How to get through to Washington ESD unemployment office - phone lines always busy

Same problem here! I've been calling for 3 weeks straight and can't get through. The phone system is completely overwhelmed.

ugh same problem here, been calling for 3 weeks straight and nothing. the system is completely broken

I work in customer service and deal with high call volumes. The Washington ESD phone system gets slammed because everyone calls at the same times. Try calling at 11:30am or 2:15pm - those are typically lower volume times for government agencies.

ugh same problem here, been calling for 3 weeks about my adjudication status

I've had success calling multiple times in a row. Sometimes you get through on the 15th or 20th try. It's annoying but it works eventually. Also try calling during lunch hours when there might be fewer people calling.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD when I was having the same problem. They basically call for you and get you connected to an agent. Saved me hours of frustration trying to get through myself. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Another trick is to use the callback feature if Washington ESD has one available. Some people don't know about it so the wait times are shorter than staying on hold.

There's actually a service called Claimyr that can help you get through to Washington ESD. I used it last month when I was having issues with my adjudication. They basically call for you and get you connected to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The trick is to call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open. Set multiple alarms and be ready to dial the second it hits 8. I've gotten through several times this way, though you still might wait on hold for a while.

The whole system is broken. I've been trying to reach them for MONTHS about my adjudication and can't get through. It's ridiculous that we can't reach the people handling our benefits.

honestly the whole system is a joke. they make it impossible to reach anyone on purpose so people just give up and stop trying to get their benefits

The phone system is completely overwhelmed right now. I've been helping people with Washington ESD issues for years and it's never been this bad. Your best bet is to call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open - not 8:01, but right at 8:00. Use the main number 800-318-6022 and keep hitting redial if you get the busy signal. Sometimes it takes 50+ attempts but you'll eventually get in the queue.

What kind of issue are you having with your weekly claim? Sometimes you can resolve things online through your SecureAccess Washington account without needing to call.

I tried calling 247 times last week (yes I counted) and only got through once, but got disconnected before speaking to anyone. This is insane.

Here are some practical tips that have worked for others: 1) Call exactly at 8:00 AM when they open, 2) Try calling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Mondays and Fridays are busiest), 3) Have all your information ready including SSN and claim confirmation number, 4) Don't hang up if you get hold music - sometimes it takes 2+ hours but you will eventually get through.

My friend used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and said it worked great. She was dealing with an overpayment issue and couldn't get through for weeks. They got her connected to an agent in like 20 minutes.

I tried calling 47 times yesterday. FORTY SEVEN. Finally got through around 2 PM and was on hold for another hour. But I did eventually talk to someone and got my issue resolved.

Try calling the technical support line instead of the main claims line. Sometimes they can transfer you or help with certain issues.

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD last month. You give them your info and they keep calling until they reach an agent, then they conference you in. Cost me some money but saved me literally hours of calling. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Pro tip: keep a phone log of when you call, how long you wait, and what happens. If you end up having to appeal anything later, documentation of your attempts to contact them can be helpful.

Another option is to contact your state representative's office. They sometimes have direct lines to Washington ESD and can help expedite issues for constituents.

Have you tried calling on Wednesdays? I read somewhere that Wednesdays are less busy because people are working mid-week.

Make sure you have all your information ready before you call - Social Security number, claim number, the specific issue you're having. That way you don't waste time once you get through.

Just want to follow up on the Claimyr thing - I used them again this week for a different issue and they got me connected in about an hour. It's honestly worth it when you're stuck like this and need to talk to someone urgently.

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I've been calling for A MONTH about my disqualification and can't reach anyone. How is this legal???

Try calling the employer services line instead of the claimant line. Sometimes they're less busy and can transfer you or at least tell you what's holding up your claim. The number is 800-215-1550.

The Friday afternoon thing works too sometimes. People don't expect it but Fridays can be less busy after lunch.

i been calling every day for 2 weeks, usually get disconnected after waiting 3+ hours. this is my first time on unemployment and i dont understand why its so hard to talk to someone about my weekly claim

Have you tried reaching out through their online messaging system? Sometimes that gets a faster response than calling.

whatever you do dont give up. i almost lost my benefits because i stopped trying to call. keep at it and youll eventually get through

Pro tip: Try calling during lunch hours 11:30-1:30. Fewer people calling then because they assume the office is closed. I got through in 45 minutes last week doing this.

This is exactly why I ended up trying Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication for 6 weeks. I was spending 3-4 hours a day trying to call Washington ESD with no luck. Claimyr got me through on the first try and I was able to resolve my issue that same day. Sometimes you just need to find a workaround when the regular system isn't working.

Try calling the local WorkSource office instead of the main unemployment line. Sometimes they can help or transfer you directly.

honestly just keep calling, persistence is key with Washington ESD. took me 2 weeks but i finally got through

Make sure you're calling the right number for your specific issue. There are different numbers for different types of problems - regular UI claims, appeals, technical issues, etc. Using the wrong number just wastes your time.

Update: I tried the Claimyr service that people mentioned and it actually worked! Got connected to a Washington ESD agent in about 15 minutes. Turns out my adjudication was just waiting for me to submit one additional document. Agent walked me through exactly what I needed to do and my claim was approved two days later. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get things sorted out.

Same boat here. My job search requirements aren't showing up correctly in my account and I can't fix it without talking to someone. Been calling for weeks.

Try the chat feature on the Washington ESD website if it's available. Sometimes less busy than phones.

My sister used that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked for her standby claim issue. She was stuck for 6 weeks before using them.

Called 47 times yesterday between 8am and 4pm. Got through once and was on hold for 3.5 hours before getting disconnected. I actually kept a log because this is ridiculous.

maybe try emailing them? sometimes that works better than calling

I heard if you call the Spanish language line they have shorter wait times and can transfer you to English speaking agents.

Update: I finally got through using that Claimyr service! They called me back within 2 hours and had me connected to an agent. Found out my claim was stuck because of an address verification issue that wasn't showing up in my online account. Problem solved in 10 minutes once I actually talked to someone.

try calling right before they close at 4pm, sometimes agents pick up more calls at end of day to clear queue

This whole thread is making me feel better that it's not just me struggling with this. Been trying to resolve an overpayment notice for 3 weeks and can't get through to appeal it.

SUCCESS! Finally got through after reading this thread. Used the 8am strategy and called exactly at 8:00:00 according to my phone's clock. Took 23 redials but got in queue and waited 2.5 hours. Agent was actually very helpful once connected.

The real problem is they cut staff but didn't reduce the number of claims. This is what happens when you try to run government services on the cheap.

Thanks everyone for all the tips. Going to try the 8am redial strategy tomorrow and if that doesn't work I'll look into that Claimyr thing. Will update with results.

I've been in the same boat. The key is persistence and trying different times of day. Early morning and late afternoon seem to work best for me.

Check if your local WorkSource office can help. Sometimes they have direct contacts at Washington ESD and can make calls on your behalf.

The automated system sometimes has options to request a callback. Have you tried that? It doesn't always work but sometimes they do call back.

Document everything - times you called, how long you waited, what happened. If your benefits get delayed because you couldn't reach them, you'll have proof you tried.

I finally got through yesterday after trying for weeks. They were actually really helpful once I reached someone. The wait is terrible but the agents do know what they're doing.

One more thing - if you get disconnected while on hold, try calling back immediately. Sometimes you can get through faster on the second attempt.

I'm in the exact same situation - been trying to call for over a week about my flagged claim and can't get through at all. It's so frustrating when you need help but can't reach anyone. I'm going to try some of the strategies mentioned here like calling right at 8am and the lunch hour approach. Has anyone had luck with contacting their state representative's office like Taylor mentioned? That sounds like it might be worth a shot if the phone lines keep failing.