Can I call Washington ESD unemployment office directly?

I've been trying to call for weeks too. The main number just hangs up on you after like 2 hours of waiting. It's so frustrating!

Yes you can call Washington ESD but the wait times are brutal. The main customer service line is 800-318-6022. They're open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. Pro tip: don't call on Mondays or right after holidays - those are the worst days.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD when I was having the same problem. They basically call for you and connect you when they get an agent on the line. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The phone system is designed to handle high volume but it's still overwhelmed most days. Your best bet is calling right when they open at 8am. Have your Social Security number and claim details ready before you call.

ugh same problem here!! been trying to call for 2 weeks about my weekly claim that got rejected. the automated system just keeps saying call back later

For adjudication issues specifically, calling is really your only option besides waiting it out. The online system won't show you what documents they need or what the hold-up is. When you do get through, ask specifically what your claim is pending on and if there's anything you can submit to move it along.

I had success with that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. Took about 30 minutes and they got me connected to an agent who explained exactly why my claim was in adjudication. Turns out I needed to submit additional wage verification from my previous employer.

The reason calling is so difficult right now is that Washington ESD has been dealing with a lot of complex cases and fraud prevention measures. This has created a backlog in both adjudication and phone support. They're working on improving the system but it takes time.

Try calling the Olympia office direct sometimes they answer faster than the main line

My cousin works for Washington ESD and she says the phone situation is crazy right now. They're getting like 10x normal call volume because of all the adjudication delays. She said most agents are spending their whole day just on phone calls instead of processing claims.

I finally got through last week after trying for a month. Took 4 hours on hold but the agent was actually really helpful. She explained that my adjudication was because of a discrepancy between what my employer reported and what I put on my application. Got it cleared up in 10 minutes once I talked to someone.

NOBODY should have to wait 4 hours to talk to someone about their unemployment benefits! This is our money that we paid into the system. Washington ESD needs to get their act together.

Has anyone tried calling right before they close at 4pm? Sometimes government offices are less busy then

Can I just say how much I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here? It's nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with this nightmare.

I used to work at a call center and let me tell you the Washington ESD phone system is set up all wrong. They need better call routing and more staff. The agents are probably doing their best but the system is failing them too.

UPDATE: I tried Claimyr this morning after reading about it here and I'm now on hold with an actual Washington ESD agent! They called me back in about 45 minutes. This is amazing!

The problem is Washington ESD is still using phone technology from like 2005. They need to modernize everything not just hire more people.

my mom had to call about her standby claim and she said the key is calling exactly at 8:00:00am not 8:01 or 8:02. she got through in like 20 minutes

Just wanted to follow up - the agent I talked to through Claimyr was super helpful. Turns out my employer had reported my separation reason incorrectly and that's why I was in adjudication. She's sending me the forms to get it corrected. Would never have known this without calling!

Bottom line - yes you can call Washington ESD but be prepared for a long wait or try one of these callback services if you can't sit on hold all day. The important thing is getting your questions answered so you can move forward with your claim.