I had a similar experience with the Washington ESD website timing out constantly. What worked for me was trying to file during off-peak hours - like early morning around 6-7am or late evening after 8pm when fewer people are trying to use the system. The server load seems much lighter during those times. If that doesn't work, the phone option is definitely available but be prepared for long wait times. Make sure you have all your employment information organized before you call since you'll want to complete everything in one session once you finally get through to an agent.

I actually work as a customer service rep for a state agency (different state) and can confirm that calling right when they open at 8am gives you the best chance of getting through. The phone queues fill up incredibly fast once people start their day. Also, if you do decide to try Claimyr or a similar service, just make sure you understand exactly what information you're sharing with them since you'll be giving them access to personal details needed for your claim. Some people are comfortable with that trade-off to avoid the hassle of calling repeatedly, but it's worth considering the privacy aspect too.

I went through identity verification about 6 months ago and it took exactly 2 weeks. One tip I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have a passport, that can sometimes be processed faster than driver's license + social security card combo since it's a single federal document. Also, make sure you're checking your account at least once a day because sometimes they'll request additional documents and the notification isn't super obvious. The key is really just being patient and staying on top of your weekly claims like everyone said!

I'm currently going through the identity verification process too and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! I submitted my documents 5 days ago and was getting really anxious about the timeline. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should expect another week or two of waiting. The tip about using a passport is interesting - I wish I had known that before submitting my driver's license and social security card. For anyone else in this situation, it's comforting to know that most people do eventually get approved, even if it takes longer than the official 5-10 business days. I'm definitely going to keep filing my weekly claims while I wait. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences with the process!

Been dealing with Washington ESD for 15 years and the process hasn't changed much. Separation notice covers 90% of cases. The other 10% are usually people who quit, got fired, or have complicated work situations. Yours sounds straightforward.

Another thing to keep in mind - if your separation notice doesn't have all the required details, don't panic. Washington ESD will do what's called a "fact-finding interview" where they contact your employer directly to get the missing information. This can add a few weeks to your processing time, but it's totally normal. I went through this when my employer's HR department gave me a bare-bones separation letter that was missing my exact separation reason. Washington ESD called my boss, confirmed it was a layoff due to project completion, and approved my claim. Just make sure your contact info is current so they can reach you if they need clarification on anything.

For anyone still struggling to get through to Washington ESD for claim status updates, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. They connect you directly to an agent without the usual runaround. Really wish I had known about it sooner when I was dealing with my claim issues.

I went through this exact same anxiety when I filed my claim a few months ago. The waiting period is definitely the hardest part! In my experience, you'll know your claim is approved when you see three key things in your eServices account: 1) Your weekly benefit amount appears in the Payment Information section, 2) Your benefit year dates show up, and 3) You can access the weekly claim filing option. The determination letter usually arrives within 10-14 business days and will give you all the official details. Try not to stress too much - 10 days is still well within the normal timeframe. Most claims that don't have major issues get approved around the 2-week mark.

Thanks for checking back! Good news - the form finally appeared in my account this morning under 'Additional Information Requested' like someone suggested. I've filled it out and submitted it online. The whole process took like 5 minutes once I actually found it. What a relief!

That's awesome that you found it! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this whole thread has been super helpful. It's so typical of ESD to say "you can do this online" but then make it nearly impossible to actually find WHERE online. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - definitely going to check that "Additional Information Requested" section first thing tomorrow morning!