How long it takes for Washington ESD unemployment to get approved - still waiting after 6 weeks

How do I check for adjudication issues? I log into my account but don't see anything obvious that needs my attention.

Look under the 'Claim Status' section - it should tell you if there's an adjudication in progress or if they need additional information from you.

How did you finally get through to them? I've tried calling but can never get past the busy signal.

I actually used a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Found it at claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Way easier than spending hours on hold.

What kind of red flags would cause delays? I was honest about everything on my application.

Could be anything - previous employers disputing the layoff, wage discrepancies, or just random quality control reviews. Washington ESD doesn't always tell you what specific issue they're investigating.

I feel your frustration but getting angry doesn't really help solve the problem. The system is definitely slow but there are ways to get answers.

Easy to say when you're not the one waiting 6 weeks for money you're legally entitled to!

Good point - I hadn't thought of that. I'll contact HR tomorrow to see if they received anything from Washington ESD.

Yeah, employers have a certain timeframe to respond to benefit claims, but some are slow or don't prioritize it. Worth checking on.

That's reassuring at least. I was worried I might lose those weeks if the approval took too long.

Nope, as long as you've been filing your weekly claims, you'll get paid for all eligible weeks once approved.

Never heard of this service before. Is it legit or one of those scammy things?

It's legitimate - they just help you get through the phone system more efficiently. I was able to find out exactly what was holding up my claim and got it resolved.

I've been checking my mail and email religiously but I'll double-check my spam folder just in case.

Also check your secure message center in your Washington ESD online account - they sometimes send important notices there too.

8 weeks?! That's even worse than my situation. How did you survive financially that long?

Borrowed money from family and maxed out credit cards. Not ideal but had no choice. At least the back pay helped me catch up once it finally came through.

I've tried the early morning approach but still can't get through. Maybe I need to be more persistent.

Yeah it's frustrating. That's why some people use services like the one mentioned earlier to get through faster.

How long did yours take?

about 5 weeks but this was during covid so everything was backed up

I only had one employer for the past two years, so that shouldn't be the issue in my case.

Then it's probably just a random review or employer response delay. Frustrating but hopefully it gets resolved soon.

I mean, you're not wrong, but complaining doesn't help people who need answers right now.

Someone needs to hold these agencies accountable for their terrible service though.

That's both reassuring and infuriating at the same time. Good to know there's probably nothing wrong with my claim though.

Yeah, she was relieved when she found out it wasn't anything she did wrong. Just the slow bureaucratic process.

How much does something like that cost though?

Worth it for the peace of mind and time saved, especially when you're dealing with delayed unemployment benefits.

Yeah I've been keeping up with the weekly claims even though it feels pointless right now.

Good! Those weekly claims are what establish your eligibility for each week, even if the overall claim isn't approved yet.

Any insider knowledge on what might speed up the process?

Not really - once it's in their system, it's mostly just waiting for them to work through their queue. Making contact to check status is about all you can do.

Good luck! Hope you get some answers soon and your claim gets approved quickly.

Keep us updated on how it goes. These stories help other people in similar situations.

Wow, that's concerning that they don't notify you about contests. How did you find out?

Only found out when I finally got through to an agent who could see the full case history. Definitely worth getting someone on the phone if possible.

Thanks, trying to stay positive but it's definitely stressful.