Washington Unemployment
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Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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
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 :)
ESD won't let us update employer address during claim filing - stuck in application limbo
Anyone else run into this maddening issue? My husband is trying to file his unemployment claim, but ESD's system has the WRONG address for his former employer. When he tries to update the address in the online application, the system gives him an error and won't let him proceed OR save the correct information. He's called ESD at least 15 times over the last two days, but every single time he gets the automated message saying they're too busy and to call back later (then it hangs up!). His claim is just sitting there unfinished because of this technical glitch. We're getting really anxious because it's already been a week since his last day, and bills are coming up. Has anyone found a workaround for the address update issue? Or figured out how to actually get through to a real person at ESD? Any help would be so appreciated!
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How to properly end your Washington ESD unemployment claim when you get a job
I just got hired for a full-time position starting Monday and I'm not sure how to properly close out my unemployment claim with Washington ESD. Do I need to file one more weekly claim for this week or just stop filing? I don't want to mess anything up or accidentally create an overpayment situation. Also wondering if there's any paperwork I need to submit to officially end my claim status.
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One last thing - if you ever run into issues with Washington ESD after ending your claim, definitely check out Claimyr. They've helped me reach agents when I couldn't get through on my own. Sometimes you need to clarify things even after your claim is closed.
I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for all the help everyone! This community has been amazing.
Seriously, this thread answered so many questions I didn't even know I had. Good luck with the new job!
Best of luck with your new job Hunter! Just to add one more point - if you're starting work mid-week, make sure you report the exact hours you worked on your weekly claim. Washington ESD calculates partial benefits based on hours worked, so being precise helps avoid any confusion. Also, don't forget to report your gross wages (before taxes) for any work you do during that benefit week. The system is pretty forgiving if you make honest mistakes, but accuracy is always better!
How to find unemployment PIN for Washington ESD weekly claims
I've been trying to file my weekly claim but can't remember where I put my PIN number. I know I set one up when I first applied for benefits but that was like 6 weeks ago and I can't find it anywhere. I've looked through all my emails from Washington ESD and checked my documents but nothing. Does anyone know how to recover or reset your PIN? I'm worried I'm going to miss my filing deadline.
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Final update - I ended up using Claimyr and got my PIN reset this morning! The whole process took maybe 25 minutes total and now I can file my weekly claim. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. This forum is a lifesaver.
Great outcome! Now don't lose that PIN again lol
Trust me, I've got it written down in 3 different places now. Never going through this stress again!
This thread is so helpful! I've been dealing with the same PIN issue for the past week. Just tried the Claimyr service that multiple people mentioned and it actually worked - got connected to a Washington ESD agent in about 15 minutes and they reset my PIN on the spot. Definitely worth trying if you're stuck in phone hell like I was. The demo video someone linked really helped me understand how it works too.
That's great to hear! I'm so glad you found this thread useful and that Claimyr worked for you too. It's amazing how much stress these PIN issues can cause when you're just trying to file your weekly claims. Thanks for sharing your experience - it really helps validate the solution for others who might be hesitant to try it. Welcome to the community!
Welcome to the community! It's great to see another success story with Claimyr. I was skeptical about using a third-party service at first, but when you're desperate to get your PIN reset and can't get through to ESD directly, it really is a lifesaver. Thanks for confirming it works - this will definitely help others who are on the fence about trying it.
ESD payment shows 'paid' status but nothing in my bank account yet - typical deposit timeline?
Just checked my ESD account and my claim finally got approved today after 5 weeks in adjudication! The status shows 'paid' but nothing has hit my bank account yet. This is my first time on unemployment and I'm getting anxious about bills. For those who've been through this before - how long does it typically take for the money to actually show up in your account once ESD marks it as paid? I set up direct deposit during my initial application. Should I be worried if it doesn't arrive by tomorrow? Thanks in advance!
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Just a quick follow-up question - is this your first payment? If so, it might include several weeks of back payments if you've been filing weekly claims while waiting for approval. The first payment often takes slightly longer to process through the banking system due to the larger amount. Also, if you're expecting a substantial sum, be aware that some banks place holds on unusually large deposits until they clear.
Yes, this is my first payment! It should include 5 weeks of benefits since I've been filing weekly while in adjudication. That's really helpful to know about potential holds on larger deposits - I'll check with my bank about their policy. Thank you!
did the $$ come through yet? curious how long it took for u
Yes! The payment hit my account this morning - so it took about 36 hours from when the status changed to 'paid'. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance!
That's awesome news! 36 hours is pretty typical for first payments. Glad you got it sorted out and can pay those bills on Friday. Hope your unemployment journey goes smoothly from here on out!
What happens if you collect Washington ESD unemployment while working - got caught need advice
I messed up big time and need to know what I'm facing. I was collecting unemployment benefits from Washington ESD while working part-time at a restaurant. I didn't report the wages on my weekly claims because I thought since it was under the table cash tips it wouldn't matter. Well, Washington ESD just sent me a notice saying they found out about the unreported work and now they want $4,200 back in overpayments. They're also talking about fraud penalties and potentially criminal charges. Has anyone dealt with this before? What should I expect and is there any way to reduce the penalties?
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One more thing - if you do end up with a hearing, make sure you prepare thoroughly. Bring all documentation, be completely honest, and consider having representation if the amount is significant. Washington ESD hearing officers are generally fair but they need to see that you're taking responsibility.
How do I know if I need a hearing versus just working out a payment plan?
If you disagree with Washington ESD's determination of fraud or the amount of overpayment, you'd request a hearing. If you agree with their findings and just want to work out payments, you can usually do that without a hearing.
I've been reading through all these responses and wanted to add that timing is really crucial here. I dealt with a Washington ESD overpayment situation two years ago and the biggest mistake I see people make is waiting too long to respond. That 30-day window they give you isn't just a suggestion - it's when your options start getting limited. Even if you can't get through on the phone right away, send them something in writing acknowledging receipt of their notice and stating your intent to resolve this. It shows good faith and can buy you some time while you figure out your next steps. Also, keep detailed records of every attempt you make to contact them - dates, times, how long you waited on hold, etc. This documentation can be helpful if things get complicated later.
Emma Bianchi
UPDATE: We finally got this resolved! After trying everything suggested here, what actually worked was a combination of approaches. We tried calling right at 8:00 AM as suggested and still couldn't get through. Then we went to the WorkSource office, and while they couldn't directly fix the ESD system issue, the staff there gave us a direct email for an ESD technical support person. We sent a detailed explanation with screenshots of the error message, and they responded within a few hours! They manually updated the employer address on their end, and my husband was able to complete his claim last night. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
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Olivia Martinez
That's great news! Make sure your husband continues to file weekly claims while waiting for the initial claim to process. The first payment typically takes 2-3 weeks from the completion date if there are no other issues.
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Charlie Yang
So glad you got it figured out! This will be helpful info for anyone else who runs into the same problem.
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Mia Rodriguez
Wow, what a journey! Thanks for sharing the update - this is exactly the kind of info that helps other people dealing with the same nightmare. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread in case I ever need to deal with ESD issues. It's crazy that it takes going to a physical office to get an email address that actually works, but at least there IS a solution buried somewhere in the bureaucracy. Congrats on getting it sorted out and hope the payments come through quickly!
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