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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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my neighbors cousins was in adjudiction for 3 months!!! but that was back in 2023 so maybe its faster now. but yeah the systems still a mess from what i can tell
Quick update on timeframes based on recent cases I've seen: Current ESD adjudication is averaging 5-7 weeks for standard issues. Senator intervention is helping, but their offices are getting flooded with requests which is diluting the effectiveness somewhat. One thing to verify: check that your identification verification is complete and shows "verified" in your account. That's often an invisible blocker that keeps claims stuck.
Just checked and my ID verification does show as "verified" so at least that's not the issue. I'm about 6 weeks in now, so hopefully I'm nearing the end of this nightmare based on your timeframes. Thanks for the insight!
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To answer your follow-up question - yes, the monetary determination letter means you're eligible based on your past earnings. You should definitely start filing weekly claims right away. Just because your status can change later (as others have mentioned) doesn't mean you should delay filing. Each week you don't file is potentially lost benefits that can't be recovered later. Regarding your employer - there's no direct way to see if they've contested anything, but if they had immediately disputed your claim, you likely wouldn't have seen the status change to active so quickly. Most employer disputes show up within the first 10 days, though they technically have more time than that. If your separation was a departmental layoff as you mentioned, it's very likely your claim will remain approved. Just make sure you're doing your 3 job search activities every week and documenting them properly.
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! I'll start filing my weekly claims right away and make sure to keep up with the job search requirements. This whole system is more complicated than I expected, but I feel much better now understanding how it works.
anyone else notice how ESD seems to be speeding up for some people but still keeping others waiting FOREVER??? seems totally UNFAIR how they pick and choose who to process quickly!
It's actually based on complexity factors rather than random selection. Claims with clear documentation, no employer disputes, straightforward work history, and standard separation reasons (like layoffs) can be processed much faster with their new automated system. Claims that involve multiple employers, unusual separation circumstances, potential availability issues, or employer disputes require human review, which takes longer. The system is prioritizing claims that can be quickly resolved while ensuring complex cases still get proper review.
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Unfortunately, I think you've missed the window for unemployment benefits from that job. The deadline is usually within 6 months of separation, and it's been well over a year now. However, since you mentioned you got your cosmetology license, have you considered looking into any of the Work Source programs? They might be able to help you find flexible work options that could accommodate your needs while bringing in some income. Also, as others have mentioned, PFML is probably your best option right now. Washington has one of the better PFML programs in the country, and it specifically covers recovery from childbirth. The application process is completely separate from unemployment. Whatever you do, don't give up. The system is complicated, but there are resources available.
Thank you - I hadn't thought about Work Source. I will definitely look into that for the future. My cosmetology license is still good, and once I'm physically and mentally ready to work again, I'd love to find something part-time that works with my disability needs. Right now I'm focusing on the PFML option since that seems most relevant to my current situation with the recent C-section.
The ESD phone lines are IMPOSSIBLE!! I spent 3 weeks trying to get through about my claim last month. If u need to talk to someone try early morning like 7:59am right when they open. Or use that Claimyr thing someone mentioned, my friend said it actually works.
OMG this is so true. I literally had to set an alarm for 7:55am and start calling over and over until I got through. Took me 4 days of trying this before I finally didn't get a busy signal. The whole system is broken.
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i had kinda the same thing happen but it was cuz i answered a question wrong on my weekly claim. took FOREVER to fix. have u been filing ur weekly claims still even tho ur not getting paid? u gotta keep doing that or they'll close ur whole claim and ull have to start over again. dont forget!!!!
Yes, I've definitely been keeping up with my weekly claims! That's one thing I made sure to do even through all this frustration. Thanks for the reminder though - I've heard horror stories about people who stopped filing and had to restart the whole process.
Any update? Were you able to get through to ESD today? Did any of these suggestions help? Also, how did your job interview go?
Update! First, the interview went really well - they're checking my references, so fingers crossed! As for ESD, I called at 8:01 AM and actually got through after about 40 minutes. Used the "employer non-response adjudication review" phrase that was suggested here, and the agent immediately knew what I was talking about. They confirmed my employer never responded and have now expedited my claim for processing. They said I should see movement within 72 hours! Thank you all SO MUCH for the help and support. This forum has been a lifesaver.
Luca Ferrari
To clarify for everyone: These refunds are part of ESD's implementation of the blanket waiver program that was authorized during COVID. ESD is still processing these even in 2025 due to the massive backlog. Regarding taxes: 1. If you deducted the original repayment on your taxes as an itemized deduction → You likely need to report the refund as income (tax benefit rule) 2. If you used the standard deduction → You generally DON'T need to report the refund as income 3. If your itemized deductions that year didn't actually reduce your tax liability → You might not need to report it as income ESD should have included Publication 525 information with your refund check. It specifically addresses the tax implications of benefit repayments and subsequent refunds. If you're unsure, consult a tax professional with your specific situation.
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Sean Flanagan
•Thank you SO much for this detailed explanation! You're right, there was an insert with the check that mentioned Publication 525, but I didn't realize what it was. I'll go back and look at it more carefully now.
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NebulaNomad
wait so are they doing this automatically for everyone or do we need to apply somewhere? i paid back like $5k in 2021 and nobody told me anything about waivers
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Zara Shah
•They're processing them automatically, but they're going through cases very slowly. The blanket waivers were approved for non-fraud overpayments during the pandemic period, but ESD's implementation has been extremely inconsistent. If you repaid an overpayment from the COVID period (roughly March 2020 through September 2021), it's worth calling ESD to check if your case qualifies for the waiver program. Be prepared for a long wait though - their phone lines are still overwhelmed.
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