How to contact Washington ESD unemployment office - phone keeps hanging up

ugh same problem here, been calling for 3 days straight

The phone system is completely overwhelmed right now. I've had better luck calling right at 8am when they open, but even then it's hit or miss. Make sure you're calling the right number - it's different for technical issues vs claim questions.

The phone system is absolutely terrible right now. I've had the same experience - hours of waiting just to get hung up on. Try calling right at 8am when they open, that's your best shot at getting through.

ugh same problem here! I've been calling for 3 weeks about my adjudication status and can't get through. This is ridiculous

The phone system is completely overwhelmed right now. I've had better luck calling right at 8am when they open, but even then it's hit or miss. You can also try the callback option if it's available when you call.

The trick is to call exactly at 8:00 AM when Washington ESD opens their phone lines. Don't call a minute before or after - set an alarm for 7:59 and start dialing at exactly 8:00. You'll still wait on hold but at least you won't get the immediate disconnect. Also make sure you have your Social Security number and claim confirmation number ready before you call.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD when I was having this exact problem. They basically call for you and wait on hold, then connect you when they get a human on the line. Saved me hours of frustration. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

I was having the exact same issue with getting through to Washington ESD and honestly got desperate enough to try one of those callback services. Found this thing called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that basically calls for you and connects you when they get through. Watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ) and figured why not. Actually worked - got connected to an agent in about 45 minutes instead of wasting my whole day redialing. They explained my 'under review' status was just a routine audit check and it cleared up within a week.

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been unemployed for 6 months and spent probably 40+ hours just trying to reach someone at Washington ESD. This is our money they're holding hostage and they make it impossible to get help. How is this legal???

You might want to try messaging them through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) instead of calling. It takes longer but at least you'll get a response eventually. Also check if there are any pending issues in your account that might be holding things up.

You can also try reaching out through the secure message system on your eServices account, but honestly they're pretty slow to respond there too. Usually takes 3-5 business days for a reply.

Pro tip: if you're calling about a specific issue like adjudication or an appeal, make sure you have all your documentation ready before you call. When you finally get through, they'll want your Social Security number, claim confirmation number, and details about your situation. Don't waste the opportunity by not being prepared.

I tried calling 47 times yesterday. FORTY SEVEN TIMES. This system is broken.

Honestly I was having the exact same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. I was skeptical at first but I was desperate. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's even a video demo showing how it works at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Within 2 hours of signing up they had connected me to an agent who cleared up my adjudication issue.

Have you tried using the secure messaging system on your Washington ESD account? It's not as fast as calling but I've had decent luck getting responses within 3-5 business days. Log into your account through SecureAccess Washington and look for the 'Send Secure Message' option. Make sure to include your SSN and specific details about your issue.

For those having trouble getting through - try calling at different times of day. I've noticed Tuesday and Wednesday mornings tend to be slightly less busy than Mondays. Also avoid calling right after lunch when everyone's trying to reach them.

Another option is to contact your state representative's office. They sometimes have direct lines to Washington ESD for constituent services. Won't work for routine stuff but if you're really stuck they might be able to help.

Has anyone tried going to a WorkSource office in person? I know they handle some unemployment stuff too.

The callback feature on their website doesn't work either. Says they'll call back in 2-3 business days but it's been over a week and nothing.

I was having the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical but tried it last week and actually got connected to someone within an hour. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The unemployment office is a joke. I've been calling for MONTHS and can never get through. The whole system is broken and they don't care about people who actually need help.

Another trick is to call the Spanish language line even if you don't speak Spanish. Sometimes they have English speakers available and the wait times are shorter.

this is so frustrating!! ive been trying for 2 weeks to talk to someone about my job search requirements and cant get through. my claim is gonna get suspended if i dont figure this out soon

pro tip: if you do get through, ask the agent to explain EVERYTHING about your claim status while you have them on the phone. Don't just ask about your immediate issue. I made that mistake and had to call back three more times for different questions.

I tried that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked. Was skeptical at first but got tired of spending entire mornings trying to call Washington ESD. They called me back when they got through to an agent and I was able to sort out my adjudication issue. Definitely beats the alternative of endless busy signals.

For what it's worth, the best times I've found to call are Tuesday through Thursday between 10am-2pm. Monday and Friday are usually the worst. Also make sure you have your Social Security number and all your claim information ready before you call.

Update: I used Claimyr again last week when I had another issue with my job search log and they got me connected in about 20 minutes. Way better than the hours I was spending on redial. The agent was able to clear up my issue right away once I actually got to talk to someone.

The callback option is a joke. I've used it 3 times and they never called back. Don't waste your time with that.

I work in customer service and I feel bad for the Washington ESD phone reps. They're probably overwhelmed too. But this system is not working for anyone.

update: finally got through this morning using the 8am strategy. waited 2 hours but at least didnt get disconnected. turns out my job search log was missing some details and that's why my claim was under review. agent fixed it while I was on the phone

Try calling the employer services line instead of the claimant line. Sometimes they transfer you and the hold times are shorter.

Another trick - if you get put on hold and it's taking forever, don't hang up! I know it's tempting but I've heard they sometimes bump you to the front if you've been waiting a really long time. Could be a myth but worth trying.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I'm going to try the 8am calling strategy tomorrow and if that doesn't work I might look into that callback service. Just need to get this claim issue resolved so I can keep getting my benefits while I job search.

I work for a nonprofit that helps people with benefits issues and honestly the callback services like Claimyr are becoming pretty popular with our clients. Washington ESD's phone system just can't handle the volume and people need to get through for time-sensitive issues. It's not ideal that we need third-party services to contact our own state agencies, but it is what it is.

For what it's worth, I've noticed the hold times are usually shorter on Wednesdays and Thursdays compared to Mondays and Fridays. Might just be coincidence but could be worth timing your calls accordingly.

Have you tried going to a WorkSource office in person? Sometimes they can help with unemployment issues or at least point you in the right direction.

My claim got resolved but it took me 6 weeks to get through to someone. Turned out to be a simple verification issue that took 5 minutes to fix once I got a human on the phone. So frustrating that such a small thing held up my benefits for so long.

Check if your issue might be something you can resolve online first. The SecureAccess Washington site lets you upload documents and sometimes that's all they need.

Just want to add that when you do get through, make sure you understand exactly what they're telling you about your claim. I got through once and the agent rushed through the explanation so fast I didn't really understand what I needed to do. Had to call back again the next week.

I feel your pain. Spent 4 hours on the phone yesterday just to have them hang up on me right when I was about to talk to someone. The system is completely broken.

One more thing - make sure your phone is fully charged before calling Washington ESD. Nothing worse than having your phone die while you're finally on hold with an agent. Also use a landline if you have one since the connection is usually more stable.

Tried the Claimyr service after seeing it mentioned here and it was honestly a game changer. Got connected to Washington ESD in under an hour and was able to resolve my payment delay issue. Wish I had known about it weeks ago instead of wasting so much time redialing.

Final tip for anyone still struggling - document every time you try to call Washington ESD. Keep track of dates, times, how long you waited, and whether you got through. If you ever need to appeal something or escalate an issue, having that record can be really helpful to show you made good faith efforts to resolve things.

This is exactly why I tried that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. Spent 3 days trying to call on my own and got nowhere. Used their service and was talking to an ESD agent within 45 minutes. Worth it just for the peace of mind.

For what it's worth, I had good luck calling around 2pm on a Wednesday. Seemed like a weird time but I got through in about 30 minutes.

Have you tried going to a WorkSource office in person? Sometimes they can help with basic questions or at least point you in the right direction.

This whole thread is making me anxious. I just filed my first claim last week and now I'm worried about getting stuck in phone hell too.

I tried that Claimyr thing someone mentioned and it actually worked! Got connected to Washington ESD in under 30 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The agent helped me understand why my weekly claim was denied and how to fix it for next week.

The whole system is a nightmare. I've been trying to reach them about an overpayment notice for a month. Finally got through last week using one of those call services - similar to what someone mentioned earlier. Totally worth it to not waste any more of my own time.

Make sure you know your PIN number before calling too. They always ask for it to verify your identity.

try calling during lunch hours like 12-1pm. lots of people dont call then because they think the office is closed but they're still open

Hope this thread helps other people dealing with the same Washington ESD contact issues. It's frustrating but there are ways to get through if you're persistent and try different approaches.

UPDATE: Got through using the callback service and my claim issue is resolved! The agent said my 'under review' status was just a routine check because I had a gap in my job search log from when I was sick last month. She updated my file and said payments should resume within 2-3 business days. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

The key is persistence. I called 47 times over two weeks before I finally got through. Keep a log of when you call and what happens - it helps you identify patterns.

Another option is to contact your state representative's office. They sometimes have direct lines to ESD and can help with stuck claims. It's a long shot but worth trying if you've exhausted other options.

The automated system is so confusing too. Half the time I don't even know which option to press to get to a human.

I hate to say it but persistence is key. Keep calling back if you get disconnected. I know it sucks but eventually you'll get through. Also make sure you have all your documents ready before you call so you don't waste the agent's time.

Update: I tried calling at 8am sharp this morning and actually got through after 90 minutes on hold! The agent was really helpful and cleared up my adjudication issue. For anyone still struggling, definitely try the early morning approach and be prepared to wait.

For anyone considering Claimyr or similar services, I was skeptical too but it really does work. They handled all the waiting and calling for me while I went about my day. When they connected me to an agent, I was able to resolve my claim status issue in 10 minutes. Sometimes it's worth paying for convenience and peace of mind.

Update for anyone still reading: I finally got through this morning at 8:15am and got my issue resolved! The agent said my employer hadn't responded to their request for information, which is why my claim was stuck in adjudication. She was able to move it along since it had been over 10 days. Sometimes persistence pays off.

For what it's worth, the Spanish language line sometimes has shorter wait times if you're bilingual.

Still can't believe it's 2025 and we're dealing with phone systems this outdated. There has to be a better way to handle unemployment claims.

Whatever you do, don't give up. I waited 6 weeks for my claim to get resolved but it eventually did. The system is slow but it does work eventually.

Just want to add that if you do manage to get through, make sure to ask about expediting your claim if you're facing financial hardship. They have options for urgent cases.

The whole calling situation is why I ended up using Claimyr too. I know some people are skeptical but it saved me so much time and stress. Sometimes you just need to get creative with these government agencies.

I've been following this thread and just wanted to say good luck to everyone dealing with this. The unemployment system shouldn't be this hard to navigate when people are already stressed about money.

One more tip - if you do get through to someone, ask them to add notes to your account about what was discussed. That way if you need to call back, the next agent will have context.

Update us when you finally get through! This thread has been helpful and I'm curious to hear how it works out.