ESD never taking calls - is their phone system permanently broken?
I swear I've tried calling ESD at least 15 times this week at different hours of the day. Every single time I get that automated message saying "We're currently experiencing high call volume and are not able to take calls at this time." Then it just hangs up on me! Does ANYONE ever actually get through? Is there a secret time when they actually answer phones? My claim has been pending for almost 3 weeks and I'm starting to panic about rent. I've sent messages through eServices but haven't gotten any response. This is beyond frustrating!
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Peyton Clarke
I've been dealing with this exact same issue for weeks. After trying literally 100+ calls, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. Totally changed my experience - they have this system that holds your place in line so you don't have to keep redialing. They even have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. I was skeptical at first but my claim got fixed that same day after being stuck for a month.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Wait seriously? I've never heard of this before. Did you actually talk to a real person at ESD? I'm desperate at this point so I'll try anything.
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Vince Eh
ESD is THE WORST!!!! I've called 30+ times a day for TWO WEEKS and never got through once. Their system is DELIBERATELY designed to keep us from getting help. They don't want to pay out benefits so they make it impossible to reach them!!! Meanwhile we're all just supposed to magically pay our bills while they "process" our claims for months?? RIDICULOUS.
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Sophia Gabriel
•While the phone system is definitely frustrating, I don't think it's a deliberate attempt to deny benefits. ESD has been understaffed since the pandemic and they're still catching up. Have you tried contacting your state representative? They often have staff dedicated to helping constituents with ESD issues and can sometimes get things moving faster.
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Tobias Lancaster
omg same I've tried calling at 7:59am (right before they open), tried calling at noon, tried at 4pm, NOTHING works!!! always the same message about high call volume. feels like I'm stuck in a bad movie lol
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Ezra Beard
•I've been through this a few times with ESD claims. Try these tricks: 1. Call exactly at 8:00am - not 7:59, not 8:01 2. If that doesn't work, try between 3:30-4:00pm when lunch rush is over and before end of day 3. Wednesday and Thursday seem to have slightly better luck than Monday or Friday 4. Keep your phone ID unblocked - they sometimes filter blocked numbers It still takes persistence but these patterns have helped me get through eventually. Good luck!
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Statiia Aarssizan
Wait you're supposed to get through to them??? Joking aside, I was in your exact position last year. It took me literally TWO MONTHS of calling to finally get through. The system is totally broken. I ended up taking screenshots of all my call logs showing I'd tried 200+ times and sent them with a formal complaint. Magically got a call back the next day. Might be worth documenting everything.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Where did you send the formal complaint? Was it through eServices or somewhere else? I'm willing to try anything at this point.
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Reginald Blackwell
this happened to me to but i went to the worksource center in person and they helped me talk to esd. might be worth a try if you live near one???
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Sophia Gabriel
•This is a great suggestion! WorkSource offices can sometimes help troubleshoot basic issues, though they don't have direct access to adjudication decisions. You can find your nearest WorkSource center here: https://www.worksourcewa.com/microsite/content.aspx?appid=MGSWAOFFLOC&pagetype=simple&seo=officelocator
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Ezra Beard
For what it's worth, there IS a pattern to when they take calls, but it changes based on staffing levels. Your best bet is to: 1. Call exactly at opening (8:00:00 am) - this is when their queue usually has openings 2. If you get the "not taking calls" message, wait 5 minutes and try again 3. Repeat steps 1-2 for about an hour If your claim is in adjudication, calling won't necessarily speed things up, but at least you can find out what's causing the delay. The standard adjudication period in 2025 is running 3-4 weeks for simple issues and 6-8 weeks for complex ones (like employer disputes or eligibility questions). Make sure you continue filing your weekly claims during this time!
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Thank you for the detailed info! I had no idea adjudication could take that long. And yes, I've been filing every week even though nothing's been paid. Do you know if they'll eventually pay all the back weeks once it's approved, or am I just losing that money?
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Peyton Clarke
Yes - if your claim is eventually approved, you'll receive all back payments for the weeks you correctly filed! Just make sure you accurately report any earnings during those weeks.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•That's a relief! I was worried all that money was just gone. I've been reporting everything correctly, just wish there was a way to actually talk to someone about the status.
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
I feel your pain! I went through this exact same nightmare last month. After weeks of getting nowhere with the phone system, I finally got some movement by doing three things simultaneously: 1) Filed a complaint with the state ombudsman's office (they have a specific ESD complaint process), 2) Contacted my state legislator's constituent services office, and 3) Kept detailed logs of every call attempt with timestamps. The ombudsman complaint seemed to be what finally got someone's attention - I got a callback within 5 business days. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're checking your eServices account daily for any correspondence requests that might be buried in there. Sometimes they send requests for additional info that can hold up your claim if you miss them. Hang in there - the system is broken but there are ways to work around it!
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Connor O'Neill
•This is incredibly helpful - thank you so much for sharing what actually worked! I had no idea there was a state ombudsman complaint process specifically for ESD issues. Do you happen to have a link or know where to find that? And when you say you contacted your legislator's constituent services, did you just call their office directly or is there a specific form to fill out? I'm definitely going to try all three of these approaches. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get basic help, but at least now I have a concrete plan instead of just endlessly redialing the same broken phone number. Really appreciate you taking the time to write this out!
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