Weekly claim processing delays - anyone else's ESD payment stuck on 'processing'?
Is anyone else experiencing delays with their weekly claims right now? I submitted mine on Sunday like always, but it's still showing 'processing' in my account and I haven't received payment. Usually, the money hits my account by Wednesday morning at the latest. I'm getting really nervous because my rent is due next week and I absolutely need this payment to clear. I've tried calling ESD but just keep getting the automated message about high call volume. This is my 9th week on unemployment and I've never had a delay like this before. Should I be worried? Is the system just backed up?
19 comments
Join the conversation
Ella rollingthunder87
same here! mine says processing and its been 4 days now. usually get paid by wednesday morning too. idk whats going on but ESD website doesnt show any alerts about delays
0 coins
Tony Brooks
•That's at least a little reassuring that I'm not the only one. Have you tried calling them yet?
0 coins
Yara Campbell
There's actually a system-wide processing delay this week. ESD is working through a quarterly data verification process that sometimes causes temporary slowdowns. This happens about 4 times a year, though they don't always announce it. Most claims should resume processing within 72 hours, but some may take up to 5 business days. You don't need to file again or contact ESD unless it exceeds 5 business days from filing.
0 coins
Tony Brooks
•Thank you for this information! That makes me feel so much better. Do you work for ESD or how do you know about this quarterly process? I wish they'd put notices about these things on their website.
0 coins
Yara Campbell
•I don't work for ESD, but I've been through the unemployment process multiple times over the years. These quarterly delays happen pretty regularly - usually around the beginning of each quarter when they reconcile reports from employers. You're right though, they could definitely communicate these routine delays better!
0 coins
Isaac Wright
THEY ARE THE WORST!!! My claim was "processing" for TWO WEEKS last quarter and when I finally got through to someone they said it was some stupid flag on my account that could have been fixed in 2 minutes if they'd bothered to tell me!!! The system is DESIGNED to frustrate people into giving up on their benefits!!!!
0 coins
Maya Diaz
•How did you even get through to a person? I've been trying to call for days about something else and just get hung up on every time.
0 coins
Isaac Wright
•I had to call literally 47 times in one day. Started at 7:55am and just kept redialing until I finally got in the queue around 10:30. Then waited on hold another 90 minutes. It's RIDICULOUS.
0 coins
Tami Morgan
I know this is frustrating - I was in the same boat last quarter. After trying for days to reach ESD by phone with no luck, I used a service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. They have a system that navigates the phone tree and holds your place in line. Saved me hours of redial hell! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. For processing delays specifically, the agent told me exactly what the previous commenter mentioned - it's usually just the quarterly verification process.
0 coins
Maya Diaz
•Thanks for this tip! I might try it if my payment doesn't show up by tomorrow. Did they fix your issue right away once you got through?
0 coins
Tami Morgan
•Yes! The agent I spoke with was able to see exactly what was causing the delay and processed my payment while I was on the phone. It was pending in my bank account the next morning.
0 coins
Rami Samuels
Is anyone else having issues with the job search part too? I'm wondering if maybe that's related to why everything is processing slow? Like I did my 3 job search activities but when I check the job search log page it's not showing any of this week's activities even though I entered them when I filed.
0 coins
Yara Campbell
•The job search recording system is separate from payment processing, but they can sometimes experience delays at the same time during system maintenance. If you've entered your activities correctly when filing your weekly claim, they should eventually appear in your job search log. If they don't show up after your payment processes, then you might need to contact ESD about that specific issue.
0 coins
Haley Bennett
Hey guys just wanted to update - my payment just hit my account about an hour ago. So it was just delayed by a day. Check your accounts, maybe yours processed too!
0 coins
Tony Brooks
•Just checked and mine processed too! Such a relief. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance.
0 coins
Maya Diaz
quick question - does anyone know if these delays affect direct deposit and debit cards differently? i use the debit card option and still nothing for me :
0 coins
Yara Campbell
•In my experience, direct deposit usually processes 1-2 days faster than the debit cards. If others with direct deposit are getting paid today, debit card users might see their funds tomorrow or the next business day. The debit card system has an extra processing step through US Bank.
0 coins
Douglas Foster
this happened to me back in january too. i think it happend to everyone. took like 4 extra days but the money showed up eventually. unemployment is such a pain!! but at least it pays the bills... when it finally comes through lol
0 coins
Tony Brooks
•Thanks for sharing your experience! Mine just came through thankfully, but good to know for future reference that these delays happen periodically.
0 coins