Got stuck ESD benefits released by calling Governor Inslee's office - worked in 24 hours!
Hey everyone - wanted to share what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration. My UI benefits were totally stalled for 7 weeks with ZERO explanation from ESD. No issues listed in eServices, just... nothing. Called every ESD number possible with no luck (either couldn't get through or was promised callbacks that never happened). Was about to lose my apartment when someone at WorkSource suggested calling the Governor's office. I called (360) 902-4111 yesterday around 10am, followed the prompts for UI assistance, and only waited about 7 minutes! The staffer was actually NICE (shocking, I know) and took all my info. She said they'd escalate it to ESD's executive team. Honestly didn't expect much but THIS MORNING at 8:15am, I got a call from an ESD supervisor who apologized for the delay, followed by an email confirmation, and BY NOON all 7 weeks of backpay ($5,250) was deposited in my account! If you've been waiting forever with no movement on your claim, seriously try this. The governor's office seems to have some kind of magic wand that makes ESD actually do their job. I was literally days away from being evicted. Hope this helps someone else who's struggling!
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Omar Hassan
OMG THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! I've been stuck in adjudication for 8 WEEKS with absolutely no updates. Spent hours on hold just to get hung up on. My car payment is already 45 days late and they're threatening repossession. Going to call the governor's office RIGHT NOW.
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Omar Hassan
•Update: I just called and spoke with someone! Only waited like 10 minutes. They took my info and said they'd escalate my case. Fingers crossed it works as fast as it did for you!!
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Chloe Taylor
This actually makes a lot of sense. The Governor's office has special channels to escalate issues to department leadership. I used to work in state government (not ESD), and we had specific protocols for handling inquiries that came through the Governor's office - they got immediate attention from directors. However, I should mention that this shouldn't be everyone's first option. The system is designed for people to work with ESD directly first. The Governor's office should be your escalation path when you've truly exhausted normal channels and are facing severe hardship, as the original poster was.
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Freya Larsen
•100% agree this shouldn't be step 1! I tried everything by the book first - called ESD dozens of times over 7 weeks, sent messages through eServices, even went to WorkSource in person trying to get help. This was absolutely my last resort when I was facing eviction. Thanks for the insider perspective!
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ShadowHunter
i tried calling that number but the menu options confused me. which prompts exactly did u follow? i've been waiting 5 weeks and really need my $ soon
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Freya Larsen
•When you call 360-902-4111, listen to all the options first. Then select the option for assistance with state agencies (I think it's #3), and then when it asks which agency, clearly say "Employment Security Department" or "unemployment benefits" - after that it will ask about your issue and you should explain you're experiencing a delay with your claim. Hope that helps!
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Diego Ramirez
I've been trying everything to reach someone at ESD about my claim that's been pending for 9 weeks. The website is useless - just says "pending" with no explanation. Called hundreds of times but can't get through. I might try Claimyr.com since my friend used it last month to actually reach an ESD agent in about 20 minutes. She showed me the video demo (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3) and it looks pretty straightforward. But I'll definitely try the governor's office approach first since it won't cost anything. Thanks for sharing this tip!
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Omar Hassan
•I've heard of Claimyr but haven't tried it. My cousin said it worked for her to get through to someone quickly. Might be worth it if the governor's office approach doesn't work.
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Anastasia Sokolov
While contacting the Governor's office can be effective in some cases, it's important to understand this is an escalation path that should be used sparingly. ESD is currently processing a high volume of claims, and the normal processing time for adjudication can be 4-6 weeks. Before escalating, make sure you've: 1. Checked your eServices account for any pending issues or requested information 2. Responded to all questionnaires or requests for documents 3. Continued filing your weekly claims even while waiting for resolution 4. Allowed at least 4 weeks for standard processing If you've done all this and are experiencing severe financial hardship (eviction, utility shutoff, etc.), then escalation may be appropriate. The Governor's office escalation should be reserved for those truly stuck in the system facing immediate hardship.
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Sean O'Connor
•Easy for you to say "wait 4-6 weeks" when you're not the one who can't buy food or pay rent! ESD is BROKEN and they know it. Why should people suffer because the system is "processing a high volume"? That's been their excuse for YEARS now, even when unemployment rates are low. The fact that the governor's office can magically fix these issues in 24 hours proves the system is just inefficient, not overwhelmed.
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Zara Ahmed
Has anyone who's tried this method received any kind of pushback? I'm worried that if I call the Governor's office, it might somehow flag my claim negatively or make ESD think I'm being impatient. My benefits have been on hold for about 5 weeks with just a vague "adjudication in progress" message. I need the money badly but don't want to make things worse.
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Freya Larsen
•I had the same worry! But the Governor's office staff was super professional and made it clear that this is part of their job - helping constituents navigate state agencies when the normal channels aren't working. And the ESD supervisor who called me actually apologized for the delay. No pushback or negativity at all.
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Sean O'Connor
WHAT A JOKE! So we literally have to call the GOVERNOR to get unemployment to do their ONE job? I've been waiting 11 WEEKS with ZERO explanation, can't pay my bills, had my electricity shut off, and maxed out credit cards while these bureaucrats sit on their hands. Why does it take the governor's involvement to get them to process a simple claim that's already been approved? If a private company operated this way they'd be out of business! The whole system is a scam designed to hope people give up trying to get benefits they ALREADY PAID FOR through their work!!! But thanks for sharing this - going to call tomorrow morning.
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Luca Conti
•So sorry you're going through this. The system definitely has problems. Hope the governor's office helps you like it did for the original poster.
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Omar Hassan
Question for anyone who's done this - do I need to have my claim ID and social security number ready when I call the governor's office? And do they transfer you directly to someone at ESD or do they take your info and have ESD call you back? Just want to be prepared when I call.
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Chloe Taylor
•You should have your claim ID, SSN, and contact information ready. The Governor's office won't transfer you to ESD directly - they'll take your information and submit an official inquiry to ESD's executive team on your behalf. ESD will then contact you (typically within 2-5 business days, though sometimes faster as OP experienced). Also be prepared to briefly explain what steps you've already taken to resolve the issue through normal channels.
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ShadowHunter
my friend works at esd and says they hate getting these govnr office escalations bcuz it makes them drop everything else. but yeah if ur desperate i guess do what u gotta do. just sayin theres real people trying their best on the other side too
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Sean O'Connor
•"Trying their best"? PLEASE. If they were trying their best, they'd answer their phones and respond to messages. If they were trying their best, they wouldn't leave people with no income for MONTHS with zero explanation. If they were trying their best, it wouldn't take the GOVERNOR getting involved to make them do their jobs. Sorry, but I have zero sympathy for an agency that stonewalls people who are about to be homeless.
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