FAST trick to reach ESD reps through helpdesk line (worked today!)

Thank you for sharing this resource! The e-services helpdesk is primarily designed to help with technical issues (login problems, error messages, etc.), but they can sometimes assist with transfers to the right department. For those reading, please remember that the main ESD unemployment line (800-318-6022) is still the official channel for claim-specific questions. The helpdesk staff have limited training on unemployment policies and can't directly resolve claim issues. If you do use this approach, please be courteous to the helpdesk staff - they're trying to help everyone as efficiently as possible!

OMG THANK YOUUUU!!!! been calling the regular number for DAYS and always get kicked off after waiting forever. gonna try this tomorrow morning. did u have to say anything specific to get them to transfer you?

I've been dealing with ESD for years (both personally and helping family members), and while this might work in a pinch, it's not ideal to overload the helpdesk with claim questions. They're really there to help with technical issues like website errors and login problems. If you need to reach a claims specialist quickly, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was skeptical at first, but they have a system that helps you get through the phone queue at ESD. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 It saved me hours of frustration when I had an identity verification issue last month. Better than tying up the helpdesk which could cause longer waits for people with legitimate tech issues.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is NOT going to work for much longer. ESD specifically trains their helpdesk staff NOT to transfer claim calls that should go through the main line. I worked at ESD until 2023 and we were constantly dealing with this issue. What happens is this: 1) people discover this "shortcut" 2) helpdesk gets overwhelmed with non-tech calls 3) management cracks down and forbids transfers 4) people with legitimate tech issues can't get help The real problem is ESD is MASSIVELY understaffed for the call volume they receive. They lost a ton of experienced staff after the pandemic surge and haven't replaced them. The system is broken but using workarounds just breaks it differently. 😞

you know what I tried calling that number and the lady just told me she couldn't help with claims and wouldn't transfer me. said they got a memo about not doing transfers anymore because too many people were using it as a "shortcut" just like someone predicted above. back to square one I guess 😭

i've spent 17 HOURS on hold with esd over the past two weeks!!! seventeen!!!!! and got disconnected every single time. this is my FOURTH claim over the years and it's never been this bad. their phone system is completely broken. i'm going to try your trick tomorrow and i don't even care if it's not the "right" way. my kids need to eat.

I don't think people understand how desperate it gets when you're relying on unemployment benefits that suddenly stop with no explanation. After my hours were cut in January, I filed for partial unemployment. Everything was fine for 6 weeks, then suddenly my payments stopped with a mysterious "adjudication" status. After two weeks of failed call attempts through the main line, I finally reached someone using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that navigates the phone tree and gets you in line without you having to keep redialing. There's a demo on their site: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 The issue turned out to be that my employer had contested my availability (saying I turned down hours, which wasn't true). Once I finally got through to explain, the adjudicator cleared it right away. If I'd been able to reach someone sooner, I wouldn't have fallen behind on bills.