How long to process unemployment claim - Washington ESD timing?

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I was worried something was wrong since it's been radio silence.

3 weeks seems about right from what I've seen. Just be patient and don't file duplicate claims or it'll slow things down even more.

I was laid off due to company downsizing, so hopefully that should be straightforward. No issues with my employment record that I know of.

Even straightforward claims can take time. They have to contact your employer to verify the layoff details and that can add days or weeks depending on how quickly the employer responds.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have this system that handles the calling and waiting for you. Check out their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ to see how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call myself.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - I used it twice and both times got connected to actual Washington ESD staff within a reasonable time. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting busy signals all day.

Wait, I should be filing weekly claims already? I thought I had to wait until my claim was approved first.

Yes, you need to file weekly claims starting the week after you filed your initial claim, even if it's still processing. Otherwise you could lose those weeks of benefits.

This is important - don't skip your weekly claims! Even if your initial claim is denied, you can appeal and still get paid for those weeks if you win the appeal.

That's encouraging! Hopefully mine will be similar since it's also a straightforward layoff.

18 days is pretty typical for uncomplicated claims. The key is making sure all your information was accurate when you filed.

I check my account daily but it just says 'claim under review' with no other details. Wish they'd give more specific status updates.

The lack of detailed status updates is frustrating but pretty normal. They usually don't provide much information until they make a determination one way or another.

Interesting observation about the batch processing. I filed on a Wednesday so maybe I'll hear something next Wednesday.

I've noticed that pattern too - seems like they send out determination letters in waves rather than individually as they complete them.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money waiting for unemployment.

It's worth checking out their website at claimyr.com to see what works for your situation. For me, the time saved and stress reduction was definitely worth it.

Good point about the waiting week. I forgot about that requirement. So even after approval it's another week before money comes in.

The waiting week applies to your first week of filing, not your first payment. But yes, there's definitely a lag between approval and actually receiving benefits.

This is really helpful timeline info. I'll plan for the longer end just in case. Better to be prepared than caught off guard.

Smart approach. It's always better to assume it'll take longer and be pleasantly surprised if it's faster.

Exactly right about filing weekly claims throughout the process. I made that mistake on my first claim years ago and lost several weeks of benefits.

My former employer has been pretty responsive with other things like final paychecks, so hopefully they'll be quick with Washington ESD too.

Good sign if they've been responsive with other matters. Usually indicates they have their HR processes in order.

Thanks for the specific timeline. I'll mark my calendar for the 4-week point as my 'time to take action' date.

When you do need to contact them, remember that Claimyr can save you a lot of frustration with the phone system. Much easier than trying to get through on your own.

Yeah, the financial stress while waiting is real. Thanks for the encouragement though, it helps to hear that most claims do get approved.

Hang in there. The process feels slow but it does work. Just make sure you're doing everything right on your end with the weekly filings.

Good to know about the appeal option. Hopefully I won't need it but it's reassuring to know it exists.

Appeal success rates are actually pretty good if you have valid grounds. The initial determination isn't always the final word.

Perfect summary. I feel much better about the timeline now. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

You're welcome! This forum is great for getting real experiences from people who've been through the process.

Hope your claim processes smoothly and quickly. Keep us updated on how it goes!