How long does it take to get on unemployment in Washington - timeline questions

What kinds of things would cause it to go into adjudication? I was laid off due to budget cuts, nothing complicated.

Budget cuts should be fine. Adjudication usually happens when there's questions about why you left, if you quit vs were fired, or if there's conflicting information from your employer.

Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am? That's usually the best time to get through.

I've tried that multiple times but still can't get through. It's so frustrating when you need answers about your claim status.

I had the same problem getting through to Washington ESD. I ended up using a service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an agent. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That's encouraging! Did you have to wait for any verification or did it go through automatically?

It went through automatically. I think having all my employer information ready and being accurate with dates helped speed things up.

6 weeks?! What was the issue that caused such a long delay?

Apparently my former employer disputed my claim saying I was fired for cause. Took forever to get it sorted out, but I eventually won the appeal.

Good advice but easier said than done. Getting through to them is nearly impossible these days.

True, the phone system is overwhelmed. That's why some people use services like Claimyr to help get through to agents when they really need to talk to someone.

Wow, that's fast! Did you do anything special or was it just luck?

I think it was just a clean case - clear layoff, good employment history, no red flags. Had all my documents ready when I filed.

What documentation do you need besides the basic application info?

Usually just accurate employment dates and wage information. But if there's an issue, they might ask for additional documents to verify your eligibility.

5 weeks is definitely too long for a standard claim. You need to get through to someone to find out what's holding it up.

I know, but I can't get through no matter what I try. The phone just rings and rings or goes to a busy signal.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they specialize in helping people get through to Washington ESD agents when the normal phone lines aren't working.

Exactly how I'm feeling right now. The uncertainty is almost worse than the actual financial stress.

It gets better once you know your claim is approved and you're in the routine of filing weekly claims. Hang in there.

Good point - I wasn't sure about that. So I should file weekly claims starting right away?

Yes, absolutely. File for every week you're unemployed starting from when you first became eligible. That's how you ensure you don't lose any benefits.

You can log into your account and review your application, but if there were errors, Washington ESD would typically contact you about it.

I haven't heard anything from them, which is why I'm wondering if my application is just sitting in a queue somewhere.

I only had one employer for the past 2 years, so hopefully that keeps things simple.

That should definitely help speed things up. Straightforward employment history usually means faster processing.

I thought they eliminated the waiting period during COVID? Is it back now?

You're right, they did eliminate it temporarily, but I'm not sure if it's permanently gone or just suspended. Worth checking the current rules.

That's the problem though - 'getting through to someone' is nearly impossible these days.

True, but you have to keep trying. Some people have success with that Claimyr service others mentioned for getting through to agents.

Thanks everyone for all the insights. Feeling more prepared for what to expect now.

Good luck with your claim! Remember to keep filing those weekly certifications while you wait.

This is really helpful - the documentation point is so important! I just went through a layoff too and made sure to get everything in writing from HR before I left. Did you have to provide your layoff notice during the adjudication process, or was it something you submitted upfront with your initial application?

@Alexander Evans That s'such a valuable perspective, thank you! I m'in a similar situation - just got laid off due to budget cuts and worried about potential complications. Quick question: when you mention keeping a job search log, do you know if Washington ESD has specific requirements for how many jobs you need to apply to each week? I want to make sure I m'meeting all the requirements from day one to avoid any delays in my claim.

@Alexander Evans @Grace Durand For Washington ESD work search requirements, you typically need to make 3 job contacts per week once your claim is approved. But honestly, the requirements can change and vary based on your situation, so I d recommend'checking the current guidelines on their website or asking when you speak with an agent. The important thing is to start keeping detailed records now - date, company name, position applied for, how you applied online, in (person, etc . Even)if the requirements are slightly different, having good documentation will never hurt your case. I learned this the hard way when I had to go back and try to reconstruct my job search activities from memory!

Don't wait for your final paystub - file right away! You can always provide additional documentation later if Washington ESD requests it. The key is getting your application in as soon as possible since there can already be delays in processing. Most of the essential info they need initially is stuff you already know - your employer details, last day worked, reason for separation, etc. Your final paystub will mainly just confirm wage information they can verify through other means. I made the mistake of waiting a few extra days to get "everything perfect" and wished I had just filed immediately. Every day you delay is potentially a day longer before you see your first payment.