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

Thanks for the info! I have been filing weekly claims as instructed. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that could speed up the process.

This is good advice. I made the mistake of not filing weekly claims while waiting and lost out on 2 weeks of benefits that I couldn't get back.

That's reassuring to hear! I double-checked all my employment dates and wages before submitting so hopefully that helps.

14 days is pretty good timing. Mine took 18 days but I had worked for multiple employers in the past year which probably slowed things down a bit.

Interesting, I hadn't heard of that service. How much does it cost to use?

I don't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to get actual answers about my claim instead of guessing. Way cheaper than taking time off work to keep calling.

I used claimyr.com too after getting frustrated with busy signals. Got through to someone in like 20 minutes instead of calling for days.

At 3 weeks you should definitely contact them to check if there are any issues. Sometimes claims get stuck in adjudication without clear notification to the claimant.

I've tried calling like 50 times but can never get through. The system just hangs up on me after being on hold forever.

Same experience here with the phone system. It's designed to discourage people from calling I think.

No, my employer actually helped me file and said they wouldn't contest it. They laid off about 15 people due to budget cuts so it was clearly not performance related.

That should definitely help speed things up. Employers contesting claims is one of the biggest causes of delays.

A month sounds rough! Did you eventually get approved for benefits after the adjudication?

Yes, but it was stressful waiting that long. Had to provide a lot of documentation about why I quit.

Adjudication cases definitely take longer. The standard processing time only applies to straightforward claims.

I was hoping it would be on the shorter end of that range but I guess I should prepare for the full 3-4 weeks.

Volume has definitely increased processing times compared to pre-pandemic levels, even though the emergency programs have ended.

11 days is faster than I expected! Gives me hope that mine might come through soon too.

Yeah I was surprised too. I think it helped that I had all my paperwork organized and my former employer was cooperative.

Thanks for the reminder! I've been filing every week like clockwork, even though it feels pointless while waiting for approval.

good! those weekly filings are what establish your benefit weeks so don't skip them

I might try that if I don't hear anything by the end of next week. Getting some peace of mind about the status would be worth it.

Yeah, the uncertainty is the worst part. At least when you talk to someone you know if there are any problems that need fixing.

Trying to stay positive but it's hard when bills are due and you don't know when income is coming.

totally understand. maybe look into local food banks or utility assistance programs just as a backup while you wait?

While I agree the system could be more efficient, the processing time does include verification steps that help prevent fraud and ensure accuracy.

I get that fraud prevention is important but there has to be a better balance. People shouldn't have to wait a month for basic assistance.

Good point about the work search requirements. I've been preparing for that part too since I'll need to start job hunting anyway.

Smart thinking ahead! The work search log is easy to maintain if you start early.

Yes I got a confirmation email right after filing and another one a few days later with my claim number and instructions for weekly filing.

hmm i only got the first one. maybe i should call to check on my claim status

Definitely call or use that Claimyr service - missing confirmation emails could indicate a problem with your claim.

That's helpful insight from the employer side. I was very careful with all the dates and wage information so hopefully that helps.

Sounds like you did your homework. Layoff claims with accurate info usually process smoothly.

Congratulations! That timeline gives me hope that mine should come through soon too.

thanks! the waiting was stressful but it all worked out. hang in there!

That makes sense. I filed right after the holidays so there might have been a backlog from that timing.

Yeah, January is typically a busy time for new claims due to seasonal layoffs and people looking for fresh starts.

Good reminder! I double-checked my address when I filed but I'll log in and verify it's still correct.

Smart move. Small details like that can cause big headaches if they're wrong.

Thanks everyone for all the responses! Feeling much more informed and less anxious about the timeline now.

Glad we could help! Come back and update us when you get approved.

Good luck with your claim! The waiting is the hardest part but it sounds like you did everything right.