How long does it take to get unemployment benefits approved in Washington - still waiting after 2 weeks

It really depends on your situation. If there are no issues with your claim, it can be as quick as 2-3 weeks from filing to first payment. But if there's any kind of complication like questions about why you left your job or issues with your work history, it can take much longer.

The typical timeline for Washington ESD is 2-4 weeks for initial processing if everything is in order. Your claim goes through several steps: initial review, employer verification, and then determination. Since you mentioned it was a downsizing, that should be pretty straightforward to verify.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status and it's impossible. The phone system is completely overloaded and I keep getting disconnected. Recently found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at ESD within a day. They have this system that calls repeatedly until they connect you - check out claimyr.com if you need to talk to someone. There's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

The Washington ESD system is so backed up right now it's ridiculous. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment. They say 2-4 weeks but that seems to be more like 4-6 weeks in reality. The whole system is broken if you ask me.

Make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed! A lot of people don't realize they need to do this and it can delay your payments once you're approved.

Two weeks isn't that long in unemployment time, unfortunately. I know it feels like forever when you're waiting for money but Washington ESD is actually pretty good compared to some other states.

Just went through this myself last month. Filed on a Monday, got approved exactly 3 weeks later, first payment came 2 days after approval. The waiting is the worst part but it does eventually come through.

The key thing is making sure you have all your documentation ready. Washington ESD will need your employment history, wage information, and details about your separation. If anything is missing or unclear, it adds time to the process.

man this is bringing back memories of when I filed 2 years ago... took FOREVER and I was stressing the whole time. but it did come through eventually. hang in there!

One thing to keep in mind is that your first payment will include back pay from when you first became eligible, so even though you're waiting now, you'll get paid for all those weeks once it's approved.

I had a friend who used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and she said it was a game changer. She'd been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks and they got her through in like a day. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone urgently.

What's your claim status showing exactly? Sometimes it gives you clues about where you are in the process. Mine showed different messages as it moved through the system.

To give you a realistic timeline: Week 1-2 is initial processing and employer notification. Week 2-3 is usually employer response period. Week 3-4 is determination and setup of payments. You're right in that middle phase where they're probably waiting to hear back from your former employer.

Just remember to keep looking for work and documenting your job search activities. Washington ESD requires you to be actively seeking employment even while your claim is processing.

The worst part is not knowing what's happening. At least when you can talk to someone they can tell you if there are any issues or if it's just normal processing time.

hang in there, most straightforward claims like yours get approved. the waiting sucks but at least you know it wasn't your fault so there shouldn't be any issues with eligibility

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. Layoffs due to downsizing are usually approved without issues, it's just a matter of the timing for processing. Washington ESD has gotten better but they're still dealing with high volume.

Pro tip: if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD, try calling right when they open or during lunch time. Those seem to be the best times to actually get through.

Check your email and your online account regularly. Sometimes they send requests for additional information and if you miss it, it can delay your claim even more.

Two weeks feels like forever when you're waiting for money but it's actually pretty normal for Washington ESD. I bet you'll hear something by the end of next week. Just keep doing your weekly claims and stay patient.