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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The key thing is to stay on top of all requirements. Miss job search activities, fail to report work or earnings, or don't file weekly claims on time and you could lose benefits even if you haven't used up your 26 weeks.
This is all pretty overwhelming but I appreciate everyone's help. At least now I know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
You'll get the hang of it. The weekly routine becomes automatic after a few weeks. Good luck with your job search!
One more thing - if you're thinking about moving to another state while unemployed, that can complicate things. Washington has agreements with some states but not others for continuing benefits.
Not planning to move but good to know. This whole thread has been incredibly helpful, thank you everyone!
Glad we could help. Remember, if you need to talk to Washington ESD directly about anything specific to your situation, don't hesitate to use resources like Claimyr to actually get through to someone.
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Also remember that you can appeal any decisions you disagree with. If your claim gets denied for some reason, don't just accept it. You have the right to request a hearing and present your case. I've seen people win appeals even when the initial decision seemed final.
How long do you have to file an appeal?
You have 30 days from the date of the determination notice. Don't wait - appeals can take months to process.
Bottom line - yes, if you get laid off you should be eligible for unemployment benefits. File quickly, be honest and accurate with all your information, keep up with your job search requirements, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you run into problems. You've been paying into the system, so don't feel bad about using it when you need it.
Thank you everyone for all the helpful information. I feel much more prepared now if this layoff happens.
And remember, if you need to talk to someone at ESD and can't get through, services like Claimyr are there to help. Don't let phone frustration add to your stress.
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For what it's worth, some states do have employee contributions but Washington is employer-funded only. Makes our system a bit different from places that deduct unemployment taxes from paychecks.
Interesting! I didn't know other states did it differently.
Yeah we're lucky in Washington that way - no payroll deduction for unemployment insurance.
Bottom line: your employer pays unemployment insurance taxes to Washington ESD based on their payroll and experience rating. You don't pay anything out of your paycheck, but you can still collect benefits if you become unemployed through no fault of your own.
Perfect summary! Thanks to everyone who explained this - I feel much more informed about how the system works now.
This was a great thread. I learned a lot about the funding side of unemployment insurance.
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Just remembered - if you drove to previous jobs, bring your mileage records or transit passes. Sometimes they ask about your job search radius and transportation options.
I never thought about that. I can get everywhere by bus so I guess that opens up my job search area.
Exactly. They want to make sure you're searching for work within a reasonable distance from your home.
Thanks everyone for all this information! I feel much better prepared now. I'll make sure to bring everything you've mentioned and hopefully get my claim resolved finally.
Definitely update us! I have an appointment coming up next month and this thread has been super helpful.
I'll post an update after my appointment. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly!
Katherine Ziminski
Just remember to keep track of your job search activities too. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and they do audit people randomly.
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Isaac Wright
•What counts as a job search activity?
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Katherine Ziminski
•Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, informational interviews. Keep detailed records of everything you do.
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KhalilStar
One more plug for Claimyr if you run into any issues or questions about your benefits. Really saved me a lot of frustration when I had questions about my claim status.
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Daniel Price
•I'm definitely bookmarking that site. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible.
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