Pay nothing until a live ESD agent is on the phone with you.
Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
$0 upfront. We only hold your card.
No live agent, no charge.
$19.99 is charged only once a live ESD agent is on the phone with you.
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
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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remember to save some of each payment for taxes!! learned this the hard way last year
Yeah someone mentioned that earlier. I'll definitely set aside money for taxes or have them withhold it automatically.
Final thought - if you end up with questions about your specific benefit amount that the website can't answer, seriously consider using Claimyr to reach an ESD agent. I know I keep mentioning it but it really solved my communication problems with ESD when I needed clarification on my benefit calculation.
Thanks for all the info everyone! This thread has been super helpful. I feel much more prepared to file now.
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One last thing - if you get confused about anything during the process, definitely try to talk to an actual person at Washington ESD. The website FAQ doesn't always cover specific situations like yours.
That's exactly why I recommend Claimyr! Saves so much time and frustration when you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.
I might have to look into that too. The hold times are just ridiculous these days.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more confident about filing my new claim now. Going to gather all my employment documents and file this weekend.
Good luck! You should be all set based on what you've described. Just remember to file your weekly claims on time once you get approved.
Definitely! Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences. This community is so helpful.
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I work in workforce development and can confirm that hidden unemployment is a massive issue. Our official statistics significantly undercount the real number of people who want and need work. Keep advocating for yourselves and don't let the system forget you exist.
Thank you for the professional perspective. It's validating to hear from someone who works in the field that this is a recognized problem.
are there any policy changes being discussed to address this issue? seems like something that should be getting more attention
Update: I tried the Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and was actually able to get through to a Washington ESD agent for the first time in months. They told me about a program I didn't know existed that I might qualify for. Still working through the application but at least I feel like I have some options now.
That's amazing! Thanks for the update. I'm definitely going to try Claimyr now. What kind of program did they tell you about?
It's called the Self-Employment Assistance Program. Apparently it's for people who want to start their own business while receiving unemployment benefits. Had no idea it existed.
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Keep in mind that if you have any gaps in employment or worked part-time during your base period, it can affect your benefit calculation. Washington ESD looks at your total wages, not just your current salary.
I had about 2 months where I was only working part-time. Will that significantly reduce my benefits?
It depends on which quarter that falls in and your total earnings. The good news is ESD uses your highest quarter, so if you have one really good quarter it helps offset lower quarters.
Just remember that even if you qualify for $400+ per week, you still need to file your weekly claims on time and meet all the requirements. Miss a week and you lose that money permanently.
Good to know. What day of the week do you have to file the weekly claims?
You can file anytime Sunday through the following Saturday for the previous week. But don't wait - file as soon as the week is available.
CosmicCaptain
Payment schedule is weekly but the amount can vary week to week depending on what you report. If you work part time one week or have other income, your payment will be reduced for that week only.
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Malik Johnson
•Does vacation pay count as income that would reduce your benefits? I'm getting a vacation payout from my former employer.
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CosmicCaptain
•Yes, vacation pay counts as wages and needs to be reported. It will reduce your unemployment payment for the week(s) it covers based on when your employer says the vacation time was supposed to be taken.
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Isabella Ferreira
Weekly but only if you meet all the requirements each week - file your claim, be available for work, and complete job search activities. Miss any of these and you won't get paid for that week.
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Ravi Sharma
•How many job search activities do you need in Washington? I keep seeing different numbers online.
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Isabella Ferreira
•It's 3 job search activities per week unless you're in an approved training program or on standby status. Activities include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking events.
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