ESD phone lines impossible to reach after 24 hours of trying - anyone got through?

Same here... been trying for 3 days straight. Feels like they don't even have real people working there anymore! I start calling right at 8am and keep hitting redial until about noon, then try again from 1-4pm. Always the same 'high call volume' garbage. Meanwhile my claim has been stuck in adjudication for over a month with no updates. The eServices message center is useless too - sent four messages and not a single response. I'm about to give up.

Ugh, a MONTH in adjudication?? I'm only at 3 weeks and already panicking. I tried the message center too - complete waste of time. Didn't even get a confirmation that they received it. How are we supposed to pay bills???

I tried calling for three weeks with no luck but finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that basically waits on hold for you and calls you when an ESD agent is ready. Worked for me after all the frustration with constant busy signals and disconnects. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. I was skeptical at first but was desperate after not being able to reach anyone for weeks about my standby status.

Does that service actually work? I'm so desperate I'd try anything but sounds too good to be true. Did they actually fix your issue when you got through?

Yes, it worked for me! Once I got connected, I explained my standby status issue and the agent was able to fix it right away. The problem had been that my employer submitted something incorrectly, but I never would've known without talking to someone. The relief of finally getting an answer after weeks of stress was worth it.

What's worked for me in the past is calling at exactly 7:59am and hitting the option for new claims (even if you have an existing claim). For some reason, that queue seems to have fewer people and can sometimes get you to an agent who can transfer you to the right department. Also, Thursdays seemed to be less busy than Mondays or Fridays in my experience. Don't give up - it's frustrating but eventually you'll get through. Make sure you have your claim ID and all documentation ready when you do reach someone so they can help you efficiently.

I'll try this tomorrow morning! Never thought about using a different queue option. Did you have to explain to the new claims person that you actually had an existing claim? Or did they just transfer you?

Just be honest when you get someone. Say something like \

LOL good luck!! i gave up after 2 weeks of trying. ESD is a JOKE. finally got thru once and then got disconnected after waiting on hold for 45 mins. cant make this stuff up! ended up just finding a new job bc waiting for unemployment was taking longer than actually working somewhere new. system is broken af

That's not helpful for someone who's actively trying to resolve their claim issues. Not everyone can just \

whatever man just sharing my experience. not everyone has time to spend 5 hrs a day calling esd for weeks on end. some of us have kids to feed.

I had the same problem last month trying to resolve an overpayment notice they sent me. What finally worked was going through my state representative's office! I emailed my district rep explaining the situation and how I couldn't reach ESD, and their office has a direct contact they can use. Within 3 days I got a call from an ESD supervisor. Worth trying if the phone lines keep failing you!

Wait, seriously? I didn't know state reps could help with this. How do I find out who my representative is? I'm in Tacoma.

Go to leg.wa.gov and enter your address in the \

As someone who worked in a call center previously (not ESD, but similar government agency), I can tell you that Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10-11am and 2-3pm tend to be the lowest volume times. Everyone tries first thing in the morning and right after lunch, creating those peak busy periods. Also, the automated system has a maximum queue length - once it's full, it gives the 'high call volume' message. Keep trying in those off-peak hours.\n\nAlso, make sure you're continuing to file your weekly claims even while waiting to reach someone. You won't lose eligibility for those weeks as long as you file on time, even if your initial claim is still pending adjudication. Once they resolve whatever issue is holding things up, they should pay all eligible weeks retroactively.

This is super helpful advice! I've been trying at all the wrong times apparently. Can I ask - is there a specific day of the week that's best to call? I've been focusing on Mondays thinking they'd have more staff at the beginning of the week.

Monday is actually the worst day to call any government agency! That's when everyone who couldn't reach them over the weekend tries calling. Based on my experience, Wednesday mid-morning (around 10:30am) tends to be the sweet spot. Also, are you making sure to have your claim ID, last 4 of SSN, and any correspondence reference numbers ready? Having that information immediately available can cut several minutes off your call time once you do get through.

I finally reached an ESD agent last week after trying for days! Here's what worked: don't immediately select any options when the automated system answers. If you wait about 45 seconds without pressing anything, it sometimes transfers you to a general queue instead of the specialized departments that are always full. I got through to someone who wasn't specifically in the unemployment division but they were able to look at my claim and tell me it was pending because of an employer response issue. They submitted a request to expedite the adjudication and my claim was processed 3 days later.\n\nAlso, if your claim is stuck in adjudication, check your eServices account daily for any questionnaires or fact-finding interviews they might have scheduled. Sometimes they don't notify you by email or phone when they add these to your account, and missing them can further delay your claim.

Wait, so you just... didn't press any buttons when the system answered? That's genius if it works. I'll definitely try that tomorrow! And thanks for the tip about checking eServices daily - I've only been looking once a week so could have missed something. Did your payment arrive quickly after the 3 days of processing?

Yes! Just let it sit without pressing anything. It doesn't always work, but worth trying. And yes, payment came through about 2 business days after my claim changed from

My brother works for another WA state agency and told me that ESD's phone systems are actually completely overwhelmed most days. It's not just a recording - they literally cannot handle the call volume with their current staffing. He said the best strategy is to try calling on the half-hour rather than on the hour (like 8:30, 9:30, etc) because most people call right when they open or at the top of each hour. Also, their systems do maintenance overnight and sometimes there are fewer agents in the first 30 minutes they're open because everyone's logging in and getting situated. I got through last month using this approach, calling at 8:45am on a Wednesday.

i tried the half hour trick today and it worked!!! got through after only 3 attempts calling at 10:30. waited on hold for 25 min but finally spoke to someone who actaully helped fix my claim!!!! tell your brother THANK YOU