Can't get through to Washington ESD unemployment office - phone system nightmare

It's so frustrating! Did you try any other numbers or just the main one?

I tried every number I could find online but they all go to the same overloaded system

I've tried calling at 8am sharp multiple times but still can't get through

Yeah even those times aren't guaranteed anymore. The volume is just too high right now

Never heard of this - is it legit? How much does it cost?

Yeah it's real, they basically keep calling for you until they get through. I didn't pay attention to the cost since I was desperate but it was worth it to finally talk to someone

I was skeptical at first but tried Claimyr when I couldn't reach anyone about my overpayment notice. Actually got connected to an agent the same day

How do I reach the claims center directly? Is that a different number?

It's the same main number but you have to navigate through the phone tree to get to claims specialists. Press 1 for English, then 1 for file a claim, then 4 for claim status

That phone tree never works for me - it just disconnects after waiting on hold forever

4 hours?? That's insane. I thought my 2 hour waits were bad

yeah and then it just hung up on me. so frustrating

Good point - I have been filing weekly. At least that part of the system works

Wait, you can file weekly claims even when it says pending? I thought I had to wait

@profile6 Yes, always keep filing weekly claims unless you're specifically told to stop. The system will catch up and pay retroactively once adjudication is complete

Interesting tip - I'll try that tomorrow

It doesn't always work but I've had better luck during those transition times

That's awful - disqualification appeals are time sensitive aren't they?

Yeah you only have 30 days to appeal and I'm running out of time. This is a nightmare

For appeals you can also file online through your SecureAccess Washington account. Don't wait for phone contact if you're running up against the deadline

Good to know it works consistently. I might have to try it if I can't get through this week

I tried Claimyr last week after seeing it mentioned here. Finally got answers about my job search requirements that I'd been waiting months for

I didn't know WorkSource could help with Washington ESD claims - is that a thing?

They have limited access to some claim info and can sometimes help with job search requirement questions. Worth a try if you have one nearby

WorkSource can help with job search logs and requirements but they can't access adjudication details or make changes to claims

totally agree, the old system wasn't great but at least you could eventually get through

Exactly! Now it's like they don't want people to call at all

That's probably what mine is waiting on too. How long did they say the employer has to respond?

they said employers have 10 business days but can request extensions. so frustrating

Employers typically get 10 days for initial response but Washington ESD can extend that if needed. The whole process can take 4-8 weeks depending on complexity

Smart idea - assuming I ever get through to ask for that

Yeah it's a big if, but when you do finally connect make the most of it

Standby claims have different rules right? That might be why it's taking longer

Yeah standby is more complicated but I still need to talk to someone to explain my situation

Standby claims require employer verification that you're temporarily laid off with a specific return date. The adjudication process is usually longer for these

Can state reps actually help with unemployment claims?

I've heard they sometimes can if you've exhausted other options. Might be worth a try

Legislative offices can sometimes help escalate cases that have been stuck for unusually long periods, but they can't override Washington ESD determinations

That's actually good news for you right? If your employer didn't respond they can't contest your claim

yeah the agent said it should be resolved in my favor within a week since I have documentation of the layoff

I didn't even know there was a messaging system - where do you find that?

In your account under 'contact us' but don't bother, they never respond

The online messaging system has a backlog of several weeks right now. Phone contact is usually faster if you can get through

Thanks for the encouragement - I needed to hear that someone actually got their claim approved

Yeah it's stressful waiting but most claims do get approved eventually if you were legitimately laid off

I didn't know there was a legislative hotline - what's that number?

i think it's for when you can't reach regular customer service but i'm not sure how it works

The legislative hotline is for escalated issues when normal channels aren't working. They don't handle routine questions but can help if you've been unable to reach anyone for weeks

That's great news! I'm definitely going to try Claimyr this week

Yeah it was worth it to finally get answers instead of just waiting and worrying

Glad it worked for you too! It's been a lifesaver for getting through to Washington ESD