How long does unemployment process take with Washington ESD - still waiting 6 weeks

6 weeks is definitely longer than it should be for a straightforward claim. Most simple unemployment claims in Washington get processed within 2-3 weeks if there are no issues. The fact that yours says 'under review' suggests they might need additional information or there's something flagging your claim for manual review.

The timing really depends on your specific situation. Regular UI claims without complications typically take 1-2 weeks for the initial determination, then you start getting paid if approved. But if there's any question about your separation from work, previous claims, or identity verification issues, it can take much longer. Have you checked your eServices account to see if there are any pending tasks or documents needed?

I had a similar situation last year where my claim was stuck in limbo for weeks. Turns out there was an issue with my former employer disputing the claim, but Washington ESD never told me directly. I spent weeks calling their main number and could never get through. Eventually I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at Washington ESD within a few days. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Once I talked to an actual agent, they explained the holdup and resolved it pretty quickly.

ugh this is exactly what happened to me except mine took 3 months!! turned out my previous employer reported that i quit when i was actually laid off. washington esd had to investigate and it took FOREVER. you really need to find out whats causing the delay or youll be waiting way longer than 6 weeks

The Washington ESD system is completely overwhelmed and understaffed. They're still dealing with backlogs from the pandemic era even though we're in 2025. Six weeks is unfortunately becoming more common, especially if there's ANY question about your eligibility. The automated systems flag claims for manual review over the smallest things, then you wait weeks for a human to look at it for 5 minutes.

Keep filing your weekly claims even while you're waiting! This is super important. If you stop filing weekly claims while your initial claim is under review, you could lose benefits for those weeks even if you eventually get approved.

I work in HR and see this all the time. Usually when claims are delayed this long, it's because: 1) Your employer disputed the claim, 2) There's an issue with your work history or wages, 3) You had a previous claim that's causing complications, or 4) Identity verification problems. Without talking to an actual Washington ESD agent, you're just guessing about what's wrong.

Same boat here - filed 5 weeks ago and still waiting. This is my first time filing for unemployment so I have no idea what's normal. Starting to think I did something wrong on the application.

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the phone, try calling right when they open at 8 AM or during their lunch hours when call volume might be lower. I've had better luck getting through mid-morning on weekdays.

The whole Washington ESD phone system is a joke. I spent 3 weeks calling every day, multiple times a day, and never got through to a human. Finally my friend told me about Claimyr and I was able to speak with an agent within 2 days. Found out my claim was held up because of some stupid technicality that took 5 minutes to fix once someone actually looked at it.

Document everything! Keep records of when you filed, what documents you submitted, every attempt to contact them. If this drags on much longer you might need to contact your state representative or file a complaint.

Are you sure you're not missing any required documents? Sometimes they need additional wage verification, especially if you worked for multiple employers or had gaps in employment.

This is exactly why I tell everyone to file for unemployment immediately after losing their job, even if you think you might find work quickly. These delays are becoming more common and you need that safety net.

Have you tried checking if there are any issues with your Social Security number or identity verification? Sometimes those can cause major delays without obvious notifications.

The waiting is the worst part. I was in a similar situation and the stress was affecting my job search. Try to stay positive and keep applying for work while you wait for the claim to process.

My sister had this exact problem last year. Turned out Washington ESD needed to verify her employment dates with her previous employer and it took weeks for them to respond. Once that was sorted, her benefits started immediately with back pay.

Check your spam folder for emails from Washington ESD. Sometimes important notifications end up there and you might miss requests for additional information.

At this point I'd definitely recommend trying one of those callback services like Claimyr. I was skeptical at first but after 4 weeks of getting nowhere with the regular phone system, I tried it and finally got answers. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get things moving.