How to contact Washington ESD unemployment - phone lines always busy

It's ridiculous how hard it is to reach them when we need help with our claims

The phone system is definitely overwhelmed. Try calling right when they open at 8am

That sounds too good to be true - does it actually work?

Yeah it worked for me! Got connected to an agent within 30 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks on my own

I'm skeptical of services like this but honestly might be worth trying at this point

It's so frustrating! I don't understand how they expect people to resolve issues if nobody can get through.

Have you tried calling right at 8am when they open? Sometimes that helps but you have to be really quick.

I've tried those exact times multiple days in a row with no luck. Did you eventually get through?

Yeah but it took me calling literally 50+ times over several days. Not sustainable at all.

I tried that yesterday and got disconnected after 2.5 hours of waiting. So frustrating when you just need a simple question answered.

same here, called at 8:05am and was caller number 847 in line lol

I tried that yesterday and today, still just get the busy signal. How early do you start calling?

I literally start dialing at 7:59 AM and keep hitting redial. Sometimes it takes 20-30 tries just to get past the busy signal.

For job search questions, you might be able to find answers on WorkSourceWA or the Washington ESD website without needing to call.

already checked there but my situation is complicated and i need to talk to someone who can look at my specific case

Thanks for the specific tips! I'll try calling Tuesday morning right at 8

I tried calling at 8am sharp yesterday and still couldn't get through. The lines must be really backed up

It can take multiple attempts even with good timing. Don't give up after just one try

I've tried that exact strategy and still can't get through. Is there any other number or method?

You can also try the WorkSourceWA offices in person, but they have limited ability to help with claim issues. Most problems need to be resolved directly with Washington ESD.

Wait, is this some kind of paid service? Sounds too good to be true.

Yeah it costs something but honestly it was worth it to finally talk to someone at Washington ESD instead of wasting entire days calling. Much cheaper than missing work to sit on the phone all day.

How long did it take them to get you connected? And do they actually get you to the right department?

Took about 2 hours for them to get through and yes, they transferred me directly to an adjudication specialist who could see my claim details.

I feel your frustration but yelling won't help. We're all in the same boat

Sorry for venting but I'm at my wit's end here. Lost my job and can't even get basic help

Have you tried using their online messaging system? Sometimes that gets faster responses

That sounds too good to be true. How does it work exactly?

They basically handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent picks up. Way better than spending hours hitting redial.

I'm skeptical of any service that charges to contact government agencies...

I tried that yesterday and still couldn't get through. Do you have the direct number or just use the main line?

I use the main customer service line (833) 572-8400. Sometimes I try the employer line if it's really urgent but they don't like that.

If your claim is flagged it's probably in adjudication. You can check your eServices account to see if there are any pending issues or documents they need from you.

already checked, nothing shows up as needed. thats why i need to call

I never see a callback option when I call. Which number are you using?

The main UI customer service line. Maybe it depends on call volume that day?

Good tip about avoiding Mondays and Fridays. I'll try Wednesday morning and see if that helps.

Tuesday at 11am worked for me last month, only waited about 45 minutes which felt like a miracle

Really? 20 minutes sounds too good to be true. What exactly do they do?

I'm skeptical of any service that charges money to help you reach a government agency. Seems like something that should be free.

I get the skepticism but when you're desperate to resolve a claim issue, it's worth it. They basically handle the calling process for you so you don't have to sit on hold all day.

I tried messaging but haven't heard back in over a week

That's longer than usual. You might need to follow up or try calling again

I understand the frustration but they are dealing with high call volumes. Adjudication issues especially need to be resolved by phone since they're complex.

High call volumes for MONTHS? That's not an excuse anymore, it's incompetence.

I tried that number too but got disconnected after being on hold for 2 hours.

The tech support line is just as backed up as the main line unfortunately.

That's insane! How are we supposed to survive without being able to access our benefits?

Have you tried contacting your state representative? Sometimes they can help escalate issues.

I sent an email to my rep but haven't heard back yet. Will try calling their office next.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! How long do I have before I lose my benefits completely?

You generally have a grace period but I'd recommend getting this resolved ASAP. Missing multiple weeks can complicate things.

Is this legit? I'm desperate at this point but don't want to get scammed. How much does it cost?

Yeah it's real, the website is claimyr.com. I was worried about the same thing but they don't ask for sensitive info like SSN or passwords. It did cost something but honestly was worth it to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

What's the technical support number? I've just been calling the main unemployment line.

The tech support line is for account access issues, not claim questions. If your claim is pending, you need the regular claims line.

The new system actually works better than the old one, the problem is just too many people calling and not enough staff.

if the system worked people wouldnt need to call so much

Can you share that list? I only know the main number.

Main line: 800-318-6022, Tech support: 855-682-0785, Appeals: 855-435-7362. There are a few others but these are the main ones.

Is this legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point but don't want to get scammed.

Totally legitimate. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. Much better than wasting entire days redialing.

How much does something like that cost though? I'm already not getting my benefits.

It just says 'pending' with no other details. That's why I need to talk to someone

Check if there are any action items in your account that need to be completed

This is exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. The agent was able to explain what 'pending' meant for my specific case

I didn't know about calling back immediately. I usually wait a few hours before trying again thinking it would be less busy.

this actually worked for me once! got disconnected after 90 min wait, called right back and got through in 15 min

I mean, you're not wrong. The system seems designed to discourage people from getting help.

I think it's more about being understaffed than being intentionally difficult, but the result is the same either way.

I sent a message 5 days ago and haven't heard back. My issue is time sensitive so I really need to talk to someone.

The messaging system is backed up too. For pending claims they usually want you to call anyway since they need to verify information over the phone.

Same thing happened to me twice! So frustrating when you finally get through and then the call just drops.

Right?? And then you have to start all over again. I'm about ready to drive to their office but I don't think they do walk-ins anymore.

Same here with the online messages! They just send back generic form responses that don't help at all.

The overpayment notices are brutal. Did you try appealing it through the website?

I need to talk to someone first to understand what they're even claiming I did wrong before I can appeal anything.

wait really? im going to try this too, been stuck for weeks

What was the verification issue? I'm wondering if I have the same problem.

They needed additional documentation from my previous employer that I never got notified about. The rep was able to tell me exactly what to submit.

Maybe I should try that then. I'm desperate at this point.

How much does it cost though? I'm unemployed so I don't have extra money to spend.

It's worth it if you're losing weeks of benefits because you can't get through. Check their website for current pricing.

What number did you use? The main 833 number or a different one?

Main customer service line. I literally started calling at 7:59am and kept hitting redial until it went through.

What's the callback feature? I've never seen that option.

Sometimes when you call and it's busy, the system will ask if you want a callback instead of waiting on hold. It doesn't always work but when it does it saves you from sitting by the phone for hours.

Really? I'm definitely going to try this. Did they actually get you to the right department or just the general line?

They connected me directly to a claims specialist who could access my account. Much better than the runaround I was getting trying to call myself.

That's actually not recommended - they're different departments and it can cause confusion

worked for me once when i was desperate but yeah probably not the right way

Unfortunately the lines get progressively worse throughout the day. By afternoon it's nearly impossible to get through. You might have better luck on your lunch break if you have one.

ugh that sucks. maybe i should try that callback service thing

I sent a message 5 days ago and haven't heard back yet. Maybe I should try calling and messaging both.

SAW messaging works for basic questions but complex issues really need phone contact. Keep trying both methods.

Interesting, I always assumed lunch would be busier. I'll try that time slot tomorrow.

Yeah it's counterintuitive but I think a lot of people assume lunch is busy so they avoid calling then.

What's the technical support number? I can't find it on their website

It should be listed under 'Contact Us' but honestly the website is confusing. All the numbers seem to go to the same overloaded system anyway

Good to hear! Job search log issues are really common - the system doesn't always save properly if you don't hit submit at the very end.

yeah thats exactly what happened, i was just updating it but not submitting

WorkSource can help with some things like job search requirements and registering for work, but for claim-specific issues you still need to contact Washington ESD directly.

Darn, was hoping to avoid the phone nightmare completely.

That's a good idea. Do you just call their office directly?

Yeah, most representatives have constituent services that help with state agency issues. You can find your rep on the legislature website and call their local office.

I might try that just to see if they have any other suggestions.

The WorkSource staff are usually pretty helpful even if they can't fix everything.

Good idea! I didn't think of that. Do they handle adjudication issues or just job search stuff?

They can help with some claim problems but for complex adjudication stuff you'll probably still need to reach Washington ESD directly.

How much does it cost? I'm already tight on money

They don't charge upfront, you only pay if they successfully connect you. Way better than wasting hours calling yourself

Sounds like a scam to me. Why would you pay someone to make a phone call?

I was skeptical too but when you've been trying for weeks with no success, it's worth it for the time savings

There's a callback option? I haven't seen that anywhere.

yeah when youre on hold for like an hour it gives you the option but its useless

147 calls?? thats insane, you should not have to do that to get help with your own benefits

This is exactly why I used Claimyr - I was going crazy with the constant calling and getting nowhere.

All unemployment claims go through the same central phone system regardless of which office you call

Oh I didn't know that. Thought different offices had separate lines

I didn't know there was a chat feature! Where do I find it?

It's on the main ESD website but it has limited hours and can't help with everything. Worth a try though.

The chat is mainly for general questions. For claim-specific issues you really need to speak with an agent by phone.

Good tip! I have all my paperwork ready but wasn't sure what specific info they'd need.

Also write down the agent's name and any reference numbers they give you. If you get disconnected or need to call back, it helps to have that information.

You must have gotten really lucky. Most of us are waiting hours or can't get through at all

Maybe try calling around 2pm? That's when I called

Afternoons are usually busier than mornings in my experience, but it can vary day to day

That's amazing! I'm signing up right now. This gives me hope that I can actually get my issue resolved.

wow 30 minutes? ive been trying for weeks with no luck

I didn't know they had local offices you could call! I'll look that up.

Yeah but they might redirect you to the main line anyway depending on your issue. Worth a try though.

I tried the chat but it's almost never available when I check. Always says 'chat unavailable' or something like that.

Yeah it's hit or miss. I think they only have a few chat agents so it fills up fast.

I can't give up - I need these benefits to pay rent. But I understand the frustration.

Don't give up! Your benefits are worth fighting for.

How much does Claimyr cost? I'm already tight on money waiting for my claim to process.

I'd rather not discuss pricing in detail but it's reasonable considering the time and stress it saves. Check their website for current rates.

4 hours?! I don't think I've ever even gotten to a queue, just the busy signal.

Yeah getting to the queue is the hardest part. Once you're in, you just have to wait it out.

6 months?! That's terrifying. I can't wait that long to resolve this.

That's exactly why services like Claimyr exist. The regular system is broken.

Good tip! I've been calling first thing in the morning but maybe I should try different times.

I had luck calling around 2pm on a Wednesday once. Still took forever but at least I got through.

That's encouraging to hear. I'm definitely going to look into this Claimyr thing.

How quickly did they get you connected? Same day or did you have to wait?

They got me through within a few hours. Way better than the days I wasted calling myself.

That's what I learned when I finally got through. Would have saved weeks if I'd known what documents to submit upfront.

How do you find out what documents they need if you can't reach anyone on the phone?

Sometimes there are notifications in your eServices account, but they're not always clear about what's needed.

At least I'm not the only one dealing with this mess

First time claims often take longer to process, especially if there are any issues with your employment history

I don't have Twitter but might be worth making an account if it could help. At this point I'll try anything.

they also have a facebook page but i dont think they respond to messages there

That's amazing! I'm definitely going to try it now. How long did it take to get connected?

About 15 minutes total. So much better than calling for hours and getting nowhere.

Glad it worked out! It's ridiculous that we need a third-party service to contact our own government agencies.

Good to know! I'll make sure to emphasize that it's preventing me from filing my weekly claim.

Yeah, they have different priority levels for different types of calls. Claim issues should get handled faster.

That's good to know for when I finally get through

Also write down the agent's name and reference number for your call. Makes follow-ups easier

Then they need to hire more people! We shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get help with our claims

i agree but complaining wont fix it in the short term we just have to work with what we got

Ok you've convinced me to try it. Better than sitting on hold for hours every day

Yeah the agent was really helpful and patient explaining everything. Much better experience than I expected

I've been calling the main number on their website. Is there a better one to try?

The main number should work for claim status questions. Just make sure you're not accidentally calling the employer hotline

That's great news! I'll definitely try calling early tomorrow morning

See? Persistence pays off. Glad you got answers about your claim

45 minutes is still ridiculous but at least you got through eventually

Good idea, I'll start keeping track of my attempts

Also screenshot any error messages or busy signals you get. Creates a paper trail

Same here - let me know how it goes!

Hope one of these methods works for you. Getting through to Washington ESD shouldn't be this hard but at least there are options

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep trying and document everything like you suggested.

Keeping records is smart advice. If you end up having to appeal anything later, that documentation could be helpful.

It's frustrating but there are workarounds like calling at specific times or using services like Claimyr.

yeah same experience here, got right to someone who could actually help instead of being transferred around

Ok I'm convinced, going to try this tomorrow. Can't take another week of redial hell.

Nice! Glad the lunch time calling worked for someone else. It really does seem less busy then.

3 hours is still brutal but at least you got through. These simple issues that take forever to resolve are so frustrating.

Standby issues can be tricky - good that you got it sorted out. Those often require talking to someone who understands the specific rules.

I get the frustration but honestly it's cheaper than taking time off work to spend all day calling. At least until they fix their phone system.

true i guess its just annoying that this is what it comes to

That's awesome! It's amazing how these issues that seem so complicated are often simple fixes once you talk to the right person.

Weekly claim errors are super common and usually easy to fix, but impossible to resolve without talking to someone. Glad you got it sorted out.

Yeah this thread has been really helpful. Good to know there are actual solutions that work instead of just complaining about the system.

Great advice. I made that mistake once and it took another 2 weeks to get back through to ask one simple follow-up question.

Exactly why services like Claimyr are worth it - you can ask all your questions in one call instead of playing phone tag for weeks.

You're not wrong but sometimes you need to work within the system as it exists, not as it should be.

EXACTLY. We already pay taxes that fund Washington ESD, why should we pay more just to talk to them?

Interesting idea. What's the employer services number?

It's on the Washington ESD website under employer resources. They might not be able to help with everything but worth a try.

That's actually really smart. I should start tracking my attempts too.

wow that's dedication, but probably necessary with how bad the system is

Good to know it's not just incompetence but actual system overload. Still doesn't help me reach someone though.

The pandemic was years ago, how is that still an excuse for terrible service?

I'm starting to think Claimyr might be worth trying. How quickly did they connect you?

Took about 30 minutes from when I submitted my request to when I was talking to a Washington ESD agent. Much better than the 4+ hours I was spending on hold before.

Yes! That's exactly what happened to me yesterday. So infuriating.

The system has automatic timeout features that disconnect calls after a certain period. It's designed to prevent people from staying connected indefinitely.

I hadn't thought of that. My claim isn't super urgent but it's been over a week with no resolution.

This is good advice for truly urgent situations but try the normal channels first. Representatives' offices should be last resort.

I'll try 3pm today. Thanks for the tip!

3pm worked for me too, waited about an hour which isn't terrible by Washington ESD standards

I'm calling the general customer service line. Should I be calling a different number for claim status questions?

The general line should work for claim status but if you have a specific issue like adjudication or appeals, there might be dedicated lines that are less busy.

Two weeks?! That's crazy. At least you finally got help though.

Yeah it was frustrating but the agent sorted everything out in about 10 minutes. Sometimes it's worth the wait.

Great to hear you got through! That's exactly why persistence pays off with Washington ESD.

Glad the 3pm strategy worked for you. It's all about finding the right time and being patient.

45 minutes is still ridiculous but at least you got help eventually

Good point. I have most of that ready but I should double-check I have everything.

Also write down your questions beforehand. Easy to forget what you wanted to ask when you're finally talking to someone.

What's that number? My issue isn't technical but maybe they can transfer me?

It's for account access issues specifically. They probably can't help with claim adjudication stuff.

I'm leaning toward trying it too. This manual calling approach clearly isn't working.

Let us know how it goes if you try it! I might need to do the same thing.

Yeah, but my claim is flagged for adjudication so the automated system just tells me to contact customer service. Full circle problem.

Ah that's frustrating. Adjudication definitely needs human review.

73 times?! That's insane. I don't have that kind of time or patience.

I know it's ridiculous but my benefits were worth more than my time that day. Do what you gotta do.

Interesting theory. I've only been calling from my cell phone.

That sounds like urban legend stuff but who knows with their phone system.

That's two people now who've had success with it. I'm convinced.

Did they ask for any personal info or just handle the calling part?

Just the calling part. Once they connect you, you talk directly to the Washington ESD agent yourself.

Good suggestion. I'll definitely do that once I get this sorted out.

You can set them up through your SecureAccess Washington account if you haven't already.

Thanks for the support. It's good to know I'm not alone in this struggle.