How long do it take to get approved for unemployment in Washington ESD?

What kind of issues would cause it to take longer? I was laid off due to company downsizing so I thought that would be pretty clear cut.

Layoffs are usually straightforward, but sometimes Washington ESD needs to verify the details with your former employer. They might also need additional documentation about your work history or wages.

Did your friend ever figure out what the holdup was?

yeah eventually they approved it but she had to provide some extra paperwork about her termination

I've tried calling a few times but keep getting that busy signal or getting disconnected after waiting forever.

I had the same problem with calling Washington ESD. What worked for me was using Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and redialing.

I've heard of Claimyr but never tried it. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - they basically handle all the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent becomes available. I was skeptical too but it worked when I needed to check on my adjudication status.

Wait, I thought I couldn't file weekly claims until I was approved? The website is confusing about this.

No, you need to file weekly claims starting the week after you apply, even if your initial claim is still pending. It's one of the most common mistakes people make.

This is exactly why the Washington ESD system is so broken. They don't explain this stuff clearly and then people lose out on benefits through no fault of their own.

The online chat is pretty limited. They can only give you basic information, not really help with specific claim issues. For anything complex you need to talk to an actual claims specialist.

Ugh, so basically we're just stuck waiting and hoping for the best?

That's where services like Claimyr come in handy. I used them last month when my claim was stuck and I needed answers. Much better than spending all day trying to get through on the phone yourself.

I feel your frustration but hang in there. Most people do eventually get approved if they qualify. The waiting is definitely the hardest part.

Thanks, just wish they would communicate better about timelines and what's happening with our claims.

That gives me some hope. Did you get any updates during those 14 days or did approval just show up one day?

No updates at all, then one day I logged in and saw my claim was approved and my payment amount was listed. Very anticlimactic after all that worrying!

Good point, I've been checking that every day. Nothing so far but I'll keep watching for it.

ID verification can definitely add time to the process. If your documents aren't clear or don't match exactly what they're looking for, they might request different ones.

I had to resubmit my ID photos three times before they accepted them. The requirements are really picky about image quality and lighting.

How much did it cost? I'm willing to pay if it actually works.

I'd rather not get into specific costs but it was worth it for me considering how much time and stress it saved. You can check their website for current pricing.

I'm always skeptical of these paid services but if it's the only way to actually reach Washington ESD, might be worth considering.

Easy to say be patient when you're not the one wondering how you're going to pay rent next week.

I totally understand the stress, I've been there too. Just trying to offer some reassurance that it usually works out in the end.

Congratulations! That gives me hope that mine will come through soon too.

Did you end up getting back pay for all the weeks you were waiting?

Yes, I got back pay for all the weeks I filed weekly claims during the waiting period. Make sure you keep filing those even while waiting for approval!