How long does Washington ESD unemployment investigation take - been waiting 6 weeks

mine took 8 weeks total, they said employer took forever to respond to their requests

Washington ESD investigations can vary widely depending on the complexity of your case. If it's just employer verification, it typically takes 4-8 weeks. However, if there are questions about misconduct or voluntary quit versus layoff, it can stretch to 10-12 weeks. The delay is often because employers have 10 business days to respond to Washington ESD requests, and some drag their feet.

I was stuck in investigation hell for 3 months last year. Couldn't get through to anyone at Washington ESD no matter how many times I called. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent who could look at my case. Found out my employer had provided conflicting information and Washington ESD was waiting for clarification. The agent was able to expedite the process once I explained my side. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been waiting 9 weeks for my investigation and Washington ESD won't even tell me what they're investigating! This is our money we paid into the system and they treat us like criminals.

same boat here, going on 7 weeks with no updates from washington esd. cant even get someone on the phone to tell me whats happening

Investigation timelines at Washington ESD have definitely gotten longer since 2020. They're understaffed and dealing with fraud concerns, so they're being extra thorough. The good news is that if you're approved, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you were waiting. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even during the investigation.

My investigation took 11 weeks but that was because my previous employer filed an appeal claiming I was fired for misconduct (which wasn't true). Had to wait for a hearing and everything. If yours is just separation verification it should be faster.

Try calling Washington ESD right at 8am when they open. Sometimes you can get through faster then. Also the technical support line sometimes transfers you to claims if you ask nicely.

Check if Washington ESD sent any mail to your address or emails to your account. Sometimes there are requests for additional information that people miss, and that can delay the investigation significantly.

My sister went through this last year and her investigation took 5 weeks. Her employer was slow to respond but once they did, Washington ESD approved her claim within a few days. Just gotta be patient unfortunately.

I used to work for a company that got these requests from Washington ESD all the time. Some HR departments are just slow or don't prioritize responding. The 10 business day window is just a guideline - there's no real penalty for employers who respond late.

Have you tried reaching out to WorkSource? They sometimes can help navigate Washington ESD issues or at least point you in the right direction for assistance.

Another option is to try Claimyr if the regular phone lines aren't working. A friend of mine used it recently and was able to get answers about her investigation status that she couldn't get through normal channels.

Document everything - when you called, what you were told, any correspondence. If this drags on much longer you might need that information for an appeal or complaint.

just want to say hang in there. i know 6 weeks feels like forever when youre stressed about money but most investigations do eventually get resolved

If you do get approved after a long investigation, make sure to double-check your backpay calculation. Washington ESD sometimes makes errors and you want to make sure you get every penny you're owed.

The waiting is the worst part. I remember checking my account obsessively every day when I was going through my investigation. Try to find ways to stay busy and not think about it constantly.

One more vote for trying Claimyr if you're still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD. I used it a few months ago when I was dealing with an overpayment issue and the agent was able to explain exactly what was happening with my case.

Keep filing those weekly claims! Can't stress this enough. Even if the investigation is ongoing, you need to maintain your filing schedule or you'll lose those weeks permanently.

Investigations are definitely taking longer these days. Mine was 7 weeks last spring and my coworker's was almost 10 weeks. Just the reality of the system right now unfortunately.