How long does it take to get approved for unemployment Washington ESD claim processing?
Filed my initial unemployment claim with Washington ESD about 10 days ago and still haven't heard anything back. My account just shows 'claim pending' with no other details. I'm starting to get worried because I need to know if I'm approved so I can start filing my weekly claims. Is this normal timing or should I be concerned? Has anyone else experienced delays with their initial claim approval recently?
45 comments


Faith Kingston
It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for Washington ESD to process initial claims, sometimes longer if they need to verify your employment history or wages. Don't panic yet - 10 days is still within normal range.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Thanks that makes me feel better. Do you know if I should be doing anything while I wait or just sit tight?
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Faith Kingston
•Just keep checking your account and make sure you have all your documents ready in case they request anything. Also start looking for work since you'll need to log job searches once approved.
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Emma Johnson
Mine took exactly 3 weeks last year. The waiting is the worst part but once it's approved everything moves pretty smoothly. Just make sure you filed everything correctly - any mistakes can add weeks to the process.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•How do I know if I made any mistakes? My account doesn't show any errors or requests for additional info.
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Emma Johnson
•If there were obvious errors they'd usually contact you or show it in your account. Sounds like you're probably fine, just in the normal processing queue.
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Liam Brown
I've been trying to call Washington ESD for 2 weeks about my claim status but can never get through. The phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth trying if you need to talk to someone.
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Olivia Garcia
•Is that legitimate? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach Washington ESD by phone.
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Liam Brown
•I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They basically keep calling until they get through and then connect you. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•I might try that if I don't hear anything by next week. Thanks for sharing.
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Noah Lee
Processing times vary a lot depending on your situation. If you're a straightforward case with clear employment history it's usually faster. If you have multiple jobs, gaps in employment, or they need to verify wages with employers it can take 4-6 weeks easily.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•I worked for the same company for 3 years until they laid me off, so hopefully that's straightforward enough.
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Noah Lee
•That should definitely help speed things up. Mass layoffs are usually processed faster since Washington ESD already has the employer information on file.
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Ava Hernandez
Whatever you do, DON'T keep submitting new applications thinking it will speed things up. I made that mistake and it actually delayed my claim by another 2 weeks while they sorted out the duplicate applications.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Good to know! I was actually wondering if I should resubmit since it's been quiet for so long.
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Ava Hernandez
•Definitely don't do that. One application is enough. Just be patient and let the system work.
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Isabella Martin
Mine got stuck in adjudication for over a month because they couldn't verify my wages from a previous employer who went out of business. Had to provide bank statements and tax documents to prove my earnings. Hope yours is simpler than that!
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Yikes that sounds like a nightmare. How did you finally get it resolved?
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Isabella Martin
•Eventually got through to an adjudicator who walked me through exactly what documents they needed. Once I submitted everything it was approved within a week.
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Liam Brown
•This is exactly why services like Claimyr are so helpful - getting an actual person on the phone can solve these issues so much faster than waiting around.
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Faith Kingston
Also remember that even after you're approved, your first payment might take another week or two to actually hit your account. The whole process from filing to first payment is usually 3-5 weeks total.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•So I shouldn't expect any money for at least another 2-3 weeks even if I get approved soon?
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Faith Kingston
•That's about right unfortunately. Washington ESD is pretty slow with the whole process but it does eventually come through.
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Elijah Jackson
Check if you need to complete any additional steps like the WorkSourceWA registration. Sometimes claims get held up because people miss that requirement.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•I did register with WorkSource when I filed my claim. Should I be doing anything else there while I wait?
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Elijah Jackson
•You can start browsing job postings and maybe attend some of their workshops. It'll help when you start having to log job search activities.
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Sophia Miller
been waiting 5 weeks now and still nothing... this system is completely broken. how are people supposed to survive without income for over a month??
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Faith Kingston
•5 weeks is definitely longer than normal. Have you tried calling or checking if there are any issues with your claim?
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Sophia Miller
•tried calling probably 200 times, never get through. might have to try this claimyr thing people are mentioning
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Liam Brown
•Seriously recommend it at this point. 5 weeks is way too long to wait without answers.
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Emma Johnson
One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts in my Washington ESD account. At least then you'll know immediately when something changes instead of checking every day.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Good idea, I'll set those up right now. Thanks for the tip!
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Mason Davis
The waiting game is brutal but try to stay positive. I know it's hard when bills are piling up but most claims do get approved eventually. In the meantime, see if you qualify for any emergency assistance programs.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Are there other programs I should look into while waiting? I haven't really explored what else might be available.
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Mason Davis
•Look into SNAP benefits, utility assistance programs, and local food banks. Every little bit helps while you're waiting for unemployment to kick in.
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Mia Rodriguez
Pro tip: if you do get approved, make sure you understand the weekly claim filing process. I got approved but then messed up my first few weekly claims and it caused payment delays.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•What's the most important thing to know about filing weekly claims? I want to make sure I don't mess that up too.
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Mia Rodriguez
•Be super accurate about any work you do or money you earn during the week, even small amounts. And file on time every single week - missing a week can cause problems.
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Noah Lee
Just to set realistic expectations - Washington ESD is still dealing with higher volume than pre-pandemic levels. The 2-3 week timeline people mention is best case scenario. 3-4 weeks is probably more realistic right now.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Good to know. I'll try to be patient for at least another couple weeks before I start really worrying.
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Noah Lee
•That's probably wise. And definitely use the time to get familiar with all the requirements so you're ready when approval comes through.
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Jacob Lewis
Update us when you hear something! Always helpful to know current processing times since they seem to change based on volume and staffing.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•Will do! Hopefully I'll have good news to share soon.
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Liam Brown
One more thing about Claimyr - they can also help once you're approved if you run into any issues with weekly claims or payments. Having that direct line to Washington ESD agents is really valuable throughout the whole unemployment process.
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Lincoln Ramiro
•That's good to know. Sounds like it might be worth having as a backup option even if things go smoothly.
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