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.
Live agent or your money backRefund policy
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 :)
Can you apply for unemployment if you are self employed - Washington ESD eligibility?
I've been running my own small consulting business for the past 2 years but work has completely dried up. I haven't had any clients in over a month and I'm struggling to pay my bills. I always thought self-employed people couldn't get unemployment benefits, but a friend mentioned something about changes after the pandemic. Can I actually apply for regular unemployment through Washington ESD if I'm self-employed? Or do I need to have been an employee somewhere? I'm really confused about the rules and could use some guidance.
Join the conversation
What should I say at my Washington ESD unemployment appeal hearing next week?
My appeal hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday and I'm completely panicking about what to say. Got disqualified because they said I quit voluntarily but that's not true - my hours got cut to basically nothing and I had no choice but to leave. The judge is going to ask me questions and I don't want to mess this up. Has anyone been through one of these Washington ESD hearings before? What kind of questions do they ask and how should I prepare?
Join the conversation
One more thing - if you don't win at this level, you can appeal to the Board of Appeals. Don't give up if the first decision doesn't go your way.
Let's hope it doesn't come to that! But good to know there are more options.
Hopefully you won't need it, but it's there if you do. Good luck with your hearing!
Update us after your hearing! We're all rooting for you. Sounds like you have everything you need to win this appeal.
Will do! Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice. I feel so much more prepared now.
We've all been there. The unemployment system is confusing but forums like this help us all figure it out together.
How long does unemployment take to get approved in Washington - still waiting after 2 weeks
Filed my unemployment claim with Washington ESD two weeks ago and still haven't heard anything back. My claim status just says 'under review' and I'm starting to worry. I lost my job at a manufacturing plant when they downsized and I thought this would be pretty straightforward. Has anyone else experienced delays? I need to know how long this normally takes because my rent is due next week and I'm getting stressed.
Join the conversation
Just want to add that once you do get approved, the payment usually comes pretty quick. Mine showed up in my account within 2-3 business days of approval.
Yep, and they'll pay you for all the weeks you claimed while waiting, so you won't lose out on any benefits.
Exactly - that's why it's so important to keep filing those weekly claims even while the initial claim is pending.
Try to hang in there OP. I know the waiting is stressful but 2 weeks really is normal. If you hit the 4 week mark with no word, then I'd start trying to contact them directly.
And remember, if you do need to contact Washington ESD directly, services like Claimyr are there to help you actually get through to someone. Sometimes that direct contact can speed things up.
Definitely keep that as an option if you need it. The peace of mind alone can be worth it.
When can you file unemployment in Washington - timing questions
I'm getting laid off next Friday and wondering about the timing for filing my Washington ESD claim. Can I file right away or do I need to wait? My HR department wasn't very clear about this and I want to make sure I don't mess up the process. Also worried about the waiting week - does that still exist? I've never filed for unemployment before so any guidance would be helpful.
Join the conversation
Good luck with everything! The process is intimidating at first but it's really not that bad once you get started. The key is just filing as soon as you're eligible.
Thanks! Feeling much more confident about the timing now. Really appreciate everyone's help.
What day does unemployment pay in Washington - when do ESD benefits hit your account?
I just got approved for unemployment benefits after waiting forever for adjudication to finish. My first weekly claim was processed last week but I still haven't received any payment. Does anyone know what day of the week Washington ESD actually deposits unemployment payments? I'm trying to figure out when I should expect the money to hit my account so I can plan my bills accordingly.
Join the conversation
Dylan Mitchell
I tried Claimyr when I had issues with my job search requirements and it worked great. Really saved me from spending half a day trying to get through to Washington ESD. Definitely worth trying if you decide to call them about your situation.
0 coins
Omar Fawaz
AuthorThanks for the recommendation! It sounds like multiple people have had good experiences with them.
0 coins
Sofia Gutierrez
Bottom line - as a truly self-employed person with no recent W-2 wages, you probably won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. But it's still worth confirming with them directly, and in the meantime, look into other assistance programs and consider your options for getting back into the workforce.
0 coins
Omar Fawaz
AuthorThat seems to be the consensus. I appreciate everyone's input - it's given me a clearer picture of my options.
0 coins
Dmitry Petrov
Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Being self-employed is tough when things go bad, but you've got options to get through this.
0 coins