Can you apply for unemployment a different way besides online? Washington ESD alternatives
I've been trying to apply for unemployment benefits through the Washington ESD website for over a week now but keep running into technical issues. The site keeps timing out when I try to submit my application, and I've cleared my cache multiple times. I'm wondering if there's a different way to apply for unemployment in Washington state? Can you still apply by phone or mail, or do they force you to use the online system? I'm getting really frustrated because I need to get this claim started ASAP.
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Kylo Ren
You can still apply by phone! Call the Washington ESD customer service line at 800-318-6022. The wait times are brutal though - I waited 2.5 hours last month just to get through. They're open Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm.
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Paige Cantoni
•Thanks! Do you know if they take applications over the phone or just help with technical issues?
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Kylo Ren
•They can take your full application over the phone. Just have your SSN, employment history for the last 18 months, and bank info ready.
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Nina Fitzgerald
The phone option exists but honestly the website is your best bet once you get it working. Have you tried using a different browser? Sometimes Chrome works better than Safari for the Washington ESD site.
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Paige Cantoni
•I tried both Chrome and Firefox, same issues. Maybe it's my internet connection?
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Nina Fitzgerald
•Could be. Try using your phone's hotspot or go to a library with better wifi.
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Jason Brewer
I had the same problem last year! The Washington ESD website is notorious for crashing during busy periods. If you're having trouble getting through by phone, there's actually a service called Claimyr that helps you get connected to ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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Paige Cantoni
•Is that legit? I've never heard of it before.
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Jason Brewer
•Yeah it's real. They basically call for you and get you connected to an actual person at Washington ESD. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Kiara Fisherman
•I used Claimyr too when I couldn't get through the regular way. Really helped me get my claim started without all the phone frustration.
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Liam Cortez
Why is the Washington ESD system so outdated?? It's 2025 and their website still crashes constantly. Other states have much better unemployment systems.
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Savannah Vin
•Tell me about it. I've been trying to file my weekly claim for 3 days now.
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Liam Cortez
•At least your claim is approved! I'm still waiting on adjudication after 6 weeks.
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Mason Stone
You can also visit a WorkSource office in person, but they're pretty limited on what they can do for new applications. Most locations just help you access the online system on their computers.
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Paige Cantoni
•That might actually help if it's an internet issue on my end. Do you know if all WorkSource locations help with this?
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Mason Stone
•Most do, but call ahead to make sure they have computer access available. Some locations are appointment-only now.
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Makayla Shoemaker
whatever you do dont give up on filing! I waited too long thinking the website would get fixed and missed out on benefits from my first week. The sooner you get your claim in the better.
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Paige Cantoni
•Good point. I'll try the phone number tomorrow morning first thing.
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Makayla Shoemaker
•call right at 8am when they open, thats when you have the best chance of getting through quickly
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Kylo Ren
One more tip - if you do get the website working, save your progress frequently. I lost a whole application once because I didn't save and the session timed out.
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Paige Cantoni
•That's probably what happened to me! I spent 45 minutes filling everything out and then it just disappeared.
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Kylo Ren
•Yeah it's super frustrating. The save button is at the bottom of each section, don't skip it.
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Christian Bierman
I tried mailing in an application last year and they sent it back saying everything has to be done online or by phone now. So don't waste time with snail mail.
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Paige Cantoni
•Thanks for the heads up! I was wondering about that option too.
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Emma Olsen
The Washington ESD phone system is just as bad as the website tbh. I called 47 times last week and only got through once. That Claimyr thing someone mentioned might be worth trying.
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Jason Brewer
•Yeah that's exactly why I started using Claimyr. The regular phone number is almost impossible to get through on.
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Emma Olsen
•How much does it cost though? I'm already broke from being unemployed.
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Jason Brewer
•It's worth it when you consider how much time you save. Plus you actually get to talk to someone instead of getting hung up on.
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Lucas Lindsey
Try calling from a landline if you have one. I read somewhere that Washington ESD's phone system works better with landlines than cell phones.
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Paige Cantoni
•Interesting, I don't have a landline but maybe I can use my neighbor's.
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Nina Fitzgerald
•I don't think that's true. I've called from both and didn't notice a difference.
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Sophie Duck
Does anyone know if the technical issues are worse at certain times of day? Maybe there's a better time to try the website.
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Kylo Ren
•Early morning seems to work better, like 6-7am before everyone starts trying to file.
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Sophie Duck
•That makes sense. I'll try setting my alarm early tomorrow.
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Austin Leonard
I had success using the mobile version of the Washington ESD website when the desktop version wasn't working. Try going to the site on your phone's browser.
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Paige Cantoni
•I'll try that! Sometimes mobile sites work better anyway.
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Anita George
Whatever method you use, make sure you have all your documents ready. They'll need your ID, social security card, and employment info for the past 18 months.
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Paige Cantoni
•I have most of that. Do I need pay stubs or just employer names and dates?
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Anita George
•Employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and your gross wages. Pay stubs help but aren't always required.
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Abigail Spencer
The Washington ESD system is a joke. I've been dealing with them for 2 months and still haven't gotten a penny. Good luck getting through!
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Paige Cantoni
•That's terrifying. What's holding up your claim?
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Abigail Spencer
•Some kind of identity verification issue that no one can explain to me. Every time I call I get a different story.
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Logan Chiang
If you're really desperate, some people have had luck showing up at the WorkSource offices when they open and asking for help accessing the system.
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Paige Cantoni
•That's not a bad idea. At least I'd have someone there to help if something goes wrong.
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Isla Fischer
I used that Claimyr service too and it worked great. Got connected to Washington ESD in like 10 minutes instead of calling all day. Definitely recommend it if you're having phone issues.
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Paige Cantoni
•Seems like a lot of people have had success with that. I might give it a try.
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Isla Fischer
•Yeah, way less stressful than doing it yourself. Just make sure you have all your info ready when they connect you.
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Miles Hammonds
Pro tip: if you're calling Washington ESD directly, don't hang up if you get busy signals. Sometimes you'll get through after a few minutes of the busy tone.
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Paige Cantoni
•Really? I always hang up when I get a busy signal.
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Miles Hammonds
•Yeah, their system is weird. Sometimes it puts you in a queue after the busy signal stops.
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Ruby Blake
The bottom line is you need to get your claim filed ASAP no matter what method you use. Every day you wait is money you're losing.
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Paige Cantoni
•You're absolutely right. I'm going to try the phone number first thing tomorrow morning.
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Ruby Blake
•Good plan. And if that doesn't work, definitely look into that Claimyr service. Getting help is better than struggling alone.
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Micah Franklin
Just want to add that once you do get your claim filed, you'll need to file weekly claims to keep getting benefits. The process is similar - online is fastest when it works, phone as backup.
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Paige Cantoni
•Thanks for the reminder. One step at a time though - just need to get the initial claim in first!
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