Can't find my unemployment account number - where is it located in Washington ESD system?
I've been trying to log into my Washington ESD account but I can't figure out where my unemployment account number is supposed to be. I have my social security card and ID but the system keeps asking for an account number that I don't remember getting when I first applied. I've looked through all my paperwork and emails but can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know where this number is usually located or how to retrieve it?
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QuantumQuasar
Your unemployment account number should be on any correspondence you received from Washington ESD after filing your initial claim. Check for a determination letter or monetary determination - it's usually in the top right corner of those documents.
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Yara Elias
•I might have thrown those away thinking they were just informational. Is there another way to get it?
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QuantumQuasar
•Yes, you can call Washington ESD customer service and they can provide it to you after verifying your identity with SSN and personal info.
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Keisha Jackson
check your bank statements if you got any payments yet, sometimes the account number shows up in the deposit description
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Yara Elias
•Good idea! I haven't received any payments yet since I just filed last week, but I'll keep that in mind.
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Paolo Moretti
If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone (which is super common), I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an agent quickly. They have a system that calls for you and connects you when someone picks up. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really saved me hours of trying to call myself.
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Yara Elias
•That sounds helpful! I've been trying to call all morning with no luck. How does it work exactly?
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Paolo Moretti
•You just give them your info and they handle the calling part. When they get through to an agent, they connect you directly. Way easier than sitting on hold forever.
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Amina Diop
•Never heard of this before but might be worth trying if the phone lines are as bad as everyone says.
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Oliver Weber
The account number is also on your weekly claim confirmation emails if you've filed any weekly claims yet. Look for emails from noreply@esd.wa.gov with subject lines about claim confirmation.
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Yara Elias
•I haven't filed my first weekly claim yet - still trying to get into my account to do that!
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Oliver Weber
•Ah right, classic catch-22 situation. Definitely try calling or use that Claimyr service the other person mentioned.
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Natasha Romanova
UGH this happened to me too!! The Washington ESD system is so confusing. Why don't they just use SSN like every other government agency? I spent 3 hours on the phone last month trying to get my account number.
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Yara Elias
•Three hours?! That's insane. Did you eventually get through?
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Natasha Romanova
•Yeah but only after I tried calling at like 7:58 AM right when they opened. Any later and the lines are jammed.
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NebulaNinja
•Early morning calling is definitely the way to go. I've had luck around 8:05 AM specifically.
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QuantumQuasar
Another place to check is if you created an account on SecureAccess Washington (SAW). Sometimes the account number appears in your profile information there under the Washington ESD services section.
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Yara Elias
•I do have a SAW account! Let me check that right now.
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Yara Elias
•Just checked and I don't see it there either. This is so frustrating.
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Keisha Jackson
if you still have the original application confirmation you might find it there too
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Yara Elias
•I think I saved that email somewhere. Going to dig through my inbox now.
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Paolo Moretti
Just want to follow up on the Claimyr suggestion - I used them again last week when I had questions about my job search requirements. Really is a game changer for getting through to Washington ESD without the hassle.
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Javier Gomez
•How much does something like that cost? Seems too good to be true.
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Paolo Moretti
•It's really reasonable considering how much time it saves. Check their website for current info.
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Oliver Weber
Pro tip: if you do find your account number, write it down somewhere safe! I learned this the hard way after going through this same process twice.
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Yara Elias
•Definitely will do that once I get it figured out. Thanks for all the help everyone!
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Amina Diop
•Good advice. I keep mine taped inside my filing cabinet now.
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Natasha Romanova
The whole Washington ESD system needs an overhaul. It's 2025 and we're still dealing with account numbers that nobody can find?? Come on!
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NebulaNinja
•Agree 100%. Other states have much better online systems.
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Oliver Weber
•At least it's better than it used to be before they updated the website a few years ago.
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Yara Elias
UPDATE: Found it! It was in my spam folder in an email from Washington ESD from when I first applied. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
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QuantumQuasar
•Great news! Glad you found it. Always check spam when dealing with government emails.
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Keisha Jackson
•awesome! now you can finally get into your account and file your weekly claims
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Paolo Moretti
•Perfect! And remember that Claimyr option if you ever need to reach an agent quickly in the future.
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