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
just wondering - did u try getting hired back at the same place b4 applying for benefits? might be faster just to go back to work if they'll take u
Yes, I've applied to three positions already, but the hiring process takes time. Two are still listed as "under review" and I have a preliminary phone screening for the third one next week. I'm just worried about managing financially during this gap period.
Update on my situation - I called ESD this morning using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above, and it actually worked! Got through to an agent in about 10 minutes who explained that since I'm now medically cleared to work (even with some restrictions), I should apply for regular unemployment instead of TTD. She said I might still qualify since I have a good reason for leaving my last job (child's medical needs is considered good cause in some cases). Going to file my application today and see what happens. Just wanted to share in case it helps anyone else!
Thank you so much for updating us! That's really helpful information. I'm going to try the same thing. Did you have to explain that you're applying to positions at your former employer? I wonder if that affects anything.
@Philip Cowan That s'great that you got through so quickly! I didn t'even know that service existed. For your question about mentioning applications to former employers - the agent told me that you just need to report your job search activities honestly in your weekly claims. As long as you re'actively looking for work which (you clearly are with three applications ,)that s'what matters. The fact that some are with your former employer actually shows you re'being proactive about finding suitable work. Good luck with your application!
Join the conversation
Bottom line - once Washington ESD deposits your weekly unemployment payment, it's your money to spend on whatever you need. No restrictions, no monitoring, no receipts required. Just make sure you're still meeting your job search requirements and reporting any income you earn.
Perfect summary! Thanks everyone for the help - definitely feeling less anxious about this now.
Glad we could help clear this up. It's a common worry but totally unnecessary.
Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this same worry when I first started receiving benefits. I actually called Washington ESD directly (took forever to get through) and the agent laughed when I asked about spending restrictions. She said "honey, it's your money once we send it - we don't care if you buy groceries or get a haircut." Really put my mind at ease. The only thing they track is whether you're eligible to receive the benefits in the first place and that you're doing your job searches. Once that money hits your account, spend it on whatever you need to get by!
Join the conversation
Final thought - remember that partial unemployment benefits are designed to bridge the gap while you're looking for more stable employment. Use this time to not just search for jobs but also maybe consider if there are skills you could develop or certifications you could get to improve your job prospects.
That's a great perspective. I've been so focused on just surviving the hour reduction that I hadn't thought about using this as an opportunity to improve my situation long-term.
Exactly! Sometimes these setbacks can actually lead to better opportunities if you approach them strategically. Good luck with your application!
This whole thread has been incredibly informative! I'm actually in a very similar boat - working part-time at a grocery store and just had my hours slashed from 32 to about 18 per week. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that I might actually qualify for some help. I'm definitely going to apply this week and see what happens. The advice about keeping detailed records and being prepared for the job search requirements is especially helpful. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this situation!
Welcome to the club, Maya! It's definitely tough when your hours get cut like that, but from everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like you have a really good chance of qualifying for partial benefits. Going from 32 to 18 hours is a significant reduction. I'm planning to apply too after reading all these helpful responses - seems like the key is just to get the application in and let Washington ESD figure out the details. Good luck with your application!
Join the conversation
Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble with the online system, try clearing your browser cache and cookies first - that fixed a lot of freezing issues I was having. Also, make sure you're using a supported browser (Chrome or Firefox work best). The system can be really finicky but these basic troubleshooting steps often help before you get too frustrated with it.
That's really helpful! I was wondering about technical issues since I've heard the Washington ESD site can be glitchy. I'll definitely try those browser tips if I run into problems. Should I avoid using Safari or Edge then?
Also wanted to mention - if you're worried about making mistakes on your application, Washington ESD does allow you to go back and correct certain information after you submit your initial claim. Obviously it's better to get it right the first time, but don't stress too much if you realize you made a small error later. You can usually call or log into your account to make corrections. The most important thing is just getting that initial claim filed as soon as possible after your layoff - every week you wait is a week of potential benefits you might miss out on.
This is such great advice! I was definitely overthinking the whole process and worried I'd mess something up permanently. Knowing that I can make corrections later takes a lot of pressure off. I think I was psyching myself out when really I just need to get that initial claim submitted. Thanks for the reassurance!
Yuki Tanaka
Bottom line - yes your unemployment counts as income but don't let that stop you from applying. I qualified for $180/month in SNAP benefits while receiving Washington ESD unemployment and it made a huge difference.
0 coins
Dmitry Ivanov
•Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I'm definitely going to apply now. Sounds like I have a good chance of qualifying for something.
0 coins
Carmen Diaz
•Good luck! The application process isn't as scary as it seems once you get started.
0 coins
Zara Rashid
Just wanted to add that you can apply for SNAP online through the Washington Connection portal, which is much easier than going to a DSHS office in person. The online application walks you through everything step by step and you can upload your Washington ESD documents directly. I found it way less intimidating than I expected, and you can save your progress if you need to gather more paperwork.
0 coins
Samantha Johnson
•That's really helpful to know about the online portal! I was dreading having to go to an office in person. Being able to upload my Washington ESD documents directly sounds much more convenient. Thanks for the tip about being able to save progress too - I'll probably need that since I'm still gathering all my paperwork.
0 coins