How long does it take to be approved for unemployment in Washington?

Thanks for the info! What kinds of things typically trigger adjudication? I'm hoping mine is straightforward since it was a clear layoff.

Common triggers include voluntary quit vs involuntary separation disputes, attendance issues, or if your employer contests the claim. Since yours was a layoff due to restructuring, you should be in good shape as long as you documented that correctly.

I totally understand the frustration. The waiting period is really stressful when you're counting on that income. Have you tried calling Washington ESD to check on your claim status? Sometimes there are issues that need to be resolved that aren't obvious from the online portal.

tried calling like 50 times, either busy signal or they hang up after being on hold for an hour. their phone system is terrible

I had the same problem with getting through to Washington ESD by phone. I actually found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a system that handles the calling and waiting for you - you can see how it works in their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Might be worth checking out claimyr.com if you're having trouble reaching them.

Oh good point about the weekly claims! I wasn't sure if I should be doing those while waiting. I'll make sure to keep filing them.

Yes definitely keep filing weekly! I made that mistake and had to go back and file all the missed weeks later which was a hassle.

I've been checking daily and haven't seen any messages yet. Hopefully that's a good sign that everything is processing normally.

No messages is generally a good sign. They'll definitely contact you if they need anything additional or if there are any issues with your claim.

5 weeks is definitely longer than normal. That suggests there might be an adjudication issue that needs to be resolved. Have you received any correspondence from Washington ESD about what specifically is being reviewed?

Nope, nothing. Just the generic 'under review' status. I've tried calling but can never get through to an actual person.

That's exactly the situation where Claimyr helped me out. When you're stuck in limbo like that, you really need to talk to someone who can look at your specific case and tell you what's holding things up. The service I mentioned earlier can get you connected to an agent who can actually explain what's happening with your claim.

Thanks for clarifying that. It was definitely a layoff due to company downsizing, so hopefully that keeps things simple.

I think it really depends on the individual case. Some go through quickly, others take weeks. The key is just being patient and making sure you've provided all the info they need.

Good call! I haven't set that up yet. Do I need to start logging job searches right away or only after my claim is approved?

You should start logging them right away. The job search requirement kicks in immediately, even while your claim is pending. You need to be able to document your work search activities for each week you claim benefits.

Exactly right. You need to be actively seeking work and able to document at least 3 job search activities per week. This includes things like applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc.

Yeah I remember during COVID it was taking like 2-3 months for some people. At least we're not dealing with that level of backlog anymore.

I'll keep an eye out for any requests. So far I haven't gotten any but I'll make sure to respond quickly if I do.

That's reassuring to hear! I'm at day 8 now so hopefully I'll hear something soon. Thanks for sharing your timeline.

Similar timeline for me - about 2.5 weeks total. The first payment is usually the biggest relief because then you know everything is working correctly.

Is there any way to check if that's happening with my claim? I haven't heard anything from my former employer about it.

It usually happens behind the scenes. If there's a delay in wage verification, Washington ESD might send you a letter asking for pay stubs or other documentation to verify your earnings.

You're right, I need to try to be more patient. It's just nerve-wracking when you're counting on that income. Thanks for the reality check.

That's actually a great suggestion that not many people know about. Legislative offices can sometimes get answers when regular channels aren't working.

True, though I'd probably try the Claimyr service first since it's specifically designed for this type of issue. But having a backup plan with your representative's office is smart too.

Congrats! That gives me hope. I'm still waiting but it's good to hear success stories.

That's awesome! The relief when you finally see that approval is incredible. Glad it worked out for you.