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Thanks everyone for all this info. Sounds like I need to focus on getting better and wait until I'm medically cleared before thinking about unemployment. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this stuff.
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with a knee injury. The frustrating part is that Washington ESD is very strict about the "able and available" requirement - even if you feel like you could do some work, if you're officially on STD, they consider you unavailable. I tried to argue that I could do desk work while my knee healed, but they denied my claim because I was receiving disability payments. The good news is that once your doctor clears you to return to work (even with restrictions), you can file immediately if your employer doesn't have suitable work available. Keep all your medical documentation and communication with your employer - you'll need it when you're ready to file. Hang in there, the 60% from STD is tough but focus on healing properly so you don't re-injure yourself.
This is really helpful insight from someone who actually went through it. It's frustrating that they're so rigid about the rules even when you feel capable of doing some type of work. Did you end up having any issues when you transitioned from STD to filing for unemployment? I'm worried about potential complications or delays in the process.
Just wanted to circle back - I tried Claimyr yesterday and got connected to a Washington ESD agent within 90 minutes. Found out my claim was delayed because they needed to verify my previous employer's information, but the request got stuck in their system and was never processed. Agent was able to push it through and said I should see movement on my claim within a few days.
I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 5 weeks ago and still stuck in "under review" status. Reading through all these responses, it seems like the common thread is that most people who got their issues resolved had to actually speak with a Washington ESD agent to find out what was specifically holding up their claim. The phone system is definitely broken, but I'm encouraged by all the positive feedback about Claimyr from multiple people here. Going to give it a try since traditional calling methods clearly aren't working. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this frustrating process.
You're definitely not alone in this! I'm dealing with the exact same thing - 6 weeks and counting with no real answers. It's really helpful to see so many people sharing their experiences here. The fact that multiple people have had success with Claimyr is encouraging. I think the key takeaway from everyone's stories is that you really do need to speak with an actual agent to get anywhere, since the online system clearly doesn't show what's really going on behind the scenes. Let us know how it goes if you end up trying Claimyr - I'm planning to give it a shot too after reading all these positive experiences.
Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been lurking here because I'm anticipating potential ReliaCard issues when my unemployment benefits start next week. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has given me a great roadmap for what to do if I run into problems. I'm definitely going to bookmark the key phone numbers (1-855-279-1270 for WA ESD ReliaCard line) and the online chat option at usbankreliacard.com. It's really reassuring to know that most lockout issues are due to their overly sensitive security system rather than actual account problems. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community support is amazing when dealing with these frustrating systems!
That's smart of you to research this ahead of time! I wish I had known about all these options when I first got my ReliaCard. One additional tip I'd suggest - when you first get your card, test logging into the website and app right away while everything is working normally, so you know your login credentials are correct before you actually need to access your benefits. That way if you do run into issues later, you'll know it's likely a system problem rather than a forgotten password or username issue. Also, consider setting up text or email alerts for deposits and transactions through their website once you get access - it can give you peace of mind and help you catch any issues early. Hope your unemployment process goes smoothly!
This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I just wanted to add one more resource that saved me when I was having ReliaCard issues - if you're having trouble with both the phone lines AND the online chat, you can also try reaching out to US Bank on Twitter (@USBank) or Facebook. I sent them a direct message explaining my ReliaCard lockout situation and they responded within a few hours with a direct phone number to a specialist who was able to help me immediately. Social media customer service teams often have access to escalation paths that regular phone reps don't. It's not the first thing you'd think to try, but when you're desperate and have exhausted other options, it's worth a shot! They'll ask you to provide your card details through a secure method, but it worked great for me when I was completely stuck.
I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - 8 weeks stuck in adjudication, facing eviction, the whole nightmare. Here's what finally worked for me: I called the governor's office AND my state senator's office on the same day, then followed up with written complaints to both within 24 hours. The key was being very specific about the timeline and financial impact. In your written communication, include: - Exact dates of when you filed and when adjudication started - Number of attempted contacts with ESD (you mentioned 23 calls) - Specific financial hardship (mention the apartment situation with timeline) - Your claim number and contact info The senator's office actually got back to me first and had someone from ESD call me within 3 business days. Turns out my case was just sitting in a queue with no one assigned to review it. Sometimes you really do need that external pressure to get things moving. Don't give up - 9 weeks is definitely long enough to warrant escalation. You're not asking for special treatment, just for them to do their job.
This is exactly the kind of detailed roadmap I needed! Thank you for breaking down the specific steps and what to include in the written complaints. It's really encouraging to hear that someone in a similar situation actually got results. I'm going to call both offices tomorrow morning and then send follow-up letters with all those details you mentioned. The fact that your case was just sitting unassigned is so frustrating but at least gives me hope that mine might be the same situation. I really appreciate you taking the time to share what worked for you!
I've been watching this thread and wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year. The Washington State Office of the Ombuds can sometimes help with state agency issues like this. Their number is 1-800-562-6028 and they have a specific process for ESD complaints. What made the difference in my case was calling them AND filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau against ESD at the same time. The BBB complaint creates a paper trail that agencies have to respond to within a certain timeframe. It sounds like overkill, but when you're facing eviction, you need to hit them from multiple angles. Also, if you do get through to ESD (whether through Claimyr or the governor's office), ask to speak with a supervisor immediately. Don't let them tell you to "just wait" - after 9 weeks you have every right to demand escalation within their system. Get the supervisor's name and direct number if possible. Hang in there - I know how hopeless this feels but you're doing all the right things by reaching out everywhere you can.
Wow, I had no idea about the Ombuds office or the BBB option - thank you for sharing these additional resources! It's overwhelming to think about hitting them from all these different angles, but you're absolutely right that desperate times call for multiple approaches. I'm definitely going to add both of these to my action plan for this week. The tip about demanding to speak with a supervisor right away is gold - I've been way too polite in my previous calls when I should have been more assertive after waiting this long. Really appreciate everyone in this thread sharing what actually worked for them instead of just sympathy. Gives me hope that there's light at the end of this tunnel!
Alberto Souchard
The whole process should be quick once you know what to do. Just file that final weekly claim with your work start date and you're done. Simple as that.
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Ryder Everingham
•Perfect, thanks again everyone. This thread has been incredibly helpful.
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McKenzie Shade
Make sure to keep your job offer letter or any documentation about your start date handy when you file that final weekly claim. Washington ESD sometimes asks for proof of employment dates if there are any questions later. Also, don't forget to update your address or contact info in the system if your new job requires you to move or change your phone number - you'll want to receive any final correspondence at the right address.
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Myles Regis
•Great point about keeping documentation! I have my offer letter saved and will definitely make sure my contact info is current. Didn't think about the address update aspect but that makes total sense for any final paperwork they might send.
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