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 :)
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One more thing to consider - check if your employer offers any supplemental benefits that could work alongside PFML. Some companies have short-term disability that covers pregnancy and childbirth.
I'll definitely check with HR about that. Every little bit helps when you're not getting your full salary.
And don't forget about using any vacation or sick time you have saved up to supplement the PFML payments.
This thread has been so helpful! I'm bookmarking it for when I need to take family leave next year. Thanks everyone for sharing the real info instead of just guessing.
Agreed! I feel so much more prepared now. PFML is definitely the way to go, not regular unemployment.
Always good when these discussions actually help people figure things out instead of just adding more confusion!
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Final tip: once your claim is approved, set up direct deposit if you haven't already. It's faster than waiting for checks in the mail.
Good advice. I set that up when I first filed but good reminder for anyone else reading this.
Smart thinking. The whole process is slow enough without adding mail delays on top of it.
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One more thing - if you do qualify and get approved, make sure you understand the job search requirements. With your contractor background, you'll need to show you're genuinely seeking regular employment, not just more freelance work.
That makes sense. I'm actually open to regular employment at this point anyway - the uncertainty of contractor work is getting old.
That's the right attitude! Washington ESD wants to see you're able and available for covered work. Your contracting skills would probably translate well to a marketing or communications role.
Hope it works out for you! The system definitely isn't perfect for people with non-traditional work histories, but finding those W-2 wages might be your solution. Keep us posted on how the reapplication goes.
Thanks everyone for all the help and advice. I feel much more hopeful about my options now. Will definitely update if I get approved this time around.
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The unemployment system in Washington is actually pretty good compared to other states. The weekly benefit amounts are decent and the online system works most of the time. Just be prepared for long wait times if you need to call them about anything complicated.
What was it called again? Claimyr?
Yeah, Claimyr. Check out claimyr.com if you're curious. They have a demo video that shows exactly how it works.
Bottom line - you don't need to do anything special about unemployment insurance right now. It's automatic as long as you're working as a W2 employee. Focus on doing good work and building your career, and know that the safety net is there if you ever need it.
Perfect summary! Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I feel much better understanding how this all works now.
Rachel Tao
If you get denied for any reason, don't panic. You have the right to appeal the decision. I got initially denied due to a paperwork error but won my appeal and got all my back benefits.
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Oliver Cheng
•How long does the appeal process take?
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Rachel Tao
•Mine took about 6 weeks from filing the appeal to getting the decision. The key is to file your appeal within 30 days of the denial notice.
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Derek Olson
Quick summary for the OP: 1) File online ASAP at esd.wa.gov 2) File weekly claims every week 3) Keep detailed job search records 4) Respond quickly to any ESD requests 5) Be patient but persistent. You've got this!
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Oliver Cheng
•Perfect summary! I'm going to start the application process today. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!
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Derek Olson
•Good luck! Feel free to come back with questions if you run into any issues during the process.
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