How to contact Washington ESD unemployment - phone keeps hanging up

The main number is completely overwhelmed. I spent 4 hours yesterday trying to get through and never made it past the automated system. It's so frustrating when you need help with your claim.

Try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open. I've had better luck in the first 30 minutes of the day before everyone else starts calling. Also make sure you have your Social Security number and claim confirmation number ready.

I discovered this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to Washington ESD in about 20 minutes. They handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.

The online messaging system through your Washington ESD account sometimes gets faster responses than calling. Have you tried submitting a message through the secure portal?

ugh the phone system is BROKEN. I've called 50+ times this week and gotten through ONCE only to be transferred and disconnected. This is ridiculous when people need help with their benefits.

For adjudication issues specifically, you might need to speak to a claims specialist rather than general customer service. When you do get through, ask to be transferred to someone who can review adjudication decisions.

Try calling the WorkSource office in your area. They sometimes have a direct line to Washington ESD or can help with basic claim questions.

I had the same problem last month and ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Skeptical at first but they got me through in 15 minutes when I couldn't get through after days of trying myself.

Sometimes if you press different options in the phone menu you can get through to a different queue. I accidentally pressed the wrong number once and got through faster.

The wait times are insane right now. I called 73 times last week (yes I counted) and only got through twice. Both times I was on hold for over an hour.

Have you tried calling on different days of the week? I've noticed Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem slightly less busy than Mondays and Fridays.

My cousin works at Washington ESD and she says they're understaffed and getting thousands of calls per day. The phone system literally can't handle the volume.

I'm in the same boat with adjudication. Been waiting 3 weeks and can't get through to anyone. My savings are almost gone and I'm getting desperate.

Try calling the main number and immediately pressing 0 to bypass the menu. Sometimes that gets you to a human faster.

The secure messaging is your best bet even if it's slow. At least you get a paper trail of your attempts to contact them.

I've been calling for 2 weeks straight and finally got through yesterday using that Claimyr thing. They called me back when an agent was available and I was able to resolve my issue in 10 minutes.

Make sure when you do get through that you have all your information ready - SSN, confirmation number, dates of employment, reason for separation. Don't waste the opportunity by not being prepared.

The frustration is real. I spent my entire morning calling and got nowhere. At least we're not alone in this struggle.

Update: I tried the Claimyr service and they got me through in 18 minutes. The agent was able to see that my former employer hadn't responded to their inquiry, which was causing the delay. She escalated it and said I should see movement within a week. Worth every penny after all the time I wasted calling myself.