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
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 :)
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Quick update - I was able to get through this morning using one of the third-party calling services. My claim that was stuck for 5 weeks is now processing. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to get things moving.
Which service did you use? There seem to be a few options out there
I used the one with the video demo that people mentioned - worked really well
For what it's worth, I've had better luck with the Spanish language line even though I speak English. Sometimes there's less volume on that line and the agents are bilingual anyway.
That's actually against the terms of service and could cause issues with your claim if they flag it
Good point, probably not worth the risk
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Just want to emphasize what others have said - DO NOT try to claim unemployment while on maternity leave thinking you won't get caught. Washington ESD has ways of verifying employment status and availability, and fraud charges are serious.
Good point. Better to be honest and explore legitimate options like PFML.
Final thought for OP - since you're planning ahead, make sure you understand both the PFML application timeline and requirements. It's great that you're thinking about this now instead of scrambling after the baby arrives!
Thank you all so much! This has been incredibly helpful. I'll look into PFML and forget about unemployment benefits. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain everything.
Good luck with everything! PFML was a lifesaver for me, hope it works out well for you too.
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Thanks everyone for all this information! I feel much more informed about the process now. I'm going to file my claim and be completely transparent about my SSDI status. Will update this thread with how it goes in case it helps others in similar situations.
Yes, please do update us! These real-world experiences help so much for others facing the same situation.
Definitely will update. This community has been incredibly helpful and I want to pay it forward.
One last tip - when you file your weekly claims, make sure you report any SSDI payments you receive that week. Washington ESD needs to know about all income sources to calculate your benefits correctly. It's better to over-report than under-report.
Will do! I'd rather be completely transparent and have them adjust my benefits accordingly than risk any issues down the road.
Exactly the right attitude. Transparency protects you and ensures you get the benefits you're entitled to without any complications.
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Final piece of advice - keep copies of everything. Your application, any correspondence from Washington ESD, your job search logs, everything. If there are ever any issues, you'll want that documentation.
Will do. Should I print stuff out or is keeping digital copies okay?
Digital copies are fine as long as you have them organized and accessible. I keep a folder on my computer with all my unemployment stuff.
Hope everything works out for you! Getting laid off sucks but unemployment benefits really do help bridge the gap. And remember, if you need to talk to Washington ESD for any reason, services like Claimyr can save you a lot of time and frustration with their phone system.
Thanks everyone! I feel much more confident about this whole process now. Really appreciate all the help and advice.
You're welcome! This community is great for supporting each other through these tough times. Good luck with your job search!
Isabella Silva
One last thing to consider - if you have any appeals or ongoing issues with your LTD carrier, make sure that's resolved before applying for unemployment. You don't want conflicting claims about your ability to work.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Fortunately my LTD is ending cleanly without any disputes. But that's definitely good advice for others who might have complications.
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Ravi Choudhury
•Yes, consistency is key. Washington ESD will look at all the documentation and any contradictions could delay your claim.
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Freya Andersen
For anyone reading this later, I also recommend checking with your state's vocational rehabilitation services. They often have programs that can help bridge the gap between disability and employment, and they understand the unemployment system well.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
•Great suggestion! I hadn't thought about vocational rehabilitation services. I'll look into what's available in Washington.
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Omar Farouk
•DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) in Washington has some great programs. They can sometimes help with job placement too.
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