Call ESD

Washington Unemployment

Pay nothing until a live ESD agent is on the phone with you.

Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.

$0 upfront. We only hold your card.
No live agent, no charge.

$19.99 is charged only once a live ESD agent is on the phone with you.

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 :)

Noah Torres

Can you get disability and unemployment at the same time in Washington ESD?

I'm really confused about whether I can collect both disability benefits and unemployment benefits in Washington state. I've been on partial disability for a back injury but I'm still able to work certain types of jobs. My doctor says I can do sedentary work but my previous job was warehouse work which I obviously can't do anymore. I filed for unemployment with Washington ESD but now I'm worried they'll deny me because I'm getting disability payments. Has anyone been in this situation? Can you actually collect both at the same time or do I need to choose one?

The bottom line is you need to be completely transparent with both agencies. Don't try to hide your disability from Washington ESD or hide your work availability from the disability office. Honesty is the only way to avoid problems down the road.

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That's my plan. I'd rather be denied upfront than have to pay back benefits later.

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Smart approach. The paperwork is a pain but it's worth it to do everything above board.

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Thanks for asking this question OP. I've been wondering the same thing but was too nervous to ask. This thread has been really helpful!

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No problem! I figured I couldn't be the only one dealing with this situation.

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These kinds of questions come up a lot. It's good to have the information out there for people who need it.

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Freya Andersen

How long do you have to work before you can get unemployment benefits in Washington?

I'm thinking about quitting my current job because the working conditions are terrible, but I want to make sure I'd qualify for unemployment first. I've been working at this place for about 8 months now, but before that I was unemployed for like 6 months after getting laid off from my previous job. Does Washington ESD have minimum work requirements? I've heard different things from people - some say you need a full year, others say it's based on how much you earned. Can someone explain how this actually works?

One more thing - if you do file and get approved, don't forget to report any part-time work or odd jobs. Even small amounts of income need to be reported on your weekly claims or you could get hit with an overpayment later.

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Thanks for all the advice everyone. This has been really helpful in understanding how it all works.

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Good luck whatever you decide to do. The system isn't perfect but at least now you know what to expect.

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If you do need to call Washington ESD about anything, definitely check out that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I finally got through to an agent last week after trying for a month on my own. Sometimes you just need that extra help to navigate their phone system.

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I'll keep that in mind if I end up needing to call them. Sounds like their phone system is pretty frustrating to deal with.

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Zainab Mahmoud

How many times can I apply for unemployment benefits in Washington?

I've been working construction for about 8 years now and this is my third time being laid off due to seasonal work slowdowns. I filed for unemployment twice before - once in 2022 and again in early 2024. Both times I eventually found work and stopped claiming benefits. Now I'm laid off again and wondering if there's a limit to how many times you can apply for Washington ESD unemployment benefits? I'm worried they might deny me because I've already used unemployment before. Does anyone know if there's some kind of lifetime limit or if they track how many times you've filed? I really need the benefits this time because work has been really slow this year.

I tried calling Washington ESD last week about reactivating an old claim and couldn't get through after trying for 3 days. Finally used Claimyr and got connected to an agent within an hour. Worth every penny when you need to actually talk to someone.

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That's the third person who's mentioned that service. Might be worth looking into if I have any issues with my claim.

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Definitely check out their demo video if you're curious. Shows exactly how it works.

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File as soon as you're eligible! Don't worry about how many times you've filed before. The worst thing you can do is wait and miss out on benefits you're entitled to.

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You're right. I'm going to file online today. Thanks everyone for the advice and reassurance!

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Good luck with your claim! Hope you get back to work soon.

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Javier Torres

How much is an unemployment check from Washington ESD - confused about benefit amounts

I'm trying to figure out how much my weekly unemployment benefits will be through Washington ESD but I'm getting conflicting information. I made about $52,000 last year working full time at a retail management position. Some websites say it's based on your highest quarter earnings, others mention a percentage of your wages. Can someone explain how Washington ESD actually calculates your weekly benefit amount? I need to know what to expect so I can budget accordingly while job searching.

For what it's worth, I found that calling Washington ESD right when they open at 8am gives you the best chance of getting through, but even then it's usually a long wait.

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I tried that strategy for weeks with no luck. Finally gave up and used Claimyr to get connected. Worth every penny to avoid the frustration.

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I might have to try that if I can't get through soon. This whole process is exhausting.

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Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! This thread has been way more useful than the Washington ESD website for understanding how benefit amounts work.

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Agreed! I feel much more confident about what to expect from my benefits now.

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This community is great for getting real answers about unemployment questions. The official resources are so confusing sometimes.

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Lena Kowalski

Can you file for partial unemployment benefits with Washington ESD?

I'm working part-time at a restaurant but my hours got cut from 35 to about 15 hours a week. Bills are piling up and I'm wondering if I can file for partial unemployment with Washington ESD while still working these reduced hours? I've never dealt with unemployment before and not sure if partial benefits are even a thing or how it works with reporting wages.

Good luck with your application! Partial unemployment was a lifesaver for me during a tough period. Don't hesitate to reach out here if you run into any issues - this community is pretty helpful with Washington ESD questions.

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Thanks everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about filing now.

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This sub is great for unemployment questions. Saved me so much time and stress when I was dealing with my claim issues.

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One last tip - set up direct deposit if you qualify for benefits. Paper checks take forever and can get lost in the mail. You can set this up during the application process or add it later through your online account.

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Definitely doing direct deposit. I don't trust the mail with something that important.

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Smart choice. My first check got lost in the mail and it was a nightmare to get it reissued.

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