How do I contact Washington ESD unemployment - can't get through
I've been trying to reach Washington ESD about my unemployment claim for over a week now and I'm getting nowhere. Every time I call the main number I either get a busy signal or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. I tried the online messaging system but haven't heard back in 5 days. My weekly claim is showing some kind of issue that I can't figure out from the website alone. Does anyone know the best way to actually talk to a real person at Washington ESD? This is so frustrating.
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Nina Chan
omg same problem here! been calling since monday and nothing
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Douglas Foster
•It's ridiculous how hard it is to get help with something as important as unemployment benefits
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Ruby Knight
•The phone system is completely overwhelmed. I heard they only have like 50 agents for the whole state
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Diego Castillo
The best times to call Washington ESD are right when they open at 8am or during lunch hours around 12-1pm when call volume is typically lower. The main customer service number is 800-318-6022. You can also try the employer hotline at 360-902-9608 if you have questions about your work separation, though that's technically for employers.
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Douglas Foster
•Thanks! I'll try calling right at 8am tomorrow. Do you know if there's a specific extension or menu option that works better?
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Diego Castillo
•Press 1 for English, then 1 again for claimant services. Don't select the automated options - stay on the line for a representative even if the wait time sounds long.
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Logan Stewart
I had this exact same problem last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Spent weeks trying to get through the normal way. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to ESD agents. They have this demo video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Basically they handle all the calling and waiting for you, then patch you through when they get an agent on the line. Worked perfectly for me.
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Mikayla Brown
•How much does that cost though? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to contact a government agency
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Logan Stewart
•I get the frustration but honestly it was worth it to finally resolve my claim issue. The alternative was potentially waiting weeks more without any income.
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Douglas Foster
•I'm desperate enough at this point that I might try this. Did they actually get you to the right department?
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Sean Matthews
THE WASHINGTON ESD PHONE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! I've been trying for THREE WEEKS to get my disqualification explained and they just keep giving me the runaround. The online system shows I'm disqualified but won't tell me why or how to fix it. This is my livelihood we're talking about!
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Diego Castillo
•If you're disqualified, you should have received a written determination in your SecureAccess Washington account explaining the reason. Check your correspondence section.
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Sean Matthews
•I DID check and it just says 'failure to meet eligibility requirements' with no details. That's why I need to talk to someone!
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Ali Anderson
Try using the webchat feature on the Washington ESD website if it's available. Sometimes that's faster than calling. Also make sure you're logged into your SecureAccess Washington account when you contact them - they'll need your Social Security number and claim information anyway.
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Douglas Foster
•I didn't know there was a webchat option. Is that under the contact us section?
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Ali Anderson
•It's not always available but when it is, you'll see a chat bubble on the main ESD website. It usually appears during business hours when they have staff available.
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Nina Chan
what about going to a worksource office in person? maybe they can help with unemployment stuff too
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Diego Castillo
•WorkSource offices can help with job search requirements and some basic claim questions, but for complex issues like adjudication or appeals, you still need to contact ESD directly.
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Ruby Knight
I work in customer service (not for ESD) and I can tell you their call volume is probably insane right now. Best strategy is to call multiple times back-to-back. If you get a busy signal, hang up and immediately redial. Sometimes you'll get through on the 3rd or 4th try.
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Douglas Foster
•That's what I've been doing but my phone bill is going to be crazy from all these calls
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Zadie Patel
•Use speaker phone and do other stuff while you wait. I managed to clean my entire kitchen during one hold session lol
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A Man D Mortal
Has anyone tried emailing their legislative representatives? I read somewhere that constituent services can sometimes help with state agency issues.
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Diego Castillo
•That's actually not a bad idea for persistent problems. Your state senator or representative's office might be able to make inquiries on your behalf.
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Douglas Foster
•I might try that if I can't get through this week. Do you know how to find who represents my district?
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Logan Stewart
Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing since people were asking - I used it again yesterday for a different issue and got connected in about 20 minutes. Way better than the 3+ hours I usually spend trying to get through on my own. The agent was able to explain exactly why my payment was delayed and what I needed to do to fix it.
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Declan Ramirez
•OK you've convinced me. Going to check out that video you mentioned
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Mikayla Brown
•I'm still skeptical but I guess if it actually works... how long did the whole process take?
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Emma Morales
Try calling the automated system late at night or early morning just to check your claim status. Sometimes you can get basic information without talking to anyone. The automated line is 800-318-6022, same number but different menu options.
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Douglas Foster
•Good idea. I can at least verify if there are any new updates to my claim that way.
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Katherine Hunter
whatever you do dont use the callback option if they offer it. waited 6 hours for them to call me back and when they did i missed it by like 2 minutes. then had to start all over again
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Diego Castillo
•The callback system is hit or miss. If you do use it, make sure your phone is charged and you're available during the entire callback window they give you.
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Lucas Parker
I'm a former ESD employee (quit last year because of the stress) and I can tell you the agents are doing their best but they're completely overwhelmed. The computer systems are old and slow, and they're handling way more claims than the system was designed for. Be patient with the actual agents when you do get through - most of them really want to help.
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Sean Matthews
•I appreciate that the agents are trying but the system is still broken. People need their benefits to survive.
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Douglas Foster
•Thanks for the inside perspective. I'm definitely not mad at the individual agents, just frustrated with not being able to reach anyone.
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Donna Cline
Have you tried contacting them through their official social media accounts? Sometimes agencies respond faster to public complaints on Twitter or Facebook.
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Diego Castillo
•Social media is usually just for general information and directing people to the proper contact methods. For specific claim issues, you'll still need to go through official channels.
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Harper Collins
this whole thread is making me feel better that its not just me having problems getting through. my neighbor said she waited 4 hours last week just to ask about her job search log
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Douglas Foster
•At least we're all suffering together! It's crazy that this is what we have to deal with just to get help with unemployment.
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Kelsey Hawkins
If you're dealing with an overpayment notice or appeal, those usually have specific phone numbers that might have shorter wait times. Check the paperwork they sent you for direct contact information for that department.
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Douglas Foster
•Mine is just a regular weekly claim issue but that's good to know for future reference.
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Logan Stewart
Final update from me - I ended up using Claimyr one more time this week to help my sister with her claim. She was skeptical at first but after watching that demo video I mentioned (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) she decided to try it. Got her connected in under 30 minutes and resolved an issue that had been holding up her payments for two weeks. Sometimes you just need to find a tool that actually works.
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Douglas Foster
•Alright, I'm sold. Going to try this today since nothing else has worked. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Dylan Fisher
•Just looked at the Claimyr site and it seems legit. Might be worth trying if you're really stuck like I am.
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Edwards Hugo
For what it's worth, I finally got through yesterday after trying for two weeks. Called right at 8am and was on hold for 2.5 hours but eventually talked to someone. They were actually really helpful once I got connected. Don't give up!
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Douglas Foster
•That gives me hope! What was your issue and were they able to resolve it on the call?
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Edwards Hugo
•I had a question about my work separation and they were able to clear up the adjudication issue immediately. Just needed to provide some additional information about my last employer.
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Gianna Scott
Good luck everyone! This thread has been super helpful. Going to try the 8am calling strategy and if that doesn't work I'll look into that Claimyr service people keep mentioning.
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Douglas Foster
•Thanks! I'll update the thread once I finally get through to someone.
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