Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr connects you to a live ESD agent in minutes.
Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.
Using Claimyr will:
- Connect you to a human agent at the ESD
- Skip the long phone menu
- Call the correct department
- Redial until on hold
- Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
- Give you free callbacks if the ESD drops your call
If I could give 10 stars I would
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!
Really made a difference
Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
Worth not wasting your time calling for hours.
Was a bit nervous or untrusting at first, but my calls went thru. First time the wait was a bit long but their customer chat line on their page was helpful and put me at ease that I would receive my call. Today my call dropped because of EDD and Claimyr heard my concern on the same chat and another call was made within the hour.
An incredibly helpful service
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!
Consistent,frustration free, quality Service.
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.
IT WORKS!! Not a scam!
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!
Ask the community...
- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
I've been following this thread as someone new to temp work, and wow - what an incredibly helpful discussion! I had no idea that temp workers had the same unemployment rights as permanent employees. The advice about filing immediately rather than waiting is especially valuable. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone dealt with a situation where they had multiple temp agencies they were working with? I'm registered with three different agencies and wondering how that would work if I needed to file for unemployment. Would I need to list all of them or just the one I was most recently assigned through? Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this community is amazing for getting real-world advice!
Great question about multiple agencies! I actually worked with two different temp agencies at the same time last year. When I filed for unemployment, I listed the agency that my most recent assignment was through as my primary employer on the initial application. However, Washington ESD will look at wages from all your employers during your base period, so they'll automatically pick up wages from the other agencies when they verify your earnings. The key thing is to make sure all the agencies were paying unemployment taxes (which legitimate temp agencies always do). You might want to mention the multiple agencies when you file just to be transparent, but the system is designed to capture all your covered wages regardless. It actually worked in my favor because it showed I had higher total earnings across all the agencies combined!
I just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation about a year ago. I was working temp assignments for almost 10 months through two different agencies when everything suddenly dried up during a slow period. I was really nervous about filing because I'd never dealt with unemployment before, but it turned out to be much more straightforward than I expected. The key things that helped me were: 1) Filing immediately online rather than waiting to see if something would come up, 2) Having all my pay stubs organized (I kept digital copies), and 3) Being very clear that my assignments ended due to lack of available work, not performance issues. Washington ESD approved my claim within about 10 days and I received benefits for about 3 months before finding a permanent position. The weekly job search requirements weren't too burdensome either - checking in with temp agencies, applying to both temp and permanent positions, and networking all counted toward the required activities. Don't hesitate to file - you've earned those benefits through your work!
Join the conversation
Remember you have to file your weekly claim every week even if you haven't received your first payment yet. Miss a week and you lose those benefits permanently.
Good to know, I'll set a reminder on my phone if I end up filing. What day of the week do you have to file?
You can file your weekly claim starting Sunday for the previous week. Most people do it Sunday or Monday to stay on schedule.
I was in a similar situation last year - part-time restaurant work and wondering if unemployment was worth the hassle. For someone making $18/hour part-time, you'll probably get somewhere between $250-400 weekly depending on your highest earning quarter. The application process is actually pretty straightforward online, and even if it seems like a lot of work upfront, the benefits can really help while you're looking for something better. Just make sure you have all your employment dates and employer info ready before you start the application. The job search requirements aren't too bad either - 3 activities per week which can include applying for jobs, updating your resume, or even networking. Definitely worth applying if you qualify!
Thanks for sharing your experience! That range of $250-400 weekly is really helpful to know. I was worried it might not be worth it for part-time work, but that could actually cover a decent chunk of my expenses while I look for something full-time. Did you find the 3 job search activities per week requirement hard to meet? I'm wondering what kinds of things count besides just applying to jobs.
The 3 job search activities per week is actually pretty manageable once you get into a routine. Besides applying for jobs, you can count things like attending virtual job fairs, taking online courses related to your field, networking events, even just researching companies and their hiring practices. I used to do a mix - usually 1-2 job applications and then something like updating my LinkedIn profile or taking a free skills course online. The key is just keeping good records of everything you do because Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time. WorkSourceWA also has tons of free resources that count toward your requirements.
Join the conversation
Good luck with your claim filing! Based on everything discussed here, it sounds like you have a reasonable case since they stated it was a layoff due to restructuring. Just make sure to be completely honest about everything, keep detailed records of your job search activities from the start, and don't panic if you get an initial denial - the appeal process exists for a reason. The fact that you're being proactive and researching this beforehand shows you're taking it seriously, which will help you in the long run.
This whole thread has been incredibly informative! As someone new to this process, I had no idea there were so many potential pitfalls. The documentation angle seems really important - sounds like keeping detailed records of everything (job searches, any communications with previous employer, income sources) is crucial whether you get approved initially or need to appeal later. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here.
I went through a similar situation last year where I had some performance issues but was ultimately laid off due to "budget cuts." What really helped me was gathering any documentation that supported the employer's stated reason for the layoff - things like company-wide emails about restructuring, news articles about the company's financial situation, or even just the official termination letter that cited layoff as the reason. Washington ESD will contact your former employer to verify their story, so if they consistently told you it was a layoff due to restructuring, that should work in your favor. The attendance issues might be a red herring if they weren't the official reason for your separation. Just be prepared to explain the timeline clearly if asked.
That's really smart advice about gathering documentation to support the employer's stated reason. I never thought about looking for company-wide communications or news articles that might back up their restructuring claim. Do you think it would be weird to reach out to former coworkers to see if they have any of those company emails about budget cuts or restructuring? I'm wondering if having multiple sources of documentation would make the case even stronger.
Join the conversation
I'm also going through identity verification adjudication right now - been waiting about 2.5 weeks since I filed after my call center job was eliminated. This entire thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was starting to panic thinking I'd done something wrong with my documents, but seeing how common this is for first-time filers like myself really puts my mind at ease. I've been faithfully filing my weekly claims and just started doing the job search activities after reading everyone's advice here (wish I'd known to start those immediately!). The stories about people getting their back pay in lump sums once approved definitely give me hope that this waiting period will be worth it. It's amazing how many of us are in the same boat right now - makes me feel less alone in this stressful process. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines - it really helps to know there's light at the end of this tunnel!
I'm right there with you! Just hit the 3-week mark myself and this thread has honestly been a game-changer for my anxiety levels. It's wild how many of us first-time filers are all dealing with this identity verification thing at the same time - makes you realize it really is just standard procedure and not something we did wrong. I also made the mistake of not starting job search activities right away because I figured "why bother if I'm not even approved yet?" but after reading everyone's advice here, I'm now being super diligent about documenting everything. The back pay success stories are definitely keeping me motivated to stick with the process. It's tough watching bills pile up while waiting, but hearing from people who actually made it through and got thousands in back pay helps me stay patient. We've got this - sounds like we just need to trust the process and keep doing what we're supposed to do!
I'm in the exact same situation as you! Filed about 10 days ago after my retail job ended due to store closure, and I've been stuck in "adjudication in progress" for identity verification too. This whole thread has been incredibly reassuring - I was honestly starting to think I'd somehow messed up my application or that there was something wrong with my documents. It's amazing how many first-time filers are going through this exact same process right now! I've been religiously filing my weekly claims but made the same mistake as others mentioned - I wasn't doing job search activities because I thought "what's the point if I'm not even approved yet?" After reading everyone's advice here, I started documenting my job searches this week and being super detailed about it. The success stories about people getting substantial back pay once everything clears really give me hope that all this waiting and stress will be worth it in the end. The hardest part is definitely watching bills pile up while you wait, but knowing that 4-6 weeks seems to be the normal timeframe helps me stay patient. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this process and that there's actually light at the end of the tunnel!
Diego Vargas
I was in the exact same situation when I got laid off from my construction job due to project cancellations! The "discharge" terminology definitely confused me at first - I thought it meant I was fired for doing something wrong. But after going through the process, I can confirm what everyone else is saying: discharge just means your employer ended your employment, period. Since you were laid off due to budget cuts (which is clearly a business decision, not misconduct), you should select "discharge" and explain the circumstances thoroughly. I got approved in about 2.5 weeks once Washington ESD verified with my employer that it was due to lack of work. The investigation process was actually pretty straightforward - they just needed to confirm that I wasn't fired for performance issues or policy violations. Don't overthink the terminology - focus on being accurate about what actually happened and you should be fine!
0 coins
Chloe Martin
•This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been stressing about this for days, going back and forth on whether to select "discharge" or look for some other option. Your construction job situation sounds very similar to mine - both involuntary layoffs due to business decisions rather than anything we did wrong. It's really reassuring to know that the investigation process was straightforward and only took about 2.5 weeks. I think I was overthinking it because "discharge" just sounds so formal and negative, but you're absolutely right that it's just the official term they use regardless of the reason. I'm going to stop second-guessing myself and file my claim tomorrow, making sure to clearly explain that it was budget cuts and company downsizing. Thanks for sharing your experience - it really helps to hear from someone who went through the same thing successfully!
0 coins
Ella Thompson
I had almost the exact same situation when I got laid off from my manufacturing job due to budget cuts last year! The discharge terminology is definitely confusing at first - it sounds way more serious than it actually is. Since you were clearly laid off for business reasons and not fired for misconduct, you should absolutely select "discharge" on your Washington ESD application. That's just their official term for when your employer ends your employment, regardless of whether it's layoffs, downsizing, or company closure. I was in a similar boat (involuntary separation due to budget constraints) and got approved without any issues. The whole process took about 3 weeks from filing to first payment. Just make sure to be detailed in explaining that it was due to budget cuts when you fill out your application - ESD will verify this with your employer anyway, so as long as you're both consistent about it being business-related, you should be good to go. Don't let the confusing terminology delay your filing - you deserve those benefits!
0 coins