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Ella Thompson

How to speed up unemployment adjudication with Washington ESD?

My unemployment claim has been stuck in adjudication for 6 weeks now and I'm getting desperate. Filed my initial claim back in November and everything seemed fine until they flagged it for some reason. The Washington ESD website just shows 'adjudication in progress' with no details about what they need or how long this will take. I've tried calling dozens of times but can never get through - either busy signal or I get disconnected after waiting on hold for 2+ hours. Is there any way to speed this process up? I'm behind on rent and utilities and really need these benefits to come through soon.

adjudication is brutal right now, mine took 8 weeks last year

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8 weeks?? I can't wait that long, what did you do to survive financially?

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had to borrow money from family and pick up some gig work when I could

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The adjudication process can't really be 'sped up' but you can make sure you're not causing delays. Check your SecureAccess Washington account daily for any new correspondence or requests for documentation. Even if nothing shows on the main page, sometimes there are pending items in the documents section. Also make sure you're still filing your weekly claims even during adjudication - if you stop filing, it can delay or complicate your case.

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I've been checking SAW every day and filing weekly claims religiously. Still nothing new.

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Good, keep doing that. The next step would be getting through to an actual adjudicator to check if they need anything specific from you.

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I was stuck in adjudication hell for 7 weeks until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents on the phone. I was skeptical at first but honestly it was worth every penny - got connected to an adjudicator the same day and found out they needed one additional piece of documentation that wasn't showing up in my online account. You can check it out at claimyr.com, they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

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That sounds too good to be true, how much does it cost?

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I'd rather not say the exact amount publicly but it was reasonable for what I got - actually talking to a human who could look at my case. Way better than wasting hours trying to call on my own.

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I used Claimyr too after being stuck for 5 weeks. They got me through in about 2 hours and turns out my former employer had disputed my claim but I never got notified properly.

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Why would you pay someone to make a phone call for you?? Just keep trying the regular number

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Because I tried calling for weeks and never got through once. Time is money when you're unemployed.

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I'm with the first person, I've called probably 100+ times over 6 weeks with zero success

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Adjudication delays are unfortunately very common, especially for certain types of claims. The most important thing is making sure Washington ESD has all the information they need. Common reasons for adjudication include separation issues (if your employer contests the claim), availability questions, or income verification problems. You should also check if there are any outstanding work search requirements that might be holding things up.

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How do I find out what specific issue they're investigating? The website doesn't tell me anything.

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That's exactly why you need to speak with an adjudicator. The online system doesn't show the details of what they're reviewing.

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THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!! I've been waiting 10 weeks for my adjudication and they won't tell me ANYTHING. Meanwhile my former employer is probably lying about why I left and I can't even defend myself because NO ONE WILL TALK TO ME.

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I feel you, this is so frustrating and stressful

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I understand the frustration but getting angry won't help your case. Focus on getting through to someone who can actually review your file.

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try calling right at 8am when they open, sometimes you can get through then

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I've tried that multiple times, still just busy signals

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8am is when EVERYONE calls, worst time actually

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Some practical tips: Make sure you have all your documentation ready (ID, Social Security card, employment records, etc.) for when you do get through to someone. Also, if your adjudication involves a separation issue, gather any texts, emails, or written communication from your former employer about your termination or resignation. Having everything organized can speed up the resolution once you actually talk to an adjudicator.

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Good advice, I have most of that stuff but should probably organize it better

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Also make sure to keep detailed records of your job search activities during the adjudication period. They may ask for this information.

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Just want to add that when I used Claimyr, they were really professional about it. They don't ask for your personal info or login details - you stay on the line the whole time and they just help you navigate the phone system to reach an actual person. Made all the difference in my case.

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That does sound legit, maybe I should look into it if I can't get through this week

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I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point

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whatever you do don't stop filing your weekly claims during adjudication, my cousin did that and it messed up his whole case

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Yeah I've been keeping up with those, even though it feels pointless right now

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The adjudication process exists for a reason - they need to verify eligibility and investigate any issues. While it's frustrating, most cases do eventually get resolved. The key is staying persistent and making sure you're available when they try to contact you. Sometimes they'll call without much notice.

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Good point, I've been making sure to answer all unknown numbers just in case

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they never call you back anyway lol

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Update: I ended up trying Claimyr today and actually got through to someone at Washington ESD! Turns out they needed a separation notice from my employer that I never received. The adjudicator said they'll expedite my case now that they have what they need. Fingers crossed this finally moves things along.

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That's awesome! So glad it worked out for you too.

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Maybe I should try them too... I'm at my wit's end here

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Great news! This is exactly why speaking to an actual adjudicator is so important - they can identify missing pieces that don't show up online.

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glad you got some answers finally! keep us posted on how long it takes to resolve

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Will do! Hopefully it moves quickly now

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This is a perfect example of why the adjudication process can seem to drag on forever when there's missing documentation. The system isn't designed to proactively tell you exactly what's missing - you have to speak with an adjudicator to get those details. Once all required information is submitted, most cases resolve within 1-2 weeks.

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Hopefully that's the case for me! The whole system seems backwards though

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I agree the system could be more transparent about what documentation is needed upfront.

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so we all just have to pay some company to do what the government should make easy? this is ridiculous

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I mean, it's not ideal but when you need your benefits and can't get through any other way...

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Sometimes you have to work within the system as it exists, not as it should be

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For future reference, anyone going through adjudication should also make sure their mailing address is current in the system. Sometimes important notices get sent to old addresses and you miss critical deadlines without realizing it.

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Good tip! I double-checked mine and it was correct but that could definitely cause problems

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this thread has been really helpful, thanks everyone for sharing your experiences

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Agreed! Nice to know I'm not alone in this struggle

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UPDATE: I tried Claimyr after seeing this thread and got through on my first try! My case had been sitting there for 9 weeks because of a simple form my employer didn't submit. The adjudicator is requesting it now. Cannot believe how much time I wasted trying to call on my own.

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That's fantastic! Seems like missing employer documentation is super common

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Yeah, employers often don't respond to Washington ESD requests promptly which holds up the whole process

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It's worth noting that while services like Claimyr can help you get through to Washington ESD, the actual adjudication timeline depends on the complexity of your case and how quickly all parties respond with required information. But at least you'll know what's needed instead of sitting in limbo.

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Exactly! Just knowing what the holdup is makes such a difference psychologically

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Final advice for anyone dealing with adjudication delays: document everything, stay persistent but professional, and remember that most legitimate claims do eventually get approved. The process is frustrating but it's designed to ensure benefits go to eligible claimants. Getting through to speak with an adjudicator is usually the key to understanding and resolving any issues.

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Thanks for all the helpful advice throughout this thread! Really appreciate the support from everyone

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hope everything works out for you OP!

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This whole thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with a similar adjudication issue (week 4 now) and was getting really discouraged. Seeing that so many people eventually got through and resolved their cases gives me hope. Going to try some of these suggestions this week.

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