How long after filing does Washington ESD approval take for unemployment benefits?
Filed my initial claim with Washington ESD about 10 days ago and still haven't heard anything back about approval or denial. My claim status just shows 'under review' when I log into my account. I know they have to verify my employment history and wages, but I'm getting anxious because I have bills coming due. For those who've been through this process recently, how long did it take from filing to getting your first payment? Is 10 days normal or should I be worried something's wrong with my application?
52 comments


Dylan Campbell
Washington ESD typically takes 2-4 weeks for initial claim processing, depending on complexity. Since you're at 10 days, you're still within the normal timeframe. They have to verify your wages with employers and run identity checks. As long as you don't see any issues flagged in your account, you should be fine.
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StarStrider
•Thanks for the reassurance! I was starting to panic. Should I keep filing my weekly claims even though the initial claim isn't approved yet?
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Dylan Campbell
•Yes, definitely keep filing your weekly claims! You can backdate them once approved, but missing weekly claims can delay your benefits even more.
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Sofia Torres
Mine took exactly 3 weeks last year. The waiting is the worst part honestly. Washington ESD is just slow with everything.
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StarStrider
•3 weeks feels like forever when you're waiting! Did you have any complications or was it straightforward?
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Sofia Torres
•Pretty straightforward, they just had to contact my previous employer to verify dates. No issues on my end.
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Dmitry Sokolov
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you connected to a real person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.
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StarStrider
•Interesting, never heard of that. Do they charge a lot for the service?
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Dmitry Sokolov
•It's worth it just to avoid the frustration of calling Washington ESD directly. The phone system is terrible and you usually get disconnected anyway.
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Ava Martinez
•I'm skeptical of third-party services for government stuff. Isn't there a free way to get help?
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Miguel Ramos
WASHINGTON ESD IS A NIGHTMARE TO DEAL WITH! I waited 6 weeks for approval and when I finally got through to someone they said there was a glitch in their system. Six weeks of my life I'll never get back!
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QuantumQuasar
•That's awful! Did you eventually get backpay for those 6 weeks?
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Miguel Ramos
•Yeah they backdated it but the stress nearly killed me. Bills don't wait for Washington ESD to get their act together.
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Zainab Omar
10 days is nothing, you're being impatient. I've seen people wait 2 months during busy periods.
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StarStrider
•2 months?! That seems excessive. When was this?
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Zainab Omar
•During the pandemic it was chaos, but even now with regular claims it can take a while if they need to investigate anything.
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Dylan Campbell
One thing that can speed up the process is making sure all your information is 100% accurate on your initial application. Any discrepancies in employment dates, wages, or personal info can trigger additional review that adds weeks to processing time.
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StarStrider
•I double-checked everything but maybe I should review it again. Is there a way to update information after filing?
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Dylan Campbell
•You can call Washington ESD to make corrections, but it's easier to get it right the first time. Small errors can cause big delays.
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Connor Gallagher
just keep filing weekly claims and wait it out, not much else you can do
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StarStrider
•Yeah, that seems to be the consensus. The waiting game is brutal though.
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Dmitry Sokolov
Another option if you need to speak with Washington ESD directly is using Claimyr. I mentioned it earlier but wanted to emphasize how much easier it made getting through their phone system. The video demo really shows how simple it is to use.
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Yara Sayegh
•I actually tried Claimyr last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Got connected to a Washington ESD rep in like 20 minutes instead of calling for hours.
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Ava Martinez
•Okay that's actually pretty convincing. The normal Washington ESD phone number is basically useless.
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Keisha Johnson
The key is patience unfortunately. Washington ESD processes thousands of claims and they're understaffed. 2-3 weeks is typical for straightforward claims, longer if there are any red flags or if they need additional documentation from you or your employer.
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StarStrider
•That makes sense. I just wish they gave more status updates along the way so you know what's happening.
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Keisha Johnson
•Agreed, their communication could be much better. The online portal is pretty basic compared to other state systems.
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Paolo Longo
Mine was approved in exactly 14 days but then it took another week for the debit card to arrive in the mail. So even after approval there can be additional delays before you actually see money.
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StarStrider
•Good point about the debit card! I hadn't thought about that part of the timeline.
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Paolo Longo
•Yeah, factor in at least a week for the card to arrive and get activated. The whole process end-to-end is usually 3-4 weeks minimum.
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QuantumQuasar
I'm going through the same thing right now - filed 12 days ago and nothing yet. At least I know I'm not alone!
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StarStrider
•Solidarity! The uncertainty is the worst part. Hopefully we both hear something soon.
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Dylan Campbell
One more tip - if your claim does get flagged for adjudication (which happens if there are any questions about your separation from employment), that can add another 2-4 weeks to the process. Most initial claims don't require adjudication, but it's something to be aware of.
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StarStrider
•How would I know if my claim went to adjudication? Would it show in my online account?
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Dylan Campbell
•Yes, your account status would change to show 'adjudication in progress' or similar language. You'd also typically get a notice in the mail.
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CosmicCowboy
Washington ESD timing really depends on your specific situation. Clean separation from employment with clear wage records = faster processing. Any complications like being fired, quitting, or wage disputes = much longer.
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StarStrider
•Mine was a straightforward layoff so hopefully that helps speed things up.
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Amina Diallo
The 2-4 week timeframe is accurate in my experience. I filed in January and got approved in 19 days. First payment came about a week after that.
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StarStrider
•19 days is right in that range everyone's mentioning. Thanks for sharing your timeline!
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Oliver Schulz
Don't forget you also need to complete the required job search activities while waiting for approval. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week, so start tracking those now.
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StarStrider
•Oh good reminder! I need to set up my WorkSourceWA account and start logging job searches.
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Oliver Schulz
•Exactly, and keep detailed records. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities at any time.
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Natasha Orlova
been waiting 3 weeks now and still nothing, starting to get really worried about rent
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StarStrider
•3 weeks is getting to the longer end but still within normal range according to others here. Hang in there!
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Javier Cruz
I had a similar experience and ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Worth every penny to actually talk to a human at Washington ESD and get a real status update on my claim.
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StarStrider
•Seems like more and more people are having success with that service. Might be worth considering if I don't hear anything soon.
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Emma Wilson
The waiting is awful but try to stay patient. Washington ESD will eventually process your claim, and you'll get backpay for all the weeks you were eligible. The system is slow but it does work.
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StarStrider
•Thanks for the encouragement! I'm trying to stay positive and just focus on job searching while I wait.
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Malik Thomas
Check your spam folder too - sometimes Washington ESD emails end up there. And make sure your mailing address is correct because they still send important notices by mail.
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StarStrider
•Good point about spam folder! I'll double-check that and verify my address in my account.
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NeonNebula
Update us when you hear something! It helps others to know realistic timelines for Washington ESD processing.
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StarStrider
•Will do! Hopefully I'll have good news to share in the next week or two.
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