7 weeks waiting for ESD unemployment - need phone number to contact state capital
I've been stuck in limbo with my unemployment claim for 7 weeks now - absolutely nothing! No updates, no decisions, just crickets. I heard from my cousin that you can call someone at the state capital who can push your claim through faster. Does anyone know this phone number? I've called the regular ESD line like 30 times but either get disconnected or told to keep waiting. My savings are basically gone and rent is due next week. Please help if you know the right number to call to get this moving!
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CosmicCommander
There isn't actually a special number at the 'capital' that can push your claim through. That's unfortunately a myth that gets passed around. Your claim is probably stuck in adjudication, which means ESD is investigating something on your claim. What does your online account show as your claim status?
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Oliver Zimmermann
•It just says 'pending adjudication' but doesn't tell me why or how long it will take! So frustrating that there's no way to speed this up. :
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Natasha Volkova
7 WEEKS????? I thought my 3 week wait was bad! This is absolutely ridiculous how they treat people who are just trying to get benefits they EARNED. The whole system is broken beyond belief.
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Javier Torres
•RIGHT??? I ended up homeless waiting for my claim last year. Slept in my car for 2 months while ESD "investigated" whether I was eligible. Spoiler alert: I WAS ELIGIBLE THE WHOLE TIME.
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Emma Davis
I was in this exact situation last month. The key is getting through to an actual claims specialist who can see what's holding things up. I tried for weeks with no luck using the regular number. Then I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. It's at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent I spoke with was able to see my claim was stuck because of an employer response issue and they pushed it through while I was on the phone. Worth a try if you're desperate.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Thanks! I'll check that out right now. I am absolutely desperate at this point - anything that can get me to talk to an actual human!
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Malik Johnson
have u tried emailing ur state representative? sometimes they can help speed things up with esd. worked for my brother in law last yr
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CosmicCommander
•This is actually solid advice. Your state representatives have constituent services staff who can sometimes intervene with ESD on your behalf. Find your reps at leg.wa.gov and send them an email explaining your situation.
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Isabella Ferreira
Anyone in adjudication needs to understand it's a special process where ESD investigates something on your claim that needs clarification. Common reasons include: - Separation issues (why you left your last job) - Availability questions (can you work full-time) - Job search compliance issues - Identity verification problems - Employer challenging your eligibility Unfortunately normal wait times right now are 5-8 weeks for adjudication, sometimes longer if it's complex. Keep filing your weekly claims during this time! When they approve you (if they do), you'll get all the back payments at once.
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Ravi Sharma
•wait do u have to file weekly claims even when stuck in adjutication? i havent been doing that bc i thought it was pointless until they approve me
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Isabella Ferreira
•Yes! This is critically important. You MUST file weekly claims for every week you want benefits, even during adjudication. If you don't, you won't receive payment for those weeks, even if your claim is eventually approved. Go back and file for any weeks you've missed if you're within the time limit (usually about 4 weeks back).
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Javier Torres
My sister worked for ESD and told me a bunch of these claims are getting stuck because of the new ID verification system they put in place after all the fraud during COVID. Do you know if they asked you to verify your identity? Sometimes people miss those notices because they go to spam or get lost among other ESD messages.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•Hmm I don't remember getting anything about ID verification specifically, but now I'm worried I might have missed something. I'll double check all my emails and messages in the ESD portal. Thanks for the tip!
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Natasha Volkova
I waited 9 weeks last year and then suddenly got a big deposit in my checking account with zero notification. The whole system is a mess. I'd recommend calling your local WorkSource office too - sometimes they can see notes on your account that aren't visible to you.
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Oliver Zimmermann
•I didn't even think about trying WorkSource! Will definitely give them a call tomorrow. And good to hear you eventually got your money, gives me a little hope.
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