Washington Unemployment
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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
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- 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 :)
ESD weekly claim system not allowing me to backdate for 11/4 and 11/11 - need urgent help
I'm pulling my hair out with this ESD backdate issue! My claim was finally approved after submission on 10/28 (counted as my waiting week). Today I logged in to file my weekly claims and the system only let me enter a claim for 11/18. I can't find ANY way to enter my claims for 11/4 and 11/11 which is super frustrating since I need those payments. The system keeps saying those weeks aren't available to file online. Shouldn't I be able to backdate these since it hasn't been 4 weeks yet? I know I qualify for those weeks and really need the money. Has anyone dealt with this before? Is there some hidden option in eServices I'm missing, or do I seriously have to call ESD on Monday? I just want to get all my past benefits ASAP.
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Job search log PDF won't accept claimant ID - WorkSource appointment tomorrow
I'm totally panicking right now! I have a WorkSource appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning and they specifically told me I need to have my claimant ID on all my job search logs. The problem is I've been filling out the ESD PDF job search log form, but it only has a field for social security number - no option anywhere for claimant ID! I even paid for an Adobe Acrobat subscription thinking I could edit the PDF, but it's still not letting me add or modify any fields. Has anyone dealt with this before? Will WorkSource reject my logs if they only have my SSN instead of claimant ID? Should I just write my claimant ID somewhere on the printed log with a pen? I'm worried about doing this wrong and losing my benefits.
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Let me clarify this situation as someone who works with these systems regularly. The PDF job search log form from ESD was created before they fully transitioned from using SSNs to claimant IDs as primary identifiers. That's why you're encountering this discrepancy. Here's what you should do: 1. Print your completed job search log with your SSN filled in the appropriate field 2. Write your claimant ID at the top of each page 3. Bring a copy of your ESD dashboard or any ESD correspondence showing your claimant ID to verify it matches what you've written WorkSource staff are well aware of this issue and will not disqualify your job search activities because of this technical limitation. The most important aspect is accurately documenting your qualifying job search activities for each week (minimum 3 per week).
i think this is overkill tbh... i never even put my ssn or claimant id on my logs and nobody said anything. as long as you have your name and the job details they dont care about the rest lol
UPDATE: Just got back from my WorkSource appointment and wanted to share what happened for anyone with the same question in the future. The WorkSource specialist said it was completely fine to have my SSN on the form instead of claimant ID! She said they see this all the time and it's not an issue. I had handwritten my claimant ID at the top of each page just to be safe (based on advice here), and she said that was perfect. So don't stress about this issue like I did! They're totally used to it.
Thanks for coming back to update us! I love when people actually follow up instead of just disappearing after getting help. Glad it worked out!
ESD claim stuck for months - single mom of 5 desperate for resources before holidays
I'm at my wit's end with ESD. My claim has been "in progress" for over 3 months now! I've called dozens of times but either get disconnected or told "it's still processing" with zero actual help. Meanwhile, I'm a single mom with 5 kids, and everything is falling apart. My car just got repossessed last week, every single bill is in collections, and I foolishly thought MAYBE the claim would process in time for the holidays so my kids could have something. Nope. Nothing. Just more automated emails saying "we're working on it." Has anyone been through this nightmare and actually gotten their benefits? Are there ANY emergency resources for families while ESD takes their sweet time? I'm trying everything but food banks can only help so much when you're about to be evicted. Any advice at all would be appreciated.
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have u tried the salvation army? they helped my sis last yr when she was waiting on esd. also some churches do emergency assistance this time of year
I haven't tried them yet! Good idea, I'll call around to local churches too. Thank you!
Just following up - were you able to connect with any resources through 211? Also, now that you found that hidden message in your portal, you should call ESD directly and tell them you just found it and submitted the required info. That might speed things up. When claims are in adjudication because of missing information, they can sometimes resolve quickly once you provide what they need.
Yes! 211 connected me with an emergency assistance program that's helping with next month's rent. And I finally got through to ESD after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The agent saw I uploaded the missing docs and pushed my claim to be reviewed this week! She said I should have a decision by Friday. I can't believe after months of nothing, things might actually be resolved before Christmas. Thank you all so much for your help!
Does my ESD claim auto-approve if my employer doesn't respond by deadline?
Hey everyone, I'm in a weird spot with my unemployment claim. My former employer was given until today to respond about my separation (I quit because they cut my hours from 40 to 15 with no warning). ESD sent me a notice saying they had 10 days to give their side of the story, and today's the deadline. Does anyone know if my claim will automatically be approved if they don't respond by the deadline? Or does ESD still investigate even without employer input? I'm getting really anxious because rent is due next week and I've been waiting for 3 weeks already with no income. Thanks for any help!
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btw i was wondering this too but does anyone know if the 10 day deadline is business days or calendar days??? mines coming up on wednesday but i'm not sure if weekends count
It's 10 calendar days, not business days. So weekends are included in that count.
thx!
Quick update - I finally reached an ESD agent this morning after using the Claimyr service someone recommended. The agent told me that my employer did NOT respond before the deadline, and they're now processing my claim. She said I should have a decision within 5-7 business days. She also confirmed that my substantial reduction in hours is generally considered good cause for quitting, which makes me feel better about my chances. Thanks everyone for the help and advice!
That's great news! The fact that they confirmed the hours reduction as good cause is especially positive. Keep us posted on the outcome!
fingers crossed for you!!! 🤞
Stuck in ESD adjudication for 6 weeks with bills piling up - should I keep waiting?
I've been stuck in this endless waiting game with ESD for what feels like forever. My claim has been in adjudication for almost 6 weeks now with absolutely zero updates on eServices. Meanwhile, my rent is due next week, I'm $1,700 behind on utilities, and my landlord is starting to make noise about eviction. I recently started a part-time gig at a local warehouse (20 hrs/week), but it's barely covering groceries after I pay for gas to get there. At this rate, I'll be living in my car by the end of June if something doesn't change. Has anyone else dealt with adjudication taking THIS long in 2025? Should I just keep patiently waiting or is there some magic phone number or trick to actually talk to a human at ESD who might help speed things up? I've tried calling the regular number about 30 times but either get disconnected or end up waiting for 2+ hours before having to hang up for work. Any advice would be seriously appreciated!!
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lol at everyone giving complicated tips. let me tell u what REALLY happens - ESD doesn't care if u get evicted. they take forever ON PURPOSE so people give up. my cousin works for DSHS and says the whole system is designed to be frustrating. the only thing that works is being a SQUEAKY WHEEL. call Every. Single. Day. use claimyr if u have to. email them constantly. message them on twitter publicly. contact ur rep. make noise until they deal with u just to shut u up. sad but true.
THIS!!! 100% accurate they literally TRAIN the workers to deny as many claims as possible theres quotas and everything its all a scam
This is not accurate. There are no quotas for denials, and the system isn't designed to be frustrating on purpose. It's understaffed and underfunded, which is a different problem. Spreading misinformation like this doesn't help anyone. The advice about being persistent is good though - polite persistence does work.
UPDATE: I wanted to thank everyone for their advice! I tried several approaches simultaneously: 1. Used Claimyr this morning and got through to an agent in about 15 minutes 2. Asked for the hardship expedited review 3. Also emailed my state rep The agent I spoke with was actually really helpful. She said my claim was flagged because my former employer didn't respond to their initial inquiry (typical). She submitted an expedited review request based on my hardship situation and said I should hear something within 72 hours. I'll update again when I know more, but I'm feeling much more optimistic now that I at least know what's happening. Thanks again for all your help!
That's great news! The 72-hour expedited review is definitely your best shot. Keep us posted on how it goes. And definitely still follow through with your state rep contact as a backup plan.
fingers crossed for u!! the waiting is the worst part
Mateo Gonzalez
Quick update - after seeing a recommendation here, I tried Claimyr today for my adjudication issue with ESD and got through in about 15 mins when I'd been trying for days on my own. Just sharing in case others are struggling with the phone system too. There's a demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 that shows how it works.
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Zara Shah
UPDATE: I finally got through to ESD this morning after trying for 2 hours! The agent was actually super helpful once I got through. She backdated my claims for 11/4 and 11/11 right away, and said I should see the payments in my account by Wednesday. She also explained that the system doesn't allow online backdating until you've established a "regular filing pattern" - whatever that means. For anyone else with this issue - definitely call, have your job search activities ready (they DO need all 3 for each week), and be prepared to wait on hold. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Yuki Nakamura
Glad you got it resolved! And yes, a "regular filing pattern" typically means filing 3-4 consecutive weeks on time. After that, the system gives you more flexibility for missed weeks (though still capped at 4 weeks). Hope your payments arrive on schedule!
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