How long does Commissioner's Review Office take for 2nd ESD appeals?

Mine took 4 months back in 2024... and that was considered 'fast'. I've heard some people waiting 6+ months for the Commissioner's Review. It's ridiculous how long they make people wait when bills don't stop coming. The worst part is there's literally NOTHING you can do to speed it up.

The Commissioner's Review Office is notoriously slow, unfortunately. The average time is approximately 4-6 months, though some cases are resolved in as little as 3 months while others can take up to 8 months depending on complexity and current backlog. Your best approach is to: 1. Make sure they have current contact information for you 2. Continue job searching and documenting all efforts 3. Consider applying for other assistance programs while waiting 4. Check if your case qualifies for hardship prioritization If your financial situation is dire, you can try calling ESD to see if they can flag your case as a hardship, which might move it up in the queue.

I went through this last year. My Commissioner's Review took about 5 months to complete. One thing that helped me was contacting my state representative's office - they have liaisons who can sometimes get status updates when you can't get through to ESD directly. They couldn't speed up my case, but at least I got confirmation it was in the queue and being processed. Also, while you're waiting, you might consider checking eligibility for other assistance programs like SNAP or emergency rental assistance if housing is an issue.

I waited 7 monthsfor my review and then they STILL denied me!!! The whole system is designed to make u give up. They denied me originally cuz my employer lied about why I was let go. OAH just rubber stamped the denial even tho I had proof!! Then Commissioner's Office did the same thing. Complete waste of time.

have u tried calling ESD to check status? sometimes they can tell u where u r in the queue or if theres any issues w/ ur case

If you're having trouble reaching ESD to check your appeal status, you might want to try Claimyr. I was in a similar situation - couldn't get through on the phones for weeks. Claimyr got me connected to an actual ESD agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 At least then you could get an update on where your case stands in the review process. The website is claimyr.com if you want to look into it. Worth it for me just to get some clarity on my situation instead of being in the dark for months.

To directly answer your original question with the most current information: As of 2025, the Commissioner's Review Office is taking approximately 16-24 weeks for most cases. It's unfortunately one of the slowest parts of the unemployment appeal process in Washington state. The backlog has actually improved slightly from 2023-2024 when some reviews were taking up to 36 weeks. But there's no way to expedite the process unless you can demonstrate severe financial hardship (eviction notice, utility shutoff, medical emergency). I recommend documenting all your job search activities during this waiting period, as this could be relevant if your appeal is successful and you need to claim benefits retroactively.

Thr most frustrating part is that they dont pay u during the appeal process!!! My claim took 5.5 months for review and was eventually approved, but I had to survive somehow during that time with NO income. Then when they finally approved it, I got a lump sum payment for all the weeks I should have been paid. But by then I'd already maxed out credit cards and borrowed money from family. System is completely broken!!!!

Yes, you absolutely should continue filing weekly claims during your appeal process. This is critical because IF your appeal is successful, you can only receive backpay for weeks you properly claimed, even if you were initially denied. The system will allow you to file these claims even while your case is under review. Regarding documentation: keep a detailed record of all job search activities, any communications with ESD, and maintain copies of all documents related to your case. Should your appeal be successful, this information will be vital for receiving proper backpay. Good luck with your appeal, and I hope the process moves quickly for you.

I'm currently going through this same process and wanted to share what I've learned. My Commissioner's Review has been pending for about 2 months now. One thing that's helped me mentally is setting up a realistic timeline - based on what everyone's shared here, I'm planning for 4-6 months minimum. A few practical tips that have helped me: - I set up automatic transfers to move any small amounts to savings when possible, even $10-20 - Applied for utility assistance programs before I got behind on bills - Started a simple spreadsheet tracking my appeal timeline and job search activities - Found local food banks and community resources as backup options The waiting is absolutely brutal, but try to use this time to build as many safety nets as possible. Also, if you haven't already, document EVERYTHING about your original job separation - dates, emails, witness contacts, etc. Sometimes people remember additional details during the long wait that could strengthen their case. Hang in there! The system is slow but don't give up hope.

I went through the Commissioner's Review process in early 2024 and it took exactly 19 weeks for my case. What really helped me during the wait was creating a "survival budget" - I cut everything non-essential and found every possible assistance program I qualified for. One thing I wish I'd known earlier: if you have any new evidence or documentation that wasn't submitted during your OAH hearing, you CAN still submit it to the Commissioner's Review Office. I found an old email from my supervisor that supported my case and submitted it 6 weeks into the review process. Also, try calling ESD early in the morning (right at 8 AM) or late in the afternoon after 4 PM - I had better luck getting through during those times. The wait times were still long but at least I didn't get disconnected as often. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what, and if you're approved, you'll get backpay for every week you properly claimed. The lump sum was a lifesaver when it finally came through. Stay strong - I know how exhausting this process is!