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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
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- 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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Restaurant work can be unpredictable but unemployment is designed to help with exactly these situations. I worked in food service for years and filed for partial benefits several times when hours got cut. It definitely helped bridge the gap until business picked up again.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It's reassuring to hear from someone who's been in a similar situation.
No problem! The system isn't perfect but it's there to help when you need it. Just make sure to report your earnings accurately each week and you should be fine.
If you end up having trouble with your claim or need to speak to someone at Washington ESD, I'd suggest trying that Claimyr service mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but when I was stuck in adjudication hell for over a month, they helped me get through to an agent who cleared up the issue in one phone call. Sometimes it's worth paying for help when the regular system isn't working.
I'm hoping I won't need that but it's good to know it's an option if things get complicated.
Hopefully your claim will be straightforward! But if you do run into issues, don't waste months trying to get through on your own like I did.
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For anyone still confused about timing - the waiting week payment is triggered after you've been paid for 3 consecutive weeks of regular UI benefits AND you've continued to file your weekly claims. If you miss filing a week or get disqualified for any reason, it can delay the waiting week payment.
What if you had a week where you worked part-time and reported earnings? Does that count as one of the 3 weeks?
Yes, as long as you still received some unemployment benefit that week, it counts toward the 3 weeks. The key is receiving payment, not the amount.
The whole waiting week concept is just another way for them to hold onto our money longer. It's frustrating but at least we do eventually get it back.
True, but I think the idea is to prevent people from filing for unemployment for just a week or two and then going back to work. It ensures you're actually unemployed for a substantial period.
I guess that makes sense from their perspective. Still annoying when you need the money though.
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Overall the system works but it's bureaucratic and slow. Just be patient, follow the rules, and keep detailed records of everything.
Thanks everyone, this has been really helpful. I'll file my claim today.
Good luck! Feel free to ask if you run into specific issues along the way.
Been on unemployment 3 times in my career and each time I learn something new about how confusing their rules are. But yeah, the basics are: file initial claim, file weekly claims, do job searches, report any work/earnings, be patient.
Seems like a lot to keep track of but I guess you get used to it.
You do. Just take it one week at a time and don't overthink it.
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Thanks everyone for all this info. I was completely clueless about unemployment taxes and now I feel like I have a handle on what to expect. Going to set up that 10% withholding first thing tomorrow morning.
Same here! This thread has been so helpful. I feel much less anxious about tax season now.
Glad this discussion helped. It's one of those things they really should explain better when you first apply for benefits.
Just wanted to add that if anyone needs help reaching Washington ESD to set up tax withholding or get tax documents, that Claimyr thing really does work. I was skeptical at first but it beats sitting on hold for hours. Worth checking out their demo at least.
I'm convinced. Going to try it when I call to set up my withholding. Thanks for the recommendation!
Second this recommendation. Used it last month and got through to an agent in like 20 minutes instead of waiting all day.
Harmony Love
One more thing that trips people up - if you're doing any freelance or contract work while unemployed, even just occasionally, you have to report it. Failing to report income can make you ineligible and create overpayment issues.
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Harmony Love
•Any work for pay needs to be reported, regardless of how small. Washington ESD is strict about income reporting. Even $20 here and there needs to be disclosed on your weekly claims.
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Natalie Khan
•This is why so many people get overpayment notices later. They didn't realize that small side gigs counted as reportable income.
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Daryl Bright
Based on everything discussed here, your best bet is to call Washington ESD and specifically ask about the alternate base period for your wages. If the regular phone line isn't working, services like Claimyr can help you actually get connected to someone who can review your specific situation.
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Avery Davis
•Thanks everyone for all the detailed info! I'm going to gather my wage information and try to get through to Washington ESD to discuss the base period issue.
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Sienna Gomez
•Good luck! Don't give up if the first person you talk to doesn't help. Sometimes you need to call back and get a different agent who understands the alternate base period rules better.
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