Can't reach ESD for weeks - how to contact Governor's office about my stalled claim?

I had the same issue last month, it's INFURIATING!! I ended up contacting my state representative instead of the governor and got results within a week. Google "who is my WA state representative" and your zip code, then email or call their office explaining your situation. They have special channels to escalate ESD issues. Include your claim ID and contact info when you reach out to them.

the governors office wont help u they just send u back to esd. i tried 2 months ago

You have several options to escalate your claim beyond the standard ESD channels: 1. Contact your state representative or senator (as suggested above) 2. File an official complaint with the ESD Commissioner's Office: https://esd.wa.gov/unemployment/unemployment-benefits-feedback 3. Reach out to the Office of Constituent Services at governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message (they do occasionally help despite what others might have experienced) 4. Request an official hardship escalation by explicitly stating your financial hardship in your eServices messages Be sure to include your claim ID, contact information, and specifically mention the length of time you've been waiting without resolution. Document all communication attempts with dates and times.

I was in your shoes about 6 weeks ago - couldn't get through no matter what I tried! My claim was stuck in adjudication for almost 5 weeks with bills piling up. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to ESD in about 15 minutes after weeks of failed attempts. They have this video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The ESD agent was able to review my claim right away and found a simple flag in the system that was holding everything up. Got paid two days later. Might be worth trying before going the governor route, which can take longer.

In addition to the excellent suggestions already provided, I'd recommend doing all of these simultaneously rather than one at a time. The unemployment system is overwhelmed right now, and using multiple channels increases your chances of resolution. One often overlooked resource is the WorkSource office. While they're primarily focused on employment services, their staff often have direct contacts with ESD representatives and can sometimes help escalate urgent claims. You can find your local office at: worksourcewa.com Also be aware that certain claim issues (especially identity verification and employer disputes) typically take longer to resolve than others because they require manual review by adjudicators. If you know what's holding up your claim specifically, mention that when reaching out for help.

My brothers girlfriends claim was stuck for OVER 2 MONTHS and nothing was happening!!! She called her senator and the governor and filled out forms and NOTHING HELPED. The whole system is broken and they don't care about regular people who need to pay bills. The only thing that finally worked was when she filed a formal complaint with the state ombudsman office. Google "Washington state ombudsman" and you'll find the contact info. They're supposed to investigate when state agencies aren't doing their job right. Good luck!!!!

sometimes u just gotta wait it out. took me 9 weeks to get paid last yr

For your specific situation, I'd recommend you clearly document your financial hardship when communicating with ESD. Washington has a process for expediting claims where there's a risk of eviction or utility disconnection. When contacting them (through any method), explicitly state: 1. The exact number of days your claim has been pending 2. That you're at risk of eviction/utility disconnection 3. Any specific deadlines for payments you're facing Also, while waiting for resolution, make sure you continue filing your weekly claims without interruption. Missing even one weekly certification can further delay your payments once the claim is approved.

Just want to add a quick update on my earlier comment - when contacting your state rep, email works better than calling in my experience. I got an auto-reply with a case number and then a real response within 48 hours. They asked for my claim ID and contact info, then reached out to their ESD liaison directly. My claim was resolved about 5 days later. Much faster than the governor's office route!