How long does Washington ESD unemployment take to get approved and start paying?

Thanks! I'll start filing weekly claims this Sunday then. My employer did mention they weren't going to contest it so hopefully that helps speed things up.

Yeah definitely file weekly even if you haven't been approved yet. I made that mistake and it delayed my whole claim by like 3 weeks because I had to go back and file all the missing weeks.

What kind of documentation did you need? I just uploaded my separation notice and ID when I filed.

That should be enough for most cases. Just keep checking your account daily for any correspondence or requests for additional info.

Have you tried using that Claimyr service? I saw someone mention it on another thread. Supposedly they can help you get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. Might be worth checking out at claimyr.com if you're that desperate.

Never heard of it but at this point I'll try anything. The regular phone system is useless.

I actually used Claimyr last month when my claim got stuck. They have this demo video that shows exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Basically they call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to an agent. Worked for me after trying to call myself for weeks.

How many job search activities do I need to do each week? The website wasn't very clear about that.

You need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of everything. Use WorkSourceWA to track them - it makes the process much easier.

Good to know, I'll definitely stay on top of checking my account. Did you get your payment by direct deposit or the debit card?

direct deposit is way faster. the debit card takes forever to arrive in the mail

Yeah it's definitely stressful. I'm trying to stay optimistic that it won't take the full 6 weeks but who knows.

Both of you should look into local food banks and utility assistance programs while you're waiting. Many communities have emergency assistance for people waiting on unemployment benefits.

While the system definitely has problems, most straightforward claims do get processed within the stated timeframes. The issues usually come up when there are complicating factors or disputes with employers.

Maybe YOUR claim was straightforward but plenty of us get jerked around for no good reason. The system is broken and they know it.

The phone system is basically impossible during normal business hours. I had to use Claimyr to get through - they handle the calling and waiting for you. Got connected to an agent within a few hours instead of days of trying myself.

I'll definitely look into that, thanks for the tip. At this point I need to talk to someone who can actually tell me what's going on with my claim.

That's encouraging! Did you have to do anything special or was it just a matter of waiting?

Nothing special, just filed accurately and kept up with my weekly claims. Oh and I set up direct deposit right away which probably helped speed up the first payment.

If your employer is contesting, you'll likely need to participate in a fact-finding interview or potentially an appeal hearing. Make sure you have documentation of your layoff and any communications with your employer about the separation.

Yeah I've been gathering everything I can find. It's just frustrating that they can drag this out for months when I was clearly laid off through no fault of my own.

How did you keep track of your job search activities? I'm worried about messing that part up.

I used a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, positions applied for, and method of contact. WorkSourceWA also has a built-in tracker that works well.

Congrats! Did they backdate your payments to when you first filed?

Yes, I got backpay for all the weeks I was eligible, even the ones during the waiting period. Just make sure you file every single week.

It really depends on the complexity of your case and the workload at Washington ESD. Simple layoffs with no disputes process much faster than cases that require investigation or have employer contests.

I guess that makes sense, but it would be nice if they could give you some indication of where you stand in the process.

Good reminder, thanks. I've already started applying to jobs but I need to get better about documenting everything.

Yeah, they can ask for your job search log at any time and if you don't have it properly documented, they can disqualify you for benefits. Better safe than sorry.

That's so good to hear! I'm hoping I'll be in the same boat in a couple weeks. The stress is really getting to me.

I totally understand the stress. It's awful not knowing when the money will come. But most people do get approved eventually if they're eligible.

Before you give up, try using Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD and find out what's actually happening with your claim. Sometimes there's a simple issue that can be resolved quickly once you talk to an agent.

I've never heard of that service but I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Regular calling is completely useless.

Thanks for the perspective. I'm trying to stay optimistic but it's hard when you're worried about bills.

Totally understandable. The financial stress makes everything worse. But you filed correctly and you're staying on top of things, so you should be fine.

Good to know there's a backup plan if something goes wrong. Hopefully it won't come to that though.

Yeah, most people don't need to appeal. But it's good to know the option exists if you need it. The appeals process is actually pretty straightforward.