Washington Unemployment
CommunityGovernment Services
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 :)
Union apprentice refusing distant assignment (Pasco) - Will ESD deny unemployment benefits?
My situation is complicated and I need advice asap. I'm a laborer's union apprentice out of Seattle local, and my dispatcher just TOLD me (not asked) that I'm assigned to a project in Pasco for 9 months. I have three kids under 10 and my wife works night shifts as a nurse - there's no way I can relocate across state for that long without completely disrupting my family. I know the union contract has something about reasonable travel distance unless mutually agreed upon, and this definitely wasn't agreed upon. If I refuse this assignment and go back to the hall to wait for something closer to home, will ESD deny me unemployment benefits during the wait? Has anyone dealt with something similar with union dispatches and ESD? I don't want to be labeled as refusing suitable work, but this Pasco assignment would literally require abandoning my childcare responsibilities.
Join the conversation
ESD weekly claims impact on Working Family Tax Credit eligibility?
Has anyone figured out if our unemployment benefits from ESD affect the new Working Family Tax Credit? I just heard about this credit and I'm wondering if the $7,890 I've received in UI benefits this year counts toward the income requirements. The website says something about 'earned income' but I'm not sure if unemployment counts for that. I've been on UI since getting laid off from construction in January and finally have an interview next week (fingers crossed). Anyone know if UI recipients qualify for this tax credit?
Join the conversation
Just to add some additional helpful information: The Working Family Tax Credit application typically opens in February each year. You'll need to file through the Department of Revenue website, not through your regular tax return (Washington doesn't have state income tax). You'll need: 1. Your federal tax return information 2. Proof of Washington residency 3. Your Social Security Number or ITIN 4. Direct deposit information (if you want faster payment) For anyone currently on unemployment, remember that while your UI benefits don't count as earned income for this credit, they do count toward the maximum income threshold. Also, if you're currently on standby status with your employer or have a definite recall date, that doesn't change anything about your eligibility for this tax credit.
This is super helpful, thank you! One more question - do you know if there's a specific deadline to apply for this credit? I'm worried about missing it with everything else going on.
The application deadline is typically December 31st of the year after the tax year. So for the 2025 tax year, you'd have until December 31, 2026 to apply. But I wouldn't wait that long - the sooner you apply after February when applications open, the sooner you might receive your credit.
Perfect, that's good to know. Hopefully I'll be back to full-time work by then anyway! Thanks again for all the info.
ESD showing payment as 'paid' but money not in Bank of America account - anyone else?
Hey everyone, super stressed right now! I usually get my unemployment benefits like clockwork - my ESD account updates to 'paid' status on Wednesday mornings and the money hits my Bank of America account shortly after (usually by 9am). Today my ESD portal is showing 'paid' but it's already 2pm and nothing in my account! This is the first time in 7 weeks this has happened. I've got rent due tomorrow and I'm starting to panic a little. I tried calling ESD about 8 times this morning but keep getting the 'high call volume' message and it hangs up. Is anyone else experiencing a delay with Bank of America deposits this week? Or is something weird happening with the ESD payment system? Really need this money to clear today...
Join the conversation
i herd that theres a new update to the esd system thats why evryones payments r late. my cousin works at a job center and said they were told about system maintenance this week. nobody tells us nuthin tho!!
That would explain it! It would be nice if they sent out emails or something when they're doing system updates that might affect payments. The lack of communication is what causes all the panic.
Just wanted to update everyone that I called ESD this morning (got through after about 45 minutes on hold) and they confirmed there was a processing delay with their ACH payment batch yesterday. The representative said all delayed payments should have been processed by midnight last night, and that this was due to a scheduled system update that took longer than expected. If anyone still hasn't received their payment by now, that would be unusual and worth calling about specifically.
Thank you so much for sharing this information! Mine did come through yesterday afternoon. I appreciate you taking the time to call and then post what you learned here. Very helpful for the community.
ESD payment status shows $0 after holiday - when will actual funds arrive?
So frustrating! I've been in payment pending limbo for almost a month and FINALLY got through to an ESD agent yesterday. The rep told me I should receive payment for my last 3 weekly claims (totaling around $1,650). When I checked my eServices account this morning, the status changed from 'pending' to 'paid' - good news right? But the amount showing is $0 instead of the $550/week I'm supposed to get! Has anyone experienced this before? Is this just a system delay because of Memorial Day yesterday? Do direct deposits typically hit accounts on Tuesdays or Wednesdays after a holiday? I really need this money for rent due Friday and I'm starting to panic.
Join the conversation
UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know that the full payment hit my account this morning! It was exactly what the agent said it would be. Thanks for all your help and reassurance - you saved me a lot of anxiety!
Great news! Glad it worked out as expected. The $0 display thing is definitely scary the first time you see it.
Will ESD backpay all 15 weeks after appeal if I found a job?
I've been fighting with ESD since January. I was initially disqualified for what they called 'voluntary quit' (I was actually laid off but my employer reported it wrong). I've been filing my weekly claims religiously for 15 weeks while waiting for my appeal hearing. FINALLY got a hearing date with OAH for next month, but here's my situation - I just got hired at a new job starting next week! If my appeal is successful, will ESD still pay me for all those 15 weeks I was unemployed and filing claims? Or will they cut it off because I'm now employed? I really need that backpay to catch up on bills that piled up during these months without income. Anyone been through something similar?
Join the conversation
Scarlett Forster
u should also call ur state rep!! my friend got stuck with esd issues and her state rep helped push it thru faster!
0 coins
Arnav Bengali
This is excellent advice. Your state representative's office can often help expedite ESD issues, especially in cases where there are complicating factors like union contracts. Most have staff specifically assigned to help constituents with state agency issues.
0 coins
Sayid Hassan
IMPORTANT: I forgot to mention - make sure when you file your claim you include that you're in a UNION and provide your local number!! There's a specific section in the application for union members, and it changes how they process your claim. I almost missed this part and it would have caused huge problems.
0 coins
Cole Roush
AuthorThank you! I didn't know there was a specific section for union members. Definitely going to make sure I fill that out correctly.
0 coins