How long does it take to get approved by Washington ESD unemployment?
Filed my initial claim with Washington ESD about 10 days ago and still haven't heard anything back. My claim status just says 'under review' and I'm starting to worry. I lost my job at a manufacturing plant due to layoffs and provided all the documentation they asked for. How long does it typically take to get approved? I'm getting anxious about bills piling up and need to know if this is normal or if something's wrong with my claim.
54 comments

StarStrider
It depends on your situation but typically takes 2-4 weeks for a straightforward claim. If there are any issues or they need additional documentation, it can take longer. Have you checked your SecureAccess Washington account for any action items?
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorI check every day but nothing shows up under action items. Just says under review still.
0 coins
Yuki Sato
That's actually a good sign - means they probably don't need anything else from you.
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
Mine took exactly 3 weeks back in November. The waiting is the worst part but it's pretty normal for Washington ESD to take that long, especially if you filed right after a layoff and they need to verify with your employer.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorDid you get any updates during those 3 weeks or did it just change to approved all at once?
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
Nothing until the day it got approved. Then I got an email and could see my weekly benefit amount.
0 coins
Andre Lefebvre
If you're having trouble waiting or need to speak to someone about your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually get through to Washington ESD agents on the phone. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.
0 coins
Zoe Alexopoulos
Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?
0 coins
Andre Lefebvre
It's legit - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you. I was skeptical too but it actually got me through to talk to someone about my adjudication issue.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorMight be worth trying if I don't hear anything by next week. Thanks for the tip.
0 coins
Jamal Anderson
10 days is nothing lol. I waited 6 weeks for mine to get approved and that was considered normal. Washington ESD is just slow as molasses.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
Author6 weeks?! That's terrifying. How did you survive financially during that time?
0 coins
Jamal Anderson
Credit cards and help from family. It sucked but the back pay made up for it when it finally came through.
0 coins
Yuki Sato
The timeline really depends on whether your claim goes into adjudication or not. If Washington ESD needs to investigate anything about your separation from work, it can take 4-6 weeks. But if it's a straightforward layoff with no issues, 2-3 weeks is more typical.
0 coins
Mei Wong
How do you know if it's in adjudication? My claim has been pending for 3 weeks now.
0 coins
Yuki Sato
Usually it will say 'adjudication in progress' in your claim status. If it just says under review, you're probably just in the normal processing queue.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorMine just says under review so hopefully that's good news.
0 coins
Zoe Alexopoulos
I'm in the same boat - filed 2 weeks ago and still waiting. The uncertainty is killing me more than anything else.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorExactly! I just want to know one way or the other so I can plan accordingly.
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
The waiting is definitely the hardest part. Try to hang in there - it will come through.
0 coins
StarStrider
Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for approval. A lot of people don't realize you need to do that from the start or you'll lose those weeks.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorYes, I've been doing that every Sunday. Good reminder though!
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
Wait, you have to file weekly claims before you're even approved? That seems backwards.
0 coins
StarStrider
Yep, it's confusing but that's how Washington ESD works. You file weekly claims to 'hold your place' essentially.
0 coins
Mei Wong
The worst part is you can't really call them to check on status because their phone system is completely overwhelmed. I tried calling 47 times in one day and never got through.
0 coins
Andre Lefebvre
That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. I was in the same situation - couldn't get through no matter how many times I called.
0 coins
Mei Wong
How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash.
0 coins
Andre Lefebvre
It's worth checking out their site for details. For me it was worth it just to get answers instead of sitting in limbo.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
Is there any way to speed up the process or do you just have to wait it out?
0 coins
Yuki Sato
Not really any way to speed it up unfortunately. Just make sure all your info was accurate when you filed and keep doing your weekly claims.
0 coins
StarStrider
Sometimes if you can actually get through to someone on the phone they can give you an update, but that's easier said than done.
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed record of when I filed, what documentation I provided, etc. Made it easier when I finally did talk to someone.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorGood idea. I'll start documenting everything from here on out.
0 coins
Jamal Anderson
Screenshots of everything too. The Washington ESD website glitches sometimes and you want proof of what you submitted.
0 coins
Zoe Alexopoulos
At least with layoffs they usually approve you eventually. I heard it's much worse if you quit or got fired.
0 coins
Yuki Sato
Yeah, those situations often require adjudication to determine if you're eligible. Layoffs are generally more straightforward.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorThat makes me feel a bit better about my situation then.
0 coins
Mei Wong
UPDATE: Just got approved after 3.5 weeks! Hang in there everyone, it does happen eventually.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorCongrats! That gives me hope. Did you get all the back pay for the weeks you were waiting?
0 coins
Mei Wong
Yes, got paid for all the weekly claims I had filed. Definitely worth the wait even though it was stressful.
0 coins
Zoe Alexopoulos
That's awesome! Maybe there's light at the end of the tunnel for the rest of us.
0 coins
Andre Lefebvre
For anyone still waiting and getting anxious, I really recommend checking out that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Even just talking to someone who knows the system can help ease the stress while you wait.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorI'm definitely going to look into it if I don't hear something by next week.
0 coins
QuantumQuasar
At this point I'm willing to try anything that might help get some answers.
0 coins
StarStrider
The good news is that once you're approved, the weekly payments usually come pretty quickly. Most people get their first payment within a few days of approval.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
AuthorThat's reassuring. I'm hoping to hear something soon so I can start planning my budget properly.
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
Yeah, once the floodgates open it moves pretty fast. The waiting is definitely the hardest part.
0 coins
Jamal Anderson
Just remember that Washington ESD processes thousands of claims so they're not trying to make you wait on purpose. It's just a slow bureaucratic process.
0 coins
Zoe Alexopoulos
I know logically but it's hard not to take it personally when bills are due.
0 coins
Yuki Sato
Totally understand the frustration. The system could definitely be more efficient but at least it does work eventually.
0 coins
Ethan Clark
Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses. Feeling a lot less anxious knowing that 2-4 weeks is normal and that others have been through the same thing.
0 coins
StarStrider
Glad we could help! Keep us posted on how it goes.
0 coins
Carmen Ruiz
You got this! The waiting sucks but you'll get through it.
0 coins
Andre Lefebvre
And remember that Claimyr option is there if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD before your approval comes through.
0 coins