Washington Unemployment
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Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.
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- Connect you to a human agent at the ESD
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ESD questioning my part-time paycheck - will I lose benefits?
I just started a new job (part-time) and totally messed up. I didn't realize they were paying me for the training hours and now ESD sent me a message saying they need 'additional information about my employment' because they detected a part-time paycheck. I freaked out and submitted all the info they asked for - my hours, pay stub, everything. Now I'm worried I screwed up my benefits! I thought you could still collect UI while working part-time?? Has my claim gone back into adjudication? Will they stop my payments while they review this? I'm barely making $215/week at this new job and still really need my UI to cover rent.
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ESD keeps hanging up on all my calls - denied claims with zero explanation after layoff
My company did a massive workforce reduction last month and I've been desperately trying to get my unemployment benefits started. My HR department confirmed they submitted all the necessary layoff documentation correctly, but every single claim I file gets denied without ANY explanation! I've called the ESD main line at least 25 times (not exaggerating), tried every extension trick from the automated system, left voicemails that never get returned, and even drove 45 minutes to my local WorkSource office where they basically told me they couldn't help with claim denials. The most frustrating part is that when I call, it just disconnects me after I navigate through all the menu options! I'm down to my last $1,200 in savings and rent is due next week. Has anyone successfully gotten through to an actual ESD agent lately? What am I doing wrong here? My coworkers who were laid off in the same round are already receiving benefits!
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try calling at exactly 8:01am and hitting 9 to skip the intro message then 1-2-3-2 in that order. sometimes works to get a person instead of the stupid robot
Have you checked your spam folder for emails from ESD? Sometimes they send important notices that explain the denial reason but they get filtered. Also, did you verify your identity through ID.me? That's another common holdup that doesn't always show clearly in the system.
Good call on the spam folder - just checked and nothing there unfortunately. And yes, I completed the ID.me verification when I first applied. The whole system just seems broken right now.
Will my ESD benefits get reduced or cut off with a 24hr/week job at $25/hr?
I just got offered a part-time position (24 hours per week) making about $25/hour. I'm currently receiving unemployment benefits and I'm worried about what will happen. Will ESD completely cut off my benefits because of this job, or will they just reduce the amount? How do they calculate the deduction? I know I need to report my hours and earnings when I file my weekly claim, but I'm unclear about how much this will affect my benefit amount. Anyone gone through this recently?
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If you need to talk to someone at ESD to get specific answers about your situation, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation and needed clarification on exactly how my part-time work would affect my benefits. Spent days trying to get through on the phone with no luck, then used Claimyr and got a callback from ESD within an hour. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The agent was able to look at my specific claim and explain exactly how my earnings would affect my benefits and what I needed to do to remain eligible.
I tried calling ESD like 50 times about a similar issue last month and NEVER got through. Ended up just guessing what to do. Wish I'd known about this sooner.
Don't forget that you MUST report ALL earnings IN THE WEEK YOU EARN THEM, not when you get paid. If your pay period ends on a different day than ESD's week (Sunday), this gets confusing. I messed this up and had to repay benefits + penalty.
Good reminder! The job pays bi-weekly but I'll make sure to report based on when I actually worked the hours, not when I receive the paycheck.
Can I attend required WorkSource meeting at different location than ESD specified?
I just checked my mail and got this letter from ESD saying I have to go to a mandatory meeting with a WorkSource Employment Specialist in Bellingham. The problem is I'm temporarily staying with my sister in Vancouver right now (about 5 hours away) because my apartment had a major water leak. I can't really drive all the way back up north just for this meeting. Has anyone been able to switch their required WorkSource location? The letter says failure to attend could result in denial of benefits and I really can't afford to lose my unemployment right now. Do I have to go to the exact WorkSource location they specified or can I attend at one closer to where I'm staying?
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To add to what others have said - all WorkSource locations offer the same mandatory workshops required for unemployment benefits. The Job Hunter Workshop is standardized across all locations. However, different WorkSource centers may schedule these workshops on different days of the week, so when you call to transfer, ask specifically about when the next Job Hunter Workshop is available at the Vancouver location so you can make sure to attend on time. Also, make sure to bring your ESD letter with you to the new location as proof that you were required to attend. Some workshop facilitators will want to see the original notice.
Thanks for the additional info! I'll definitely bring my letter with me. Good point about asking when they schedule the Job Hunter Workshop specifically - I'll make sure to ask about that when I call.
UPDATE: I just called the Bellingham WorkSource office and got everything transferred to Vancouver! The woman I spoke with (Jennifer) was super helpful and said this happens all the time. She emailed me confirmation and everything. The Vancouver office has the same Job Hunter Workshop this Friday at 10am, so I'm all set. Thanks everyone for your help!
Excellent! Glad it worked out. Make sure to arrive at the Vancouver WorkSource about 15 minutes early to check in and complete any paperwork. And remember to bring some form of ID and your ESD paperwork.
Employer contradicting separation reason during ESD adjudication - laid off or attendance termination?
I'm so confused and stressed about my ESD claim right now. My employer gave me a formal separation letter via email on my last day stating my temporary contract had ended, and even included instructions for filing unemployment. But when I filed claiming I was laid off (which seemed right based on their letter), my claim went into adjudication, and now ESD says my employer is reporting I was fired for attendance issues! The separation letter says NOTHING about attendance problems, just that my contract ended. I'm freaking out because these are totally different reasons! Has anyone dealt with an employer contradicting themselves during adjudication? What info should I provide to ESD to fight this? Should I upload the separation letter as evidence?
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Yes definitely do job searches right now! You need 3 per week even during adjudication. They can be applying to jobs, making a profile on job sites, going to workshops at worksource, etc. If u need more ideas look at the ESD website under job search requirements. U can enter them in eServices each week or keep track on paper with the form they have. But if u get approved and haven't done them u might end up disqualified anyway!
Thanks again - I've started documenting my job search activities now. I created profiles on Indeed and LinkedIn today, so that's 2 activities already for this week!
I had a similar situation and what helped me was writing down a clear timeline of events, including exact dates and names of who communicated what to me. The more specific details you can provide, the better. Good luck with your claim! It's so stressful waiting but the backpay will be worth it when it finally comes through.
Chloe Anderson
You got lucky they processed it so fast!!! The system is still a MESS
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Ravi Gupta
This is a good reminder for everyone claiming UI while working part-time: always report ALL earnings for the week you worked (not when you get paid). Even training hours, orientation, paid meetings, etc. all count as earnings. When in doubt, report it - it's much easier to handle properly upfront than to deal with adjustments later.\n\nGlad to hear your situation is being resolved smoothly!
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