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
  • Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
  • Give you free callbacks if the ESD drops your call
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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 :)

How long does an appeal take for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

I got disqualified for unemployment benefits last month and filed an appeal with Washington ESD. The letter said I was denied because they think I quit my job voluntarily, but I was actually laid off due to company downsizing. I submitted my appeal paperwork three weeks ago and haven't heard anything back yet. Does anyone know how long these appeals usually take? I'm getting stressed about my bills piling up while I wait for this to get resolved.

The wait is brutal but try to stay positive. I know it's hard when bills are piling up but you'll get through this.

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Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. This thread has been so helpful!

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Keep us posted on how it goes! We're all rooting for you.

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I'm in a similar situation - filed an appeal 4 weeks ago after being wrongfully denied for "voluntary quit" when I was actually laid off due to company restructuring. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially with rent due soon. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like I need to brace myself for potentially 2-3 more months of waiting. Has anyone had success getting any kind of interim assistance while waiting for the appeal to go through?

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Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if I quit to go to school full-time?

I've been working at a retail job for two years but got accepted into a nursing program that starts in September. The classes are full-time during the day so I can't keep my current job. If I quit to go to school, can I still collect unemployment benefits from Washington ESD? I heard there might be special rules for people going to approved training programs but I'm not sure if college counts. Has anyone done this before?

Remember that even with training benefits, you usually have to maintain satisfactory progress in your program and might have to pay back benefits if you don't complete it. Just something to keep in mind.

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Good point. I'm committed to finishing the program so that shouldn't be an issue, but it's important to know about those requirements upfront.

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I went through a similar situation a few years ago when I wanted to transition into healthcare. What saved me was finding out about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding through my local American Job Center. It's different from regular unemployment but can provide financial support while you're in approved training programs. The key is that nursing is often considered a high-demand occupation, so you might have better luck with WIOA than trying to get unemployment after quitting. I'd suggest visiting your local WorkSource office in person - they can walk you through all the different funding options available and help you apply before you leave your current job. Don't give up on your nursing dreams!

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Does Washington ESD call you back or do you have to keep calling them?

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for over a week about my claim that's been stuck in adjudication. Every time I call the customer service line I either get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours or get a busy signal. I'm wondering - does Washington ESD ever actually call claimants back? Or do I just have to keep calling until I get lucky? My weekly claim filing is due tomorrow and I'm worried about missing it while this adjudication issue is pending. Has anyone had Washington ESD actually return their call?

Try calling right at 8am when they open. I got through twice that way, but it still took 45 minutes on hold each time.

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I'll set my alarm for 7:55am tomorrow and be ready to dial right at 8. Thanks for the tip!

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Hope it works for you. Be persistent and don't give up if you get a busy signal the first few tries.

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I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months and can confirm they almost never call back unless it's legally required like for hearings or mandatory interviews. The callback feature through their phone system is essentially broken - I've requested callbacks dozens of times and never received one. Your best strategy is to keep calling persistently, especially right when they open at 8am or try mid-afternoon around 2-3pm when some people give up. Also make sure you continue filing your weekly claims even during adjudication - that's crucial to keep your claim active. The waiting is brutal but eventually you'll get through if you're persistent enough.

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Can you claim unemployment while on maternity leave in Washington state?

I'm 7 months pregnant and trying to figure out my options for after the baby comes. My employer doesn't offer paid maternity leave and I've heard conflicting info about whether I can file for unemployment benefits during maternity leave in Washington. Does anyone know if this is allowed? I've been working full time for 2 years at the same company. Would love to hear from anyone who's been through this situation with Washington ESD.

Last tip - if you're planning to use Claimyr or try calling Washington ESD directly, Tuesday through Thursday mornings seem to be the best times to get through. Avoid Mondays and Fridays if possible!

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That's a good tip! I always wondered if there were better times to call.

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Perfect timing for this advice - I was going to try calling again tomorrow which is Tuesday!

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I went through this same situation about 3 years ago and can confirm everything others have said about PFML being the right program, not unemployment. One thing I'd add is to start gathering your documentation early - you'll need medical certification from your doctor and employment verification from HR. Also, if you're planning to take leave before the baby arrives (like if you have complications), that can also qualify for PFML under the medical leave portion. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks from application to first payment for me, so definitely don't wait until the last minute to apply!

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ESD keeps prompting password reset randomly - should I trust it?

Has anyone else been getting random prompts to reset their ESD password? The website suddenly started asking me to reset my credentials this morning, which seems fishy since I was able to log in perfectly fine just last week. My contract job is ending this Friday, and I was planning to file a new claim soon. I'm worried if I go through with the reset, I'll get stuck in some endless loop of credential resets or lose access completely right when I need it most. The timing seems suspicious. Is this a normal ESD system thing, or could it be some kind of phishing attempt?

Update: I went ahead with the password reset following everyone's advice here. Cleared my cache first, made sure I was on the official site, and created a password that met all their requirements. The process went smoothly and I was able to log back in without any issues! Thanks everyone for your help!

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Glad to hear everything worked out smoothly for you! Your experience will definitely help other members who might be hesitant about doing the password reset. It's always nerve-wracking when these security prompts come up at critical times, but it sounds like following the proper precautions (clearing cache, verifying the official site, meeting password requirements) really makes the difference. Thanks for coming back to update us with the positive outcome!

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