How long after submitting proof for ESD adjudication until decision?
I'm currently stuck in adjudication hell with ESD. Just received an email asking for additional documentation about my separation from my previous job. I've got screenshots of everything - our final communication, the separation notice, even my final paystub. I uploaded all of this through my eServices account yesterday. Has anyone gone through this recently? I'm trying to figure out how long I should expect to wait before they make a decision. My rent is due in two weeks and I'm getting really nervous about timing. This is my first time on unemployment and the uncertainty is killing me!
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Eve Freeman
In my experience (just went through this in January), it really depends on what type of adjudication issue they're investigating. For separation issues like yours, I got a decision in about 9 days after submitting all my documentation. The key is making sure you've answered EXACTLY what they asked for - if anything is missing they'll just delay the process by asking for more info.
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Val Rossi
•Thanks for the response! 9 days actually doesn't sound too terrible. Did they contact you directly with the decision or did it just update in your eServices account?
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Clarissa Flair
lol 9 days?? i wish!! been waiting 5 WEEKS and still nothing. uploaded everything they asked for too. called like 20 times and cant get thru. ESD is such a joke honestly
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Caden Turner
•Unfortunately, 5 weeks isn't unheard of with ESD these days, especially if your case involves anything complicated. Have you tried contacting them through the claims center? I found that calling right when they open at 8:00 AM gives you the best chance of getting through.
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McKenzie Shade
•If you're struggling to get through to ESD, you might want to try Claimyr. It helped me connect with an ESD agent after weeks of trying. They basically hold your place in line and call you when they get through. I just watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3) and signed up at claimyr.com. Got connected to an actual human at ESD within a couple hours. The agent was able to check on my adjudication status and expedite it since I'd been waiting so long.
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Harmony Love
It took 3 weeks for my adjudication to resolve after i provided all the documents they asked for. But that was back in November so maybe there better now? My sister just had to go thru this last month and hers was 10 days. So i think they got faster maybe????
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Val Rossi
•Thanks for sharing your experience. It's helpful to know the recent timeframes. Fingers crossed mine is closer to the 10 day mark than the 3+ week mark!
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Caden Turner
The official ESD guidance is that adjudication decisions can take 3-8 weeks, but the reality is that it varies widely depending on: 1) The type of issue (separation issues like yours are typically faster than able & available or job search issues) 2) The clarity of your documentation (clear evidence speeds things up) 3) Whether your employer responds promptly 4) Current ESD workload (it fluctuates seasonally) In 2025, I've noticed the timeline has improved somewhat. A few tips to potentially speed things up: - Call ESD and confirm they received everything they need (sometimes documents don't upload properly) - Continue filing your weekly claims during adjudication - Check your eServices account daily for any new requests for information - Make sure your contact information is up to date in case they need to reach you If you don't hear anything after 2 weeks, it's definitely worth calling to check on the status.
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Val Rossi
•This is incredibly helpful - thank you! I didn't even think about the possibility that my uploads might not have gone through properly. I'll definitely call to confirm everything was received. And yes, I'm still doing my weekly claims, just not seeing any payments yet.
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Rudy Cenizo
im in the same boat right now!!! been waiting 4wks so far... they asked for proof that i was laid off but my manager wont return my calls to get a letter. did u have to get something directly from your employer??
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Val Rossi
•I didn't have to get anything new from my employer - I just had emails and the termination letter they gave me when I was let go. Maybe you could provide pay stubs showing you were employed and then suddenly weren't? Or any emails discussing your last day? Good luck!
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Eve Freeman
One thing to keep in mind - they're actually required by law to make a decision within 21 days of your claim being filed, but they often miss this deadline when their workload is high. If you go past 21 days, I recommend explicitly mentioning this requirement when you call. It won't necessarily speed things up, but sometimes it helps get your case flagged for priority review. Also, the decision letter will be posted to your eServices account AND mailed to you. The online notification usually appears 2-3 days before the physical mail arrives.
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Val Rossi
•I didn't know about the 21-day requirement! My initial claim was filed about 16 days ago, so I'm getting close to that mark. I'll definitely mention it if I call next week. Really appreciate this information.
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Natalie Khan
•I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that 21-day thing isn't always enforced. My adjudication took 32 days and when I mentioned the 21-day requirement to the agent, she just said they were "doing their best with limited resources" and there was nothing they could do to speed it up. Your mileage may vary though.
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McKenzie Shade
While you're waiting for the adjudication decision, make sure you're completing all your job search activities (3 per week) and documenting them properly. I had a friend who got through adjudication only to have his benefits denied because he hadn't been doing his job search activities during the waiting period. ESD considers this a separate requirement even while your claim is in adjudication.
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Val Rossi
•Thanks for this reminder! I've been doing my job searches and keeping track in the WorkSource system. Good to know that's still required even while I'm in adjudication.
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Elijah Knight
Hey Val, I just went through this exact same situation last month! The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you have bills coming due. In my case, it took about 12 days from when I submitted my documentation until I got the decision. What helped me stay sane during the wait was setting up a daily routine to check my eServices account (usually around 9 AM when they tend to post updates) and keeping a detailed log of everything I submitted with dates. Also, don't be afraid to call if you haven't heard anything by day 14 - sometimes just having them confirm your case is actively being reviewed can give you peace of mind. Hang in there, you've got this!
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