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 :)
Join the conversation
Join the conversation
One important thing to remember - if you're transitioning from standby to regular UI because you reported reduced hours, make sure you start logging your job search activities (3 per week) ASAP. Even if you're still waiting for the adjudication to complete. If they determine you need to switch to regular UI, they'll expect you to have been doing job searches during this time. I learned this the hard way and almost lost a week of benefits because I didn't have job search logs for the week I was in adjudication.
That's excellent advice - I hadn't thought about that. I'll start doing my job searches right away just in case. Better safe than sorry!
I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! Week 4 of standby went fine, but week 5 got flagged for adjudication. In my case, I think it was triggered because I reported some part-time hours for the first time after weeks of zero earnings. From what I'm reading in these comments, it sounds like the combination of hitting the 4-week standby threshold AND reporting earnings is what sets off their review system. They want to verify if you should stay on standby or transition to regular UI with job search requirements. I've been trying to get through to ESD for days with no luck. Might have to try that Claimyr service if this drags on much longer. The uncertainty is killing me - I just want to know what they need from me to resolve this! Keep us posted on how it goes, and definitely keep filing your weekly claims even without payment. Sounds like that's crucial for getting backpay once they sort it out.
I'm in the exact same boat as you and Mei! Week 4 standby was fine, then week 5 - BOOM - adjudication. I also reported earnings for the first time that week (around $180 from some freelance work). It's so frustrating that they don't just tell us upfront what triggered the review or what they need from us. I've been calling ESD every morning at 8 AM sharp but can never get through. The waiting and not knowing is honestly worse than just being unemployed. Please keep us updated if you hear anything or if that Claimyr thing works out!
Join the conversation
One last tip - if you do end up paying, make sure the payment is applied correctly to your account. I had a payment that was applied to the wrong case number and it took months to fix.
Thank you everyone for all this advice! I feel much more prepared to handle this situation now. I think I'll start with trying to call their collections line, and if that doesn't work I'll look into that Claimyr service.
Good plan. And remember, don't rush into paying if you have legitimate grounds to appeal. Take the time to review your records first.
I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. The key thing is to act quickly - don't let it sit. I called the collections number on my notice (it took several attempts but I eventually got through) and was able to set up a reasonable payment plan. They were actually pretty understanding once I explained my financial situation. The rep told me that calling the collections line directly is much faster than going through the main customer service number. Also, definitely review why they say you were overpaid before you start making payments - in my case, I had missed reporting some freelance income but the amount they calculated seemed too high, so I provided additional documentation that reduced the overpayment by about $800.
This is really helpful! Did you have to provide specific financial documents when setting up your payment plan, or were they able to work something out just based on what you told them over the phone? I'm trying to prepare everything I might need before I call.
@76a129710797 They mostly worked with me based on what I told them over the phone about my monthly income and expenses, but they did ask me to email some basic documentation like recent pay stubs and a bank statement to verify what I was saying. Nothing too complicated - just enough to show I wasn't trying to game the system. The whole process was way less intimidating than I expected. They seemed more interested in getting a realistic payment plan set up than making it difficult for me.
Join the conversation
Bottom line: don't count on Extended Benefits being available after your 26 weeks. Plan for either finding a job or having a gap in benefits until you can file a new claim. The system isn't designed to support long-term unemployment, unfortunately.
@Leo McDonald Another option to consider is reaching out to your professional network - former colleagues, LinkedIn connections, etc. Sometimes people hear about openings before they re'officially posted. Also, don t'overlook contract work through platforms like Upwork or Freelancer if your skills translate to remote work. Even small projects can help bridge the income gap while you re'searching for something permanent. The key is diversifying your approach since we know Extended Benefits aren t'coming.
@Leo McDonald I d'also suggest looking into gig economy work like DoorDash, Uber, or Instacart as a quick income bridge. It s'not ideal long-term, but you can start earning within a few days of signing up, which is crucial when you re'running out of benefits. I know several people who combined gig work with temp agency placements to maximize their income during the gap. The flexibility also allows you to still interview for permanent positions when opportunities come up.
I'm hitting my 26 weeks in Washington next month too and this whole thread has been a reality check. The lack of Extended Benefits is really frustrating - it feels like the system just abandons you right when you might need the most help. I've been checking the Washington ESD website regularly hoping to see EB get activated, but it sounds like that's not going to happen. Has anyone had luck with the WorkSource training programs that provide stipends? I'm wondering if that might be a way to get some income while learning new skills that could make me more employable.
@Simon White I looked into WorkSource training programs when I was in a similar situation last year. They do have some programs that provide stipends, but the application process can take weeks and there s'often a waiting list. The WIOA Workforce (Innovation and Opportunity Act programs) are probably your best bet - they cover training costs and sometimes provide financial support during training. You need to meet certain eligibility requirements and go through career counseling first. I d'recommend contacting your local WorkSource office ASAP since there s'usually a lag between applying and starting. Even if you don t'get accepted right away, at least you ll'be in the pipeline. The trade adjustment assistance programs are another option if your job loss was due to foreign trade impacts.
@Simon White I went through the WorkSource training program about 8 months ago when I was facing a similar situation. The stipend isn t'huge - I think I was getting around $400/week while in training - but it definitely helped bridge the gap. The key is to apply early because like @Amara Okafor mentioned, there can be waiting lists for popular programs. I did a medical assistant certification program that took about 4 months, and they helped with job placement afterward. The career counselors are actually pretty helpful in figuring out what training might lead to actual job opportunities in your area. Just be prepared for a lot of paperwork and assessments upfront. It s not'a perfect solution but better than having zero income while your benefits run out.
Join the conversation
This whole discussion shows how complicated unemployment can be for school employees. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!
Agreed! This kind of info sharing is so valuable.
Hope this helps other school workers who might be reading this too.
I'm a cafeteria worker too and just went through this exact situation last month! I ended up calling Washington ESD using that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it really does work. The agent told me that even with a contract, if your hours can change significantly or if there's any uncertainty about your actual position (like budget cuts, enrollment changes, etc.), you might still qualify. She said the "reasonable assurance" rule isn't as black and white as it seems. Definitely worth applying even if you think you might get denied initially. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised! Also keep all your employment paperwork - contract, job description, anything showing how your hours might vary.
That's really encouraging to hear! I've been so stressed about this whole situation. The "reasonable assurance" thing is what's been confusing me the most - my contract says I'm hired for next year but you're right that enrollment and budget changes could affect everything. Did the agent give you any specific advice on how to word your application or what documentation to include? I want to make sure I present my case in the best way possible.
Keisha Brown
For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice looking into family leave. Those early weeks with a new baby are so important for bonding, and having the financial support makes it possible to actually take the time off.
0 coins
Mateo Lopez
•Thanks! I really want to be there for my wife and help with both kids. It's going to be an adjustment but worth it.
0 coins
Javier Morales
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation last year. You definitely made the right call asking about this upfront - I almost made the mistake of trying to file for both until I learned they're mutually exclusive. One thing I'd add is that paid family leave in Washington also covers if you need to care for a family member with a serious health condition, so it's pretty flexible. The application process was actually smoother than I expected once I got all the paperwork together. Make sure to keep good records of everything you submit because they may ask for additional documentation later. Good luck with the new baby!
0 coins
Andre Moreau
•Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the documentation - I'll make sure to keep copies of everything. Did you end up taking the full 12 weeks or just part of it? Trying to figure out how much time I can realistically afford to take off.
0 coins