Phone filing MUCH faster than online for weekly claim - got paid next day!

wait seriously?? ive been doing online claims for like 6 months and always takes til thursday to get my $$$. never tried the phone thing. does it ask all the same questions?

This is interesting and could be coincidental, but there's some logic to it. The phone system has been around longer than the web interface, so it might have more streamlined backend processing. The web system likely has additional verification steps or batching processes that delay payment slightly. That said, both methods should eventually result in the same payment timeline since they feed into the same ESD processing system. Important note: Regardless of which method you use, always file your claim during your assigned filing day (Sunday-Saturday based on last digit of SSN) or you risk payment delays.

I had the EXACT opposite experience!! Filed by phone last month and it took SIX DAYS to get paid. When I file online I usually get paid Tuesday or Wednesday. Maybe it depends on your specific claim type or something?

I've been in the unemployment system for over two years (on and off with various jobs) and there are SO many variables that affect payment timing. I've tried both phone and web methods extensively and honestly, here's what I've found matters most: 1. Filing early on Sunday vs. later in the week 2. Whether you have any earnings to report 3. If your claim has any special conditions (standby, training benefits, etc.) 4. Whether ESD's system is experiencing high volume Personally, I prefer filing online because I can save PDFs of my confirmations. But if phone is working faster for you, stick with it! Just know the timing might fluctuate regardless of method.

After trying to call ESD for weeks about a delayed payment issue (similar to what you're discussing), I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They connected me to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The agent confirmed that sometimes the phone filing system does process faster depending on claim type and timing. They also showed me a video of how their service works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 - really helpful for anyone struggling to reach ESD directly about payment timing issues.

does anybody know if u can switch back and forth between phone and online filing? or once u start with one method do u have to stick with it?

The entire ESD system is COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE by design!!! One week phone is faster, next week web is faster. It keeps us confused and prevents us from figuring out patterns that might expose their incompetence. I've been dealing with this system for 18 months and NOTHING is consistent. They randomly flag claims, delay payments, and change procedures WITHOUT NOTICE!!! Don't waste time trying to optimize a system designed to frustrate you!!

my cousin works at ESD (not supposed to tell anyone lol) and she says they actually process phone claims first because the system is older and more reliable. the web system has more security checks that slow things down. but don't quote me on that haha

UPDATE: Filed by phone again this week (Sunday 12:30am) and got paid Tuesday morning! So it wasn't a one-time fluke. Seems like phone filing is consistently faster for my claim at least. Going to stick with this method for now!