Can you file for unemployment over the phone in Washington state?

Yes, you can file by phone but it's going to be a challenge getting through. Washington ESD does accept phone applications but their call volume is insane. The number is 800-318-6022 but expect to wait hours or get disconnected.

Thanks! Do you know what hours they take applications over the phone?

I believe it's Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm, but double check that on their website.

I tried calling for three days straight last month and could never get through. The automated system would put me on hold for 2+ hours then disconnect me. Super frustrating when you're already stressed about being unemployed.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual Washington ESD agent. They have this system that handles the calling for you and connects you when someone picks up. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Interesting, I hadn't heard of that before. Did it actually work for you?

Yeah, got connected to an agent in about 45 minutes instead of spending my whole day redialing. They helped me file my claim over the phone and answered all my questions about the job search requirements.

The online system is definitely the preferred method but phone filing is available. Make sure you have all your employment history ready - dates, employer names, addresses, reason for separation, wages. They'll ask for the same info as the online application.

Good point about having everything ready. Should I gather my W-2s or pay stubs too?

Have your most recent pay stub handy but they won't need W-2s for the initial filing. They'll verify wages through employer reports later.

why is the website so terrible? its 2025 and the system crashes constantly

The system got overwhelmed during COVID and they never really fixed the infrastructure properly. Still dealing with legacy issues.

At least it's better than it was in 2020 when it was completely unusable for months!

I filed by phone in January and it took about 90 minutes total - 60 minutes waiting on hold and 30 minutes with the agent. The agent was actually really helpful and made sure I understood the weekly claim process before hanging up.

That's encouraging! What time of day did you call?

I called right at 8am when they opened. Still had to wait but probably better than calling later in the day.

Maybe I should try that Claimyr thing instead of getting up at 7:30am to call right when they open.

Just be prepared that even if you file by phone, you'll still need to do your weekly claims online or by phone too. Filing the initial claim is just the first step.

Good to know. Are the weekly claims easier to do online than the initial application?

Yeah, weekly claims are much simpler - just a few questions about job search activities and any work you did that week.

If you do get through by phone, make sure to ask about the job search requirements upfront. They changed the rules and you need to do 3 job search activities per week now, not just register with WorkSource.

Wait, is that new? I thought it was still just registering with WorkSource.

No, they went back to requiring actual job search activities. You have to log them and they can audit your search records.

Correct - 3 job search activities per week is the current requirement for most claimants, with some exceptions for union members and certain other situations.

Honestly the phone option exists but it's more hassle than fixing the website issues. Try clearing your browser cache and using a different browser before spending hours on hold.

I tried Chrome and Firefox, same timeout issues. Maybe I'll try Edge or Safari.

Also try using a different internet connection if possible - sometimes it's a connectivity issue on your end.

My cousin used some service called Claimyr last week to get through to Washington ESD. Said it was way better than trying to call yourself. Might be worth looking into if you're really stuck.

How does that work exactly? Do they call for you?

Yeah, you give them your info and they handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent picks up. Seems pretty straightforward.

Whatever you do, don't wait too long to file. You only have a limited time from when you became unemployed to file your claim without potentially losing benefits.

How long do I have? I was laid off three days ago.

You should file as soon as possible. Benefits can be backdated but there are limits and it's better to file immediately.

The phone agents are actually pretty knowledgeable about the process. When I called they explained the difference between able and available requirements and how standby status works if you're temporarily laid off.

What's standby status? Is that different from regular unemployment?

Standby is when your employer expects to call you back within a specific timeframe. You still get benefits but don't have to do job searches.

Just tried calling the 800 number and it says they're experiencing high call volume and to try again later. Same message I've been getting for days.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr exist. They handle that repeated calling and waiting so you don't have to sit there all day hitting redial.

Might have to look into that. I can't spend my whole day calling Washington ESD.

Pro tip: if you do get through by phone, ask them to explain the adjudication process while you have them on the line. Better to understand it upfront than be confused if your claim gets flagged for review.

What triggers adjudication anyway?

Lots of things - questions about why you left your job, wage discrepancies, identity verification issues. It's basically when they need to investigate something about your claim.

Adjudication can add weeks to your claim processing time, so it's definitely worth understanding the common triggers and how to avoid them.

Just remember that whether you file online or by phone, you'll need to keep filing weekly claims to actually receive payments. The initial filing just establishes your claim.

Thanks everyone for all the help! I think I'll try the website one more time and if it doesn't work, I'll look into that Claimyr service to help me get through by phone.

Good luck! The most important thing is getting your claim filed, regardless of which method works for you.

I had a similar experience with the Washington ESD website timing out constantly. What worked for me was trying to file during off-peak hours - like early morning around 6-7am or late evening after 8pm when fewer people are trying to use the system. The server load seems much lighter during those times. If that doesn't work, the phone option is definitely available but be prepared for long wait times. Make sure you have all your employment information organized before you call since you'll want to complete everything in one session once you finally get through to an agent.

I actually work as a customer service rep for a state agency (different state) and can confirm that calling right when they open at 8am gives you the best chance of getting through. The phone queues fill up incredibly fast once people start their day. Also, if you do decide to try Claimyr or a similar service, just make sure you understand exactly what information you're sharing with them since you'll be giving them access to personal details needed for your claim. Some people are comfortable with that trade-off to avoid the hassle of calling repeatedly, but it's worth considering the privacy aspect too.