Ryan Andre
Former ESD employee here. The legal requirement is that OAH decisions must be mailed within 30 days of the hearing date, but in practice, most judges issue them within 5-10 business days. Complex cases involving multiple parties or extensive documentation can take longer. The decision is NOT posted to your OAH account online. This is for legal reasons - they need to ensure you actually receive the physical decision with appeal rights information. After you receive the decision, if it's favorable, ESD has 5 business days to implement it. If unfavorable, you have 30 days to file a Petition for Review. One tip: If it's been more than 15 business days, you can call OAH directly at 1-855-928-1237 to check on status. They can't tell you the decision but can confirm if it's been mailed.
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The Boss
•Thank you so much for this detailed explanation! Especially the tip about calling OAH directly if it's been over 15 days. I'm really hoping I don't need to use that, but it's good to know there's a way to check if necessary.
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Nora Bennett
•Good luck getting through on that OAH number though. Took me 7 attempts and wasted an entire morning. Their hold system is almost as bad as ESD's.
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