How long does it take to receive unemployment benefits from Washington ESD after filing?

Thanks! Do I file weekly claims even before my initial claim is approved? I wasn't sure about that part.

Yes, definitely file your weekly claims right away. You won't get paid for weeks you don't claim, even if your initial claim gets approved later.

That sounds like your claim might be in adjudication. Check your SecureAccess Washington account for any pending issues or documents they might need from you.

I've checked multiple times and there's nothing showing that I need to do. It's really frustrating not knowing what's happening.

I had the same issue and ended up using Claimyr to actually get through to someone at Washington ESD. They have a service at claimyr.com that helps you reach an agent - saved me hours of calling. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That's reassuring! I was also laid off so hopefully mine will be straightforward too.

Did you have to do anything special or just wait it out?

Just filed my weekly claims on time and waited. Make sure you're doing your job searches though - they can ask for your log at any time.

I understand the frustration, but have you checked if there are any issues flagged on your account that might be causing the delay?

OF COURSE I CHECKED! There's nothing there but they still won't pay me. This is ridiculous.

Try calling first thing at 8am when they open. That's when I finally got through after weeks of trying.

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

Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim before they can approve it. They might contact your former employer or request additional documentation from you.

How long does adjudication usually take? I think that's what's happening with my claim.

Adjudication can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on how complex the issue is and how quickly they can get information from employers.

Good to know! I'll make sure to keep filing weekly even though I haven't heard anything yet.

Yeah don't skip the weekly filing. I missed one week early on and had to fight to get that payment later.

What kind of documentation did you have ready? I want to make sure I have everything just in case.

Just my separation notice from my employer and my work history for the past 18 months. But honestly they didn't ask for anything extra.

Have you tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier? I'm getting desperate enough to try anything at this point.

Actually yes, I used them last week and finally got to talk to someone. Cost me but it was worth it to get answers about why my claim was stuck.

What did they tell you? I'm in the same boat with no info about my claim status.

That's the fastest I've heard! Gives me hope that mine might come through soon.

2 weeks is definitely on the fast side. Most people I know took 3-4 weeks minimum.

Right? The status messages are so vague. 'Under review' could mean anything.

At least we have forums like this to compare experiences. Makes me feel less alone in this mess.

I totally understand that pressure. Have you looked into emergency assistance programs while you wait? Some counties have help available.

I hadn't thought of that. Do you know where I would look for that kind of help?

Start with 211 - you can dial 2-1-1 or go to wa211.org. They have info on emergency assistance programs in your area.

Congratulations! That gives me hope. I'm at day 8 so hopefully not much longer for me.

Did you get back pay for all the weeks you filed claims for?

Yes, I got payment for all 3 weeks I had filed weekly claims for. So worth keeping up with those weekly filings!

Thanks for the summary! I'll make sure to stay on top of the weekly claims and check my messages regularly.

Good advice. I think a lot of delays happen because people miss important messages or don't file their weekly claims on time.

How much did it cost? I'm tempted but worried about the expense when I'm already not getting paid.

I'd rather not discuss the cost publicly, but for me it was worth it to get answers after weeks of uncertainty. You can check their website for current pricing.

This has been really helpful. I feel much better about the timeline now. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

Agreed, this thread has been super informative. Good luck to everyone still waiting for their benefits!