IVR phone filing gets ESD payments faster than online claims - my surprising experience
So I accidentally discovered something really useful last weekend! I've been filing my weekly UI claims online for MONTHS and always waiting 2-3 days for payment. But my internet was acting up Sunday night, so I tried the phone system (IVR) at 11:38pm instead. To my complete shock, my payment hit my account by 9:15am Monday morning! No 48-hour waiting period at all! Has anyone else noticed this difference between phone vs. online filing? I'm kicking myself for not trying this sooner. Quick tip: make sure you've set up your phone PIN beforehand though - I had mine from years ago and it still worked, but I imagine it would be a hassle to file if you don't have one ready.
16 comments
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Mia Alvarez
Wait really??? I've been filing online for 4 months and ALWAYS waiting until Wednesday to get paid even though I file Sunday nights. Is the phone system hard to use? How long did it take to complete your claim?
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Zachary Hughes
•The phone system was actually easier than I expected! Took maybe 5-6 minutes tops. Just had to answer the same questions as online but by pressing numbers. The only annoying part was having to listen to all the options before selecting, but that's a small price to pay for getting paid 2 days faster!
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Carter Holmes
This is actually accurate information. The IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system processes claims through a different channel than the web interface. The web claims go through an additional verification queue which adds that 48-hour processing delay. Phone claims are processed in the nightly batch that same evening. It's not widely advertised, but it's been this way since 2023 when ESD updated their systems. Great tip for those who need their funds faster!
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Sophia Long
•TYPICAL ESD not telling us the faster option!! I've been waiting days every week for my money when I could have been getting it next day?? This is exactly why nobody trusts the unemployment system!
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Angelica Smith
I've been using the phone system for years specifically for this reason. Also worth noting that the phone system seems to have fewer glitches than the website. I remember during the pandemic when the website would crash constantly during high volume times, but the phone system almost always worked. The only downside is you don't get that confirmation email like you do with the website, so I always write down my confirmation number just to be safe.
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Logan Greenburg
•do u still have to do the work search activities if u file by phone??
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Charlotte Jones
I tried calling ESD directly about 50 times last week because my claim suddenly showed "pending" with no explanation. Couldn't get through to anyone! Does anyone know if filing by phone vs. online makes any difference when your claim has issues? I'm desperate to talk to a real person. My rent is coming up and I'm panicking.
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Lucas Bey
•If you need to reach an actual ESD agent quickly, try Claimyr. I was in your exact situation last month (stuck in pending for no reason) and wasted days trying to get through. Then I found this service at claimyr.com that actually gets you connected to an ESD agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Totally worth it because I got my issue resolved in one call instead of waiting weeks.
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Logan Greenburg
i tried phone filing once but got confused with all the options and hung up lol. maybe ill try again. whats the number to call?
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Carter Holmes
•The weekly claims IVR number is 800-318-6022. When you call, you'll need your SSN and the PIN you created when you set up your account. You can call anytime Sunday through Friday to file for the previous week.
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Zachary Hughes
UPDATE: Just an FYI - I filed by phone again this week (Sunday at 10pm) and got paid Monday morning again! So it wasn't a fluke. Definitely switching to phone filing permanently now.
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Mia Alvarez
•Thanks for the update! I tried it this week too and got paid Tuesday instead of Thursday. Not quite next-day like you but still way better than waiting all week!
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Sophia Long
THIS IS SO ANNOYING!! I've spent HOURS of my life waiting for payments that could have been processed faster if ESD had just TOLD US about this difference between filing methods. What else are they not telling us?? And why is their website so terrible that it takes 2 extra days to process the exact same information?? The whole system is rigged against us I swear.
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Angelica Smith
•While I understand your frustration, I don't think it's intentionally hidden information. ESD is managing an outdated system with limited resources. The phone system was actually the original filing method before the website existed, so it runs on older infrastructure that ironically processes faster. The web system has more security protocols which slow it down but protect against fraud.
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Charlotte Jones
Does anyone know if I can switch back and forth between phone and web filing? Or will that mess up my claim somehow? Sometimes I'm not somewhere private where I can make the call with all my personal info.
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Carter Holmes
•You can absolutely switch between methods week to week with no issues. Your claim status isn't affected by how you file - it's the same system on the backend. Just use whichever method is most convenient for you each week. Just make sure you only file once per week using one method or the other.
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