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

What would cause it to go into adjudication? I was laid off due to lack of work, so I don't think there should be any issues.

Common reasons include discrepancies in employment dates, wage information that doesn't match employer records, or if you had any job separations in the past 18 months that weren't clearly due to lack of work.

Thanks! I have been doing the weekly claims. Do you know what kinds of things cause delays?

Common delays include issues with your work separation, identity verification problems, or if you worked in multiple states recently. Also if your employer contests the claim it can add weeks to the process.

That's encouraging! Did you have to do anything special or just wait?

Just filed my weekly claims on time and made sure all my information was accurate. The key is being consistent with your job search activities too.

Oh I didn't realize about the waiting week thing. So even if everything goes perfect I'm looking at 2+ weeks before any money?

Exactly. The waiting week is standard for everyone in Washington. After that, if your claim is approved, you'll get your first payment for the second week you filed.

What kinds of things would trigger adjudication? I was laid off due to downsizing, nothing controversial.

Layoffs are usually pretty straightforward. But sometimes they verify employment dates, wages, or contact your former employer. If your employer disputes the layoff or claims you were fired for cause, that would definitely trigger adjudication.

This is exactly what happened to me. My former employer told Washington ESD I was fired for performance issues when I was actually laid off. Took 2 months to resolve.

Oh no, that sounds like a nightmare! How did you finally get it resolved?

eventually got through on the phone after trying for days. that's when they told me about the employer dispute and scheduled the interview

Is that legit? Seems too good to be true. How much does it cost?

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't publish pricing on the site but it was worth it for me to avoid spending entire days calling.

Interesting, I might need that if my claim gets stuck. Right now I'm just waiting but good to know there are options.

Thanks! Do I need to wait for the determination letter before I can file weekly claims or can I start filing them right away?

You can start filing weekly claims immediately after submitting your initial application. Don't wait for the letter or you'll delay your payments even more.

Ok that's reassuring, I was worried I did something wrong. Did you have to do anything else during those first few weeks?

Just keep filing your weekly claims even if you haven't been paid yet. That's really important - if you miss weeks you could lose benefits for those periods.

Thanks! Should I be worried that it's been over a week already? I haven't heard anything from them.

One week is totally normal. They're usually pretty backed up. Just keep checking your account online every few days.

Thanks! I wasn't sure about filing weekly claims before approval. I'll make sure to do that this Sunday.

wait you have to file weekly claims before they approve your initial claim? that seems backwards

Yes, you must file weekly claims starting the week after you file your initial application. If you don't, you'll lose those weeks even if approved later.

What would cause it to go into adjudication? I think I filled everything out correctly.

Common things are separation issues with your employer, questions about your availability to work, or if you quit vs were laid off. Even small discrepancies can trigger a review.

Interesting, I haven't heard of that before. Did you actually use it yourself?

Yeah, used it twice when I couldn't get through the normal way. Much less frustrating than hitting redial for hours.

How much does something like that cost though? Money's already tight.

Oh wow I didn't know that! I haven't filed a weekly claim yet. How do I do that?

Log into your Washington ESD account and look for the weekly claim section. You usually claim for the previous week on Sundays.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found them when I was having the same issue - couldn't get through to Washington ESD no matter what. They actually got me connected to an agent who explained what was holding up my claim. Check out claimyr.com, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that but at this point I'm willing to try anything. Getting desperate here.

This is accurate. I work with a lot of people filing claims and the biggest delays come from not responding quickly to Washington ESD requests for additional info.

Good to know. I'll make sure to check my account daily for any messages or requests.

What exactly is adjudication? I keep seeing that term but don't really understand it.

Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim before they can approve it. Could be verifying your work history, determining if you were fired for misconduct, or resolving conflicting information. It's basically a review process that requires human intervention rather than automatic approval.

7 weeks?? How did you survive financially during that time?

Had to borrow money from family and use credit cards. When it finally came through I got all the back pay though, so that helped catch up on bills.

I feel your pain, the wait is brutal when you're counting on that money

Have you tried that Claimyr service I mentioned? Might be worth it to actually talk to someone and find out what's holding up your claim.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. The stress is killing me.

That's helpful to know what to expect. Hopefully mine stays on the shorter end of that range.

Also remember you won't get paid for the first week you claim - that's the waiting week rule in Washington.

Thanks! I've been doing the weekly claims. Just nerve-wracking waiting for that first approval.

Yeah the waiting is the worst part, especially when you can't reach anyone to check on it

Thanks! I've been filing weekly and doing job searches. Just nervous about the waiting period.

yeah the waiting is the worst part, especially when bills are due

How do you know if they're waiting on employer verification? My claim status doesn't really explain what they're reviewing.

You might not know unless you call them. The online system doesn't always show the specific hold-up.

What triggers adjudication? I was laid off due to company downsizing, no issues on my end.

Could be anything - employer disputes the separation reason, wage discrepancies, or just random verification. Layoffs usually don't cause problems but you never know.

Did they contact you about the verification or did you just have to wait?

they sent me a letter asking for more documents but I never got it in the mail, only saw it in my online account

What makes a claim go into adjudication? Is there anything I should watch out for?

Adjudication happens when there's a question about your eligibility - like if you quit vs were fired, or if there's conflicting information from your employer. Usually takes 2-4 weeks to resolve.

Is that legitimate? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach ESD.

Yeah I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Saved me from spending entire days trying to get through their phone system.

I might try that if I don't hear anything by next week. The not knowing is killing me.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call for weeks and keep getting disconnected.

Yeah, it worked for me. I was skeptical at first but I actually got to talk to someone within a few hours instead of spending days trying to get through.

This is exactly why I hate the system. They make you wait forever while bills pile up.

It's frustrating but understanding the timeline helps with planning. Apply for emergency assistance if needed while waiting.

I know it's frustrating but they have to verify everything to prevent fraud. The system got overwhelmed during COVID and they're still catching up.

I get that but people need money to survive. There has to be a better way.

How do you actually reach someone though? The phone system seems impossible.

That's where Claimyr really helps. I was in the same boat trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks. Claimyr got me through in less than a day and the agent was able to see exactly what was holding up my claim and fix it right away.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that's straightforward. What exactly is adjudication?

Adjudication is when they need to investigate something about your claim - like verifying your reason for separation from work or checking if you're able and available. Can take several weeks unfortunately.

My claim went into adjudication and it took 6 weeks! Was a nightmare trying to get through to anyone at Washington ESD to find out what was happening.

What kind of things would trigger an investigation? I was laid off due to downsizing so I think it should be pretty straightforward.

Layoffs are usually fine. It's more if you quit or got fired that they investigate. Since you were downsized you should be good to go.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD but keep getting the busy signal or getting hung up on after waiting forever.

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but it actually worked for me. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than the current phone system. I've wasted so many hours trying to get through.

Thanks for the detailed info! I did file my first weekly claim yesterday. Should I expect any communication from Washington ESD about the status?

You'll get notifications through your SecureAccess Washington account. Check it regularly rather than waiting for emails.

Yes I've been doing that. The weekly claim process is pretty straightforward at least.

This is so important. I missed filing one week while waiting for approval and lost that week's benefits permanently.

Exactly! Even if your claim isn't approved yet, keep filing those weekly claims. You can't go back and claim weeks you didn't file for.

7 weeks?! How did you survive financially during that time?

had to borrow money from family and use credit cards. not fun at all

Same situation here, had to get a cash advance just to pay rent while waiting

Good to know! Mine just shows 'processing' right now, so hopefully that's normal.

Yeah, 'processing' is fine for the first couple weeks. It's when it switches to 'adjudication' that you want to start asking questions.

Never heard of that, how much does it cost?

They focus on the value of actually reaching someone rather than costs. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Honestly worth it when you're stressed about claim delays.

This sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point.

How do I know if it's in adjudication? My account doesn't really say much.

It would show 'adjudication in progress' in your claim status. If it just says pending, you're probably still in the initial processing phase.

I've been in adjudication for 3 months now and can't get anyone on the phone to tell me what's happening!

I only had one employer for the past 2 years so hopefully that helps speed things up

Having one employer definitely makes the verification process faster. They just need to confirm your wages and reason for separation.

Have you checked your account on the SecureAccess Washington portal? Sometimes there are pending issues that you need to resolve before your claim can be processed.

yeah I check it every day and it just says 'under review' with no other information

Never heard of that before, does it actually work or is it some kind of scam?

It's legit - they basically call for you and hold your place in line, then connect you when an agent picks up. Saved me so much frustration.

That sounds too good to be true but I'm desperate enough to try it if my claim doesn't move soon

Same here! Filed a month ago and still waiting. Have you tried calling?

tried calling like 50 times, always busy signal or get disconnected after waiting 2 hours

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. The regular phone system is basically unusable.

Have you tried calling right when they open? I heard 8am sharp is the best time but still took me 47 tries to get through

Actually, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - they basically handle all the redialing and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Way better than sitting there hitting redial all day.

What counts as job search activities? Just applying for jobs?

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, employment workshops, and informational interviews all count. Check the ESD website for the complete list.

Have you checked if your claim went into adjudication? That would explain the delay. Look for any notifications in your account about needing additional information.

yeah it says adjudication in progress but no details about what they need or how long it takes

Adjudication usually means they're verifying something with your former employer. Could be about the reason for separation or wage information.

COVID was different though, they were overwhelmed. Things are more normal now.

True but even now I see huge variations. My neighbor got approved in 2 weeks, I waited 6 weeks for no clear reason.

That gives me hope! I'm going to make sure I stay on top of the weekly claims.

Yeah definitely don't skip those. And make sure your job search activities are logged properly too.

You need to be actively looking for work and keep a log of your job search activities. The requirements vary but usually it's 3 job contacts per week. Check your Washington ESD account for the specific requirements for your claim.

Oh crap I haven't been doing that at all. Am I screwed?

Start now and make sure you document everything going forward. You might need to explain the gap if asked but don't panic.

Yes, I'm keeping track of all my job applications. The website mentions needing 3 job search activities per week.

Make sure you understand what counts as a 'job search activity' - it's not just applications, can include networking, job fairs, etc.

Interesting, how does that work exactly? Is it expensive?

They basically handle the calling process for you so you don't have to sit there redialing. Way better than spending whole days trying to get through. Check out the video, it explains it better than I can.

Never heard of that but sounds useful. The phone system is absolutely terrible.

Is this legit? I'm desperate to talk to someone but don't want to get scammed.

Yeah it's real. They basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Never heard of this but anything is better than the normal phone system. Washington ESD's phone lines are impossible.

I was a regular W-2 employee for 2 years at the same company, so hopefully that makes it straightforward.

That should help speed things up. Make sure you're available for any phone calls from Washington ESD - they sometimes need to conduct eligibility interviews.

I feel your frustration. Have you tried calling right at 8am when they open? Sometimes that works better.

YES I've tried everything! Early morning, lunch time, different numbers. Nothing works. This is insane.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. The regular phone system is basically useless.

Oh no, 6 weeks?? What's adjudication? Is that something that could happen to my claim too?

Adjudication happens when there's a question about your eligibility that needs manual review. For a straightforward layoff like yours, it's unlikely unless your employer contests the claim.

Yeah well my employer decided to contest mine even though they laid me off. Now I'm stuck in limbo while they sort it out.

Good to know it's gotten better. I'll try to be patient for now.

What kind of issues typically cause delays?

Most common are wage verification issues, questions about your reason for separation, or if you had multiple jobs in your base period that need to be verified.

Have you tried calling to find out what's holding it up? Sometimes there's an issue that needs to be resolved that isn't obvious from your online account.

tried calling like 50 times, never get through. just busy signals or disconnected

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - the regular phone system is impossible to get through on. That service actually got me connected to an agent who explained my claim was stuck because of a simple verification issue.

That's really helpful to have a specific timeline, thanks!

Did you do direct deposit or the debit card option?

Direct deposit - seemed faster than waiting for a card to arrive in the mail.

Oh wow, I didn't know that! How do I file weekly claims if I'm not approved yet?

You can still file them through your account. They'll just be held until your initial claim is approved, then you'll get paid for all those weeks retroactively.

This is correct - very important to keep filing weekly even during the waiting period.

Each claim is processed individually based on the specific circumstances and employer response time. Even similar situations can have different processing speeds.

That's frustrating but makes sense I guess. Just wish there was more transparency about what's happening.

I feel your pain. The phone system is definitely overwhelmed. Have you tried contacting them through the secure messaging system in your account?

YES and they take 5-7 business days to respond with generic answers that don't help at all

This is exactly why I started using Claimyr. Instead of wasting hours trying to get through, they handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent is available. Game changer for dealing with Washington ESD.

Congrats! Did you get backpay for the waiting week or do you lose that first week?

Washington doesn't have a waiting week anymore, so I got paid for all eligible weeks from when I filed.

That gives me hope! Still waiting on mine but good to know the system does work eventually.

Good suggestion. I'm hoping it won't come to that but it's good to know those resources exist.

211 is a good resource to call for local assistance programs. Just dial 2-1-1.

That's amazing! What did the agent say about the employer dispute?

They said I'd get a notice about a hearing to resolve the dispute. At least now I know what's happening instead of being in the dark.

What counts as 'good cause' for quitting? I left my job because my hours got cut to basically nothing

Substantial reduction in hours can qualify as good cause, but you'll need documentation showing the hour cuts. Keep any emails or schedules that prove the reduction.

Good point about accuracy. I double-checked everything when I filed but you never know.

Yeah I made a typo in my employer's address and it delayed everything by 3 weeks while they sorted it out.

Yeah I'm checking like 5 times a day hoping something changes lol

Same! I refresh that page constantly even though I know it only updates once a day

Good to know, I'll keep an eye out for any notices

Yeah I almost missed one of those notices and it would have delayed my claim even more

Exactly! The lack of communication is the worst part. You have no idea if something is wrong or if it's just normal processing time.

Unfortunately the system isn't great at transparency. Most of the time 'pending' just means they're working through their backlog, but sometimes it means there's an issue that needs attention.

THIS. I spent weeks thinking everything was fine when actually they needed me to verify my identity. Only found out when I finally got through to someone.

That gives me hope! Hopefully mine goes as smoothly as yours did.

lucky you! mine's been in adjudication hell for a month

Have you tried calling? I mentioned Claimyr earlier - that's how I finally got through to check on my status when I was in a similar situation.

I'll check that out, thanks. At this point I'm willing to try anything.

I feel your pain. Have you tried contacting your state representative? Sometimes political pressure helps.

Yeah I'm going to try that next. This is insane.

7 weeks is way too long. Definitely worth trying Claimyr to get through to someone who can explain what's holding up your claim.

You should start your job search activities immediately. Washington requires 3 job search activities per week, and you'll need to report them on your weekly claims even during the initial processing period.

Got it, thanks. Better to be prepared than scramble later.

Yeah the uncertainty is really stressful. At least we're not alone in this.

Definitely helps to know others are going through the same thing. Hang in there!

That's reassuring since I was laid off due to downsizing, not fired for cause.

Yeah, layoffs are pretty straightforward usually. The complications come with resignations or terminations for cause.

Even if my claim isn't approved yet?

yes! if you dont file weekly claims you lose those weeks forever

Three weeks isn't unusual, especially if they're busy. Have you been filing your weekly claims?

yeah doing the weekly thing but its frustrating not knowing whats happening

What job search activities do I need to do? I haven't started looking yet because I wanted to get the unemployment sorted first.

You need to be actively looking for work and keep a log of your job search activities. Check the Washington ESD website for the specific requirements - I think it's 3 job contacts per week but verify that.

Good to know I'm in the normal range then. The waiting is just nerve-wracking when you have bills to pay.

That's not encouraging... I really can't afford to wait much longer

3 weeks isn't unusual, especially if there are any complications with the claim. Most people get approved around the 3-4 week mark.

17 days sounds pretty reasonable, hoping mine comes through around that timeframe

Volume definitely affects processing times. Winter layoffs always slow things down.

I was a regular employee at a retail store, so hopefully that helps speed things up.

Retail layoffs are usually pretty straightforward for Washington ESD to process.

You get backpay from your effective date, which is usually the Sunday of the week you filed your initial claim. So you won't lose those weeks while waiting for approval.

Oh thank god, I was worried I'd lose out on 3 weeks of benefits

Good to know. I'll factor that in when budgeting.

This is super helpful! I haven't gotten any determination letter yet so I guess I'm still in step 2.

Yes, and make sure you're checking your online account regularly. Sometimes important notices only show up there and not in the mail.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that's straightforward. They gave me a letter explaining everything.

That should help speed things up. Keep that letter handy in case Washington ESD requests documentation.

Definitely continuing the weekly claims. Thanks for the timeline, that's helpful to know what to expect.

And don't forget you have to do job search activities even while waiting for approval. They can ask for your log at any time.

Same here, took forever but eventually came through. The worst part is not knowing where you stand in the process.

Exactly! I wish they gave more detailed status updates instead of just 'under review'.

Wait, I need to be job searching while my claim is still pending?

Yes, the job search requirement starts immediately even if you haven't been approved yet. You need 3 job search activities per week.

wish they made that clearer when you file...

Is there anything I can do to speed up my employer's response? They said they'd cooperate but I'm worried about delays.

You can't directly influence their response time, but following up with your former HR department might help remind them of the deadline.

That's really helpful insight. I never realized the employer response time was such a big factor in processing delays.

What number did you call? The main line or a specific department?

Main customer service line. Tuesday mornings seem to be less busy than Mondays.

I might try that Claimyr thing instead of gambling on getting through. Sounds more reliable than trying to time it perfectly.

Already did that during the application process. Hopefully it helps speed things up when I do get approved.

Totally agree. The uncertainty makes everything worse when you're already dealing with job loss stress.

Hang in there. I know it's stressful but the system does work, just takes patience unfortunately.

That's good to know! I was wondering about that.

Yeah, the back pay helps but doesn't make up for the stress of not knowing when it's coming

Congratulations on getting approved! That gives me hope mine will come through soon.

Thanks! The relief when I saw that first deposit was incredible.

How do they verify wages? Do they contact the employer directly?

yeah they send some kind of form to your employer to confirm when you worked and how much you made. most employers respond quickly but mine took their sweet time

Wait, so I lose a whole week of benefits? That doesn't seem fair.

It's called the waiting week and yes, you don't get paid for that first week. It's just how the system works unfortunately.

Actually I think they got rid of the waiting week during COVID but I'm not sure if it came back. You might want to check on that.

Have you tried contacting your state representative? Sometimes they can help escalate cases.

I didn't know that was an option. I'll try anything at this point.

Seriously consider Claimyr too. When you're facing eviction, the small cost is worth it to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD who can look at your case.

What's a waiting week?

It's the first week after you file your claim. You don't get paid for that week initially, but it gets added to your first payment once you're approved.

What kind of disputes typically cause adjudication? I was laid off due to company downsizing.