How long does it take to get unemployment approved in Washington ESD?

That's reassuring, thank you. I haven't worked anywhere that would dispute my claim so hopefully it goes smoothly.

mine took exactly 3 weeks last year, no issues

Thanks! Do I need to do the job search stuff even during the waiting period?

Yes, you need to start job searching immediately. Keep detailed records because they can audit your job search log at any time.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I was getting nervous it was taking too long already.

Mine took exactly 2 weeks and 3 days when I filed in March. No complications though.

What kind of issues would cause delays? I think I filled everything out correctly.

Things like if your employer contests the claim, if there are questions about why you left your job, or if they need to verify your work history. Also if you worked in multiple states recently.

Oh I didn't realize I should be filing weekly claims already! I thought I had to wait for approval first.

Yeah, common mistake. You need to file every week starting from when you became unemployed, even during the review period.

Thanks for the info! I've been keeping up with the weekly filings. Just nervous about bills coming due.

Yeah definitely keep doing those weekly claims or you'll lose those weeks permanently

Thanks! I wasn't sure if I should file weekly claims before getting approved. I'll start doing that this week.

yeah definitely file those weekly claims or you'll lose those weeks even if you get approved later

What kinds of things would trigger adjudication? I left my job because my hours were cut to almost nothing.

Reduced hours can sometimes trigger a review, especially if Washington ESD needs to verify the circumstances. As long as you reported everything accurately, you should be fine, but it might add some processing time.

What kind of things cause adjudication? I'm worried there might be issues I don't know about.

Common things are disputes about why you left your job, questions about your availability to work, or if you have any recent employer separations they need to investigate.

Oh no, 6 weeks? How do I know if mine will go to adjudication? Is there any way to check?

You'll get a notice if it goes to adjudication. Usually happens if there are questions about why you left your job or if your employer contests the claim.

Check your SecureAccess Washington account regularly. Any issues that need resolution will show up there with specific instructions.

What does adjudication mean exactly? I keep seeing that word but don't understand it.

Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim - like verifying the reason you left your job or checking your eligibility. It's basically a review process.

My claim went into adjudication and it took 5 weeks! Was so stressful not knowing what was happening.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got connected to a real person in about 20 minutes instead of calling for hours. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Try calling first thing at 8am when they open. That's the only time I've ever gotten through without waiting forever.

Did you have any complications or was it pretty straightforward?

pretty smooth, just had to wait for them to verify my wages with my previous employer

What would cause it to go into adjudication? I was laid off, not fired.

Layoffs are usually straightforward, but sometimes employers contest claims or there are discrepancies in the information. As long as your employer reports it as a layoff due to lack of work, you should be fine.

That's reassuring to hear! Did you get any updates during those 3 weeks or did it just suddenly get approved?

I got one letter asking for verification of my last employer info around week 2, then approval came the following week.

Did you have to do anything special or just wait?

just waited it out, tried calling but never got through. eventually got a big back payment for all the weeks

What would cause it to go into adjudication? I was laid off, not fired.

Could be anything - discrepancy in wages reported, need to verify your layoff with the employer, or even just random quality control checks. Don't panic if it happens.

I was laid off due to company downsizing so hopefully that helps speed things up. They gave us official notice and everything.

yeah that should be pretty straightforward then. make sure you have all your separation paperwork saved just in case

Wait, there's a waiting period even after approval? So it's really more like 3-4 weeks minimum?

Exactly. The waiting period is built into the system - it's the first week you file for benefits. You don't get paid for that week but you still need to file the claim.

This is so confusing! Why don't they explain this stuff clearly on the website?

How much does that cost? I'm already broke waiting for unemployment.

It's worth checking out their site for details, but honestly it was worth it for me to get answers instead of sitting in limbo for weeks not knowing what was happening with my claim.

Interesting, never heard of that service before. Did they actually help resolve your issue?

Good point. Do I need to start job searching immediately or only after I start receiving benefits?

You should start job searching right away. Washington ESD expects you to be actively seeking work from the time you file your claim.

That's exactly why I need to talk to someone there! There's probably something simple holding up my claim too.

That's another reason Claimyr was so helpful for me. I was able to get connected and find out exactly what was holding up my claim instead of just waiting and wondering.

I found this service called Claimyr that actually helped me get through to Washington ESD. They handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to actually talk to someone.

How much does something like that cost though? I'm unemployed, I don't have money for extra services.

It's worth checking out their pricing. For me it was worth it just to get answers instead of wasting hours calling myself.

Have you tried calling to find out what's causing the delay?

I've tried calling Washington ESD probably 50 times. Either busy signal or I get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours.

Is this legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days and can never get through.

Yeah it's real - they don't ask for personal info or anything sketchy. Just helps you get connected to an actual person at ESD when you need to talk to someone about your claim.

Honestly anything that helps with those phone lines is worth trying. I spent 4 hours on hold last week just to get disconnected.

Oh I didn't know about filing weekly claims while pending! Do I do that through the same Washington ESD website?

Yes, same site. You should file every week even if your claim isn't approved yet. They'll pay you retroactively.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that's pretty straightforward.

Yeah layoffs usually process faster than quits or terminations. You should be fine.

Wait, I need to be job searching already? I thought there was like a waiting period or something.

Nope, job search requirements start immediately. You need to register with WorkSourceWA and log 3 activities per week. Activities can be applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc.

this is why the system is so confusing, they dont explain any of this upfront

Have you tried calling? Sometimes there's an issue they need to resolve but they don't always notify you right away.

I've tried calling probably 50 times. Can never get through. The phone system is designed to keep you out.

I used Claimyr to get through when I was stuck like that. Took about 2 hours but I finally got to talk to someone who told me what the holdup was.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call but can never get through.

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Saved me from sitting on hold for hours.

Interesting, I might have to try that. I've been calling every day with no luck.

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

I've tried everything - early morning, lunch time, different days of the week. The phone system is completely broken.

You might want to try Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Basically they call for you and get you connected to an actual person.

Good point about the weekly claims. I'll make sure to do those even while waiting.

Wait, you have to file weekly claims before your initial claim is even approved? That seems weird.

Yes, you need to keep filing weekly claims to maintain your place in line. If you don't file them, you won't get paid for those weeks even after approval.

How much does something like that cost? Seems too good to be true

It's definitely worth it when you need to get through. Way better than spending your whole day redialing the same busy number.

I might try this if I don't hear back soon. The phone lines are impossible.