Can I apply for Washington ESD unemployment in person at a local office?
I've been trying to apply for unemployment benefits online but keep running into technical issues with the Washington ESD website. Every time I try to create an account or log in, something goes wrong. I'm more comfortable doing things in person anyway - can I just go to a Washington ESD office and apply for unemployment there? I lost my job two weeks ago and really need to get this process started. Does anyone know if they still do in-person applications or if there are local offices I can visit?
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Zoe Papadakis
Unfortunately Washington ESD doesn't really do in-person applications anymore. Everything moved online especially after COVID. You have to file through their website at esd.wa.gov. What kind of technical issues are you having? Maybe we can help troubleshoot.
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Andre Dupont
•The website keeps timing out when I try to submit my application. I've tried different browsers and cleared my cache but same problem.
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ThunderBolt7
•I had the same issue last month. Try applying early in the morning like 6-7am when there's less traffic on the site.
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Jamal Edwards
There are WorkSource offices around the state that can provide some assistance with unemployment applications, but they're mainly for job search help. The actual UI claim has to be filed online through Washington ESD's secure portal. You might be able to get help with the technical issues at a WorkSource location though.
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Andre Dupont
•That's helpful, thanks. Do you know if they have computers I can use there if mine is the problem?
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Jamal Edwards
•Yes most WorkSource centers have public computers available. You should call ahead to make sure they're open and have availability.
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Mei Chen
I was having similar problems getting through to file my initial claim. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely useless too - you can't get through to anyone. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person at Washington ESD. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your application issues.
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Liam O'Sullivan
•Never heard of that service before. Is it legit? Seems weird that you'd need a third party just to contact Washington ESD.
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Mei Chen
•Yeah I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They handle the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit on hold forever. Saved me a lot of frustration.
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Amara Okonkwo
the esd website is garbage, ive been trying to file for three days now and it keeps crashing. this is ridiculous that they force everyone online but cant make a website that actually works
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Zoe Papadakis
•I feel your frustration but keep trying. The system does work, it's just overloaded. Try different times of day.
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Amara Okonkwo
•shouldnt have to jump through hoops just to apply for benefits im entitled to
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Jamal Edwards
For what it's worth, once you get past the initial application hurdle, the weekly claim filing usually goes much smoother. The hardest part is getting that first claim submitted. Make sure you have all your employment history ready - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation.
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Andre Dupont
•Good point about having everything ready. I think part of my problem might be that I don't have all the exact dates and addresses organized.
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Giovanni Marino
•Yeah definitely get organized first. I made the mistake of starting my application without all the info and it timed out while I was looking stuff up.
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ThunderBolt7
Another option is calling the UI customer service line early in the morning. I got through once at like 8:05am right when they opened. The wait was still long but at least I didn't get the busy signal.
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Andre Dupont
•What number did you call? I've tried the main number but always get disconnected.
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ThunderBolt7
•The main UI customer service line. But honestly Claimyr might be easier if you're having consistent problems getting through.
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Fatima Al-Sayed
•I second the Claimyr recommendation. Used it last week and finally got to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my pending claim.
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Zoe Papadakis
If you're having browser issues, try using a different device entirely. Sometimes the problem is browser compatibility. Also make sure you're using a strong internet connection - I've seen the application fail on weak wifi.
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Andre Dupont
•I'll try from my phone instead of my laptop. Maybe that will work better.
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Dylan Hughes
Just wanted to add that there's no penalty for technical difficulties delaying your application. As long as you file within the first few weeks of being unemployed, your benefits will be backdated to when you first became eligible. So don't panic about the delays.
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Andre Dupont
•That's reassuring, thank you. I was worried I was losing money every day I couldn't get the application submitted.
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NightOwl42
•Yeah they backdate to your last day of work or when you became unemployed, whichever applies to your situation.
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Giovanni Marino
I had to file my claim three separate times before it finally went through. Super frustrating but persistence pays off. Keep all your information saved in a document so you can copy and paste it quickly if you have to start over.
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Andre Dupont
•Good idea about saving everything. I'll create a document with all my employment details before trying again.
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Giovanni Marino
•Exactly. Having it ready to copy/paste makes the process much faster if the site crashes on you.
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Sofia Rodriguez
Try using Chrome in incognito mode. Sometimes saved passwords or cookies interfere with the Washington ESD application process. Also disable any ad blockers or browser extensions that might interfere.
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Andre Dupont
•I do have ad blockers running. I'll try disabling those and see if that helps.
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Dmitry Ivanov
The system maintenance happens overnight usually between 11pm-6am so avoid those hours. Weekend mornings tend to be the best time in my experience.
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Andre Dupont
•I'll try early Saturday morning then. Thanks for the tip about maintenance hours.
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Ava Thompson
washington esd is the worst, took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because of their broken system
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Miguel Herrera
•That's awful. Were you stuck in adjudication or was it just processing delays?
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Ava Thompson
•processing delays, they never explained what took so long
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Zainab Ali
If all else fails, you might want to visit your local WorkSource office for help navigating the online system. They can't file for you but they can help troubleshoot technical issues and make sure you're filling everything out correctly.
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Andre Dupont
•I think I'll try that if my next attempt at home doesn't work. At least they'd have reliable internet and computers.
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Connor Murphy
Another thing to check - make sure your browser allows pop-ups from the Washington ESD site. Sometimes the application opens additional windows that get blocked.
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Andre Dupont
•I didn't think of that. I have pretty strict pop-up blocking enabled.
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Yara Nassar
I used Claimyr when I needed help with my weekly claim certification and it was super easy. They basically handle all the phone stuff so you don't have to deal with busy signals and endless hold times. Worth it just for the peace of mind.
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Andre Dupont
•How does it work exactly? Do you have to give them personal information?
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Yara Nassar
•You just tell them what you need help with and they get you connected to the right person at Washington ESD. Much simpler than trying to navigate the phone system yourself.
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StarGazer101
Make sure you have a valid email address that you check regularly. Washington ESD sends important updates through email and if you miss them it can delay your claim.
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Andre Dupont
•Good point. I should probably use my main email address instead of an old one I rarely check.
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Keisha Jackson
Last resort - if you absolutely cannot get the online application to work, you can call and ask to speak to someone about technical difficulties with the website. They might be able to take your application over the phone in special circumstances.
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Andre Dupont
•That would be ideal but getting through to anyone on the phone seems impossible.
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Mei Chen
•That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They can get you through to someone who can actually help with these kinds of issues.
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Paolo Romano
Keep trying different times of day. I finally got my application through at like 2am on a Tuesday. Sometimes the weird hours work better than prime time.
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Andre Dupont
•2am might be worth a try. I've been attempting during normal business hours thinking that would be better.
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Amina Diop
Don't give up! The system is frustrating but once you get that initial claim filed, everything else is much easier. Weekly claims take like 5 minutes once you're in the system.
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Andre Dupont
•Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep trying with all these suggestions. Hopefully something works soon.
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