How to contact unemployment Washington ESD - phone keeps hanging up
I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for two weeks about my pending claim and I can't get through to anyone. The phone system either puts me on hold for hours then hangs up, or gives me that message about high call volume and disconnects. I need to talk to someone about why my weekly claim is showing as 'under review' when I haven't changed anything about my job search activities. Has anyone figured out a reliable way to actually speak with a human at Washington ESD? This is driving me crazy and I'm worried my benefits are going to get stopped.
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Lorenzo McCormick
omg same problem here!! been calling for 3 weeks straight and nothing. the automated system is useless when you actually need help
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Ayla Kumar
•It's so frustrating! I even tried calling right when they open at 8am and still couldn't get through.
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Carmella Popescu
•The trick is to call exactly at 8:00:00 AM. Not 8:01, not 7:59. Set multiple alarms and hit redial immediately.
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Kai Santiago
The Washington ESD phone system has been overwhelmed since they updated their call routing last month. Your best bet is to call the main customer service line at 800-318-6022 between 8am-4pm Monday through Friday. If you're calling about weekly claims specifically, try the automated system first to see if you can resolve it without an agent.
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Ayla Kumar
•I tried that number dozens of times. It just says all representatives are busy and hangs up on me.
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Lim Wong
•Yeah that number is basically useless unless you get really lucky with timing
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Dananyl Lear
I had the same issue last month and someone told me about this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical at first but I was desperate. Tried it and got connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's even a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me weeks of frustration trying to call myself.
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Noah huntAce420
•Wait is this legit? How does it work exactly?
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Dananyl Lear
•Yeah it's real. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Ana Rusula
•I'm usually skeptical of these services but honestly anything is better than the current situation with Washington ESD phones
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Carmella Popescu
For weekly claims issues specifically, make sure you're not calling on Mondays or right after a holiday. Tuesday through Thursday between 10am-2pm tends to have slightly better success rates. Also try calling the WorkSourceWA offices in your area - they sometimes can help with basic claim questions.
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Ayla Kumar
•I didn't know WorkSourceWA could help with claims! Do they have direct access to Washington ESD systems?
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Carmella Popescu
•They can view some basic claim info and help with job search requirements, but for adjudication issues you still need to talk to Washington ESD directly.
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Fidel Carson
This is exactly why I hate dealing with government agencies. They make it impossible to reach them when you actually need help!
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Isaiah Sanders
•Right?? And then they wonder why people get frustrated with the system
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Xan Dae
•At least unemployment benefits exist though. Could be worse.
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Lim Wong
I've been tracking my call attempts and I've made 47 calls over the past 2 weeks. Only got through to hold music 3 times and got disconnected every time after 2+ hours. This is insane.
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Fiona Gallagher
•47 calls?! That's dedication but also really shows how broken their system is
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Lim Wong
•Yeah I'm keeping a spreadsheet because I figure if I ever need to file a complaint I'll have documentation
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Thais Soares
Have you tried using the SecureAccess Washington portal online? Sometimes you can resolve issues there without needing to call.
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Ayla Kumar
•I checked my account there but it just shows the same 'under review' status with no explanation of what they need from me.
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Kai Santiago
•The online portal is good for basic stuff but anything involving adjudication or claim reviews usually requires speaking to an agent.
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Nalani Liu
I finally got through last week using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Took about 15 minutes and the agent was able to explain that my claim was flagged because I reported working hours that didn't match what my employer reported. Got it resolved in one call.
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Ayla Kumar
•That's exactly the kind of issue I think I might have! How much does the service cost?
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Nalani Liu
•I don't remember the exact amount but it was totally worth it to avoid weeks more of trying to call myself. Check their site for current pricing.
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Axel Bourke
Pro tip: if you do get through to hold music, DO NOT hang up even if you've been waiting for hours. I waited 3.5 hours once but finally got an agent who resolved my issue in 10 minutes.
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Aidan Percy
•3.5 hours?! I don't have that kind of time during my work day
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Axel Bourke
•I know it's ridiculous but sometimes that's what it takes with Washington ESD unfortunately
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Fernanda Marquez
The whole system is a joke. I had to take time off work multiple times just to try calling and never got through. Finally used Claimyr and got my issue resolved the same day. Sometimes you just have to work around their broken system.
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Norman Fraser
•Same experience here. The traditional calling method is basically useless at this point.
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Kendrick Webb
•It's sad that we have to use third-party services to access government agencies that we pay taxes to fund
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Hattie Carson
For what it's worth, I called 73 times over 3 weeks and never got through once. Finally bit the bullet and used the Claimyr service. Got connected to an agent in under 30 minutes and found out my weekly claim issue was just a simple computer glitch that they fixed while I was on the phone. Wish I had done it weeks earlier instead of wasting all that time.
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Ayla Kumar
•73 times!! Ok you've convinced me to try Claimyr. This is ridiculous.
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Destiny Bryant
•Yeah at some point you have to decide if your time is worth more than whatever the service costs
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Dyllan Nantx
Just wanted to update - I tried calling again this morning at exactly 8am and actually got through to an agent after only 45 minutes on hold! My claim issue was resolved. So it is possible, you just have to get really lucky with timing.
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Ayla Kumar
•That's great news! What time did you actually start dialing? I want to try the same approach.
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Dyllan Nantx
•I started dialing at 7:59:50 and hit send right at 8:00:00. Had my phone ready and dialed immediately.
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TillyCombatwarrior
If anyone else is having this problem, I found that calling the WorkSourceWA office in Spokane was actually helpful. They couldn't fix my claim directly but they were able to send a message to Washington ESD on my behalf and I got a callback within 2 days.
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Anna Xian
•Which WorkSourceWA location specifically? I might try this approach too.
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TillyCombatwarrior
•The one on North Division. But I think any WorkSourceWA office should be able to help send messages to Washington ESD.
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