Washington Unemployment
CommunityGovernment Services
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
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 much unemployment can I get from Washington ESD - need to calculate my weekly benefit
I'm trying to figure out how much unemployment I can expect to receive from Washington ESD. I was making $58,000 annually at my last job before getting laid off two weeks ago. I've heard there's a formula they use but I can't find clear information anywhere. Does anyone know how Washington ESD calculates weekly benefit amounts? I need to budget for the next few months while job searching.
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What does 'scheduled for processing' mean on Washington ESD unemployment claim?
I've been checking my Washington ESD account daily and my weekly claim shows 'scheduled for processing' since I submitted it on Sunday. This is my third week claiming and the first two processed within 24 hours. Now it's Wednesday and still showing the same status. Does anyone know what this means? Should I be worried that something is wrong with my claim? I haven't received any correspondence about issues or missing information.
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try using that claimyr service if you need to talk to someone. i was hesitant at first but it really does work and saved me hours of trying to get through myself. worth checking out their demo video to see how it works
I keep seeing mentions of this service. Might be worth trying if my claim doesn't process by early next week.
Just to add another data point - I had this status for about a week last month and it turned out there was a system issue on Washington ESD's end that was affecting a batch of claims. They eventually processed all of them at once and everyone got their payments. Sometimes it really is just technical problems on their side.
That makes me feel better. Sounds like patience is really the key here and most of these processing delays resolve themselves eventually.
Washington ESD unemployment eligibility for 1099 contractors - am I covered?
I've been working as a 1099 independent contractor for the past 18 months doing freelance graphic design work. My main client just cut their budget and I'm basically losing 80% of my income. I'm wondering if I can file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD since I'm technically self-employed? I've heard mixed things about whether 1099 workers are eligible. Has anyone been in this situation before? I'm really stressed about making rent next month.
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Just a heads up - if you do get approved, you'll need to actively search for W-2 employment to meet the job search requirements. Looking for more 1099 work won't count.
Good point. That might actually help me transition back to regular employment.
The job search requirements are pretty specific about what types of work activities qualify.
Final update: I submitted my application and it went through! Now I'm waiting to see if I have enough qualifying wages. Thanks everyone for the help and encouragement.
Fingers crossed! Your experience will definitely help other contractors who find this thread.
Good luck! The waiting is the hardest part, but hopefully you'll get good news soon.
Washington ESD unemployment benefits after being fired - can I still collect?
Got terminated from my job last week and wondering if I can still file for unemployment with Washington ESD. My supervisor said it was for performance issues but I feel like they were just looking for reasons to let me go. I've been working there for almost 2 years and never had any formal write-ups or warnings. Does being fired automatically disqualify me from getting UI benefits? I really need to know before I waste time filing a claim.
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washington esd is so backed up right now... took forever to get through when I had questions about my claim status. definitely file asap though
Yeah I'm hearing that a lot. Going to file online today.
Good luck with everything! Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you so definitely worth filing. Keep all your documentation organized in case you need it later.
Will do. Thanks for all the support everyone!
And remember if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your case, Claimyr is there as an option when the phone lines are jammed.
Can Washington ESD take your taxes to recover unemployment overpayment?
I just got a scary letter from Washington ESD saying I owe them $2,800 from an overpayment last year. The letter mentions they can intercept my tax refund to collect the debt. Is this actually legal? Can they really take my tax money without my permission? I'm supposed to get around $1,400 back this year and I really need that money for rent. Has anyone dealt with this before?
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I tried everything - calling, emailing through their portal, even writing letters. Nothing worked until I used Claimyr to get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. Within two days I had a payment plan set up and avoided the tax intercept completely. Sometimes you just need to accept that the normal methods don't work and find an alternative.
I'm starting to think that might be my only option. The regular phone lines are completely useless.
I was skeptical about using a third-party service but honestly it was worth every penny to avoid losing my $2,200 refund.
Just want to add that the tax intercept isn't just federal - Washington State can also take your state refund for Washington ESD debts. So if you're counting on both federal and state refunds, both could be at risk.
Oh no, I didn't even think about the state refund! This keeps getting worse.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's better to know now so you can take action. Contact Washington ESD immediately to discuss your options.
Dallas Villalobos
Been collecting unemployment for 2 months now and honestly the amount has been a lifesaver. Not as much as my regular salary obviously but enough to keep me afloat while job hunting.
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Dana Doyle
AuthorThat's reassuring to hear. I'm worried it won't be enough to cover all my expenses.
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Dallas Villalobos
You might need to cut back on some things but it definitely helps bridge the gap. The key is finding work before the benefits run out.
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Reina Salazar
If you're really struggling to get answers about your benefit amount, seriously consider using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked great - got me connected to Washington ESD in like 15 minutes instead of spending hours trying to call.
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Dana Doyle
AuthorI might have to try that if my claim doesn't update soon. The waiting and uncertainty is really stressful.
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
Same here, I used Claimyr when I had questions about my benefit calculation. Much easier than playing phone tag with Washington ESD.
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