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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!
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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!
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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.
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New member here who just joined after finding this thread through a desperate Google search! I've been in adjudication for 2.5 weeks and have made probably 60+ failed call attempts. Reading through all these experiences and solutions has been incredibly validating - I was starting to think I was doing something wrong or that there was some secret process I didn't know about. I'm definitely going to try the 7:58am employer line strategy tomorrow morning, and I've already bookmarked the Claimyr service and looked up my state representative's contact info as backup options. It's both reassuring and maddening to see how many of us are dealing with the exact same broken system. Special thanks to Sofia for the detailed success story and to everyone who's shared specific tips and timelines. This community is providing better guidance than anything I've found on official ESD resources. I'll report back with results - hoping to add another success story to help the next person who finds this thread in desperation like I did!
Welcome to the community, Statiia! I'm also a newcomer here and just want to echo what everyone else has said - this thread has been absolutely invaluable. I found it the same way you did, through a desperate late-night Google search after weeks of getting nowhere with ESD's phone system. The 7:58am employer line trick really does work - I tried it yesterday and got through after about an hour on hold. Make sure you're mentally prepared for a long wait once you do get in the queue, but don't give up! Have your claim number, SSN, and any reference numbers ready to go. Also, I'd recommend having the ESD website open on your computer so you can reference your account while talking to the agent. The community here has been more helpful than any official resource, and it's both comforting and frustrating to know so many of us are navigating the same broken system. Good luck tomorrow morning - we're all rooting for you! Please do report back with your results.
Just wanted to add my voice as another newcomer who found this thread during my own ESD phone nightmare! I've been stuck in adjudication for almost 3 weeks now and have been calling multiple times daily with zero success - just that infuriating "high call volume" message followed by the disconnect. This community has been incredibly helpful and I'm planning to try several of the strategies mentioned here. I'm going to attempt the 7:58am employer line approach tomorrow morning, and I've already looked into the Claimyr service as a backup option. It's both comforting and deeply frustrating to see how widespread this problem is - the fact that we need to crowdsource workarounds just to access basic unemployment services really highlights how broken the system has become. Sofia, congratulations on getting your issue resolved! Your detailed update gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off. I'll definitely report back with my results to hopefully help the next person who finds themselves in this same impossible situation. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space where we can actually get useful information when the official channels completely fail us!
Welcome to the community, Victoria! I'm also brand new here and discovered this thread the exact same way - through desperate Googling after weeks of failed ESD phone attempts. It's honestly both a relief and completely maddening to see how many of us are stuck in this same broken system. I've been in adjudication for about 2 weeks now and was starting to feel like I was losing my mind with the constant disconnects. Reading through everyone's experiences and strategies has given me actual hope for the first time in weeks. I'm planning to try the 7:58am employer line trick tomorrow too - maybe we'll both have success stories to share! I've also bookmarked all the backup options people have mentioned (Claimyr, state rep contact, etc.) just in case. It's incredible that this community thread has more practical solutions than the entire ESD website. Thanks to Sofia and everyone else who's taken the time to document their experiences and help fellow newcomers navigate this nightmare. Here's hoping we both get through tomorrow and can pay it forward by sharing our results with the next wave of frustrated people who find this thread!
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anyone else notice that hearings are taking longer since they closed that renton office???? my sister had a hearing in like 3 weeks last year but my cousin waited like 2 months last month for the same type of issue. just saying maybe call your state rep too? my cousin did that and suddenly got a hearing date...
You've raised a good point. The Renton office consolidation in February 2025 did impact scheduling temporarily. However, contacting your state representative can sometimes help with case visibility. Just be prepared to sign a privacy release form so they can inquire about your case. It's not guaranteed to speed things up, but it's another avenue worth trying when you're stuck in extended delays.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - what a nightmare situation! I went through something similar last year when my employer found old unemployment paperwork in my desk and questioned me about it. While they didn't fire me for it, the stress was unreal. A few things that might help while you wait: 1. Document EVERYTHING about your termination - emails, texts, witness statements if coworkers heard anything. The more paper trail you have, the better. 2. If you haven't already, request your personnel file from your employer in writing. They have 21 days to provide it under WA law, and sometimes there are notes in there that contradict their official story. 3. Consider reaching out to WorkSource for free employment law guidance - they have advisors who can help you understand your rights and prep for the hearing. The waiting is absolutely brutal, but based on what you've described, you have a strong case. Being fired for following ESD requirements should definitely qualify as a wrongful denial. Hang in there!
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I went through this exact same thing with Walmart about 8 months ago when they closed our neighborhood market in Tacoma. They contested my claim even though the entire store was shutting down - like how is that not obviously a layoff?? The adjudication took about 6 weeks but I eventually won and got all my back pay. The key thing that helped me was keeping detailed records of everything - I had my manager's email about the store closure, the official notice they posted, and my severance check stub. Walmart's lawyers are basically playing a numbers game hoping people will give up or make mistakes in their paperwork. Don't let them intimidate you - with your WARN notice and severance documentation, you've got a really solid case. Just stay persistent and keep filing those weekly claims!
This gives me so much hope! I'm dealing with the exact same situation - Walmart distribution center layoff and they're contesting it despite having all the proper documentation. It's reassuring to hear that you won your case and got the back pay. I'm definitely going to look into Claimyr since everyone here seems to have had success with it. The phone system sounds like a complete nightmare and I can't afford to waste weeks trying to get through. Thanks for sharing the details about your timeline - 6 weeks feels manageable knowing there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Reading all these stories about Walmart contesting legitimate layoff claims is both infuriating and oddly comforting - at least I know I'm not alone in this fight. It's clear they have a systematic approach to challenging every claim regardless of the circumstances. I'm in week 4 of adjudication now and the financial stress is really getting to me, but hearing that you and others have successfully fought these contests gives me the motivation to keep going. I've uploaded all my documentation including the WARN notice and severance paperwork, and I'm going to look into Claimyr tomorrow to try to get a status update. This whole experience has really opened my eyes to how these massive corporations treat their former employees - it's shameful but not surprising. Thanks for sharing your timeline and encouragement!
I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's incredibly stressful to have your legitimate claim contested when you're already dealing with job loss. As someone who's been through the Washington ESD system before, I can tell you that having your WARN notice and severance documentation puts you in a very strong position. Large retailers like Walmart have made contesting claims a standard business practice regardless of the actual circumstances - it's purely a cost-saving measure on their end. The adjudication process is frustrating and slow, but Washington ESD adjudicators are generally pretty good at seeing through these automatic contests when you have solid documentation. Make sure to upload everything to your SecureAccess account ASAP and definitely keep filing your weekly claims during the process so you'll get back pay when this gets resolved in your favor. Stay strong and don't let their tactics discourage you from fighting for what you're entitled to!
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This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was stressing about the rules. Sounds like as long as you're honest and don't work full-time hours consistently, you should be fine.
Yeah I feel much better about my situation now. The key seems to be transparency with Washington ESD.
Exactly! They're not trying to trick you, they just need accurate information to calculate benefits correctly.
One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of your work hours and earnings each week. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything before I file my weekly claim - makes it so much easier to report accurately. Also, don't forget that holiday pay or bonuses from your part-time job need to be reported too. Washington ESD considers all compensation as earnings, not just your regular hourly wages.
Great advice about keeping detailed records! I've been using my phone's notes app to track everything but a spreadsheet sounds way more organized. Quick question - do tips count as earnings that need to be reported too? My part-time job sometimes has small tips and I want to make sure I'm doing this right.
Emma Wilson
I just wanted to add a perspective as someone who went through this exact process about 3 months ago. My husband is also in construction (commercial electrical) and was really nervous about his mandatory WorkSource appointment, but it ended up being surprisingly helpful. The key thing that made our experience positive was that I helped him organize all his information beforehand. We created a simple folder with: - Updated resume (even though it wasn't perfect) - List of his certifications and when they expire - Photos from 3-4 major projects he managed - Contact info for previous supervisors who could serve as references His counselor was really impressed with how prepared he was and spent extra time going through local construction projects that were starting up. She even knew about a few developments that hadn't been publicly announced yet because the contractors had reached out to WorkSource about upcoming hiring needs. One thing I'd definitely recommend - if your husband's appointment doesn't go well or he feels rushed, don't hesitate to ask to reschedule with a different counselor. The experience really can vary dramatically between different staff members, and with his level of experience, he deserves someone who will take the time to understand his background and goals. The whole process took about 75 minutes for us, and he actually got two solid leads that turned into interviews within the following week. Definitely go in with a positive attitude and treat it as a genuine networking opportunity. Best of luck with his appointment on Thursday!
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Demi Lagos
•This is such practical advice, Emma! I love the idea of creating that organized folder with all his key information. The photos from major projects he's managed is especially smart - visual examples would really help a counselor understand the scope and complexity of his experience level. It's really encouraging to hear about your husband's success with getting leads that turned into actual interviews so quickly. That's exactly the kind of outcome we're hoping for! The tip about projects that hadn't been publicly announced yet is fascinating - it shows how valuable those industry connections can be. Your point about not being afraid to reschedule with a different counselor if the first one doesn't seem engaged is really important. With his 15+ years of experience, we want to make sure he gets someone who recognizes his value and can actually help connect him with appropriate opportunities. We're definitely feeling much more optimistic about Thursday's appointment after reading everyone's experiences here. It sounds like going in prepared and treating it as a genuine networking opportunity really does make all the difference. Thank you for sharing your success story - it's exactly the kind of positive outcome we're hoping for!
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Angelica Smith
I'm scheduled for my WorkSource appointment next month and this whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea these appointments could actually be so valuable - I was honestly dreading it and figured it would just be some generic "here's how to write a resume" lecture. Reading about everyone's experiences, especially the success stories with actual job connections and industry-specific resources, has completely changed my perspective. I'm in the HVAC trade and have been out of work for about 6 weeks now. Based on what I'm seeing here, I should definitely: 1. Get my resume updated beforehand (even if it's not perfect) 2. Bring my certifications and licenses 3. Research what commercial and residential projects are happening locally 4. Ask specifically about their connections with HVAC contractors and mechanical companies 5. Treat it like a networking meeting rather than a chore The tip about asking for a counselor who specializes in construction/trades if the first one isn't knowledgeable is gold. And I had no idea about federal contracting opportunities - that could be huge since I have security clearance from my military days. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. This community has been such a lifeline during unemployment. Definitely bookmarking this thread to reference before my appointment!
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